Steve Smith is clearly frustrated with the way things are going for the Baltimore Ravens lately, and those frustrations boiled over during practice on Thursday.
Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com was at Ravens practice and witnessed Smith toss his helmet and kick a football in anger. The temper tantrum came after Joe Flacco overthrew Smith on consecutive deep balls, and Hensley says Smith responded by throwing his helmet about 15 yards. He then walked to the corner of the team’s facility and sat by himself while the rest of his teammates resumed practicing.
While veteran players showing passion in practice is extremely common, Smith’s outburst is noteworthy given how irritated he was with his team after a 30-23 loss to the New England Patriots Monday night.
“A great philosopher — Thumper’s mom in ‘Bambi’ said if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all,” Smith said after the game, clearly biting his tongue. “I’m trying to do that.”
The Ravens are currently on the outside looking in at the AFC playoff picture, but they are just one game behind the AFC North-leading Pittsburgh Steelers. Smith is likely hoping to end his career in the playoffs with this expected to be his last season, and Baltimore let a game slip away on Monday after the Patriots made two horrible special teams blunders. No wonder Smith is starting to feel the heat.
