FOXBORO, Mass. — There hasn’t been much trash talk from the Baltimore Ravens this week, but Steve Smith did take a shot at a former New England Patriots cornerback Thursday.
Smith compared matching up against current Patriots corner Darrelle Revis with Aqib Talib, who left New England to join the Denver Broncos this offseason, on WEEI’s “Middays With MFB.”
Smith had praise for Revis but not so much for Talib. Smith famously told Talib to “ice up son” last November after the wideout’s former team, the Carolina Panthers, beat the Patriots.
“I don’t know if you call it going at it. I mean, after you make the tackle and you’re holding onto my leg, I don’t think that is called trash talking — I think that is a penalty after a play,” Smith said about a play Talib made last season. “I don’t do that, I am not about that. That is not how I play, and I keep my stuff in between the whistle. I don’t expect that from Revis.
“It’s a different type of play. I just expect it to be a chess match, and I think going against the other guy was more like checkers.”
Zing.
It’s logical for Smith to praise Revis, since he hasn’t had much success against the All-Pro cornerback through the years. Smith has just two catches on 10 targets for 21 yards while matched up with Revis. Revis hasn’t allowed a touchdown, and he has two interceptions while covering Smith.
Smith wasn’t finished complimenting the Patriots cornerback.
“Revis is a player who obviously he studies film, he’s smart, he’s crafty,” Smith said. “He’s super competitive, and he wants to win. I don’t expect anything less but a fun game. At times I have to be patient. There are times he’s going to make his plays and there will be times I feel like I will make my plays. I just have to keep that in perspective and not do too much.”
Revis likely doesn’t want Smith to do anything at all.
Thumbnail photo via Evan Vucci/Associated Press
