Steve Smith announces retirement after this season.

[Tank 92]

I luvs me some Smitty.  But in all honesty, he kinda disappeared for a while last year.  Let's hope he can make a sustained push to the finish line!

[1/28/01]

I have LOVED having him as a RAVEN.

One of my favorite players for sure.

It would be great to give him a ring as a retirement gift.

BTW, I would not be surprised if he signs a one day with Carolina to retire a Panther. I actually think he should and I have no problem with that.

Not surprised? Of course he will.

[BigMike]

Ray ended his career on a defensive stand that will be remembered for a long time. Won't it be great to see Steve end his career on a must have TD. Tall order, but I'm tuning in for the run! Thanks Steve. You will always be remembered as a warrior on the field and a hell of a man off the field! In a few months enjoy your retirement, but until then...Ice up man!!!!!!!

[gabefergy]

Not surprising at all. I'm just glad we got the privelege to watch him play in the purple and black for 2 seasons. HoF career.

[PaleoRaven]

The Panthers are my 2nd favourite team, and SSS was my favourite Panther, so you can imagine how stoked I was when the Ravens got him! We better get the man his ring!

[HomeoftheBRAVENS]

The rest of the team has no other option but to win it all and send him off on top now.I kinda wish he would've waited until the playoffs like Ray did though.

[HomeoftheBRAVENS]

His retirement is right on target cuz we need a strong season so we have to have playoffs at home and the Pats are scared to play in the Ravens' house.  They know the butt whooping coming from weeks away......

 

 

Our only threats in the AFC are the Broncos,Colts and maybe the Steelers if their defense plays better than expected.The Patriots won't even be a factor this season.

[LosT_in_TranSlatioN]

Our only threats in the AFC are the Broncos,Colts and maybe the Steelers if their defense plays better than expected.The Patriots won't even be a factor this season.

Old QB with no arm anymore(granted, he's Peyton Freaking Manning. He might beat us week one but not in the playoffs), Andrew Luck is litearlly that team. Terrible run game, oline, and defense as a whole. Steelers front seven isn't intimidating.

Barring injury *knocks on wood*, I think we got a REALLY good chance.

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

Steve Smith Sr. thank you for continuing your career in Baltimore and being a frequent reminder of what it means to Play Like a Raven on the field and act like a Raven off it.

You've given this team and this fan base your all. Give us one last run and hopefully we can bring that trophy on home... And send you home the proper way.

Thank you for treating our community as your home and giving back so much.

He was meant to be a Raven. Nothing but love, respect and admiration for one of the fiercest and hard working competitors I've had the joy of watching. He's sacrificed years with his family to provide us with entertainment, and now it's time for us to sacrifice the joy of watching one of the all time greats so he can be with his family who deserve to have him back.

One last ride Smitty! NFL - you've officially been put on notice. Time for Baltimore to send yet another legend off into the sunset, ring on hand. Super Bowl or bust boys. Let's get em!!

[Gordo52]

I hope of all of receivers, most notably Perriman, absorb as much as possible.

Is it really possible Steve plays more inspired this season than last? It's an exciting thought.... Talk about an honor watching him play this way, his last 2 years in purple & black...

[stampedehero]

He is an intense player. I think the team will ramp up its efforts to give him a SB experience 

[ravensdan]

One of my favorite NFL players ever. To me he's a clear hall if famer. He was the best receiver of the 2000s ahead of moss or to. Hopefully he will be regarded as such. It would be awesome for him to get his ring here in Baltimore. He also helped me win my first fantasy football championship.

[Tru11]

first ballot HOF in my book.

[Militant X 1]

Not surprised by the news but the timing of it.  Guess it is good to know this early on so that our boys can have something "emotional" to carry them throughout the season to the ultimate prize...Super Bowl Champions!  It could happen!  Let's gooo!

[ravensdan]

Listened to Steve on rich eisen. If you get the chance it's worth a listen. I think Reggie Wayne's innanbility to play like himself last year was a motivation for Steve to not get to that point. He's 'playing with house money' this year. I think he could have one more big year coming.

