Russell Street Report Street Talk Steve Smith is the Leader the Ravens Needed

Steve Smith will retire a Carolina Panther. He spent the first 14 years of his career in Carolina and was the face of the franchise since it’s inception. Regardless of what he accomplishes in Baltimore, that will always be where his heart is, and that’s okay.

His situation is similar to Ed Reed’s last year. They both left teams that they had been with their entire careers (although Reed left on much better terms), and they both signed three year deals.

Smith seems like he has a little bit more left in the tank than Ed Reed did, but his tenure in Baltimore could still be a short one. Even if he remains as productive as Ravens coaches envision, it’s still hard to know if he will play out the length of his contract (especially after his statement saying he would have retired after this year had he remained in Carolina).

However long his career in Baltimore does last, it’s clear he will fill the leadership role that guys like Ed Reed and Ray Lewis left behind. Based on the initial reaction from the coaching staff, its a welcomed sight.

It’s certainly a unique situation considering the seasoned veterans the Ravens have on their roster.

Joe Flacco is a Super Bowl MVP, and Terrell Suggs is only two years removed from being the Defensive Player of the Year. The Ravens coaches and front office hoped one of them would step up and become an undisputed leader, but it has yet to happen and probably never will.

Flacco leads in his own way. His cool presence and even keel approach helps him thrive in big moments. But he will never be the emotional leader who gives an inspiring speech at halftime. You can even question if this is a role Flacco wants. It certainly doesn’t appear so.

It’s not a knock on Joe, it just is who he is, and you can’t force him to be something he’s not, or have a role he may not even want.

Suggs wants to be known as the leader of the Ravens, but he hasn’t done enough to earn it. OTA’s are certainly not mandatory and it’s within his right to not be there. However, leaders go above and beyond. They lead by example and set the tone for the rest of the team. They don’t just show up at OTA’s, they give every drill and every snap all they have, and they make everyone around them better. Suggs doesn’t need to be there, but the vets who do show up will take notice.

Steve Smith has looked sharp at OTA’s. He has impressed coaches and teammates with his athleticism and speed. He may have turned 35 a few weeks back, but if you watch him on the practice field, you wouldn’t know it.

More importantly though, despite his age, he’s been on the practice field everyday. He’s not only on the field, but he runs every drill at full speed, and treats each snap like a regular season game is on the line.

He is serving as a mentor to a young and talented group of receivers. He’s pushing the defensive backs and making everyone around him work harder. He is giving everything he has every practice and demands the same of his teammates, on both sides of the ball.

THAT is what it means to be a leader.

The Ravens did not have it in 2013, and it will be important down the stretch as they try to make the playoffs this year.