Steve Smith Wants to be a Raven

[Shammy]

all if the price is right why not ... rookie WR havent been proven yet and plus injuries can happen

[Bltravens]

He wont come overly cheap, and he'll expect to be at least a #2 somewhere. Torrey needs to play flat out, its time Joe gets some chemistry with a young guy that he can actually talk to about sight adjustments and route concepts so they can become familiar. Plus the signing of Steve Smith would push Torrey and Doss out of getting anything more than 20 catches and that cant happen.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='Bltravens' timestamp='1310954355' post='708798']
He wont come overly cheap, and he'll expect to be at least a #2 somewhere. Torrey needs to play flat out, [b]its time Joe gets some chemistry with a young guy that he can actually talk to about sight adjustments and route concepts so they can become familiar. Plus the signing of Steve Smith would push Torrey and Doss out of getting anything more than 20 catches and that cant happen.[/b]
[/quote]

Exactly. Even though Joe is obviously still learning, being able to impart wisdom to targets will not help him become a better leader, it'll be invaluable to the offense overall long-term.

Again, we're seeing young WRs make an impact(even if not immediate) more than ever. Signing Steve would put a cap on what guys like Torrey, Doss, Reed and the young TEs can do this season. It would also obviously eat into Q and Mason's production, and I highly doubt anyone wants to see three demonstrative WRs arguing on the sidelines.

[atljbo]

[quote name='ArmyRaven52' timestamp='1310947540' post='708745']
Is it just me or are there others that think, maybe, just maybe he did not run as fast as possible at the combine. There have been several reports that says he has ran in the 4.3's and that he plays faster than the time indicates. I don't know if we can accurately judge him from 2 run's at the combine.

I mean Aso ran a 4.5 but he has no problem going downfield with some of the quickest guys in the league.

Now if we were going to get a true burner well the fastest the combine had to offer was a 4.37. 2 people ran that one was that edmonds guy and the other was Ricardo Lockette. Well one is still available if we can get a CBA done and he is huge. Either way it goes when you think of burner you usually look for a little faster than that.

What I do like though is that next year we really dont have a lot of holes to fill unless we lose a good amount of free agent's. I wold like McDaniel, and O'dowd from the UDFA pool and see how they pan out. If they do then next year we have ILB, maybe another tackle, and then we can just go for whatever we feel like, and if there is a guy faster who may be a project than so be it.
[/quote]


Nnamdi Asomugha ran a 4.48 [url="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfldraft/story?page=combine_cb"]link[/url]

Dont forget Julio Jones 4.39...lol

All jokes aside.. I think Smith is a 4.4 guy... Thats fast enough... Roddy White is a 4.4 guy... He is not a blazer but he is fast...

I agree with another poster.. I just dont know if you can count on Smith as your only deep threat (the problem we had with Roddy) ... If Smith proves to be the deep threat... What stop teams from rolling a safety over the top of Smith... You dont have another WR that garners that respect

[RoflDogs]

No gas in the tank. Pass

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='atljbo' timestamp='1310959934' post='708846']
Nnamdi Asomugha ran a 4.48 [url="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfldraft/story?page=combine_cb"]link[/url]

Dont forget Julio Jones 4.39...lol

All jokes aside.. I think Smith is a 4.4 guy... Thats fast enough... Roddy White is a 4.4 guy... He is not a blazer but he is fast...

[b]I agree with another poster.. I just dont know if you can count on Smith as your only deep threat (the problem we had with Roddy) ... If Smith proves to be the deep threat... What stop teams from rolling a safety over the top of Smith... You dont have another WR that garners that respect[/b]
[/quote]

Boldin was bracketed a good amount last season.

Regardless, if a D commits two players to stop Torrey, it leaves other players in single coverage. Rice is one of the best pass-catching RBs in the game. Boldin, Mason and Heap can still make plays. And there are young talents in Dickson, Doss, Reed and Pitta that have the athleticism to make the odd play.

Not that Torrey is as explosive or fast as them, but Mike Wallace and DeSean Jackson are the only deep threats on their teams, but just their presence helps everyone on their respective offenses.

