PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – After a week of being quickly brought up to speed and thrown in a game where he would make a key tackle for loss, outside linebacker Preston Smith will get even more snaps Sunday against the Ravens.
Alex Highsmith already ruled out and even if Nick Herbig returns, and it looks good after he was able to practice full on Wednesday, he likely won't be able to go starter reps. Smith would expect even more opportunities opposite, or spelling at times, TJ Watt.
"I feel real comfortable in this system," Smith said after finishing with three tackles in 23 snaps including a pair of tackles for loss and a sack against Washington. "I'm not going to lie to you, last week I was a little nervous because I was like 'dang, I'm getting thrown in the fire and I just learned these plays in less than a week'."
"After the first play and I run out there and doing what I had to do, I got back in the flow of playing football. Even though it was a new team and a new system, I just got back in the flow. It wasn't that tough of an adjustment, once I got out there I was like 'ok, it's still football'. All it comes down to is you doing your job and dominating."
He's played in some rivalries before—Washington-Dallas, Green Bay-Chicago and now Steelers-Ravens. He went to Mississippi State so include some spirited Egg Bowl matchups with Mississippi.
"I expect this game to be a battle," Smith said. "I don't expect it to be easy. I expect both sides to fight and give it their all and see who is standing at the end of it."
He has a little idea of what he's getting into. Smith hasn't talked to teammates really about it yet, but he great up a football fan. He said he used to watch Steelers-Ravens back in the day.
"I don't want to date myself, but watching Ray Lewis and Troy Polamalu play," Smith said. "Both sides of the ball and those guys just battle and see how the game turned out at the end was really exciting to see. I'm excited to play in this rivalry."
"I'm just trying to do my part. Hopefully I get out and make some exciting, historical plays to help us when the game so when they turn on the Steelers versus the Ravens there are some clips of me being played there with all of the legendary players from the Steelers."
