Steve Smith lashes out on critical fans

[Tank 92]

The man probably has more catches than any of the other WRs.  

 

If you take a look, I think you'll find he leads the league in drops. 

[757RavensFan]

Hey Steve, at least it's ONLY the fans calling you out.  The Panther front office called you out the past few years.  Instead of, "Ice Up Son, I'm gonna tell you to "Toughen Up, Son!!"  If you talk it when you play well, you gotta take it, when you don't!

 

 That aside, he'll hand out Christmas toys in the community today or tomorrow and all will be well in Bmore land.   

[ratedr]

If you take a look, I think you'll find he leads the league in drops.

I know he drops a lot just by watching games, but does he really?

[Tank 92]

He's not wrong but they do this after every loss - even wins, sometimes. He should know not to feed the trolls but he's not singling out Ravens fans, as the article indicates.

 

 

The Truth hurts sometimes.  And he spoke it. Always does... That's all....

 

 

I really don't take issue with what he said, more so that he felt the need to say anything outside of commenting on the game or his play.  

[The Mom Gene]

I really don't take issue with what he said, more so that he felt the need to say anything outside of commenting on the game or his play.  

I would agree....  but, come on, it's Steve Smith....  after an UGLY loss.....  What do you expect???

[berad]

I really don't take issue with what he said, more so that he felt the need to say anything outside of commenting on the game or his play.  

 

True but this is Steve Smith we're talking about.

 

This isn't towards you, Tank, but this stuff is what comes when you bring in players with swagger and attitude. We take the good with the bad. I don't have an issue with it other than baiting trolls, maybe that's his game. So, when people bemoan Harbaugh for having 'choir boys' on the team, then also whine about some arrogance from Steve Smith, what do they really want?

 

Again, not towards you Tank, just a sentiment I've read a lot in the past few days.

[The Mom Gene]

True but this is Steve Smith we're talking about.

 

This isn't towards you, Tank, but this stuff is what comes when you bring in players with swagger and attitude. We take the good with the bad. I don't have an issue with it other than baiting trolls, maybe that's his game. So, when people bemoan Harbaugh for having 'choir boys' on the team, then also whine about some arrogance from Steve Smith, what do they really want?

 

Again, not towards you Tank, just a sentiment I've read a lot in the past few days.

Absolutely....  You had people burning jersey's yesterday...  for a potentially 10-6 team....  SMH...  You don't think these guys see that too???

 

I love Steve Smith...  I think he's hysterical...  He speaks the truth.

[berad]

Absolutely....  You had people burning jersey's yesterday...  for a potentially 10-6 team....  SMH...  You don't think these guys see that too???

 

I love Steve Smith...  I think he's hysterical...  He speaks the truth.

 

People who burn jerseys just do it for attention, in my opinion. Most of them weren't loyal fans to begin with. ALL of them are making dumb decisions by burning at least a $100 item - unless they bought it from China where its real worth is probably similar to firewood.

[rmcjacket23]

1. Obviously, everybody knows that what he said is 100% true. I'm never knocking a guy for speaking the truth, regardless of whether it comes off as being "mean or offensive".

 

2. Literally the only people who find his comments "offensive" are people who literally are "fat, lazy, couch QBs". Being offended by something is a choice... you do have the choice to NOT be offended.

[ratedr]

It's not about being offended, he yaps too much for a guy who's had little production recently. His mouth is cute and funny when all is well but you need to know when to reel it in. After that performance yesterday his biggest concern should not be dumb fans.

[Tank 92]

I would agree....  but, come on, it's Steve Smith....  after an UGLY loss.....  What do you expect???

 

 

True but this is Steve Smith we're talking about.

 

This isn't towards you, Tank, but this stuff is what comes when you bring in players with swagger and attitude. We take the good with the bad. I don't have an issue with it other than baiting trolls, maybe that's his game. So, when people bemoan Harbaugh for having 'choir boys' on the team, then also whine about some arrogance from Steve Smith, what do they really want?

 

Again, not towards you Tank, just a sentiment I've read a lot in the past few days.

 

 

Swagger, attitude, and even arrogance are fine, you need guys like that to keep the blood flowing. But to aim criticism or barbs at fans, deserved or not, is stupid and childish, especially after a poor performance.    

