BALTIMORE — It’s been a tough preseason so far for rookie wide receiver Torrey Smith, the Ravens’ second-round draft pick from the University of Maryland.
Smith dropped two passes during the Ravens’ 34-31 win over the Washington Redskins on Thursday night at M&T Bank Stadium.
His hands have been shaky in games and during practices, catching two passes for eight yards in three preseason games.
"I had two of them I would like back," Smith said. "I’ve been a playmaker forever. That hasn’t changed. It’s more trying to get in a groove and I’ve kind of been pressing.
"I’ve really been wanting to make a play. Everyone has been making plays around me, the whole receiving corps. I just got to be patient and let it come to me instead of pressing the issue."
Meanwhile, fourth-round rookie wide receiver Tandon Doss has caught six passes for 65 yards with undrafted former University of Maryland receiver LaQuan Williams catching four passes for 84 yards.
"Obviously I can catch the ball," Smith said. "I know I can catch the ball. It’s just a concentration issue. I’m pressing, wanting to make a play, wanting to make an impact instead of letting it come to me. I was wide open on one play. I’ve got to get back to the basics and starting playing like myself."
Quarterback Joe Flacco said that Smith simply needs to play with confidence and use his natural ability instead of pondering over his assignments.
"Torrey just has to go out there and play, use his abilities," Flacco said. "Got to make a move, run by guys, use his hands, go out there and play confidently and use his ability and make moves. I think he has a tendency to overthink things. He always wants to do the right thing. He always comes up to me and tells me he wants to do the right thing.
"Sometimes when you go out there on Sundays, you just have to let it go and play. If you go out there and make mistakes, you make mistakes. You just have to go out there and play. He’s just going to have to learn that. He has all the ability to go out there and let it come to him."
