Rookie Depth Chart Battles: Torrey Smith

by Jon Dove on Jul 1, 2011 9:00 AM EDT

More and more NFL rookies are expected to contribute early in their careers. However, for them to make an impact they need to beat out a veteran player. We are going to analyze the situation of specific rookies and determine the likely hood of them winning a position battle.

Player: Torrey Smith

Team: Baltimore Ravens

Position: Wide Receiver

Competition: Derrick Mason, Donte' Stallworth, Anquan Boldin, Tandon Doss, Ed Dickson, Dennis Pitta

Chance of winning the battle: 35 percent

Thoughts: Baltimore went into the 2011 NFL Draft looking to add some speed to their receiving corps and that is exactly what Torry Smith brings to the table. He will be able to stretch the defense and put pressure on the defensive backfield. The combination of Smith's speed and Joe Flacco's arm could be dangerous.

Smith needs to work on refining his route running and do a better job hanging onto the football. However, there is no questioning his speed and playmaking ability. He will be given every opportunity to win a role with the offense but he is facing some tough competition.

Right now, Donte' Stallworth is Smith's main competition for the slot receiver role but he also need to compete with the tight ends. The Ravens like to employ two tight end sets which could take snaps away from the slot receiver. Both Ed Dickson and Dennis Pitta contribute more in the passing game than in the running game but are still big bodies with some ability to block.

Smith will have to prove that he is more of a playmaker than Pitta, Dickson, and Stallworth or he could find himself buried in the depth chart.

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Comments

You're dead to me Torrey

Back on the Sweed train. Choo Choo!
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller

by John Stephens on Jul 1, 2011 9:02 AM EDT reply actions

Actually Stallworth is pretty much good as gone. He has already said he thinks he will end up in Detroit and has been catching passes from Stafford. Torrey is the front runner for the slot right now and because of that I think we will see more 3 WR sets. Ozzie drafted him to get on the field this year and hopefully he can be that player to stretch the field that we have needed for years.

On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu

by AV23 on Jul 1, 2011 10:15 AM EDT reply actions

I hope we start using more than just 3wr sets or atleast start rotateing different wideouts in 3 wr sets

What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
Like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore--
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over--
like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?-langton Hughes

by jazz20 on Jul 1, 2011 10:35 AM EDT up reply actions

Agreed I think we should be using some 4 WR sets at times as well. Now only if Cam would read this. I’m hoping to get Reed and doss some playing time as well because Doss was one of the more polished WR’s in the draft this year and is more polished than Torrey IMO. Reed is not as fast as Torrey, but has the same type of play making ability so I would like to see what he can do.

On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu

by AV23 on Jul 1, 2011 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions