There is going to be a run on goggles in the Baltimore area very soon, because Steve Smith is on a warpath.
The former Carolina Panthers receiver vowed there would be "blood and guts everywhere" in a Week 4 matchup with his former squad. Smith has walked the walk through two weeks, becoming Joe Flacco's go-to target.
The fired-up 14-year pro caught six of 10 targets for 71 yards in Baltimore's trouncing of Pittsburgh on Thursday night. He also drew three penalties on the Steelers and played with a needed toughness.
It's been Smith's physicality and run-after-the catch ability that's added a dimension the Ravens' pass attack has missed since trading Anquan Boldin.
"Steve said something to me that he was born for AFC North football," coach John Harbaugh said, per the team's official website. "I know he was having fun."
Through two weeks No. 89 has a whopping 25 targets. The vet has taken advantage of teams shading toward Torrey Smith's side to take away the speedster. While Torrey Smith is averaging 43 routes per game in the first two Ravens contests, he only accounts for 10 percent of Flacco's targets, per Pro Football Focus. Meanwhile, Steve Smith clocks in at 39 routes per game and 29 percent of his signal-caller's targets.
Steve Smith's rejuvenation in Baltimore and his emergence as Flacco's No. 1 target thus far has been one of the best storylines after 17 games. The renaissance also means you have two weeks to find some goggles, Panthers fans.
The latest "Around The NFL Podcast" recaps the Steelers-Ravens game and previews the other 15 games in Week 2.
