Elgton Jenkins Green Bay Packers Jersey , former Ravens defensive coordinate Dean Pees identified Za’Darius Smith as a draft target. Pees later worked opposite LaFleur with the Titans." />Skip to main contentclockmenumore-arrownoyesAcme Packing Company homepageHorizontal - WhiteAcme Packing Companya Green Bay Packers communityFollow Acme Packing Company online:Follow Acme Packing Company on TwitterFollow Acme Packing Company on FacebookFollow Acme Packing Company on InstagramLog in or sign upLog InSign UpSite searchSearchSearchAcme Packing Company main menuFanpostsFanshotsSectionsPackersOddsAboutMastheadCommunity GuidelinesStubHubMoreAll 321 blogs on Horizontal - WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections The APC PodcastPackers Film RoomFantasy Football AdviceCDTShare this storyShare this on FacebookShare this on TwitterShareAll sharing optionsShareAll sharing options for:Matt LaFleur’s DC in Tennessee hand-picked Za’Darius Smith when the Ravens drafted himTwitterFacebookRedditPocketFlipboardEmailZa’Darius Smith impressed the Ravens so much coming out of Kentucky, they believed he was already a “Raven” before they drafted him. Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty ImagesZa’Darius Smith’s hefty pricetag shocked fans, media, and NFL circles when Brian Gutekunst gave him four years and $60 million. But connecting the dots, finding reasons as to why the Green Bay Packers might have valued Smith above other teams, mitigates some of the shock. Not only did new director of football operations Milt Hendrickson work in the Ravens front office when Baltimore drafted him back in 2015, but add in Smith’s dominating performance against Matt LaFleur’s Titans offense last season and the reasons for Green Bay’s interest in Smith shouldn’t come as a surprise. Reports after the signing also indicated the Packers previously made multiple attempts to trade for Smith, signaling an interest long before Hendrickson or LaFleur arrived. As it turns out, that Titans connection was even stronger than we knew. According to The Athletic Baltimore’s Jeff Zrebiec Elgton Jenkins Jersey 2019 , then-Ravens defensive coordinator Dean Pees identified Smith at his Kentucky pro day as a fit for the team, even going so far as to say Smith is already a Raven. In an interview on Locked on Packers, Zrebiec describes the conversation this way: “Dean Pees was the guy who, at Kentucky’s pro day, went up to Za’Darius Smith and said ‘Look, you’re a Raven. We’re going to make you a Raven. You play just like them.’ Dean and Za’Darius were very close.” You can listen to the full interview here. That kind of sign-off comes with its own gravitas considering how well-respected Pees is within NFL circles as a defensive mind. Add in the fact Pees later coached alongside LaFleur in Tennessee and that rubber stamp only amplifies. None of this proves the price tag the Packers paid for Smith will ultimately be worth it (I’d still love to know against whom Green Bay was bidding and if they ever considered going anywhere near what he ultimately got). However, it provides a trail of evidence as to how they ultimately reached this decision.It could also provide some hints as to why the Ravens allowed Smith to walk. If he was Pees’ guy, and Pees was gone, there are fewer advocates for him in the building. Zrebiec also says in the interview the Ravens would have been fine bringing Smith back at a lower number Elgton Jenkins Jersey Mens , but weren’t prepared to pay him what the Packers ultimately offered. Matt LaFleur's coaching staff is coming together this week, and on Friday he made another hire on the defensive side of the room. A few days after bringing Kirk Olivadotti in board as the Green Bay Packers' inside linebackers coach, LaFleur now has his man for the edge rushers. The Packers announced the hiring of Mike Smith on Friday evening, and no, this is not the same Mike Smith who recently coached the Atlanta Falcons for several years. This Mike Smith spent the last few years with the Kansas City Chiefs, first as the team’s assistant defensive line coach in 2016 and 2017 before taking over as outside linebackers coach in 2018. The Chiefs have operated in a 3-4 scheme similar to the Packers' under defensive coordinator Mike Pettine, so Smith's experience should translate well to Green Bay. Smith's efforts in helping his team generate a pass rush were successful in 2018, as the Chiefs tied for the league lead in the regular season with 52 sacks, many of those coming from Smith's unit. Defensive tackle Chris Jones led the team with 15.5 Youth Elgton Jenkins Jersey , but edge rushers Dee Ford and Justin Houston pitched in 13 and nine, respectively.In addition to coaching linebackers, Smith also played the position at Texas Tech and was a seventh-round draft pick of the Baltimore Ravens in 2005. He spent three seasons with Baltimore, ending each year on injured reserve and missing the entire 2007 season with a shoulder injury. That time with the Ravens represents a clear connection to his new boss, Pettine, who was the Ravens’ outside linebackers coach during that period. In fact, the two are very close to one another, as Pettine calls Smith “one of my best friends.”Click here for a full list of the Packers’ coaching staff as it comes together.