Steve Smith, Lardarius Webb get into brief shoving match

The Baltimore Ravens didn’t have enough weapons around franchise quarterback Joe Flacco last season after losing Anquan Boldin to the San Francisco 49ers and Dennis Pitta to injury for most of the season, so naturally Flacco’s numbers regressed as his pass-catchers and offensive line did. He’s in for a big bounce-back season with a better line in front of him, what should be improved play from the running back duo, and better pass-catchers. Steve Smith was the big acquisition at WR, and the fiery veteran got into it a little with the Ravens best defensive back.

According to ESPN’s Jamison Hensley, there were two minor skirmishes for the Ravens at minicamp today, with the first being between rookie Colorado State TE Crockett Gillmore and DT Timmy Jernigan and the second being between Smith and ace cornerback Lardarius Webb.

I know some people will try to blow this out of proportion and say, “Oh, Smith’s at it again,” and try and draw parallels to him punching Ken Lucas a few years ago while with the Carolina Panthers, but it’s clear that this was a minor squabble that is very common at training camps, especially between receivers and corners.

Here’s Hensley’s brief account of the events: “Steve Smith shoves Lardarius Webb after the CB contested a pass too vigorously for minicamp. Webb shoved back.”

A little physicality and rough competition certainly won’t do the Ravens any harm, and it’s important to remember that a minor kerfuffle between two big-name players means that there’s some good, hard practice going on.