Steve Smith Wants to be a Raven

[SuRihtanil]

Shannon Sharpe came to Baltimore in his 11th season, he was a factor in the Baltimore Ravens winning the superbowl. I don't fall into all the hype he is 32 and to old to play. Ray Lewis is 36 and still top 10 MLB in the NFL... Derrick Mason 37, you gotta use your head here. The man is just in his very early 30s and he is still among the elite WR in the league. It isn't like he is in his 40s. Well hell, Randy Couture was kicking peoples behinds well into his late 40s! lol Steve Smith has around 6-7 years left in him, 6-7 years of getting things done on and off the field. Steve Smith is also a sound guy on and off the field he has never been a drama queen. I know the guy has drive and wants to win a superbowl.

I don't care if he gets signed in Baltimore. I am just stating the oblivious because I see a few ridiculous comments in this thread.

[fistfullwales]

I havent read the whole thread so I dont know if this has been said, but wouldnt James Jones be a much better (everything) value and less of a headache than Steve Smith?

[3-4 Assault]

[quote name='Raven112' timestamp='1311061501' post='709487']
A Good mix of vets? Really? tell me why they all failed us in the playoffs against the steelers.
[/quote]

We dont need to sign another Housh. WE need to start bring in more young guys, not more stop gaps.

[The Raven]

[quote name='SuRihtanil' timestamp='1311072281' post='709503']
Shannon Sharpe came to Baltimore in his 11th season, he was a factor in the Baltimore Ravens winning the superbowl. I don't fall into all the hype he is 32 and to old to play. Ray Lewis is 36 and still top 10 MLB in the NFL... Derrick Mason 37, you gotta use your head here. The man is just in his very early 30s and he is still among the elite WR in the league. It isn't like he is in his 40s. Well hell, Randy Couture was kicking peoples behinds well into his late 40s! lol Steve Smith has around 6-7 years left in him, 6-7 years of getting things done on and off the field. Steve Smith is also a sound guy on and off the field he has never been a drama queen. I know the guy has drive and wants to win a superbowl.

I don't care if he gets signed in Baltimore. I am just stating the oblivious because I see a few ridiculous comments in this thread.
[/quote]

Shannon Sharpe is a HOF tight end, thats why he was still worth the signing at 32. Steve Smith is old AND declining. Like I said before, all he would do is cause a logjam at WR and cause our young WRs to have their development delayed. Do we really want to hurt our future for a declining vet? Isn't that one of the things we as Ravens fans have been complaining about lately?

[SuRihtanil]

Well you can develop a Ryan Leaf all season long, and its still broken. I am not saying our guys are like that I hope they both become great, but fact is we don't know how they will do at the next level. I am saying we lack a elite WR, and we lack a deep threat. We're playing off Steve Smith like we don't need him or his offer when in fact we will probably will have a wish in week 6 "man I wish we woulda signed Smith" but If we have a opportunity to fix what we lack why not fix it... Fix it until we know we have something long term that works. If it was a option sign Smith for 1-2 year see how things work out. Who better for 2 rookies to learn under than 1 of the best NFL WR to play the game.

[SuRihtanil]

If he we don't sign him I won't lose any sleep. I am not arguing that we should sign him either, but if the ravens staff wants him, and have thoughts we may need him. If he is a option and open for a contract I say sign him see how it goes. I don't care much either way, but I am not gonna hate on him because IMO he is better than any WR on our roster currently.

[The Raven]

[quote name='SuRihtanil' timestamp='1311093319' post='709642']
Well you can develop a Ryan Leaf all season long, and its still broken. I am not saying our guys are like that I hope they both become great, but fact is we don't know how they will do at the next level. I am saying we lack a elite WR, and we lack a deep threat. We're playing off Steve Smith like we don't need him or his offer when in fact we will probably will have a wish in week 6 "man I wish we woulda signed Smith" but If we have a opportunity to fix what we lack why not fix it... Fix it until we know we have something long term that works. If it was a option sign Smith for 1-2 year see how things work out. Who better for 2 rookies to learn under than 1 of the best NFL WR to play the game.
[/quote]

That's vaguely inaccurate. You don't know if Ryan Leaf would have been better had he been developed. Personally, I think he had the talent, but not the mentality or the work ethic. But I digress.

We already have two great receivers for them to learn under. I dont think having three mentors will help them anymore than two. In addition, we dont know if the rookies will succeed. But thats football. Who knew Ray was gonna be the best MLB in history? Nobody. You have to play your rookies, if they stay on the shelf they dont develop, and they get dusty. Look at how Belichick runs things in New England. He plays his rookies, and they show up to play.

