FLOWERY BRANCH — Former Falcons defensive end Chuck Smith, who’s been training some of the top defensive linemen preparing for the NFL draft in recent years, signed a contract Tuesday to be the outside linebackers coach for the Ravens.

Smith, who played with the Falcons from 1992-99, was a member of the Falcons’ first team to reach the Super Bowl, in the 1998 season.

Smith finished his career with 58.5 sacks, which ranks fourth in Falcons history behind Claude Humphrey (99.5), John Abraham (68.5) and John Zook (61).

Smith, a native of Athens who played at Clarke Central High School and Tennessee, was a pass-rush consultant for the Jets in 2009.

“Chuck Smith’s role is to get after it,” then-Jets coach Rex Ryan said at the time. “If he doesn’t get in a fight before the game, that’s a bonus. ... Just kidding. But he’s so intense.”

While in the NFL, Smith spent time studying Hall of Famers Derrick Thomas, John Randle and Reggie White. He often studied different ways to get past offensive linemen, with a combination of moves to go with speed rushes.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Atlanta Falcons edge rusher Jalon Walker (11) runs a drill as James Pearce Jr. (27) looks during the Atlanta Falcons Rookie Minicamp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Camp, Friday, May 9, 2025, in Flowery Branch. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: Hyosub Shin/AJC

Featured

UPS driver Dan Partyka delivers an overnight package. As more people buy more goods online, the rapid and unrelenting expansion of e-commerce is causing real challenges for the Sandy-Springs based company. (Bob Andres/AJC 2022)

Credit: TNS