Steve Smith Finding Fountain of Youth as Ravens' Go-to Receiver

Veteran wide receiver Steve Smith is now in his 14th NFL season. He spent his first 13 with the Carolina Panthers.

Considering that Smith is arguably the most recognizable player in the history of the Panthers' franchise, few would have found it surprising if Carolina had allowed the feisty receiver to finish his career where he started it.

After he produced a 745-yard, four-touchdown season in 2013, the Panthers apparently decided that the aging receiver's time with the organization was at an end.

His playing career definitely was not.

Though he may be 35 years old, Smith has the ability to play like a much younger player. All he needed this season was an opportunity.

Shortly after being released from Carolina, Smith signed a three-year, $10.5 million deal with the Baltimore Ravens. He has spent every moment since then, it seems, determined to prove that the Panthers made a tremendous mistake.

Whether the Panthers really erred or not, Smith is quickly showing that the Ravens made an excellent decision in adding him.

In his inaugural game as a Raven, Smith went off for 118 yards and a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals. Against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 2, he hauled in six passes for 71 yards. He also helped the Ravens tough out a physical 26-6 win against their hated division rival.

While Baltimore couldn't manage a win against Cincinnati, Smith immediately showed that he still has big-play ability. He scored on an impressive 80-yard catch-and-run that temporarily gave the Ravens a one-point lead.

As captured by the NBCSN show NFL Turning Point (h/t SI.com), Smith verbally attacked his former team after the score, saying: “Hey, if you [expletive] think I can’t play, you’re gonna find out in Week 4, [expletive]!” he said.

For those not already aware, the Ravens travel to face the Panthers in Week 4.

We probably won't know if either team is really prepared to establish itself as a true contender by the time Smith's current and former employers meet. We do already know that Smith can still play.

	Rec	Yds	Avg	TD	Long
vs. Cincinnati	7	118	16.8	1	80
vs. Pittsburgh	6	71	11.8	0	23
Total	13	189	14.5	1	80

Smith didn't come down with a long gain against Pittsburgh like he did in Week 1, but the wily veteran consistently made tough catches in traffic and was never easy to bring to the ground.

In fact, Smith was so difficult to tackle that he drew a pair of facemask penalties during the contest.

The bottom line is that Smith is fitting in perfectly with his new team and proving that he is still a top-tier receiver, regardless of his current role.

Shortly after his release from Carolina, Smith admitted to ESPN.com's David Newton that he was no longer a true No. 1 NFL receiver:

"

I am no longer a No. 1 wide receiver and I know that. And I've been knowing that, and I don't have a problem with that. I will adjust to whatever team and whatever role that I would have. The only thing is I would like to know what that role is and what the expectation is so I can exceed it.

"

After amassing more than 12,000 receiving yards and five Pro Bowl appearances, it's fair to say that Smith came to Baltimore with relatively high expectations.

Considering he is currently on pace for a 1,512-yard and eight-score season, it's also fair to say that Smith is in a good position to exceed those expectations.

"

Steve Smith has 10 targets on the night. Nobody else on the Ravens has more than 5.

— Marc Sessler (@MarcSesslerNFL) September 12, 2014"

Smith may no longer technically be a true No. 1 wideout, but he is positioning himself to be a major focal point in the Ravens offense. He is playing like is old, Pro Bowl self and also establishing himself as a go-to target.

Baltimore is going to be the team that benefits.

It is amazing what a change of scenery can do for a player, and it is impressive to see just how expertly a determined veteran like Smith can take advantage.

Smith may be getting up there in age by NFL standards, but he is playing like he is in his prime and appears determined to prove he is still one of the top pass-catchers in the league.

Any good coach, and probably Smith himself, will tell you that production is all that really matters—at any age.