[BloodRaven]

If I was Smith I'd go for the Chargers, they have a better QB, some issues at WR and probably more cap room.

[The King]

Smith ran a 4.43 at the combine, but that was well below what people expected of him. Because when they see him on the field he looks so much faster. It was reported that he was participating with some kind of abdominal injury--a pull or a cramp if I remember correctly. That time is still incredible, and he is more than just a deep threat. He is a threat to score every time he touches the ball with his agility and great vision.

Smith will want to be paid, and we simply don't have the money to bring in another aging WR.

[The King]

Torrey Smith in the first paragraph, Steve Smith in the last sentence.

[atljbo]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1310963068' post='708879']
Boldin was bracketed a good amount last season.

Regardless, if a D commits two players to stop Torrey, it leaves other players in single coverage. Rice is one of the best pass-catching RBs in the game. Boldin, Mason and Heap can still make plays. And there are young talents in Dickson, Doss, Reed and Pitta that have the athleticism to make the odd play.

Not that Torrey is as explosive or fast as them, but Mike Wallace and DeSean Jackson are the only deep threats on their teams, but just their presence helps everyone on their respective offenses.
[/quote]
Those guys have ELITE speed.... They can blow the top off a D... Safeties can get burnt also with those type (safety over the top)... They are early 4.3 guys (4.33 and 4.35 guys)

But they do have help or some help coming... (Philly) Jeremy Maclin is fast (who i would compare torrey smith speed to) ... Also the steelers has Emmanuel Sanders .. The guy looks like he can be a good young fast WR.... Both of those guys are 4.4 type WR's

[TheRavenouseD2008]

if he wants to be here so bad will he work for peanuts litteraly

[AwakenTheDemon]

This is old news. Smith said this before, like a few months ago.

It's good to see you want to win for a change again, Steve. But I doubt you'll end up in Baltimore, perhaps you'll have better luck in The Q.

[Pääjärvi]

With the impact the young wideouts are making in today's game I just want to see what ours can do. No way Baltimore gives picks for another 30ish yo wr.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='atljbo' timestamp='1310968393' post='708894']
Those guys have ELITE speed.... They can blow the top off a D... Safeties can get burnt also with those type (safety over the top)... They are early 4.3 guys (4.33 and 4.35 guys)

But they do have help or some help coming... (Philly) Jeremy Maclin is fast (who i would compare torrey smith speed to) ... Also the steelers has Emmanuel Sanders .. The guy looks like he can be a good young fast WR.... Both of those guys are 4.4 type WR's
[/quote]

I'm well-aware Wallace and Jackson have elite speed, which is why I clearly wrote that Torrey isn't as explosive or fast them. That still doesn't mean he won't be able to get behind NFL CBs and safeties and make plays on athleticism alone.

Maclin and Sanders do have speed, but they're used more as possession WRs(Sanders especially). And compared to Torrey, I'd say his 4.4 speed is more impressive. Combine numbers aren't everything, but he's bigger than Sanders and still had 10 and 20-yard split times that weren't far behind. He's also bigger than Maclin, and his numbers were better across the board.

[atljbo]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1310993489' post='708918']
I'm well-aware Wallace and Jackson have elite speed, which is why I clearly wrote that Torrey isn't as explosive or fast them. That still doesn't mean he won't be able to get behind NFL CBs and safeties and make plays on athleticism alone.

Maclin and Sanders do have speed, but they're used more as possession WRs(Sanders especially). And compared to Torrey, I'd say his 4.4 speed is more impressive. Combine numbers aren't everything, but he's bigger than Sanders and still had 10 and 20-yard split times that weren't far behind. He's also bigger than Maclin, and his numbers were better across the board.
[/quote]



I dont think some understand how good Maclin is... Dude averaged almost 14 yards a catch (almost a 1000 yards receiving) so i wouldnt call him or say he was used as a possession WR... Maclin is 6'0 198 lbs.. Torrey Smith is 6'0 204lbs... Its not a huge difference.. I'm also going by what ive seen from both of those guys during their college days... If Smith grows to be a Maclin type guy ... You guys got a steal.... So comparing Smith speed to Maclin is not a slight or a put down.

