Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore Ravens safety Eric Weddle says it's RIDICULOUS the NFL just hit Jimmy Smith with a 4-game suspension for "arguing" with his ex-girlfriend ... considering the incident never turned physical.

"It’s hard to fathom arguing with your [significant other], never touching her and that gets you a suspension like this," Weddle told the Baltimore Sun.

Smith was punished by the league after an investigation showed he used "threatening and emotionally abusive behavior" directed at his ex-girlfriend. Smith claims he never touched her.

Weddle and Smith are friends -- and Weddle says he knows there was "never a physical confrontation."

"I know details of it that I can’t get into, so I just feel bad for him. And it’s hard for a guy put into that spot, where he can’t really stand up for himself and tell the truth. Because if he does, it’ll be a lot worse in the grand scheme of things.”

Weddle claims the league is overreacting because they're afraid of another Ray Rice situation -- where a TMZ Sports video later shows the incident was MUCH worse than what was initially reported.

"Everybody goes back to Ray Rice and the video coming out, and they don’t want that to happen," Weddle said ... "I know for sure that was obviously on their mind."

Weddle says the most frustrating part to this is that other guys in the league are "getting DUIs or physically abusing other people, and they never get near this [penalty]."

Baltimore Ravens CB Jimmy Smith has been suspended 4 games for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy ... after an investigation determined he verbally threatened and emotionally abused his baby mama.

The Ravens released a statement Tuesday ... saying the investigation found "threatening and emotionally abusive behaviors by Jimmy toward his former girlfriend that showed a pattern of improper conduct."

The woman involved in the incident has a child with Smith. The two had been in a custody dispute that begin in 2015.

Details on any specific incident are unclear ... but NFL insider Mike Garafolo reports the punishment stems from court docs filed by Smith's ex, claiming "physical violence."

While the league found no evidence of Smith putting his hands on his baby mama, the Ravens believe there was enough evidence to punish Smith for the first 4 weeks of the season.

The Ravens say they spoke with relationship and domestic violence experts and a group of "women and men executives, not directly involved with our football operations" to review the situation as well.

"We also engaged in conversations with Jimmy about his past behavior and his intention to change."

"Additionally, it is our understanding that following a long-running and difficult custody dispute with his former girlfriend and mother of his son, Jimmy has resolved his custody and support issues."

Smith -- the 27th overall pick in the 2011 Draft -- addressed the suspension, apologizing and owning up to his actions.

Ever seen a person giddy to be smashed to the ground by a 6-foot-3, 265-pound man??

Well, now you have ... 'cause Andrew Luck says he was downright HAPPY to have been destroyed by Terrell Suggs during the Ravens-Colts tilt Monday night.

"I told Anthony [Castonzo] on the sideline, I said, 'Man, it was sort of fun to get hit by Suggs right there!'" Luck said.

The Indianapolis QB hasn't gone crazy ... he's just been out for the past year nursing a shoulder injury -- and when he came up from the hard tackle and felt no pain, it was a happy moment.

"I was like, 'Oh, I landed on my right elbow.' It was sort of reminiscent of how I injured my shoulder a couple years ago. And, I didn't feel anything."

"I didn't give it a second thought. So, I think that's actually a big deal for me."

It was just about the only happy moment for Luck against Baltimore ... he ended the night just 6-for-13 with a brutal interception.

Ray Rice is putting the NFL on notice ... 'cause dude just popped up shirtless in Jamaica -- and he looks like he could abs-olutely still give a team some carries this season!!

Remember ... Ray's been outta the league since he was suspended indefinitely in 2014 for striking his then-fiance (now wife) Janay Rice in a casino elevator.

But, the ex-Ravens superstar has said repeatedly he wants another chance to play ... and by the looks of things -- the 31-year-old's certainly still in shape to do it.

On the field, Steve Smith Sr. appeared to be the most confident NFL player on the planet -- but privately, the WR was struggling with depression and admits he felt "trapped, inferior and alone."

The ex-Ravens and Panthers star went public with his mental health issues on NFL.com -- revealing he REALLY began to "take ownership" of the situation when he retired following the 2016 season.

Smith says, despite his carefree demeanor, he never really enjoyed any of his football accomplishments and often felt "mentally, physically and emotionally broken."

Smith says he first tried counseling in 2013 -- but didn't really take it seriously.

But, since he hung up his cleats, Smith says he's been able to focus on his mental health and has learned a lot about himself.

"I find myself, as an extreme introvert defined by my counselor, looking for excuses on how to avoid large crowds and retreating during public appearances, big events and even family gatherings," Smith says.

"Being in public is a constant struggle, not because I don't want to attract attention or think I'm 'important,' but because of my inner battle."

"This is all proof that I still face my demons often, but I'm gradually learning how to cope with them."

Smith says he has a message to other people suffering from mental health issues -- ask for help.

Everything really IS bigger in Texas ... just check out Robert Griffin III's massive house on the lake, which just hit the market for $2.6 million, TMZ Sports has learned.

The 7 bed, 7 bathroom crib -- located right on Lake Conroe outside Houston -- is totally tricked out with a game room, theater, wine grotto and wet bar, pool with a swim-up bar and a private dock.

The mansion is located just a few hours from where RG3 grew up in Copperas Cove ... but now that the dude's got a new job in Baltimore, he's ready to part ways with the pad.

In case normal pics ain't your thing, there's a virtual tour you can take to scope out all the bells and whistles.

