The Baltimore Ravens are not optimistic that wide receiver Torrey Smith, quarterback Joe Flacco's favorite target downfield, will be back in purple and black in 2015 according to owner Steve Biscotti.
Biscotti was frank about not wanting to pay Smith elite wide receiver money despite hoping to bring him back, and Smith wanting to return.
"The difference between what we can pay Torrey and what he gets on the open market ... Mike Wallace got $10 million [actually, $11 million signing bonus from the Miami Dolphins] and I don't think anybody thinks that was a good deal," Bisciotti said Tuesday.
"There's always a team that has lots of money that wants to bring in playmakers. Those guys are going to get those deals. I think we're going to have to take it on the chin and move on."
Smith had fewer targets and receptions in 2014 than he had the previous year, finishing with 49 grabs and 767 yards. He became a much more dependable scoring threat, however, notching a career-high 11 touchdowns, up from four in 2014.
Biscotti made it clear that he doesn't hold ill will for Smith getting what he deserves on the open market, and pointed to the team's cap situation as the reason for their inability to accommodate him.
"Let's be frank, do you hope Torrey doesn't break the bank in the open market so we can get him for our number? That's a hard thing to say," Bisciotti said.
"I care about the kid. I want him to maximize his earnings. At the same time, the more successful he is at doing that, the less successful we are in retaining him. I don't like to stand up here and say I'm rooting against a guy. But we've got to find a number. And some of the numbers that are thrown out there, quite frankly we can't match. We don't have that kind of space."
These are three teams that not only can afford to sign Smith to big money, but have use for him.
New York Jets
The Jets' quarterback situation is shaky, so any weapons they can add are crucial. They're set to lose Percy Harvin this offseason as a cap casualty, leaving Eric Decker once again alone as their top receiving target. Smith is not only a top-flight option, he stretches the field and offers contrast to Decker's skill set. Whether it's Geno Smith throwing the passes, or one of the top rookies in the 2015 draft class, upgrades to the offense are necessary.
Cleveland Browns
Cleveland has lost star wideout Josh Gordon for the entire 2015 season, and has no idea who will be quarterback come Week 1. That means stocking the shelves with premier talent in the skill spots should be paramount, and Smith is arguably the best option that is realistically available.
Smith is often viewed as little more than a field stretcher, but he has anchored the Ravens receiving corps as the No. 1 for the past two seasons and has more depth to his game than he's given credit for.
Buffalo Bills
Rex Ryan's in town, and the Bills want to win now. The quarterback situation is a bit of a mess still, but adding Smith's speed across from stud second-year receiver Sammy Watkins could be scary for opposing secondaries.
[ESPN]
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