The weight room is usually a place for young or rehabilitating players this time of year, before the team's strength and conditioning program begins.
On Friday, they'll be joined by newly signed veteran wide receiver Steve Smith, Sr.
In the area for a community event in Virginia, Smith plans to swing by the Under Armour Performance Center for the first time since signing his three-year contract on March 14. He'll come in to lift weights, straighten up his locker and dig in on getting ready for his first season in purple and black.
"I'm making sure that even though this is a transition for me, I will not be behind," Smith said at Fort Belvoir while running a youth football camp.
While Smith envisions himself as a No. 2 receiver at this point, and the coaches see him fitting into a certain role, there are still grand expectations around Baltimore and nationally.
Sportsbook and betting website Bovada set the over/under on Smith's total receiving yards at 950½. When told of the projection, Smith let out an exuberant, "OK!"
"Whatever that expectation is, honestly my job and my mindset is to exceed that," the soon-to-be 35-year-old receiver said.
"To get 1,000 yards, I don't think it's impossible. But I think for me to get 1,000 yards, Torrey [Smith] get 1,000 yards and Ray Rice get 1,000 yards, and maybe Jacoby [Jones] or whatever wide receivers, I think it's doable. With [Dennis] Pitta, why not all of us? Be the 1,000-yard club, back when they used to have those clubs."
Smith has already talked to a number of his teammates, including quarterback Joe Flacco. He's also chatted with running back Ray Rice, wide receiver Marlon Brown and Jones. Smith has started looking over Offensive Coordinator Gary Kubiak's playbook as well.
Smith and the rest of the Ravens can start getting instructions from coaches beginning April 21 and Smith spoke as if he'll certainly be in attendance for the voluntary sessions.
"I will bring from what I've learned over my years of being a professional: be prepared and be ready," Smith said. "That may take some extra work on my end, but I'm willing to do that."
