Ravens tell Smith to take a little time out

[Cary Kollins]

It's not you honey, it's me. I just need some space right now to figure out what I want. It's nothing you did. We will still talk and hang out!

 

-John Harbaugh

[London Loves Luke]

I never heard that, but my friends told me they were told that.  My ex-girlfriends would tell me (through a locked door) that the police were on the way and she had a restraining order.  Technically, however, that is the same thing, in my world.

[Mr. Scot]

I wouldn't read much into it

 

Telling a player who's undecided about returning to take some time and think about it is nothing unusual.  Happens all the time.

 

Having a player who's already affirmed that he definitely wants to come back, and telling that player, "well, maybe you should think about it" is pretty odd. 

 

If that's ever happened before, I don't recall it.

[Paintballr]

The Ravens are honestly probably trying to prepare for the future at WR. Having a WR going into his 15th season (although showed he can still play) be your go to weapon and starting WR isn't a sound plan for future and long term success (sound familiar?) The Ravens current WR roster is this....

Jacoby Jones WR/RS

Torrey Smith WR

Steve Smith SR WR

Aldrick Robinson WR

Alec Lemon WR

Michael Camparano WR

Jeremy Butler WR

Marlon Brown WR

Kramer Allen WR

All of which have less than 3 years of experience except Jones, Smith, and Smith Sr. As you might have your own opinion on Ray Rice, but the offense was built around him. Lots of screens, and runs that helped the WRs and their routes.

Upcoming WR Free Agent Class (not including drafts)

Wes Welker

Reggie Wayne

Jeremy Macklin

Eddie Royal

Nate Washington

Michael Crabtree

Demaryius Thomas

Hakeem Nicks

Dez Bryant

John probably realizes that they need to establish a running offense, let Flacco control the tempo and get a weapon that is young at WR, all pf which demotes Steve Smiths role on the team. He always said he wanted to play the slot and rotate in when needed, lets see how that actually happens.

[KSpan]

Sounds like Steve might say he's willing to take a diminished role, but the actions behind closed doors perhaps don't match up. Hmm...

[Mr. Scot]

Someone in the PFT comments pointed out that the Ravens get more cap relief if he retires than in any other scenario.

 

It's something to think about.

[TheRed]

Come retire as a Panther already Steve.

[Frank Hollywood]

Lol, sounds like even the Ravens are not 100% on him even after a 1,000 yard season. Just like when we cut him I believe there's more to the story.

[Panther53521]

sounds like they would want to move him out of the starting position, move into a 3rd WR slot and I bet a return to punt returning

[Khaki Lackey]

I'm sure as an aging player, Smitty really enjoyed hearing that he needs to "take a nap." Lol

After his first touchdown with whomever next year, he's going to be in the camera screaming, "YOU THOUGHT I NEEDED A NAP ?!?!?!?!"

[lola]

This is very odd.

[FootballMaestro]

Well, this is odd.

 

So, shortly after the Ravens playoff defeat, Steve Smith came out and said he was looking forward to coming back next year.

 

Now the Ravens have asked him to take three weeks to think about it

 

 

PFT: Ravens want Steve Smith to take three weeks before confirming he wants to return

 

Sounds like they obviously don't want to pay him what he made last year, wanting a pay cut, due to his reduced performance, unless they don't bring him back??

[Mr. Scot]

Sounds like they obviously don't want to pay him what he made last year, wanting a pay cut, due to his reduced performance, unless they don't bring him back??

 

It's conceivable that if they want him to take a reduced role, they might also want him to take a reduction in salary to go along with it.

 

Also possible that if he's not on board with those ideas, they could just say "see ya".

 

Could be interesting to watch, for sure.

[Dexterity]

It's conceivable that if they want him to take a reduced role, they might also want him to take a reduction in salary to go along with it.

Also possible that if he's not on board with those ideas, they could just say "see ya".

Could be interesting to watch, for sure.

Smith wouldn't take a cut in Carolina. No way he'd take one in Bmore.