[Jillester]

"We expect and understand and anticipate all of the negative feedback and all of the fat, lazy, sorry couch quarterbacks are going to come out," Smith said. "We expect that and understand that. We're not going to pay attention to it."

 

He forgot to add IGNORANT to his rant.  Then I'd know he wasn't talking about us!  He has to do a lot better than that to offend me.  My Ravens fan skin is so much thicker that he thinks!

[rmcjacket23]

Swagger, attitude, and even arrogance are fine, you need guys like that to keep the blood flowing. But to aim criticism or barbs at fans, deserved or not, is stupid and childish, especially after a poor performance.    

In general, I agree.

 

BUT... I find it amusing and frankly quite hypocritical for fans to be outraged when the fans themselves are being criticized. At the end of the day... fans aren't above criticism either. They may think they are, which probably stems from them thinking that because they pay money to watch this team and support them that they are above reproach. They, myself included, are not.

 

People come on these boards and claim that people who post on these boards don't reflect the majority of the fanbase and what have you, which is true, but after all, the people posting on these boards (myself included) are a reflection of the team and franchise as a whole.

 

So go review the gameday threads during a bad game. Read what fans are saying. Read the words they use, the demands they make, and the tone they use.

 

Then go read what Steve Smith is saying and explain to me 1. what is inaccurate about what he said and 2. why the fans don't deserve a large amount of criticism as well.

 

And I caution people from using the "well they are professionals excuse", because it doesn't hold up. If the implication is that Steve Smith shouldn't criticize fans because he's a professional, then you're implying that fans aren't professional (which is probably true), and thus its OK for fan criticism because the players are above them on a professional level. That basically implies a parent/child relationship, with the player being the parent and fans being the children.

 

I'm OK if that's the implied relationship, as long as fans understand their role in that hierarchy...

[The Mom Gene]

It's not about being offended, he yaps too much for a guy who's had little production recently. His mouth is cute and funny when all is well but you need to know when to reel it in. After that performance yesterday his biggest concern should not be dumb fans.

Yeah, his mouth is cute and funny when it fits what you (fanbase) wants to hear...  when it's criticism, they just can't handle that.

[ratedr]

Yeah, his mouth is cute and funny when it fits what you (fanbase) wants to hear... when it's criticism, they just can't handle that.

I don't know him personally, his criticism means nothing. It's dumb to lash out at fans when you have a bad game.

[The Mom Gene]

"We expect and understand and anticipate all of the negative feedback and all of the fat, lazy, sorry couch quarterbacks are going to come out," Smith said. "We expect that and understand that. We're not going to pay attention to it."

 

He forgot to add IGNORANT to his rant.  Then I'd know he wasn't talking about us!  He has to do a lot better than that to offend me.  My Ravens fan skin is so much thicker that he thinks!

I think he's talking about guys like Lombardi and Preston...  hahaha...  when you look at the rest of his quote...  He said you guys write it.

[rmcjacket23]

I don't know him personally, his criticism means nothing. It's dumb to lash out at fans when you have a bad game.

Isn't it equally as dumb, however, to call out players, ask for job terminations, cuts, etc. when the team you supposedly cheer for has a bad game?

 

With 100% certainty, I can say that when fans get criticism from players or coaches, they've 100% earned that criticism.

[fistfullwales]

Professional athletes should either accept responsibility for poor play and criticisms from fans or ignore them. It's not offensive, just unprofessional.

[The Mom Gene]

Here is the article from ABC Sports....

 

"We expect and understand and anticipate all of the negative feedback and all of the fat, lazy, sorry couch quarterbacks are going to come out," Smith said. "We expect that and understand that. We're not going to pay attention to it."

Known for his volatility, Smith then lashed out at a reporter who asked about his level of concern about the offense. The Ravens managed a season-low 211 yards of total offense, completing 42 percent of their passes and averaging 2.1 yards per carry.

"Won't you write and then I can tell you how much b------- it is," Smith said.
 

[ratedr]

Isn't it equally as dumb, however, to call out players, ask for job terminations, cuts, etc. when the team you supposedly cheer for has a bad game?

