This is nuts, you have one of the most electrifying wideouts in the game, but no one to get him the ball.
That’s the case in Carolina. The Panthers have had Steve Smith, one of the most exciting players in the game.
He may only get 4-6 touches a game, but he can go the distance at anytime. He is a game changer, but without a solid QB, there isn’t much he can do and Carolina hasn’t seemed to care much, and now it may be to late.
For the past two seasons, Smith has not had a 1,000 yards. He only had 46 receptions and 554 yards last year in 14 games.
We all know that the Panthers have been trying to employ the running by committee in their offense, only using Smith to loosen up the defense every now and again with a deep ball…
…But last year was a testament that it doesn’t work unless the deep ball is a threat, and without a solid QB, and a few completed deep ball connections, defenses had no fear and shut the running game down.
Does the front office not remember the ’08 season when they last made the playoffs, Smith had 8, 100+ yard games?
Does the front office not remember the ’05 season, where Smith lead the league in receiving yards, and had 9, 100+ yard games in the regular season and a 218 yard game in the Divisional Playoffs against the Bears, that helped give them the win and a trip to the Conference Championship?
What about the magical 2003 season where they played in the Super Bowl. Smith only had 3+, 100 yard games in the regular season, but then hit caught fire in the playoffs with 135 yards against Dallas, and then he torched the Rams for 163 in a double overtime game, that included the winning 69 TD.
It was one of the most thrilling playoff games in the history of the NFL, and in large part because of Steve Smith.
Is this a sales letter for Steve Smith, the man who made the Madden NFL 10 cover, NO, it’s a sales letter for wanting to see a great player, play great. For wanting to see good football, and Steve Smith is good football.
Smith has been fairly quite, which says a lot about his character, but the word on the street is that he may now want out.
Did the Panthers wait to long to make him happy?
Will the Panthers take Cam Newton, Blaine Gabbert, Washington’s Jake Locker, and/or grab a vet QB out of free agency? Will they use Smith in a trade for another early pick?
We don’t know, but for a team that was 32nd in the NFL for passing yards last year, they need a great person taking snaps this year.
There has been a lot of talk about Cam, but according to Scout Inc’s top 32, Missouri’s Blaine Gabbert, comes in as the highest rated QB and the #5 overall rated player in the draft.
Cam Newton is the second rated QB and the 16th overall rated player.
It’s about the Panthers finding what they feel is a good fit, but there is no doubt that the Panthers need a QB, and not just any QB, a franchise player.
Carolina is a great place for a rookie because they have potential for a great ground game, they have Smith (for now) on the outside, a solid kicker in Kasay, and experienced players around for support.
However it goes, there is a lot of pressure on the Panthers, and excitement surrounding their pick because it will have a huge impact on how the rest of the draft will go. I’ve got the willies just thinking about it.
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Kenney
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