Steve Smith made a point perfectly clear after signing with the Ravens Friday afternoon.
The veteran receiver does not see himself as the replacement to former Raven Anquan Boldin.
"I can tell you this: I'm no Anquan Boldin," Smith said on a conference call Friday after signing his three-year deal.
"I respect the heck out of Q.. What Q brings to the table is what Q brings to the table. I'm Steve Smith, and what I bring to the table as a Baltimore Raven, I have to earn that. My time on the field will display what I bring to the table."
Comparisons to Boldin started before Smith even signed with the Ravens.
Both are hard-nosed veteran receivers with reputations for a fiery, tough attitude and tireless work ethic. Many pundits saw the Ravens' signing of Smith as a way to bring the same toughness to the offense that Boldin possessed.
Smith admires Boldin's game, but he's not here to fill his shoes.
"My comparison to Anquan – I can't because I respect the heck out of that guy and what he brings to the table and who he is," Smith said. "We play similar games of we want to win and we want to go all out. But we're also individuals."
Boldin spent three seasons in Baltimore before the Ravens traded him to San Francisco last offseason. Boldin was the team's leading receiver in each of his three years in Baltimore, catching 186 passes for 2,645 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Boldin was the team's most reliable receiver and one of quarterback Joe Flacco's favorite targets. He consistently made big plays, especially during the run to Super Bowl XLVII when he caught four postseason touchdowns.
Smith has a similar reputation as a big-game player. He is a five-time Pro Bowler that has crossed the 1,000-yard receiving mark in six of his 13 career seasons.
Now he comes to Baltimore as a veteran leader with a chance to help get the Ravens back to the playoffs and competing for another Super Bowl – just like Boldin.
"I'm not here to replace anyone," Smith said. "I'm here to by myself."