Also, with the cap being lowered, I dont even think we'd have room for him. I'm still confused why people want a 32 year old deep threat thats declining. We saw last year what having too many old receivers does to you. Let the rookies play!!!!!

[FerrariFan87]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1310925416' post='708650']
After news of the anticipated CBA and our cap situation, I have given up hopes of making less than essential upgrades (Nnamdi and Smith would fall into that category). Barring a trade, I think the biggest excitement we will have is seeing who exactly we decide to retain and who goes. We may grab a third tier type player who fills a need (think Corey Redding kinda guy), but that's about it.
[/quote]

Say it ain't so, fly... you're giving up on Nnamdi?!

[ellicottraven]

Thrilled that receivers want to play for the Ravens. Nice change since the T.O. snub huh? Still doubt Flacco's ability?

[wayne]

[quote name='SuRihtanil' timestamp='1311072281' post='709503']
Shannon Sharpe came to Baltimore in his 11th season, he was a factor in the Baltimore Ravens winning the superbowl. I don't fall into all the hype he is 32 and to old to play. Ray Lewis is 36 and still top 10 MLB in the NFL... Derrick Mason 37, you gotta use your head here. The man is just in his very early 30s and he is still among the elite WR in the league. It isn't like he is in his 40s. Well hell, Randy Couture was kicking peoples behinds well into his late 40s! lol Steve Smith has around 6-7 years left in him, 6-7 years of getting things done on and off the field. Steve Smith is also a sound guy on and off the field he has never been a drama queen. I know the guy has drive and wants to win a superbowl.

I don't care if he gets signed in Baltimore. I am just stating the oblivious because I see a few ridiculous comments in this thread.
[/quote]
^^^^This! I understand that you have to take a chance on rookies to see how they fare but like what's been stated before, we have missed on WR in the past several times so that has to be kept in mind. Also, the age of drop off in productivity has been pushed back IMO, especially with elite players and Smith fits this category. One would figure that Smith play has fell off but look where he has been playing and the QB's that's been throwing him the rock. Moss was in a similar situation in Oakland and Fitzgerald production has dipped b/c of this too as well as other WRs. We trying to win NOW and that's the most important goal IMO. It shouldn't be all about long term b/c no one knows the future but you do know NOW that you have a SB quality team so I believe in doing what you have to do NOW to improve your chances with minimal risk which comes with everything. Our young WRs will have their chance, it nescassarily doesn't have to be now.I'm not saying to completely ignore the future but the present under the circumstances is obviously more important than the future, WE HAVE A TEAM BUILT TO WIN NOW!

[Milton145]

[quote name='ellicottraven' timestamp='1311096815' post='709674']
Thrilled that receivers want to play for the Ravens. Nice change since the T.O. snub huh? Still doubt Flacco's ability?
[/quote]

I agree. It's nice to know that so many veteran players in the league respect and want to play for our organization. Even Housh and Stallworth said they loved their stay here and they didn't even play much. Speaks a lot about our organization.

Anyways, I wouldn't mind if Steve Smith came here for the right price. The rookie WRs will have a lot to catch up on in such a short amount of time. I wanna see what a Torrey Smith or Tandon Doss can do in his NFL rookie year as much as the next guy but if they aren't ready then they aren't ready. You can bring David Reed into the argument as well but he is not proven like a Steve Smith. I also remember reading somewhere he had problem understanding the playbook as well. So basically, I'd be fine if he came here though it's not something I'd fret over.

[Ed_Reed20]

Assuming the Ravens did trade for Steve, I wonder who would blow up to the media first about a lack of catches between him, Q and Mase?

[lowrider]

I'm not overly convinced a 32 year old Steve Smith would be more of an explosive threat than a Torrey Smith or David Reed. He definitely still has talent, but his numbers weren't anything special the past two years (Note: great wide receivers don't blame lack of qb talent, they still produce, ex. Larry Fitzgerald last year still put up numbers). Part of the problem last year in our offense is that we had too many people demanding the ball and bringing in Smith would bring back that problem. We need to rely on our veterans for consistency and our young guys to step up. Normally I would be all for Steve Smith, but I think the wide receiver position has a lot of potential this year.

[SuRihtanil]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1311094900' post='709660']
That's vaguely inaccurate. You don't know if Ryan Leaf would have been better had he been developed. Personally, I think he had the talent, but not the mentality or the work ethic. But I digress.

We already have two great receivers for them to learn under. I dont think having three mentors will help them anymore than two. In addition, we dont know if the rookies will succeed. But thats football. Who knew Ray was gonna be the best MLB in history? Nobody. You have to play your rookies, if they stay on the shelf they dont develop, and they get dusty. Look at how Belichick runs things in New England. He plays his rookies, and they show up to play.