[Suggs Package]

Steve Smith is still better than any receiver we have on our roster in my opinion. Signing him would mean getting rid of one of our current receivers like Marcus Smith or not signing some of those guys we have signed to a futures contract. Steve Smith vs James Hardy is an easy decision in my opinion.

[RL52TheGreatest]

There's just too many WR's here already and I would much rather see our young guys get the playing time. I've been a huge fan of Smith, but it just doesn't make much sense.

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

[quote name='Suggs Package' timestamp='1311006424' post='709007']
Steve Smith is still better than any receiver we have on our roster in my opinion. Signing him would mean getting rid of one of our current receivers like Marcus Smith or not signing some of those guys we have signed to a futures contract. Steve Smith vs James Hardy is an easy decision in my opinion.
[/quote]

I understand that the floor with Smith would be much higher than with Hardy, in other words, the short run will see Smith be more productive than Hardy. But that doesn't take into account all the cons to signing him. For example, he's likely to want the ball and make this clear; he's aging and will be a one- or two-year option; his presence will slow the process of our younger WRs getting to grips with the offense.

Not to mention that he isn't a FA and Carolina would want decent compensation at least.

[3-4 Assault]

IMO, much like the corner out in Oakland, no chance he lands here. We don't need him....and is is really only a shadow of his former self.

[Suggs Package]

[quote name='PWNEDbyDEANO' timestamp='1311008299' post='709013']
I understand that the floor with Smith would be much higher than with Hardy, in other words, the short run will see Smith be more productive than Hardy. But that doesn't take into account all the cons to signing him. For example, he's likely to want the ball and make this clear; he's aging and will be a one- or two-year option; his presence will slow the process of our younger WRs getting to grips with the offense.

Not to mention that he isn't a FA and Carolina would want decent compensation at least.
[/quote]
You're absolutely right and he will be a 2 year option for us. I wouldn't want him for any longer. And of course he wants the ball, honestly, we should have more issues about a WR who doesn't want the ball because that says he isn't competitive. His presence would cut the young receiver's playing time, but not their learning ability. If anything, it will helpful, especially for Torrey to watch and learn Steve Smith's game so when he leaves, Torrey can step right up. I'm not expecting immediate contributions for 2nd and 4th round WRs anyway. Usually, when your young WRs get extended playing time, it is either because they are a top ten draft pick and/or the team is in rebuilding mode.

A Boldin-Mase-Smith combo #1 receiver by committee would be pretty scary, even if they only get 700 yards each next season. We would essentially have the "mature" version of Colston, Moore and Meachem.

[Guest ArmyRaven52]

[quote name='Suggs Package' timestamp='1311006424' post='709007']
Steve Smith is still better than any receiver we have on our roster in my opinion. Signing him would mean getting rid of one of our current receivers like Marcus Smith or not signing some of those guys we have signed to a futures contract. Steve Smith vs James Hardy is an easy decision in my opinion.
[/quote]

I would rather have Q than smith both now and when they were both in their prime.

[The Raven]

No. Just no. Too old, and declining. I thought we were trying to get younger at receiver? All this would do is delay the development of the future (Smith, Doss, maybe Hardy) Why are we discussing this?

[SuRihtanil]

We have drafted bust WR in the past... I wouldn't get to cocky with who we signed this year. They may not even start, atleast we know Steve Smith would be #1 or #2 if he came here. Mason hasn't got another season left in the tank so if our rookies are busts, Heap aging, and Boldin not a deep threat. You are back to square one, better reconsider the thought of telling a elite WR we have no room for you, when you don't even have elite WR on your starting roster.

If he would sign to meet our salary cap, then I don't see the big deal in signing him? Well unless the Ravens owner just wants more $$$ to pocket.

[Guest ArmyRaven52]

I wanted to be a ninja turtle, it didn't happen either......damn it!

