OWINGS MILLS, Md. - When he was cut by the Carolina Panthers in March, Steve Smith cried.Smith spent his entire 13-year NFL career with the Panthers. The leading receiver in franchise history with 836 catches for 12,197 yards, Smith fully expected to add to those totals before being released in a cost-cutting move.We sat down as a family, we prayed, we thought about it and we discussed it, Smith recalled Wednesday. My wife cried, my kids cried. They didnt see me; I shed a few tears. And then we got back up, dusted ourselves off and we said, What is the plan for the Smith family?Two days later, Smith signed with the Baltimore Ravens.This Sunday, months after that sombre family meeting, Smith has the opportunity to have the last laugh when the Panthers (2-1) come to Baltimore (2-1).Im not bitter because I get to play, Smith said. But do I want to show certain individuals that I can still play? Honestly, I dont have to. They are game-planning for me. (Panthers defensive co-ordinator) Sean McDermott knows what I bring to the table.With the Ravens, Smith has proven hes still got the talent to be a No. 1 receiver. He leads Baltimore with 18 catches and 290 yards receiving, and has also been a leader in the locker room.Its pretty obvious as a football player what hes meant to us, coach John Harbaugh said. Hes made plays. Hes a fiery competitor. Hes been a leader. Its a young group of receivers, and hes had an impact on those guys. But he hasnt done it in an overbearing way. Hes been himself. Hes fit in really well.Smith has a reputation for being loud and feisty. He trash-talks with the best of them a€” so much so that Harbaugh made light of it.My advice to Steve would be, Shock the world. Surprise everybody. Dont even say a word the whole game. Go into a shell! Harbaugh said. But I dont think hes going to take that advice.Especially if Smith catches a pass in front of a former teammate.If he catches the ball, hes going to let people know how good of a job he did right there, Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco said. I dont think this week is going to be any different. Im sure hes talked some trash in 1-on-1s the last handful of years with all the guys over there. So hell probably pick up right where he left off.Smith said: My enthusiasm will be out of this world, but it will also be fun to play against guys that I know their tendencies.And the Panthers certainly know about Smith, who rarely eased up in practice or during a game.He was one of those guys who never wanted to back down from anything, and I was the same way, Carolina cornerback Josh Norman said. He will probably be in the Hall of Fame, and you have to respect that.Another reason to respect Smith? Hes just about as good today as when he was drafted in the third round of the 2001 draft out of Utah.Hes still got it, Norman said. He never dropped off from what he was. The older you are, the finer the wine, I guess.Smith is happy to be with the Ravens, and theyre delighted to have him. There are more and more No. 89 jerseys popping up around Baltimore these days, too.But he will always have a huge place in his heart for Carolina.I miss everything about Carolina, Smith said. I miss my home. I miss my friends. Guys that I have grown with. But I also understand that its a business. And sometimes in business, youve got to temporarily go somewhere else.Playing a€” and starring a€” in Baltimore has helped ease the sting being dismissed by general manager Dave Gettleman without ceremony.Unless you hate your job, I dont think anybody has walked out of your job and has been fired or released and go Yay, Smith said. I was taken aback by it, but I took my time to kind of reflect to kind of see it. To be honest, I knew a long time ago. I knew when I had my meeting with Gettleman what was going to happen, and thats what happened. I walked out of there with dignity, and I held my head up high.___AP Sports Writer Steve Reed in Charlotte, North Carolina, contributed to this report.___AP NFL websites:
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www.twitter.com/AP_NFL . The Maple Leafs will play on the road for the first time this season after dropping home contests to Montreal and Pittsburgh to begin the campaign. After losing a one-goal decision to the Canadiens on Wednesday, they were bested 5-2 on Saturday by the Penguins. . -- Andy Granatelli, the former CEO of STP motor oil company who made a mark on motorsports as a car owner, innovator and entrepreneur, has died.
http://www.nhlbluesauthority.com/authen ... es-jersey/. A last-minute leveler ensured the two-time defending champion remained nine points ahead of Roma, which drew 0-0 at bitter rival Lazio in the capital derby. .com) - The red-hot Los Angeles Kings take aim at an eighth straight victory on Monday night as they wrap up a road trip versus the Calgary Flames. . - A lot of scenarios ran through Terrell Suggs head when the Baltimore linebacker prepared to face the Pittsburgh Steelers.VANCOUVER - Kevin Glenn threw for over 400 yards, including a touchdown pass to Emmanuel Arceneaux, and ran another in himself Friday as the B.C. Lions survived an up-and-down performance to defeat the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 36-29. Andrew Harris also had a rushing TD for the Lions (4-3), while Paul McCallum kicked five field goals. B.C. was coming off a 25-24 come-from-behind road victory against the Calgary Stampeders and picked up its second win at home in 2014. Brandon Banks returnedd a punt 97 yards for a touchdown for the Tiger-Cats (1-5), who were coming off a heart-breaking 27-26 last-second loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers last week.dddddddddddd Hamilton quarterback Dan LeFevour ran in another touchdown for the visitors, while Justin Medlock booted five field goals. B.C. took a 27-26 lead into the fourth quarter in the seesaw matchup and Glenn engineered a drive that resulted in McCallums 32-yard field goal to stretch the advantage to four. ' ' '
