Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith joined ESPN’s SportsCenter this afternoon via telephone for a guest appearance.
When asked by SportsCenter host Jay Crawford about what grade he would give himself for his efforts this season, Smith replied by saying, “about a C+” which surprised Crawford.
Crawford believed Smith’s self-essement was low.
“I haven’t done enough,” Smith said. “I always walk off the field and you always think you can do a little more than you have. I think I left a few plays out there, there’s always a few plays you want to have back. Every time I touch the ball, my goal is to try to get a first down and try to score.”
“I’m tough on myself and I’m doing alright. I’ve gotten a lot better than last year but I still have work to do.”
This season, Smith has matured and is playing at the level the Ravens had hoped when they drafted him in the second round last year. Midway through the season, Smith has 29 receptions, 481 yards, and five touchdowns.
Coach John Harbaugh may not agree with Smith’s assessment.
“I think Torrey is way ahead of where most people thought he’d be,” Harbaugh said during his Monday press conference. “To me, he’s right on schedule. He’s becoming a route-runner, and that’s the one thing that people said he wouldn’t become. He’s becoming a guy that can make spectacular catches, and that’s another thing that some of the naysayers said he couldn’t do. But Torrey is a special guy.”
Smith made national headlines after the death of his brother, Tevin Jones, who perished as a result of a motorcycle accident before the Ravens played the New England Patriots on national TV in Week 3. After spending time with his family mourning the loss of his brother, Smith drove back to Baltimore from Virginia and had a spectacular six-catch, 127 yard, two-touchdown performance despite a heavy heart.
Do you think Smith is being too critical of himself, especially considering what he’s had to battle through this season?
Please comment below.