RG3 doesn't seem too worried about fighting for a job against Joe Flacco and Lamar Jackson -- telling TMZ Sports he's got no fear when it comes to the Baltimore Ravens' upcoming QB competition.

Let's keep it 100 ... there's a good chance Robert Griffin III will be cut before the season begins -- but, when we saw the 28-year-old in L.A., he seemed ready for the challenge.

We also asked Robert if he feels he's returned to his 2012 form (when he dominated the league) -- but RG3 explained, "At this point in my career, I don't want to talk about [2012] anymore."

Fair enough ...

Robert says his new focus is making the Ravens' regular-season roster and tells TMZ Sports he's been bonding REALLY well with the other QBs.

Lamar Jackson is STOKED to be on the same team as another Heisman Trophy winner -- telling TMZ Sports he can't wait to LEARN from RG3.

After Jackson was selected by the Baltimore Ravens with the 32nd pick in the draft, Lamar was hanging with his family in Dallas and celebrating the moment.

There's talk that there could be some tension between Jackson and Robert Griffin III because of their similar playing style -- but Lamar doesn't see it that way at all ... describing RG3 as more of a mentor.

Jackson also says Kobe Bryant sent him a signed Lakers jersey as a show of support before the draft -- and now, he can't wait to return the favor ... and hook Mamba up with some signed Ravens threads.

At least one high-ranking U.S. military official counseled the Baltimore Ravens about signing Colin Kaepernick ... and made it very clear he is NOT a fan of the QB.

TMZ Sports has learned ... when Ravens head coach John Harbaugh was considering signing Kaepernick to the team before the 2017 NFL season, he sought advice from some trusted friends.

We've learned at least one of those friends is a high-ranking member of the U.S. military who essentially told Harbaugh to seriously consider if Colin's national anthem demonstration fell in line with the team's core values.

The official didn't outright say, "Don't sign Kaep" -- but advised the team to give Colin a set of specific guidelines he needed to follow if he wanted to keep his job.

Translation -- if he kneels, he's fired.

Ray Lewis. Shannon Sharpe. Ed Reed.

Jamal Lewis played with a bunch of legends on the Ravens ... but says Peyton Manning -- his 1-year teammate at Tennessee -- was the guy who showed him how to be a pro.

The ex-NFL star told us he went full Allen Iverson when he showed up at UT, not giving a damn about practice ... and it almost got him benched.

Then, 1 practice sesh with Peyton changed everything.

"Every single play was just like he was in the game ... full tilt," Lewis told TMZ Sports. "That's a trait that I adopted and I took on, and it helped me get to where I am."

FYI, Jamal helped Baltimore win a Super Bowl as a rookie, and threatened Eric Dickerson's all-time single-season rushing record a few years later.

Joe Flacco's old teammate says he would've gotten payback on Kiko Alonso for his hard hit that resulted in the QB's concussion ... telling TMZ Sports he "would've ran after" the Dolphins LB right after the vicious blow.

We spoke with Vonta Leach -- who won a Super Bowl with Baltimore in 2013 -- about Alonso's tackle during the the 1st half of Thursday Night Football ... which he believes should've resulted in an ejection.

The 3-time Pro Bowler admits he's upset more players didn't rush to defend their franchise quarterback.

Watch the clip.

Terrell Suggs says he's CERTAIN Colin Kaepernick is being blackballed by NFL teams over his national anthem protest ... but tells TMZ Sports he's offered his full support to the QB.

NFL player Matt Elam was arrested Saturday night in Miami for possession of pot and pills.

The Ravens safety was pulled over after flying past an unmarked police car, and when cops searched his Range Rover ... they found a Gucci bag with 126 grams of weed, and 6 oxycodone pills. Elam was booked for marijuana possession, possession with intent to sell, possession of a controlled substance and reckless driving.

The former first round draft pick is being held on $15,500 bail.

Baltimore Ravens superstar Steve Smith is coming out swingin' at NY Giants kicker Josh Brown -- saying the guy needs his ass beat down after new domestic violence details came to light.

"You know what if your ex-wife was my daughter yo ASS would be on IR," Smith wrote.

"What a shame NFL acts like it cares."

NFL superstar Terrell Suggs says his children are his world and he would NEVER neglect them or treat them poorly -- despite scathing allegations from his estranged wife.

TMZ Sports spoke with Terrell's rep, Denise White ... who says the claims made by Candace Suggs in a social media video are flat out untrue.

FYI, Candace -- who's in the middle of a nasty divorce with Terrell -- claimed the Baltimore Ravens star is refusing to pay for clothes for their 2 young kids and forces them to go to school without lunch money.

White tells TMZ Sports ... "Terrell takes magnificent care of his children. He is a caring and present father."

"We normally would not respond to such a rant by an ex clearly scorned."

"Terrell is disappointed that his ex would take to social media to try and paint a picture of him as a father who somehow does not take care of his children."

Ravens rookie Kenneth Dixon isn't gonna let being in the NFL stop him from being a fan of the NFL ... saying his first order of business in the league is to get autographs from EVERY ONE of his teammates.

That's over 55 guys.

The running back from Louisiana Tech revealed this to us at LAX recently ... saying he loves the NFL so much he's gonna get every John Hancock he can while he's a part of it.

Kenneth also revealed his one rule for brand new roommate Keenan Reynolds ... and it's one we don't think the West Point grad is gonna have trouble living up to.