As most Ravens fans know, Torrey Smith is going to be an unrestricted free agent when the 2015 league year begins at 4PM ET on March 10.
People who have watched the Ravens cannot deny Smith is a valuable player for the franchise. He’s a very hard worker, has elite speed, and possesses underrated toughness. Furthermore, he’s very active in the Baltimore community. He established The Torrey Smith Foundation, which benefits children in the Baltimore/DC area.
He’s grown as a player and as a leader since he came into the NFL. But because he’s set to become an unrestricted free agent, and considering the Ravens are currently over the projected 2015 salary cap (h/t RSR’s Brian McFarland), Smith’s future in Baltimore must be re-evaluated.
Let’s look at what he’s earned so far.
The expiring contract Smith signed four years ago was for just under $3.39 million. That’s cheap. He caught two huge touchdowns at Denver during that memorable divisional playoff game after the 2012 season and caught 11 touchdowns in 2014 alone. I’d say the Ravens got Smith’s services at a bargain during the last four years.
That said, before last season began, Smith turned down a 5-year deal worth $35 million (including $19 million guaranteed), according to CBS Sports’ Jason LaCanfora. That’s a contract that would pay him twice as much per season as he’s earned in his entire career.
Do you understand that? Forget for a minute how the Ravens are over the projected salary cap and that they have to negotiate with 29 other free agents. The fact that Smith was offered a deal which included a 649 percent per year raise and turned it down is almost unbelievable.
Smith, by that logic, thinks his services are worth at least $7 million per year. The wide receiver who is currently scheduled to make closest to $7 million in 2015 is Anquan Boldin, who’s on San Francisco’s books for $6.909 million in 2015.
In his career (including the playoffs), Smith has averaged 17.2 yards per reception, which is very good. He’s averaged 55.6 receiving yards per game, which is okay. He’s also caught just 48.5 percent of his targets, which is not very good.
As a comparison, Boldin has averaged 13.3 yards per reception, 72.3 receiving yards per game, and has caught 61.2 of his targets in his career.
I get that Smith is a confident guy, but comparing his resume to what the market bears, how does he expect to get a better deal than the one he turned down before last season?
Smith is a good player. If forced to grade him as a player, I’d give him a “B.” He’d probably scoff on at that on Twitter and tell me I didn’t know anything. But what am I supposed to do? Say he’s among the best? I think a “B” is fair.
If I were Ozzie Newsome, I’d want Smith back with the Ravens, but knowing how savvy Smith is, I don’t think I’d be able to get a deal done that would benefit the franchise more than it set the franchise back.
You now know what I think.
You have a good idea of what the Ravens think.
But, what do you think?
I have a theory that a lot of Ravens fans like Smith because he used to play for the University of Maryland, and not primarily because of his on-field performance as a Raven. Therefore, if him playing college football in close proximity to your hometown is the chief selling point, I’m not sure giving him a big contract is the right move.
My question to you is: Do you want Torrey Smith back in Baltimore?
If so, why?
Related Topic: Torrey Smith’s Gambled And Probably Lost
