Steve Smith
- WR
- ,
- 39
- 195 lbs
- 5' 11"
- 5
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ESPN
·Aug 15, 2015 · 11:05 AM EDT
Baltimore Sun
·Jul 06, 2015 · 6:53 PM EDT
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Joe Flacco didn't hesitate when asked what needed to be done to get the Baltimore Ravens' downfield passing game cranked up.
"We need to take our shots," Flacco said after Wednesday's practice at San Jose State University. "If nothing else, at least it let teams know that we’re going to do that."
And who is Flacco going to target downfield? Steve Smith had six catches on passes over 20 yards last season, which ranked 37th in the NFL. Kamar Aiken, Marlon Brown and Michael Campanaro combined for one such reception in 2014.
"I don’t think we’re going to have that guy right now that’s going to run by guys five times a game," Flacco said.
"But we definitely have guys that can run crossing routes and be hit 30 yards downfield and can run double moves downfield. So, that’s what we’re going to do."
Related Players: Breshad Perriman
We still recommending stashing Breshad Perriman, though it's getting harder and harder to do so. His speed will add a sorely needed dimension to this offense.
Ravens beat writer Jeff Zrebiec:
I’ve been saying for months that Marlon Brown is a lock for one of the wide receiver spots in what has been the most-scrutinized position competition of training camp. But now, I’m not so sure.
Brown, to no fault of his own, missed most of the first couple of weeks of training camp with back and hamstring injuries. But since his return, he hasn’t looked right.
He isn’t getting a ton of reps and he’s been extremely tentative, failing to get much separation on defensive backs. I’m sure the injuries have a lot to do with it, but Brown may be playing himself onto the roster bubble, especially if Michael Campanaro stays healthy and Jeremy Butler and Darren Waller have good preseasons.
Two weeks ago, I would have predicted with some confidence that the Ravens’ regular-season roster would include seven receivers: Steve Smith, Kamar Aiken, Brown, Campanaro, Breshad Perriman, Waller and Jeremy Butler. Now, I’m not so sure.
Campanaro is making a push to be the team's slot receiver, and if Perriman returns and takes over as the WR2, then Brown will be vying with Aiken for snaps as the team's WR4. If Perriman remains sidelined, then Aiken/Brown could be battling for a starting job.
WR Michael Campanaro's electric 45-yard touchdown in the Baltimore Ravens' preseason opener was the result of great route-running, determination after the catch and hard work to stay healthy this summer.
Campanaro is standing out in the Ravens' wide receiver competition because of his ability to make big plays and stay on the field. It shouldn't go unnoticed that Campanaro is the only returning receiver from last year's team to participate in every training camp practice this year.
Steve Smith received a veteran day off. Kamar Aiken sat out a day because of fatigue. Marlon Brown missed time with back and hamstring injuries. Plus, first-round pick Breshad Perriman injured his knee on the first day of camp and hasn't returned.
Suiting up every day is as much of a statement for Campanaro as his first touchdown in Baltimore.
"It feels great just being healthy, out there playing," Campanaro said. "I’m not even thinking about it. Just out there playing free.”
Durability was one of the reasons why he lasted until the seventh round in 2014. Injuries curtailed his impact as a rookie. There's no one questioning his talent. Campanaro is a savvy pass catcher with great hands. In limited action last year, he was Joe Flacco's surest target, catching a team-best 84.6 percent of the the passes thrown his direction in the regular season and playoffs.
While it seems like yesterday that a young Joe Flacco was drafted in the first round by the Baltimore Ravens, he’s already heading into his eighth season as an NFL quarterback. He’s a seasoned, mature veteran and the leader of one of the winningest pro football franchises over the last decade. Flacco is the Super Bowl XLVII MVP and has the most playoff wins of any NFL quarterback since he entered the league in 2008. Last season, he had his best statistical outing yet, putting up 3,986 passing yards and 27 touchdowns. Nobody wants to see those numbers regress even if Flacco has his fourth coordinator in four years. In fact, the hope is that he gets even better and breaks the 4,000-yard milestone. When asked about what he’ll do to better his game in 2015, Flacco didn’t say a single thing about stats, wins or any accolades, such as getting a Pro Bowl nod for the first time. Instead, he named three specific goals: 1) Stay healthy 2) Maintain strong communication with his OC Marc Trestman 3) Work on his footwork
Perhaps the most important fantasy-related item to take away here is Flacco building his relationship with Trestman. The story said Flacco isn’t worried about the offense under Trestman due to its similarity to the system Gary Kubiak implemented last season. Flacco is ranked 16th among our QBs this year. He lost his deep threat in Torrey Smith but the team drafted Breshad Perriman, who is expected to start alongside Steve L Smith, and fill the deep threat void. We project Flacco for 4,259 yards, which would put him tenth. He'll continue to have QB2 value and probably could start for your fantasy team in certain matchups.
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