Baltimore Ravens: Why Trash Talk Hurt Steve Smith

Oct 26, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith (89) reacts after catching a pass for a touchdown but called back due to a penalty during the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Bengals defeated the Ravens 27-24. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Pretty much all Baltimore Ravens fans agree that the offensive pass interference penalty against Steve Smith was just not right. Many other sports fans also seem to agree. Sure, there are still some referee apologists out there, but generally the consensus has been that there was no need to make that call.

But the problem is that a player like Steve Smith almost asks for these type of penalties. We want players to play hard and physical. We like to see players who won’t back down. The problem is that players like him will not get the benefit of doubt.

NFL fans expect to see Smith get into altercations. They expect to see him rough up cornerbacks. They expect him to yell out “Ice up Son!” after a roughly played game. They expect to see him as part of some big, brusing plays. They expect the trash talking.

The problem is that the referees expect to see that as well.

The player who doesn’t get into others’ faces may get the benefit of doubt. The player who doesn’t talk loudly may not have to worry about opposing players flopping all over the field.

As fans we have every right to be mad about that call. But everyone needs to understand that Steve Smith will get called on that kind of play way more than guys like Michael Campanaro, Torrey Smith or Owen Daniels.

That play may have cost the Ravens the game, but the Flacco interceptions and poor secondary play certainly had a part in that as well. Just don’t dwell on that call, as we likely have not seen the last of it.