[3-4 Assault]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1311024672' post='709175']
No. Just no. Too old, and declining. I thought we were trying to get younger at receiver? All this would do is delay the development of the future (Smith, Doss, maybe Hardy) Why are we discussing this?
[/quote]

^This.

This isn't the Raven of the Billick era anymore. We have a very good WR corps now. A good mix of vets and young up and coming guys. We just need a couple of these guys to pan out and we should just fine.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='atljbo' timestamp='1311005412' post='708996']
I dont think some understand how good Maclin is... Dude averaged almost 14 yards a catch (almost a 1000 yards receiving) so i wouldnt call him or say he was used as a possession WR... Maclin is 6'0 198 lbs.. Torrey Smith is 6'0 204lbs... Its not a huge difference.. I'm also going by what ive seen from both of those guys during their college days... If Smith grows to be a Maclin type guy ... You guys got a steal.... So comparing Smith speed to Maclin is not a slight or a put down.
[/quote]

I understand exactly how good Maclin is.

A guy can be considered a "possession WR" and put up the numbers Maclin did last season. Sterling Sharpe, Cris Carter and Anquan Boldin are considered some of the best possession WRs ever and have had years where they averaged around 14 YPC. Maclin has more speed than them, but based on how he's been used during his time as an Eagle, I consider him a possession WR.

They're both listed at 6'0 but Torrey is closer to 6'1. It isn't a huge difference; I simply compared them size-wise. And I never said or implied comparing them in terms of speed was a slight on Torrey, I was stating why I feel Smith could possibly be more effective.

Staying on subject, no to Steve.

[Gordo52]

Who doesnt want to be a Raven?

[Raven112]

WWHHAATT! Beleave me when i say this we need steve smith go youtube our most recent playoff lost to the steelers, "Ravens vs steelers 2011 highlights Afc divisional game". All you see is mason, boldin & housh dropping big game changing balls. And if you know anything about smith is that he catches balls!! Hes that fast, firey, stretch out the defense reciever we need & i know we just drafted two receivers but their young & will drop balls under pressure, they dont need to start right away we need to get ed reed a ring now! we can have d.mason on one side smith on the other and have boldin running the slots as well as todd heap & smith will draw a double team. Flacco needs a receiver that can catch & thats what smith does

[Raven112]

[quote name='columbia raven' timestamp='1311038465' post='709358']
^This.

This isn't the Raven of the Billick era anymore. We have a very good WR corps now. A good mix of vets and young up and coming guys. We just need a couple of these guys to pan out and we should just fine.
[/quote]


A Good mix of vets? Really? tell me why they all failed us in the playoffs against the steelers. Smith is good for another 3 maybe 4 years an mason will be gone next year we need a vet! we cant bet the farm on some rookies im tired of seeing this basic passing attack, Steve smith will add excitment and keep the defense honest & hes that deep threat weve been looking for if the coaching staff knows whats good for the team they will get this guy

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

[quote name='Suggs Package' timestamp='1311017777' post='709098']
You're absolutely right and he will be a 2 year option for us. I wouldn't want him for any longer. And of course he wants the ball, honestly, we should have more issues about a WR who doesn't want the ball because that says he isn't competitive. His presence would cut the young receiver's playing time, but not their learning ability. If anything, it will helpful, especially for Torrey to watch and learn Steve Smith's game so when he leaves, Torrey can step right up. I'm not expecting immediate contributions for 2nd and 4th round WRs anyway. Usually, when your young WRs get extended playing time, it is either because they are a top ten draft pick and/or the team is in rebuilding mode.

A Boldin-Mase-Smith combo #1 receiver by committee would be pretty scary, even if they only get 700 yards each next season. We would essentially have the "mature" version of Colston, Moore and Meachem.
[/quote]

Maybe, but I'm still not 100% convinced that the possible short term gains outweigh the possible long term losses. I'm under the impression that the coaches are moving away from the idea of a veteran filled WR corps so I would be surprised if they were to give up a reasonably high draft pick to acquire him.