The start of the season has been quiet for Torrey Smith.
The fourth-year receiver has six catches for 85 yards through the first three games, as veteran wideout Steve Smith Sr. has seen the bulk of the targets from quarterback Joe Flacco. The Ravens entered the season expecting a big year from Torrey Smith, and he's confident that he'll put up the numbers soon.
"It'll happen," Smith said. "It has no choice but to happen. The way we've been practicing, it has no choice but to happen. I can't say when. I hope it's Sunday, but it'll happen."
Smith has come close to reeling in some clutch catches early in the year, and he stressed that it's just a matter of time before he and Flacco connect on the big plays.
"You can't get any closer than we already have," he said. "I could very easily have had three touchdowns and 300 yards the past couple weeks. That's how the ball goes. I'm not used to it, but we'll get over it soon."
Offensive Coordinator Gary Kubiak also stressed that Smith had an impressive game against the Browns despite having only two catches for 25 yards. He drew a key pass interference call to set up a touchdown – he has drawn three pass interference calls this year – and Flacco overthrew him in the end zone when he was open for a touchdown.
"Torrey had a great week last week," Kubiak said. "I felt bad for him coming out of the game because, really, he had a chance to make some big plays. We missed him in the end zone. But he's working extremely well."
Smith has been down this road before, but it's been a few years. During Smith's rookie season, he went without a catch in his first two games and was quickly facing criticism on social media. He then broke out in Week 3 with 152 receiving yards and three scores in St. Louis.
It's been a similar story so far this year.
"I've got folks tweeting me telling me how terrible I am," he said. "It doesn't bother me because it comes with the territory. The only thing that I do dislike is when people question how much you care about what you're doing. We take this just as serious as anything else. It's an opportunity not a lot of people have."
The Ravens are heading into Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers with Steve Smith getting the bulk of the attention for his hot start and looming matchup against his former team. Steve Smith will draw much of the focus from his old teammates, but Torrey Smith knows that his breakout game could be right around the corner.
"We were as close you can get to touchdowns," Smith said. "We've got to get on the same page and get it done."
