A year after winning the Super Bowl, the Baltimore Ravens hit a speed bump last season as they finished 8-8 and couldn’t even make it into the playoffs. The Ravens’ defense dealt with some struggles last season, but a few players stood out and none more so than Daryl Smith

Smith had spent his last nine season with the Jacksonville Jaguars, with two seasons of 100-plus tackles in 2009 and 2011. Smith has consistently shown the ability to get after the quarterback with 26.5 career sacks and has stood out in coverage. But in his final season with the Jaguars, he played in just two games and entered the 2013 offseason looking for a “prove it” deal.

Smith found that deal with Baltimore, signing a one-year contract with the Ravens last offseason. He had a phenomenal season posting career-highs in tackles (123), sacks (five), interceptions (three) and pass deflections (18). Smith stepped up as the new leader of the Ravens defense and mentor to young linebacker Arthur Brown. The Ravens not only upgraded talent wise from Ray Lewis to Smith, but they also found a great leader of their defense with Smith.

The 32-year-old linebacker signed a four-year deal with the Ravens for $16 million total, a great pay raise from his one-year deal last season when he made less than $2 million. Smith’s decision to take a “prove it” deal worked and can serve as a great lesson to other veterans on the free agent market.

Now with their star linebacker back, the Ravens can focus their efforts on improving the offensive line, bringing in more talent at wide receiver and upgrading at free safety. With Smith back in Baltimore, the Ravens now have a great linebacker group going into next season with Brown, Smith, Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil.