OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Ravens veterans Terrell Suggs and Steve Smith already silenced some critics simply by making their returns to the field for Sunday’s season opener.
Well into their 30s and coming off Achilles tendon injuries last season, Suggs and Smith started and contributed in Baltimore’s 13-7 win despite neither putting up gaudy numbers against Buffalo. Of course, whether they can fully recapture their pre-injury form is a fair question as that type of injury has a debilitating effect on explosiveness for athletes even much younger.
Suggs made two tackles and did collect a fourth-quarter sack after Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor couldn’t find an open receiver on a key third-down play while Smith caught five passes for 19 yards on nine targets.
“I only expect them to get better, but they played well,” head coach John Harbaugh said. “They both played well. They were both key factors in the game. [They were] probably not up to their standards for themselves, because it is a pretty lofty standard for those two guys. That makes me feel good that they feel like they can play even better, but I thought they played well.”
It will be interesting to see how their workload evolves as the season progresses and the Ravens continue to work young players into the mix while maximizing the veterans’ effectiveness.
Smith played 45 of the 68 total offensive snaps, the most of any of the five Baltimore receivers active on Sunday. Suggs has been a three-down linebacker for most of his 14-year career, but he played just 31 of 49 defensive snaps while Za’Darius Smith and Albert McClellan each registered more playing time at the outside linebacker position.
Of course, neither veteran saw much action over the summer as Suggs played only a handful of snaps in the third preseason game and Smith logged just a couple weeks of practice.
“It’s definitely coming. First live action in a year, you know,” Suggs said. “Can’t really count the preseason games because I only got a couple series, so this is my first real live action in about a year. You know I’ll just continue to chop wood.
“You can always get better. It’s my first game and I feel really good about it.”
Harbaugh expects Suggs, S. Smith to only get better as year progresses
Luke Jones
Luke Jones is the Ravens and Orioles beat reporter for WNST BaltimorePositive.com and is a PFWA member. His mind is consumed with useless sports knowledge, pro wrestling promos, and movie quotes, but he often forgets where he put his phone. Luke's favorite sports memories include being one of the thousands of kids who waited for Cal Ripken's autograph after Orioles games in the summer of 1995, attending the Super Bowl XXXV victory parade with his dad in the pouring rain, and watching the Terps advance to the Final Four at the Carrier Dome in 2002. Follow him on social media @BaltimoreLuke or email him at Luke@wnst.net.
8
Paid Advertisement
Podcast Audio Vault
88Paid Advertisement
Share the Post:
8Paid Advertisement
Right Now in Baltimore
Double grand slams and being at Camden Yards to witness it
Being picked as the contestant of the game for Home Run Riches is already lots of fun but when the Baltimore Orioles hit two grand slams in the same game and the winner is at Camden Yards cheering 'em on, it doesn't get any better! John Martin of The Maryland Lottery gets Nestor in on the winnings and spinnings of lucky residents as several fun spring promotions continue to bloom along with Birds homers.
The year that they moved the Preakness to Laurel
No one knows the world of horse racing better than our longtime pal and Baltimorean Dick Jerardi, who returns once against for the strangest Preakness of them all. Nestor will be at Laurel on Saturday when the second leg of the Triple Crown feels like it's limping toward a very uncertain future for anyone who loves the game and remembers the glory of Maryland racing.
Twelve Orioles Thoughts following series win over Yankees
Kyle Bradish continuing to look more like himself will be key to Baltimore experiencing a true awakening.
888Paid Advertisement
