Ravens WR Steve Smith Thought About Retirement
Former Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith reportedly was ready to make 2014 his final season with the team. The Panthers made a solid leap forward in 2013, but the receiver cited knee soreness as a big reason why he felt he was nearing the end.
Then came his release from the team earlier in the offseason, and the veteran deep threat agreed to a three-year contract with the Baltimore Ravens. Suddenly his knee felt better and retirement still felt like it was a long way away.
“I finally decided and made the commitment to my family,” Smith said in a Sports Illustrated interview, “I’m done. I don’t think I can do it much longer. My knee was sore and…I came to terms with it, that this year was going to be my last year ever playing football.”
Smith pointed to his release for the Panthers, the only team he’s played for in the NFL, as giving him some extra motivation to keep playing.
“It gave me a little bit maybe that I had been missing.”
Smith went on to say that his three-year deal with the Ravens will be his last, although he currently fully intends on playing out all three seasons if the Ravens will let him.
Smith had visibly been bogged down the past several seasons in Carolina, as he worked his way through some tough losing seasons with poor quarterback play, and also had to be patient through Cam Newton’s growing pains.
Carolina’s all-time leading receiver saw a dip in his role in 2013, as he caught just 64 balls and had under 800 receiving yards for just the second time in the last nine seasons.
Smith enters Baltimore at age 35, leaving many to wonder just how much he has left in the tank. However, he was a risk worth taking for GM Ozzie Newsome, as the Ravens sorely lacked depth and elite production out of their passing game in 2014. With Smith in tow, that will hopefully change for the better.
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