Jun 12, 2013; Owings Mills, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs (55) gets interviewed after mini camp at Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Ravens training camp day 2 saw post practice pressers from Terrell Suggs and Steve Smith. Suggs was first up, and provided us with some interesting tidbits. Suggs insisted that he was a young 12th year veteran since he came into the league at the age of 20 after repeatedly being prodded by the press about his age. Suggs also chimed in about missing the playoffs last season.
Terrell Suggs on missing the playoffs, put a "bad taste in our mouths" "rude awakening" "sucks."
— Ebony Bird (@Ebony_Bird) July 23, 2014
Suggs was asked if the Ravens needed a singular leader like Ray Lewis, and he blatantly disagreed.
Suggs, when asked if the Ravens needed a singular leader like Ray Lewis "he was one of the greatest leaders ever, we can't replicate that."
— Ebony Bird (@Ebony_Bird) July 23, 2014
Suggs was asked specifically about C.J. Mosley, Courtney Upshaw, and Steve Smith, and had nothing but praise for all three.
Suggs on C.J. Mosley @TreyDeuce32RTR "very lean, very quick, catches on fast, attention to detail is intriguing."
— Ebony Bird (@Ebony_Bird) July 23, 2014
Suggs on Courney Upshaw - likes his "toughness, physicality."
— Ebony Bird (@Ebony_Bird) July 23, 2014
Suggs on @SteveSmithWR - "definitely competitive." Says Dean Pees warned team not to anger him before last season's preseason game.
— Ebony Bird (@Ebony_Bird) July 23, 2014
Suggs says that “Cool” Joe Flacco isn’t known as a fiery leader on the team either, but he will put a player in their place when needed.
Suggs says "Cool" Joe Flacco has cussed him out before."
— Ebony Bird (@Ebony_Bird) July 23, 2014
On the defense as a whole, Suggs agreed that they needed to get back to basics if they want to be feared again.
Suggs agrees defense should get back to basics, "people need to stop us."
— Ebony Bird (@Ebony_Bird) July 23, 2014
Steve Smith sounded happy to be with the Ravens and so far he likes the way they approach the game.
Steve Smith says he is "happy to be here," thinks he will "fit in perfectly" with Ravens. Loves the personality of the team.
— Ebony Bird (@Ebony_Bird) July 23, 2014
It doesn’t sound like he cares too much for the idea of “chemistry” between himself and Joe Flacco though.
Regarding chemistry, Smith said "I been catching balls from quarterbacks for a lot of years, if you throw me the ball I'm gonna snag it."
— Ebony Bird (@Ebony_Bird) July 23, 2014
When asked about how he felt regarding his release from the Panthers, Smith seems to be taking it in stride.
On release from Panthers, Smith said "there's part of you that feels offended, but it's not my place to say it's justified or unjustified."
— Ebony Bird (@Ebony_Bird) July 23, 2014
Smith said he only has a couple of years left to play, and wants to have fun and enjoy them.
Smith said he is "living the dream, I'm a knucklehead from L.A. and I've been in the league 14 years."
— Ebony Bird (@Ebony_Bird) July 23, 2014
In perhaps the funniest sound byte of the day, Smith had a classic response to reporters talking about friendships among players.
On friendships with other players, Smith said we're here to play football, not to exchange cookie recipes."
— Ebony Bird (@Ebony_Bird) July 23, 2014
That’s it for day 2, stay tuned for tomorrow’s practice!