steve smith sr

Now that wide receiver Steve Smith has arrived in Baltimore via his three-year, $11 million contract, he fills the void of physicality and toughness created a year ago when the Ravens traded Anquan Boldin to the San Francisco 49ers following a contract dispute.

The Ravens have now agreed to terms on a contract with the five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver, according to league sources.

The Ravens have now agreed to terms on a contract with the five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver, according to league sources.

As the Ravens host former Carolina Panthers star wide receiver Steve Smith for a visit, history shows there's been hefty production, as well as high compensation, for older receivers.

After monitoring the Smith and Carolina Panthers fallout from afar, the Ravens finally had their first opportunity to make their pitch to the five-time Pro Bowl receiver after he was released following 13 NFL seasons with the Panthers.

The Carolina Panthers have cut veteran wide receiver Steve Smith, and the Baltimore Ravens could pursue him.

Steve Smith would be appealing to the Ravens for a few reasons, but he isn't necessarily a perfect fit to be Baltimore's slot receiver.

The deal for Jacoby Jones, a proven deep threat and one of the game's fastest returners, has a maximum value of $14 million if he hits all his incentive clauses, sources said.

The Carolina Panthers and veteran wide receiver Steve Smith are heading toward a divorce.

About 30 minutes after the market opened at 4 p.m., the Ravens fulfilled their top free-agent priority agreeing to terms with left tackle Eugene Monroe on a five-year, $37.5 million deal, according to a league source.

Check in here throughout the afternoon and evening to get the latest news from what's happening around the NFL and how it affects the Ravens.

The Ravens could emerge as a strong potential landing spot for Carolina Panthers veteran wide receiver Steve Smith should he be released today, according to league sources.

Eugene's Monroe's status looms large as free agency opens and the Ravens prepare to lose several kept players from the organization.

When free agency starts this afternoon, the Ravens will have the most financial flexibility they've had since coach John Harbaugh was hired six years ago. The Ravens are carrying $21.987 million in salary cap space, according to NFL Players Association figures. Only 12 other NFL teams have more room under the league limit of $133 million.

Cornerback Jimmy Smith was a big topic of discussion in the past week after he allowed three catches for 55 yards and a touchdown to Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones in a matchup of 2011 first-round draft picks.

Stars, athletes shine at Preakness 2013

One was expected to be a difference-maker right away. The other was supposed to take a little more time. But last season, Cincinnati's A.J. Green and Baltimore's Torrey Smith both scared the bejesus out of secondaries as the AFC North boasted two of the NFL's most dangerous and productive rookie receivers.

Let's jump in the time machine and flash back in time to the early 2000s when Tom Cruise wasn't a known crazy person, "Freedom Fries" were an innovation in redneck culinary circles and men under the age of 40 wearing visors in public was considered to be socially acceptable. Thanks to Al Gore's Internet invention, fantasy football was starting to blow up -- and we were advised to select running backs with our first 13 or so picks.

I'm pleased to announce that I will be bringing back my weekly fantasy football column this fall. Why am I so pleased? Because it gives me an excuse to tinker with my fantasy football teams when I'm on the clock.

Ravens turn focus to Mason after missing out on Floyd Franchise's leading receiver considering Ravens, Jets and Titans

There is nothing flashy about a fist to the face -- especially when you're on the wrong side of the fist -- but that's the type of mentality the Ravens want to bring back on offense this season. That's why their two notable moves in free agency so far have been re-signing bulldozing right guard Marshal Yanda and inking All-Pro fullback Vonta Leach to a three-year, $11 million deal (making him the NFL¿s highest-paid fullback).

The not-yet-official release of veteran wide receiver Derrick Mason opened the possibility of the Ravens making a play for one of the bigger-named wideouts on the free-agent market. Mason is in the twilight of his career, but his ego has shown no signs of decline. As we saw last season, there are only so many balls to go around, and when they aren¿t going to Mason's side of the field, he will freely voice his displeasure.

The Ravens unofficially freed up salary cap space when they announced that they were releasing a quartet of veteran contributors, fueling speculation that the team was gearing up to make a splash in free agency.

Ravens could try to bring Derrick Mason and Todd Heap back with lower cap hits

The Ravens addressed the wide receiver position in April's draft with the selection of Torrey Smith and Tandon Doss, adding those two to a group that includes Anquan Boldin, Derrick Mason and second-year receiver David Reed.