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[url="http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/blog/2011/05/ravens_looking_for_quick_strike_vs_steelers.html"]http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/ ... elers.html[/url]
One of the Ravens' unspoken but vital goals in the draft was improving speed in the passing game. They did that with Torrey Smith in the second round.
Coach John Harbaugh acknowledged during the draft that upgrading speed was a priority. In his Wednesday night Town Hall meeting, via phone, with season-ticket holders, general manager Ozzie Newsome brought up the subject of speed when asked in what ways they had enhanced their chances of beating the Steelers.
"You know what?" Newsome said in response to a fan's question. "I'm going to say it another way. Pittsburgh's got to continue to find ways to beat us, too. I think we've got to find the quick strike. They have the ability to get you with a turnover. But if you can trump that by getting an easy score, like we almost did with the punt return, that kind of balances your books.
"I think getting Torrey into the mix will allow us to get the quick strike."
Smith posted a sub-4.4 time in the 40-yard dash at the combine.
Newsome also mentioned cornerback Jimmy Smith's ability to create an interception on defense will also lend itself to the quick strike.
"We have to find an equalizer," Newsome said. "When they find a way to get an easy touchdown against us, we have to find a way to get an easy touchdown against them."
During the teleconference, Ravens vice president told the season ticket-holders that Newsome, while not normally demonstrative during the draft, was visibly elated when Torrey Smith was still available for the 58th overall pick.
"We needed that vertical presence," Newsome said. "We saw what Mike Wallace did for Pittsburgh. We saw what Pat Johnson did for us during the run to the Super Bowl."
One of the Ravens' unspoken but vital goals in the draft was improving speed in the passing game. They did that with Torrey Smith in the second round.
Coach John Harbaugh acknowledged during the draft that upgrading speed was a priority. In his Wednesday night Town Hall meeting, via phone, with season-ticket holders, general manager Ozzie Newsome brought up the subject of speed when asked in what ways they had enhanced their chances of beating the Steelers.
"You know what?" Newsome said in response to a fan's question. "I'm going to say it another way. Pittsburgh's got to continue to find ways to beat us, too. I think we've got to find the quick strike. They have the ability to get you with a turnover. But if you can trump that by getting an easy score, like we almost did with the punt return, that kind of balances your books.
"I think getting Torrey into the mix will allow us to get the quick strike."
Smith posted a sub-4.4 time in the 40-yard dash at the combine.
Newsome also mentioned cornerback Jimmy Smith's ability to create an interception on defense will also lend itself to the quick strike.
"We have to find an equalizer," Newsome said. "When they find a way to get an easy touchdown against us, we have to find a way to get an easy touchdown against them."
During the teleconference, Ravens vice president told the season ticket-holders that Newsome, while not normally demonstrative during the draft, was visibly elated when Torrey Smith was still available for the 58th overall pick.
"We needed that vertical presence," Newsome said. "We saw what Mike Wallace did for Pittsburgh. We saw what Pat Johnson did for us during the run to the Super Bowl."
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