With 100% certainty, I can say that when fans get criticism from players or coaches, they've 100% earned that criticism.

False equivalency, fans don't have microphones generally speaking (only on radio shows that most people don't listen to).

Fan criticism isn't going to affect the performance of the team (or at the very least it shouldn't). Steve Smith performing terribly, on the other hand, will.

[rmcjacket23]

Professional athletes should either accept responsibility for poor play and criticisms from fans or ignore them. It's not offensive, just unprofessional.

So you agree then that fans are unprofessional?

[The Mom Gene]

Professional athletes should either accept responsibility for poor play and criticisms from fans or ignore them. It's not offensive, just unprofessional.

No...  I disagree....  when these guys play their hearts out, and have a bad day, why is it that only we can air out our frustrations?  If you read his ENTIRE comment, you'll see he's actually talking about the pundits...... moreso than the fans.

[fistfullwales]

Isn't it equally as dumb, however, to call out players, ask for job terminations, cuts, etc. when the team you supposedly cheer for has a bad game?

 

With 100% certainty, I can say that when fans get criticism from players or coaches, they've 100% earned that criticism.

 It's not a coach or player's job to call out the media or fan criticism. Play the game and take responsibility for poor performance. Let the fans call out the irrational fans and media who call for knee-jerk moves, etc.

[rmcjacket23]

False equivalency, fans don't have microphones generally speaking (only on radio shows that most people don't listen to).

Fan criticism isn't going to affect the performance of the team (or at the very least it shouldn't). Steve Smith performing terribly, on the other hand, will.

Well, it certainly could. I don't know the habits of professional athletes, but we know plenty of them frequent social media often.

 

Try having thousands of people tell you that you suck, regardless of what your job is, and see if it doesn't at least put a little bit of doubt in your head.

 

Fans don't have microphones, but they have countless other methods to express any opinion they want about anybody, free of punishment or recourse.

 

Same question... does a player criticizing a fan have any influence on the performance of the team?

[fistfullwales]

So you agree then that fans are unprofessional?

I didn't realize fans can get paid millions for being fans! Where do I sign-up to be a professional fan?

[rmcjacket23]

 It's not a coach or player's job to call out the media or fan criticism. Play the game and take responsibility for poor performance. Let the fans call out the irrational fans and media who call for knee-jerk moves, etc.

But why isn't it? They're required to speak to the media... and now fans think that they should be the one's to tell them what they can and can't say? They put the mic in front of them because the media wants them to speak. And why does the media want them to speak? Because the masses read what they say, and the masses are fans.

 

This is how fans view athletes of all sports... "we want you to talk to use through the media, but we don't want you to say something that we don't like. As an athlete, its your job to say what we want you to say and tell us how great a fanbase we are, even when we ourselves know that we probably aren't."

[fistfullwales]

No...  I disagree....  when these guys play their hearts out, and have a bad day, why is it that only we can air out our frustrations?  If you read his ENTIRE comment, you'll see he's actually talking about the pundits...... moreso than the fans.

Take your frustrations out on your opponents. Calling out fans or the media accomplishes nothing accept drawing attention to something that doesn't matter. We've had enough of that this year.

[ratedr]

Well, it certainly could. I don't know the habits of professional athletes, but we know plenty of them frequent social media often.

Try having thousands of people tell you that you suck, regardless of what your job is, and see if it doesn't at least put a little bit of doubt in your head.

Fans don't have microphones, but they have countless other methods to express any opinion they want about anybody, free of punishment or recourse.

Same question... does a player criticizing a fan have any influence on the performance of the team?

Taking time to criticize fans instead of being introspective about the team shows me a lack of focus.

Isn't this a guy who shut down his Twitter. Fan criticism should not be affecting him that much.

[redlobster]

I see why he wore his welcome out in Carolina, he talks a big game but only backs it up 1/4 of the time. He has a serious little man complex or something. I never thought highly of him in Carolina because he was constantly fighting his own teammates, he seems like somebody that needs to constantly justify his existence.

[The Mom Gene]

Take your frustrations out on your opponents. Calling out fans or the media accomplishes nothing accept drawing attention to something that doesn't matter. We've had enough of that this year.

Like I said....  it's Steve Smith...  for us to expect anything different is foolish.