Steve Smith named Ravens punt returner

[TN05]

 The Baltimore Ravens have named Steve Smith their primary punt returner, making him, at age 36, among the three oldest regulars at the position in NFL history.

According to ESPN Stats & Information, there have been only two players 36 or older who have returned more than 16 punts in a season: Mel Gray in 1997 and Michael Lewis in 2007.

"He's the best guy we got," Ravens special teams coordinator Jerry Rosburg said Thursday. "If we had someone that we felt at this time was more appropriate to put in there for that position, we'd put him in. At this time, right now, right here, Steve Smith is our best option."

Source

Apparently the reason he stopped returning punts here wasn't because he didn't like doing it or feared injury, but because our blocking sucked. Go figure.

Putting aside that he is 36 and their only real receiver, his isn't as crazy as it sounds. He had more punt return yards (32) than receiving yards (13) last week and looks quick enough that he can break one. From a statistical standpoint, he only needs around 700 yards to pass Herschel Walker (#9), Barry Sanders (#8), and LaDainian Tomlinson (#7) in the career all-purpose yards ranking. If he could get 1,466 all-purpose yards (unlikely, given he'd need to average nearly 100 yards a game for the rest of the season) he'd pass Marshall Faulk (#6).

[pantherphan96]

I would love for him to put up 1000 yards receiving this year and a lot returning to boost up the all-purpose yards list. another all-pro selection and pro bowl would help his case.

[PandaPancake]

I'm starting to like him again.

[Proudiddy]

Watching him this season, he looks even faster than last season. 

[TN05]

Watching him this season, he looks even faster than last season. 

Did you see the preseason TD he had? Looked just as fast as 2008 or maybe 2005. He only had 13 yards last week, but that's more on Flacco for being terrible than on him.

[t96]

Did you see the preseason TD he had? Looked just as fast as 2008 or maybe 2005. He only had 13 yards last week, but that's more on Flacco for being terrible than on him.

The drop in the endzone was all on him though...

[Hammerin'Cameron34]

I love Smith cause he is retiring, but we all know he could play at a high level for at least another 2 years. Smith doesnt want to leave when the game says it is time to leave, he wants to leave when he says it is time, and that is just what he is doing. Much respect. Smith is the greatest Panther.

But Peyton Manning ... though an awesome comeback on Thursday Night, the league is going to show him that he is done, Peyton wont walk away until the league shows him he is washed up, and it will