Just a week ago Torrey Smith was a frustrated Ravens rookie receiver who told fans on twitter to “relax” and wait out his development.  Today, he’s the team’s leading receiver in week three and a guy who not only caught Joe Flacco’s longest pass of his career, but who’s first three receptions went for touchdowns.

“I never doubted myself for a minute,” Smith told Ryan Mink of BaltimoreRavens.com.  “I know I can play, the coaches know I can play and my teammates believe in me, so it was only a matter of time.”  He’s not lying. On his way to the Edward Jones Dome, Smith tweeted that he was “excited” about his first start. “I have a good feeling about today,” he wrote.

I don’t think he could have possibly imagined what would follow.  74, 41 and 18 yard touchdown catches by Smith gave the Ravens their biggest first quarter lead in franchise history.  The rookie out of Maryland finished the day with five catches and 152 yards.

With Lee Evans on the shelf with a foot injury, the Ravens depended on Smith and he delivered.  “I told him, ‘Go back to playing schoolyard football,'” Ray Lewis said. “If you were the fastest, then make everyone catch you.”

Even after his record breaking first quarter, Smith continued to be a threat for the Ravens downfield.  The Rams secondary couldn’t keep up with his lightning quick speed and it allowed Joe Flacco to spread the ball to other receivers.  “That’s what I can do. I can stretch the field,” Smith said.

Now that Smith has delivered for the Ravens, he recognizes that it makes Baltimore’s offense even more dynamic.  “For me to have a game like this, I think it definitely helps us out in games going forward that guys have to respect me going deep.”