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Torrey Smith leads NFL in drawing interference penalties

Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh talked to Torrey Smith after the wide receiver drew another pass interference penalty on Sunday.

“I told him, I said, ‘You might be leading the league in drawing big pass interference penalties. Is that a bad thing? That’s a play made,’” Harbaugh said. “He didn’t really want to hear it, but he came back and made the next play, so it was good.”

Three plays after that penalty, Smith caught a 24-yard touchdown pass from Joe Flacco. It was Smith's first of the season and ended a drought of seven games, dating to last season.

“If [pass interference] counted as points, we probably would have won by 100,” he said. “”It happens every game which is frustrating for me individually, but it’s great that we continue to move the ball. And we miss out on opportunities often times when that happens, but just got to keep on working.”

Smith has become the king of drawing pass interference penalties. He led the NFL by drawing 16 in 2012, and he tops the league against this year with five after just four games.

In total, those penalties committed against the speedy Smith have led to 98 yards. That nearly matches his current receiving yards (138 on eight catches).

Even though the penalties themselves don't count as points, they have led to scores for the Ravens on nearly every drive:

Penalty against Smith: Bengals' Terrence Newman (15-yard penalty). Drive result: Missed field goal.

Penalty against Smith: Steelers' Cortez Allen (23 yards). Drive result: Touchdown.

Penalty against Smith: Browns' Justin Gilbert (31 yards). Drive result: Field goal.

Penalty against Smith: Panthers' Antoine Cason (20 yards). Drive result: Touchdown.

Penalty against Smith: Cason (nine yards). Drive result: Field goal.