Also, with the cap being lowered, I dont even think we'd have room for him. I'm still confused why people want a 32 year old deep threat thats declining. We saw last year what having too many old receivers does to you. Let the rookies play!!!!!
[/quote]

Thumbs up, I agree with you. All I am saying is Steve Smith is one of the best WR currently in the NFL. Sometimes its hard to pass up a good thing for a uncertain one. Mason will be gone next year, and if our rookies are both busts we will be in a WR hunt this time next year... We may have wished we took a shot. However I don't think we have the room for him anyways unless we release people and that isn't going to happen.

[Corvus]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1311094900' post='709660']

We already have two great receivers for them to learn under. I dont think having three mentors will help them anymore than two. In addition, we dont know if the rookies will succeed. But thats football. Who knew Ray was gonna be the best MLB in history? Nobody. You have to play your rookies, if they stay on the shelf they dont develop, and they get dusty. Look at how Belichick runs things in New England. He plays his rookies, and they show up to play.

Also, with the cap being lowered, I dont even think we'd have room for him. I'm still confused why people want a 32 year old deep threat thats declining. We saw last year what having too many old receivers does to you. Let the rookies play!!!!!
[/quote]

I'm still trying to figure this one out as well in light of, as you mentioned, look where the plethora veteran receivers got us last year. I personally am sick and tired of us trying to rely on free agent vets when there is un-tested talent in house already. Everyone keeps citing how we don't know what we have in our rookie receivers and so they are reluctant to give in to our team playing them this year. The Steelers I'm sure didnt know exactly what they were getting when they drafted 3rd round pick Mike Wallace or 5th round pick Antonio Brown did they? That didnt stop them from using them as rookies did it? I'm sure the Saints weren't banking on 7th round rookie Marques Colston doing much for them his first year in '06. And what did he give the Saints? Oh, just the most catches in NFL history by a player in their first two seasons. Should I keep going? Roddy White, Calvin Johnson, our own Anquan Boldin (with the amazing Jeff Blake as his QB), they all were successful rookie receivers because their teams gave them the trust and opportunity to show what they can do. I understand our "track record" with wideouts hasnt been good, I understand that not every receiver is going to "get it" his rookie season. Does that mean we should continue putting off the future of the position as we seemingly have the last 2 years? Just because Steve Smith who has no say in where he goes with 2 years left on his deal (we would have to do even more cap room juggling than we already have to in order to get his salary under it) states that he would like to play for us? I dont think so. Besides, there are at least 20 receivers in the league I would take over him at this point in his career and one of those is already on our roster in Q...

[flynismo]

We have Boldin, Mason, Heap, Torrey, Doss, Dickson, Pitta (and Rice), and you guys are still talking about bringing in another recieving threat?I dont care what anyone says, our WR and/or lack of a deep threat (more accurately, Cam's refusal to use his deep threat) wasn't the problem last year. Our OL and genius OC were what brought this offense down.Besides, if I can't have Nnamdi, you can't have Smith lol

[lowrider]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1311124725' post='709903']
Besides, if I can't have Nnamdi, you can't have Smith lol
[/quote]
hahaha. I knew that was the real reason why you didn't want Smith. Your definitely not fooling anyone.

[display name]

Rock the house in SD. No thanks.

[3-4 Assault]

We already saw what a declining skilled vet one a one year contract with do last season.

Pass.

[TheRavenouseD2008]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1311124725' post='709903']
We have Boldin, Mason, Heap, Torrey, Doss, Dickson, Pitta (and Rice), and you guys are still talking about bringing in another recieving threat?I dont care what anyone says, our WR and/or lack of a deep threat (more accurately, Cam's refusal to use his deep threat) wasn't the problem last year. Our OL and genius OC were what brought this offense down.Besides, if I can't have Nnamdi, you can't have Smith lol
[/quote]


honestly its not even the OC I think our OLC was the issue not the OC .the running game never got on track because the oline didnt open many holes or generate enough push. the only thing the oc has to do in that is to ask the brass to get him a better coach and fire the old one. thats the main problem . now if this new OLC can get them to do better protection on pass plays I think this year some Ds are going to be toasted by us. Smith is not the key , the key is to get that line to be like a wall on passing downs with out drawing flags

[bigZ2222]

id have to say im 100% in for this one. we have alot of young unproven recievers on roster but to have 3 exsplosive wrs would be awesome not only for the offense and flacco, but for the progression of such players as

-torrey smith
-tandon doss
-james hardy
-david reed
-justin harper
-marcus smith

having d mase boldin and s smith there would be more valuable then on field production. yes at the right price but dont write him off as they always say if there is a way to make the team better they will do so


oh and heaven forbid an injury to mase or boldin do u wanna trust these unproven rooks

[ellicottraven]

Why is signing Nnamdi such a big plus (after all he is 30 also) and signing Steve Smith perceived as such a negative. This in no way means Nnamdi isn't one of the best corners out there, but, I believe Steve Smith is as good a receiver as any in the league. If you want to open the top off defenses, there are very few really good ones and he happens to be one of them. Especially when given the clear disparity in their expected contract numbers, I think dollar for dollar, Steve Smtihmay be a better acquisition for us ...



