Torrey Smith

Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith has joked about cutting off his dreadlocks before but never  followed through with it. Even getting pulled down to the ground by his hair two seasons ago by Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Adam Jones wasn't enough to convince Smith that he needed to get rid of them. However, Smith apparently has had a change of heart. He joked on his Twitter account earlier today that he was thinking about cutting his "locs. " When asked why, he wrote that he was "getting tired of them.

Preakness had its share of glitterati in attendance this year. Kiss bassist Gene Simmons , and his wife - and "Gene Simmons Family Jewels" reality show co-star - Shannon Tweed hung out in the Jockey Club, while "House of Cards" star Kevin Spacey made the circuit in the Corporate Village, looking dapper in a cream blazer and fedora. Spacey's style was more on track than his handicapping. When caught at the betting window there, the actor was asked his pick in the next race (the No. 9)

Jeff Zrebiec, Ravens beat writer: The Ravens did exactly what an elite team should do to an overmatched opponent. They took control of the game early and broke the Rams' spirit in the first quarter. Obviously, Joe Flacco connecting with Torrey Smith for three touchdowns could have a huge impact going forward as the rookie was badly in need of a jolt of confidence, and the Ravens sorely needed to establish a downfield threat. It was an ideal tuneup for the Jets showdown next week.

The impact of Torrey Smith and Jacoby Jones was obvious every time that one of the speedy outside wide receivers ran past flat-footed defenders and under a long, arching throw from Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco. Smith, now entering his third season, has quickly become one of the NFL's premier deep threats. And Jones, who got behind defenses for huge touchdowns twice in the postseason, also has speed to be reckoned with. Part of their hidden impact -- besides forcing safeties to back away from the line of scrimmage to protect against the big play -- came in the penalties they drew downfield when they weren't catching Flacco's deep balls.

On Sunday, Torrey Smith flashed the fleet feet and natural ability that made him a 2011 second-round draft pick, scoring touchdowns on his first three NFL catches and finishing with five catches for 152 yards. Two games into his NFL career, one that started three months later than originally scheduled because of the lockout, the rookie out of Maryland was being scrutinized by fans and a few media members. After his eye-opening performance in the Ravens' 37-7 victory over the Rams, Smith will probably be under more pressure to make this kind of difference every week -- a totally unrealistic expectation.

In the off-season, when the Baltimore Ravens' Torrey Smith isn't trying to refinish his floors, he's lobbying Congress. The wide-receiver headed to Washington Wednesday with the hopes of convicing lawmakers to help America stop being so fat and sluggish. Smith was there, with a contigent of other star athletes, seeking support for the "Get America Moving" program. Leading the charge was the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association, a group that apparently hopes America, as it "gets moving," buys a lot of balls, bats and cup protectors to do it. On Twitter Wednesday morning Smith, immediately after asking for recommendations for someone who can refinish wood floors at a good price, said the idea of Washington made him "feel important haha.

With a team-leading 13 receptions and three touchdowns of 20 yards or more, Torrey Smith has solidified his reputation as the Ravens' most productive deep threat this season. The wide receiver ranks fifth in the NFL with 17.9 average yards per catch and leads the team in touchdown receptions with seven. Smith caught a career-best seven balls for 144 yards in last Sunday's 16-13 overtime win against the San Diego Chargers. This Sunday, Smith faces a Pittsburgh Steelers defense that has troubled him in the past.

You might have heard rumblings that there was an earthquake in the area today. I doubt that anyone was more frightened than Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith, who panicked when the ground started shaking as he filmed a spot for Maryland football at the Ravens' practice facility in Owings Mills. Here's the video:

Ray Rice was one of three Ravens who took a break from the team's offseason workout program Tuesday to chat with reporters. He appeared to be wearing black pajama pants, so maybe a nap was next on his agenda. Before he took off, he was asked about Torrey Smith, who is expected to be the team's top receiver in 2013. In his second NFL season, Smith caught 49 passes for 855 yards and a team-high eight touchdowns. His 17.4 yards-per-catch average was among the highest in the league in 2012.

The impact of Torrey Smith and Jacoby Jones was obvious every time that one of the speedy outside wide receivers ran past flat-footed defenders and under a long, arching throw from Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco. Smith, now entering his third season, has quickly become one of the NFL's premier deep threats. And Jones, who got behind defenses for huge touchdowns twice in the postseason, also has speed to be reckoned with. Part of their hidden impact -- besides forcing safeties to back away from the line of scrimmage to protect against the big play -- came in the penalties they drew downfield when they weren't catching Flacco's deep balls.

