The Baltimore Ravens expect wide receiver Steve Smith to suit up for his 15th season in the NFL.
Smith, who turns 36 in May, expressed a desire to play in 2015 soon after the divisional playoff loss to the New England Patriots last month, but Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome wanted the five-time Pro Bowl player to take a few weeks before making a final decision.
At the NFL combine on Wednesday, Ravens coach John Harbaugh said Smith remains committed to playing this season.
"I talked to Steve last week, and he's excited," Harbaugh said. "He's planning on being back, and we're planning on having him back. That's a goal of ours. I don't see any reason why that wouldn't happen."
This is really great news for the Ravens, considering their situation at wide receiver. Steve Smith and Torrey Smith are the only two Ravens wide receivers who caught more than 25 passes last season, and Torrey Smith is set to become an unrestricted free agent on March 10. So, even if Torrey Smith signs elsewhere, Joe Flacco has an experienced receiver who already has an established chemistry with him.
Even though Steve Smith faded late in his first season with the Ravens, he still led the team with 79 receptions (30 more than any other Ravens player) and 1,065 yards receiving (nearly 300 more than any Ravens player). It was the most receiving yards in a single season by a player 35 or older since Rod Smith had 1,105 yards in 2005.
Steve Smith's role could expand to mentor this upcoming season. The Ravens are taking a hard look at wide receivers at the combine this week, and they may ask Smith to take a young promising receiver under his wing.
Now, the concern for the Ravens could be how Smith is spending his time lately. Harbaugh mentioned that he heard Smith was skiing, which isn't the safest offseason activity.
"We're going to have to talk to him about that," Harbaugh said with a smile. "That's a problem."