Now I am not saying we rush into signing him, but he is worth a shot at the right price especially mentoring young stars such as Torrey, Doss and Reed I think...

[The Raven]

[quote name='ellicottraven' timestamp='1311188433' post='710181']
Why is signing Nnamdi such a big plus (after all he is 30 also) and signing Steve Smith perceived as such a negative. This in no way means Nnamdi isn't one of the best corners out there, but, I believe Steve Smith is as good a receiver as any in the league. If you want to open the top off defenses, there are very few really good ones and he happens to be one of them. Especially when given the clear disparity in their expected contract numbers, I think dollar for dollar, Steve Smtihmay be a better acquisition for us ...



Now I am not saying we rush into signing him, but he is worth a shot at the right price especially mentoring young stars such as Torrey, Doss and Reed I think...
[/quote]

Nnamdi is God. Steve Smith is not God. Thats why. Nnamdi is not declining. Steve Smith is declining. Nnamdi can shut down half a field. Steve Smith would be a third or a fourth receiver. There's your reasoning.

And like I said earlier, Mason and Boldin provide plenty as mentors to our young players... You don't need three mentors.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='bigZ2222' timestamp='1311175129' post='710026']
oh and heaven forbid an injury to mase or boldin do u wanna trust these unproven rooks
[/quote]

Why not? Joe would get to gel with players he can grow with. Plus, it's not as if the offense has a dearth of experienced receiving talent.

[Purple Punishment]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1311189689' post='710188']
Nnamdi is God. Steve Smith is not God. Thats why. Nnamdi is not declining. Steve Smith is declining. Nnamdi can shut down half a field. Steve Smith would be a third or a fourth receiver. There's your reasoning.

And like I said earlier, Mason and Boldin provide plenty as mentors to our young players... You don't need three mentors.
[/quote]

a third or 4th receiver!? what the heck are you smoking fella?

[flynismo]

[quote name='Purple Punishment' timestamp='1311206495' post='710358']<br />a third or 4th receiver!? what the heck are you smoking fella?<br />[/quote]


i dont think you realize how poor Smith played last year; and that's even giving him leeway for the poor QB situation

[ellicottraven]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1311189689' post='710188']
Nnamdi is God. Steve Smith is not God. Thats why. Nnamdi is not declining. Steve Smith is declining. Nnamdi can shut down half a field. Steve Smith would be a third or a fourth receiver. There's your reasoning.

And like I said earlier, Mason and Boldin provide plenty as mentors to our young players... You don't need three mentors.
[/quote]


Are you sure you don't want an individual mentor for each young receiver we have?? By the way, Nnamdi is God, but we are currently practicing atheists!

[The Raven]

[quote name='Purple Punishment' timestamp='1311206495' post='710358']
a third or 4th receiver!? what the heck are you smoking fella?
[/quote]

I'm not smoking anything sir. Boldin and Mason had better years than Smith, making them the first and second. Who knows how good Torrey Smith would be this season, so Steve could be a third or a fourth in Baltimore. Very simple logic actually.

Here's the 2010 stats:

Mason: 61 catches, 802 yds, 7 tds, 13.1 avg

Boldin: 64 catches, 837 yds, 7 tds, 13.1 avg

Smith: 46 catches, 554 yds, 2 tds, 12.0 avg

Based on the stats, Mason and Boldin are clearly better. If we're looking for a deep threat, 12 yards a catch is not sufficient, especially when two possession guys beat him on average, yards, catches, and TDs. What are you smokin fella?

[The Raven]

[quote name='ellicottraven' timestamp='1311210384' post='710383']
Are you sure you don't want an individual mentor for each young receiver we have?? By the way, Nnamdi is God, but we are currently practicing atheists!
[/quote]

I dunno, too many voices might confuse them and they might get Flacco syndrome! lol

[TheRavenouseD2008]

honestly we need to keep housh cause doss can learn alot from him he is like throwing housh when he had good hands as a rookie and boldins toughness , dude doss and smith and boldin on 1 line would be killer enough