LOS ANGELES: All though his college career at Maryland, Torrey Smith watched the Baltimore Ravens. Turns out, they were watching him, too.
The Ravens chose Smith in the second round of the 2011 draft as an extra target for quarterback Joe Flacco at wide receiver.
None of his new teammates will need to be introduced to Smith.
“I know a lot of the guys already,” he said Friday at the NFL Players’ Rookie Premiere. “That will help my transition, a lot more than the other rookies.”
Smith, the eldest of seven children, cites family and coaches as the inspiration for his career.
One of those coaches has left the game behind, at least for the time being.
Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen retired after last season. Smith still talks regularly with him.
“He’s doing a lot of fishing and golfing,” Smith said. Friedgen’s are the choices of a football guy at the end of his career. Smith, at the start of his, recalled the emotion when it was announced the Ravens had selected him.
“I cried when I got drafted,” he said.
“To be honest, I’m not in the NFL yet. I know where I’m playing, but I’m not there yet.”
Getting there can’t come quickly enough – “just getting around the guys, practicing,” Smith said, of what he is looking forward to. “Being with the guys I’ve been watching for so long.”
By guest columnist Gerard Wright
