Countdown to Kickoff: Profile on Baltimore Ravens No. 89 Steve Smith
There are 89 days until kickoff. Continuing our countdown we pay respect to veteran and long-time great Steve Smith. The Baltimore Ravens wide receiver will be playing in his 16th NFL season in 2016 at the age of 37.
Last season, Baltimore Ravens wideout Steve Smith burst out of the gate on fire. In his first seven games, he surpassed 100 yards three times with games of 137, 150 and 186 yards. He also had multiple double-digit catch games and three touchdowns.
This was supposed to be his farewell season as the fiery wideout left it all on the field in one last effort to win an elusive Super Bowl ring before hanging up his cleats at the end of the season to spend more time with his family. Unfortunately, in that seventh game he tore his Achilles’ tendon. Now he’s fired up and ready to roll in 2016 because he’s not going out like that and that’s the kind of man he is.
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The pound-for-pound toughest player in the NFL has exceeded expectations since joining the Ravens after 13 seasons with the Carolina Panthers. In 2014, he caught 79 passes, matching his season high since 2008, to go along with 1,065 yards and four touchdowns. Last season he totaled 46 receptions, 670 yards, and three touchdowns in just seven games. That comes out to just under 96 yards per game and over 100 catches and seven TDs if averaged out over 16 games.
Still, he’ll always be remembered as a member of the Carolina Panthers. From 2001 to 2013 he built a Hall of Fame caliber resume. We’ve seen him put together seven 1,000 yard seasons with career highs of 103 receptions, 1,563 yards and 13 touchdowns (12 receiving, 1 rushing) in 2005. He also had a huge impact in the return game early in his career returning six kicks/punts for TDs in his first three seasons in the league.
I’ve never seen a player play with more heart than Smith. I’ve also never seen a player more fueled with anger and rage on the field. I do have a favorite Steve Smith moment. On one play his whole career is wrapped up in one microcosm. Cam Newton stepped up and found Smith while scrambling just outside his own 40-yard line. Smith adjusts and comes back for the ball and fights of a New Orleans Saints defender to make a catch all while throwing the defender to the ground on the way down. He then burns everyone to the end zone for a 54-yard touchdown.
A defensive back knocks him down hard in the end zone late. Smith proceeds to spin the ball and do his TD celebration. But of course he didn’t forget about that late hit. He seeks out the nearest Saint and drags him to the ground by his face. His teammates had to rip him off the defender while he slammed the player to the ground by his face mask. Check out the video below, it will be a minute of your life well spent.
Smith is one of the more underappreciated players that have come through this league in the past 15 years. Take the time to watch him play this season and enjoy what you get to watch. He has as much fight and grit in his 5’9″, 195-pound frame as player to step between those white lines.
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This may be Smith’s last season in the NFL and he is a player that will certainly be missed. He’s brought fans countless amounts of memories and excitement. This will be the year to give the love back for the blood, sweat, tears and fury he’s given on the gridiron.