Ravens sign Steve Smith

[Guest]

When Steve Smith was released by the Panthers on Thursday, he claimed that if he faced Carolina with his new team, there was going to be "blood and guts everywhere." So, as Smith also, you'd better put on your goggles.

Because Smith's brand-new team -- the Ravens -- will face the Panthers in 2014.


It certainly didn't take long for Smith to find a new home. CBSSports.com's Jason La Canfora reports that it's a three-year deal worth $11 million with a $3.5 million signing bonus, and the man who ranks No. 17 on the CBSSports.com list plans to be plenty prepared.

"I want to make sure that whatever team I go to, wherever it happens to be, they're going to get the best, in shape, 35-year-old guy they could possibly get," Smith said after his release.

It apparently didn't come easy for Baltimore. Smith said he planned to visit the Patriots on Monday, and the Seahawks also expressed interest in landing him. Smith also said the Chargers had an offer on the table.

But he liked what Baltimore had to offer.

"I love the coach, I like the offensive scheme," Smith said during a conference call Friday. "There was a lot of familarity, and it had a fresh perspective."

Said coach John Harbaugh: "We've always respected and admired the challenge it was to play against him."

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-...al-with-ravens

For three years and $11 million, that's extremely reasonable. It gives them a missing piece that they didn't have last year with Boldin gone. Smith might not be Boldin's size, but he's extremely tough and will make the tough catches. Great signing by the Ravens

[Primetime]

More of the kind of price I'd expect from signing Steve Smith of the Giants a few years ago.

[Aso]

Steve Smith wasn't a difference maker last season and will be 35. Makes sense his value isn't as high.

[Trmszczykowski]

I think he can be pretty productive as the second option or even in the slot. I'd love to see him get a statue and his number retired when he finally calls it quits. Definitely the highlight of the team since its creation.

[Maynard]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1997049-steve-smith-says-hell-visit-crying-panthers-fan-after-reaching-out-to-parents?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=programming-national

Steve Smith Visits Crying Panthers Fan After Reaching out to Parents

Smith, who signed with the Baltimore Ravens 24 hours after being released by Carolina a week ago, surprised Gavin Simone on ABC's "Good Morning America" with a hug and the first "Smith Sr" No. 89 Ravens jersey.

Smith sought out Simone on social media after seeing a video filmed by the child's father when he told him Smith had been released.

"It touched me a little bit,'' Smith said Tuesday on ESPN Radio's "Mike & Mike" show. "He was balling. He had the ugly face cry.''

So Smith set up the surprise meeting with Simone on GMA. There were no tears, just smiles.

[...]

Smith also promised to bring Simone to his football camp later this spring in Charlotte.

"Had to meet him and hook him up with some new Ravens gear,'' Smith said on GMA.