[FlocksGottaFeed]

This SuperBowl wouldn't be great without another great FHOFer retiring after the victory. What a fitting send-off for 89.

[usmccharles]

Hats off to a great career, too bad he was stuck down there in Carolina so long. Crazy to think he's 5'9... Same as me. He plays like he's 6'9...id play like I'm 4'9. He's a ray Lewis on the other side of the ball.

So... What veteran wr do we bring in next year? Roddy white, vjax, Garcon?

Edited August 12, 2015 by usmccharles

[TDubbs]

When you take a look at Smith's stats, and even project what he might do this year the HOF talk gets pretty interesting. 915 receptions - 13,262 yards - 73 TD's is where he currently stands. 

 

He could realistically get to 1000 receptions - 14,000+ yards and 80 TD's with a good season; that would put him in the top 10 in a few categories. So, it definitely will be an interesting season for Smith that could be full of milestones. 

Edited August 12, 2015 by TDubbs

[January J]

When you take a look at Smith's stats, and even project what he might do this year the HOF talk gets pretty interesting. 915 receptions - 13,262 yards - 73 TD's is where he currently stands.

He could realistically get to 1000 receptions - 14,000+ yards and 80 TD's with a good season; that would put him in the top 10 in a few categories. So, it definitely will be an interesting season for Smith that could be full of milestones.

85 receptions, 738 yards, 7 Tds? That's definitely within Steve's capabilities. Make it happen brotha!

[DefensiveMind]

Lets hope this works out like the last time a HOFer announced his retirement

[GrimCoconut]

I recall Ozzie wanting to trade for him years ago. I think it was the year we traded for Lee Evans?

Anyway, he was great so far in his one year with the team. I'm hoping this year is even better with more chemistry with the QB and players and with him playing with "house money."

[RedFire]

This is definitely worthy of it's own post.  Steve Smith just announced that he will retire after this season.  I hope we can send him out the same way we did Ray Lewis.  I truly wish he was with us for at least half of his career. 

 

Yeah me too...which was the joe flacco era, lol!!!  Would not like to have seen him during the kyle boller era cause Steve Smith has had team cancer issues. 

 

 

we sent Ed Reed offright as well! ed reed had just spent a little more money than ray lewis so he needed an extra check. Ed Reed had several thousand of dollars stolen out of his car

[ravensdan]

Yeah me too...which was the joe flacco era, lol!!! Would not like to have seen him during the kyle boller era cause Steve Smith has had team cancer issues.

we sent Ed Reed offright as well! ed reed had just spent a little more money than ray lewis so he needed an extra check. Ed Reed had several thousand of dollars stolen out of his car

Most of the QBs steve played with were equivalent to Boller. I legit receiver may have done wonders for kyles career honestly.

I strongly disagree with the characterization of a team cancer. Id consider him a consumate pro and team player unlike a lot of his contemporaries.

[RedFire]

Most of the QBs steve played with were equivalent to Boller. I legit receiver may have done wonders for kyles career honestly.

I strongly disagree with the characterization of a team cancer. Id consider him a consumate pro and team player unlike a lot of his contemporaries.

 

fought teammates in practice, had issue with jake delhomme, and undermined cam newton, lol.  dude hides behind passions for the game like many team cancers any sport. steve smith had a long history of doing more criticizing than up-lifting teammates. 

 

we got the Steve Smith that appreciates the moment and that is willing to help young guys much more.....and the fact that we have a proven system along with a proven qb helps. 

Edited August 14, 2015 by RedFire

[ravensdan]

Quote from Greg cossell on the Ross Tucker podcast...

Has there been a receiver since the rules change in 78 at 5'9 like Steve Smith?

And his quote when talking to Larry Fitzgerald. Steve Smith the best receiver in the league at winning vs man to man coverage.

Edited August 14, 2015 by ravensdan

[RedFire]

I like this steve smith with flacco and he's being positive towards teammates and is encouraging others.....

 

but he undermined cam newton and couldn't finish out in Carolina. he's recently reformed and that's simply because he sees the end of the road. I liked his skills back in the day....but he wasn't usually a good teammate.