Steve Smith has found a new home in Baltimore. (USATSI)
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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."
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Titans HC Ken Whisenhunt thinks of Dexter McCluster 'more as a running back'
Dexter McCluster reached the 2014 Pro Bowl because he was an elite punt returner last season. But everyone understands he is really a jack of all trades. Other than his contributions on special teams, he can line up out of the slot as a receiver or in the backfield as a runner. Interestingly, that last part is what interests head coach Ken Whisenhunt most.According to The Tennessean's Jim Wyatt, Whisenhunt said Wednesday "he thinks of McCluster more as a running back ...." Whisenhunt added that McCluster's involvement in the offense "could vary week to week. As long as he makes a lot of plays, he is going to get a lot of touches."
Whisenhunt's comments don't really change how I perceive McCluster's fantasy value. The Titans will see how McCluster can help them most on offensive, but that will take trial and error. Simply, he is going to be extremely inconsistent for fantasy purposes. I don't expect to see the slight McCluster taking on 10-15 carries per game all of sudden. He should remain a useful receiver and continue to do his best work as a returner. Shonn Greene looks like the Titans' rushing leader for 2014 right now. Chris Johnson should be released soon.
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