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When Steve Smith was released by the Panthers on Thursday, he claimed that if he faced Carolina with his new team, there was going to be "blood and guts everywhere." So, as Smith also, you'd better put on your goggles.
Because Smith's brand-new team -- the Ravens -- will face the Panthers in 2014.
#Ravens have OFFICIALLY reached a 3-year deal with WR Steve Smith! http://t.co/HGSJmhYO1H pic.twitter.com/T8XnLprMAZ
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) March 14, 2014
It certainly didn't take long for Smith to find a new home. CBSSports.com's Jason La Canfora reports that it's a three-year deal worth $11 million with a $3.5 million signing bonus, and the man who ranks No. 17 on the CBSSports.com list plans to be plenty prepared.
"I want to make sure that whatever team I go to, wherever it happens to be, they're going to get the best, in shape, 35-year-old guy they could possibly get," Smith said after his release.
It apparently didn't come easy for Baltimore. Smith said he planned to visit the Patriots on Monday, and the Seahawks also expressed interest in landing him. Smith also said the Chargers had an offer on the table.
But he liked what Baltimore had to offer.
"I love the coach, I like the offensive scheme," Smith said during a conference call Friday. "There was a lot of familarity, and it had a fresh perspective."
Said coach John Harbaugh: "We've always respected and admired the challenge it was to play against him."
