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Baltimore Ravens: Top 6 players we wish stuck around longer

By Chris Schisler

Ravens, Anquan Boldin (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Ravens, Anquan Boldin (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – DECEMBER 25: Steve Smith #89 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates his 18 yard touchdown reception with Joe Flacco #5 in the third quarter during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on December 25, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – DECEMBER 25: Steve Smith #89 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates his 18 yard touchdown reception with Joe Flacco #5 in the third quarter during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on December 25, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

2. Steve Smith Sr.

We move on to another receiver here. Steve Smith Sr. retired as a Raven so it’s hard to say he should have stuck around longer. Instead we can say it would have been amazing if he came to the Charm City sooner. What if Smith Sr. was with the Ravens closer to his prime? The stats would have been bigger and the impact he would have had on this franchise would have been huge. We’re talking about a Hall of Fame worthy player here, who had 81 touchdowns and over 14,000 receiving yards in his career. Smith had over 1,000 yards in a season eight times. What if more than one of them came when he was with the Ravens?

Smith Sr. is a player worthy of a statue outside of the Carolina Panthers’ stadium. He was a superstar that defined that franchise for a long time. When you think of the impact that Ray Lewis had for the Ravens, that’s exactly how Panthers fans look at this receiver. He was more than just a receiver in Carolina. Smith Sr. was the leader, the game changer and everyone’s favorite player. Late in his career, Smith Sr. gave the Ravens a lot. A young Smith Sr. would have been amazing for the Baltimore franchise.

Smith Sr. was with the Ravens for three years, but it was really more like two and a half years. Smith Sr. missed nine games in the 2015 season. Two and a half years of one the most awesome people in team history just isn’t enough. We need more Agent 89.

Smith Sr. is a legend and I don’t think everybody understands the extent of his greatness in his prime. It was unbelievable. Baltimore loved Smith Sr. and he’s always going to be a fan favorite. Just imagine how popular Smith Sr. would be in a timeline where he was with the Ravens for most of his career. That sounds like a dream. That sounds too good to be true.

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