Baltimore Ravens: Steve Smith Sr. makes his case

Aug 7, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith, Sr. (89) waves to fans after beating the San Francisco 49ers 23-3 at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

If anyone has had quite the love/hate relationship with Steve Smith and two thumbs it’s this guy. Steve Smith is awesome. Let’s just get that out the way. Love him or hate him, number 89 can play. A freakish athlete for a man 5’9″, 185 pounds and a 4.4 40-yard time. Attending little known University of Utah, selected 74th overall in the third round of the NFL Draft, Smith Sr. has made a 14-season career no one would sneer at.

OK, full disclosure, surprise surprise, I’m a Louisiana native. Steve Smith has made a number of migraine-inducing plays beating up my beloved, his former division rival, New Orleans Saints. He has come up in the NFL the hard way, putting on one hell of a show leaving us jaw-dropped in the process. From his very first professional play returning an opening kickoff for a TD to a stellar performance in Super Bowl 38 that saw a crucial 3rd quarter kickoff return and four catches for 80 yards, one TD coming down to a kicker’s error and three points deficit that kept a ring off Smith’s finger.

We’ve seen him brawl with teammates and entertain us with spectacular, creative TD celebrations. Steve Smith is a rock star. Always fun to watch. And at 35 years old, Smith Sr. has just put another solid effort in the recent 2013 season for 64 receptions and 745 yards. So what’s next for the veteran wide receiver? How much does Smith have left in the tank?

Smith is now a Baltimore Raven. This move makes a great deal of sense. Ozzie Newsome you genius, you. Smith has shown that age has clearly not gotten the best of him yet. Still capable of high-level playing and a formidable deep threat, it should come as no surprise that with Joe Flacco‘s cannon arm Steve Smith caught seven passes for 118 yards and one TD against a stout defense in division rival Cincinnati  in week one. And in week two against the Steelers, he added 71 yards on six catches.

Get ready, Baltimore. We’re in for a show. Steve Smith Sr. isn’t washed up. He’s not done yet. And the Ravens are the ideal home for Smith to make another deep playoff run and close out an amazing career.