Steve Smith frequently downplays his age, but the 36-year-old wide receiver works hard to prove he's still got it.
The 14-year veteran was one of the few offensive starters who made an appearance at the Ravens' OTA practice on Wednesday. Smith still impressed by running clean routes.
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"Age comes, but football conditioning and routes and all that stuff, that doesn't change with age," Smith said, via the Baltimore Sun. "Obviously, you probably have to start a little bit earlier. But yes, I'm 36 and I remember last year when I signed here (the media was not) expecting anything from a 35-year-old. Now, (the media) has to pick on me because I'm 36. I'm just going to play football and practice. I think I look halfway decent.
"I think there are teams that (are) probably drafting wide receivers hoping that they can get a guy fresh out of a college (who is) able to put up 1,000 yards (like) I did at 35, (and) they’re hoping a 20-something-year-old kid can do (it too). I think age is a number, and you either show your age and that number over time … But right now, I feel good, and I’m playing well, so I think 36 is good.”
Though Smith had a hard time accepting defeat after the Ravens were eliminated by the Patriots in the divisional playoffs last season, his long ride home to his family gave him plenty of time to think things through and eventually move on.
"When I packed up my condo and I drove home, I had seven-and-a-half hours to think about it," Smith said. "And I walked to the door, touched the door handle, and I was done. (I was) moving on and got to be dad and doing all the stuff and traveling. So, moving on and (now) getting out here and learning some of the new nuances of the offense … There is a lot going on, so it’s kind of hard to stay too far in the past when you have so many things moving forward with a new offensive coordinator.”
After spending his entire playing career in Carolina, the longtime Panthers star signed a three-year, $11 million contract with Baltimore last season. It has been speculated that he'll play one more season before finally retiring.
Smith ranks 14th with 13,262 all-time receiving yards and 18th with 915 all-time receptions.