As he stood in front of hundreds of kids last year at his football clinic at Calvert Hall, Ray Rice made a promise to those in the crowd. “When I make promises, I like to keep them,” the Ravens running back said today. “I made a special promise. We said that we were going to bring a Super Bowl back to Baltimore.” The comment was met with loud cheers by those who attended the second annual Ray Rice Day in Baltimore. “Being involved in the community is just something that, winning the Super Bowl or not, I know I'd be out here doing Ray Rice Day again and I'd be telling the kids the same message every day,” Rice said.

With the 18th pick in the seventh round of last month's NFL draft, the first - and only - Maryland football player went off the board. Kevin Dorsey , whose long wait ended two Saturdays ago with a call from the Green Bay Packers, is set to take part in his first rookie minicamp later this week. Dorsey, a Forestville grad, was a consensus four-star recruit for the Terps in 2008. He bided his time behind Torrey Smith and other veteran receivers before breaking out as a junior with 45 catches for 573 yards and three touchdowns in 2011.

On Monday night, Eric DeCosta was in our house for once. The Ravens assistant general manager visited our offices down on Calvert Street to speak and answer reader questions in our latest Baltimore Sun Sports Forum. Among the highlights was DeCosta acknowledging that the team's “hunt goes on” for a veteran wide receiver . "We're still working. The roster is not set. We're always evaluating. We're always looking at guys,” DeCosta said. “Our pro personnel department looks at all available players and we'll make a decision at some point of what we want to do at that position.

The Ravens' Most Valuable Player of the 2013 season could be Mark Smith. Smith is the team's head athletic trainer and responsible for trying to get the injured players back on the field as soon as possible, but also at 100 percent. Despite some great additions this offseason, like linemen Chris Canty and Marcus Spears and outside linebacker Elvis Dumervil, who are expected to upgrade the defense, there are still questions about the team's top returning players coming back from major injuries last season.

Months after trading veteran wide receiver Anquan Boldin to the San Francisco 49ers following a contract dispute, the Ravens waited until the seventh round to draft a wide receiver. Ravens assistant general manager Eric DeCosta attributed that to how their draft board stacked up with only a few elite receiver prospects like former Dunbar star Tavon Austin, but didn't rule out the possibility of acquiring an established receiver prior to the regular season. "I think the hunt goes on," DeCosta said Monday night during The Baltimore Sun Sports Forum.

I couldn't help but notice a trend with Baltimore's 2013 draft class, especially because Ravens officials made a point to mention to reporters that both of their second-day picks were “red-star” players on their draft board. The Ravens, as much as ever, seemed to put a premium on character when deciding whom to pick this year. “The biggest thing is we have a great understanding of the type of football players that [coach John Harbaugh] wants in his locker room, that he and his coaching staff want to work with,” general manager Ozzie Newsome said Saturday.

When I chatted with former Terps wide receiver Torrey Smith on Monday about his future with the Ravens , I had to get his take on the retirement of Maryland basketball coach Gary Williams. The legendary men's coach surprisingly called it quits two weeks ago and the school scrambled to hire Mark Turgeon a few days later. Smith says Williams' fist pumps will be missed. "Gary was a great friend of the football program and he’s a great coach," said Smith, who can hold his own on the court . "I’m sure everyone’s going to miss that fist pump.

As the Ravens near the end of training camp, Tuesday began at the team's headquarters in Owings Mills without Ed Reed and Torrey Smith. The eight-time Pro Bowl free safety and starting wide receiver were not present during the first 30 minutes of practice. Smith has been battling a sprained ankle suffered in Thursday night's 31-17 victory over the Atlanta Falcons, but it's unclear if Reed is also dealing with an injury. He could have been given the day off - much as left guard Bobbie Williams (swollen right ankle)

Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith has joked about cutting off his dreadlocks before but never  followed through with it. Even getting pulled down to the ground by his hair two seasons ago by Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Adam Jones wasn't enough to convince Smith that he needed to get rid of them. However, Smith apparently has had a change of heart. He joked on his Twitter account earlier today that he was thinking about cutting his "locs. " When asked why, he wrote that he was "getting tired of them.

Ray Rice was one of three Ravens who took a break from the team's offseason workout program Tuesday to chat with reporters. He appeared to be wearing black pajama pants, so maybe a nap was next on his agenda. Before he took off, he was asked about Torrey Smith, who is expected to be the team's top receiver in 2013. In his second NFL season, Smith caught 49 passes for 855 yards and a team-high eight touchdowns. His 17.4 yards-per-catch average was among the highest in the league in 2012.