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Top 100 Players of 2015: Baltimore Ravens add Suprising Name to the List

By Remy Cabache

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The Baltimore Ravens already had six players on the Top 100 Players of 2015 through the first four weeks of this year’s reveal, and I predicted that there may be a wait before another was named. I was wrong. Steve Smith Sr. made the list this week, in what I see as a pleasant surprise.

Following his release by the Panthers, the Ravens snatched Smith Sr. from the free agency market to fill the veteran leadership void Anquan Boldin left behind, and boy, did he fill it. For the 8th time in his career Smith topped 1,000 yards and 70 catches whilst quickly becoming a fan favorite and a crucial cog in the team’s success.

Not only was his impact felt throughout the season, it was immediate. He made plays in the preseason, the season opener, and he was very influential against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday Night Football. Smith really fit in with the ‘Raven way’, and it makes me wonder what he would’ve done for the Ravens had he always been one.

Nov 30, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith (82) is congratulated by wide receiver Steve Smith, Sr. (89) after catching a touchdown in the first quarter against the San Diego Chargers at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Smith’s place on the list does come as a surprise though, as some of the receivers named before him (Randall Cobb, Julian Edelman, Golden Tate, Mike Evans, etc.) arguably had better seasons than he did. Dare I say, is he a little overrated?

As I’ve said in the past, the Seattle Seahawks have 8 players in the Top 100, leading all teams. Now, including Smith Sr., the Ravens have 7 players on the list with Elvis Dumervil surely still a lock to make it.

This does, however, include Haloti Ngata, who will probably be listed as a Lions player. For all intents and purposes I’m considering him a Ravens’ player as his play for them is what earned him a spot on the list.

With all of this in mind, if Dumervil is revealed in the coming weeks, the Ravens will have set a new record for players on the list, which I think is a pretty nice achievement.

Next: OTA Notes, Ravens Not Counting out Dennis Pitta

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