When Steve Smith signed with the Ravens after being released by the Panthers, plenty of people pointed out that it looked like the Ravens found a player who could give them what they were missing after trading Anquan Boldin before the 2013 season.
Smith avoided making any direct comparisons to Boldin when he met the media after signing, saying that he respects the 49ers wideout while stressing that they bring different things to the table. Boldin used the same language when asked about Smith’s arrival in Baltimore at a charity basketball game hosted by Ravens receiver Torrey Smith on Saturday.
“We’re two different players,” Boldin said, via the Ravens’ website. “I think he’ll tell you that as well. We bring two completely differently things to the table. I think the thing that both of us do have is we want to win, bottom line, and we’ll do whatever it takes to do that.”
Boldin praised the move, noting the positive impact that Smith’s “tough mentality” should have on the Ravens offense. That mentality is probably the easiest comparison to make between the two players and if Smith can use it to be a reliable target for Joe Flacco, the fact that he provides that target in different ways than Boldin won’t wind up being all that significant.