Breaking down the Smith situation

[Mr. Scot]

Things to say regarding the Steve Smith comments after the win over the Bucs...

The timing was pretty bad

The Panthers as a team had just won the game. Had the comments come after a loss, or even during the middle of a week, they might not have reflected quite as badly on Smith. Coming right after a hard fought win, while the rest of the team is breathing a sigh of relief and/or trying to put a positive spin on things, it stands out like the proverbial ink spot in the middle of a clean page.

There are reasons why Smith is not as effective this year

Among the biggest of them, the lack of a complementary threat. Muhsin Muhammad had a good year last year, but the team needed to find a number two this offseason and relegate Moose to the number three. Perhaps the staff thought "this is the year Dwayne Jarrett steps up". Right now it looks like that'll happen the same year Michael Vick masters the West Coast Offense.

Bottom Line: Minus that second threat, teams can double cover Smith with impunity.

But wait, there's more

Other weaknesses have had their own effect as well. The playcalling hasn't been what it should be, the offensive line hasn't been up to par, and of course there's the much discussed struggles of Jake Delhomme. Those things are valid issues, but anyone looking to solely blame those things for Smith's problems are missing the boat a bit (discussed in more detail below).

In truth, this was bound to happen

The other major reason for Smith's not being as much of a factor, honestly, is the design of the offense. The ideal "Foxball" offense is run heavy with the pass primarily used to keep teams from being able to stack the box. Knowing this, it was inevitable that Steve Smith's role would decrease as DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart came into their own. This presents no problem for John Fox. For Smith though, it's an issue.

With all that in mind though, there's one nasty truth that needs to be discussed.

Smith himself is also part of the problem

In prior years, a ball thrown anywhere in the general vicinity of Steve Smith was going to result in a catch more often than not. This year, Smith isn't making some of the catches he's made in years past. Has Delhomme been off? Sure, but it isn't all traceable to that. Much as I might hate to say it, Smith this year loks like either a) he's not trying as hard or he's beginning to lose a step.

Option A is a bit too tough for me to swallow knowing his history. Option B though? Logically, it has to happen at some point, even to an athlete with the skills of Smith. Could this be the year? Being brutally honest, yes it could.

So is it any one thing? No. I'd say rather that it's a combination of all factors discussed. And yes, at least some of the blame for it must be shouldered by Steve Smith himself.

All this in mind, What's the bottom line here?

Smith is not being a team player

When an individual player makes negative comments coming off a team win, there's very few ways to interpret it other than the player being selfish and acting like a diva. Might he be justified in some of his feelings about this situation? Possibly, but point blank, it doesn't matter. When the team wins, you win. If you have issues coming off a win, deal with them privately or you are putting your own concerns ahead of the team.

And in the end, as good a player as Smith is, and as much as he has meant to this team...

There is no justification for that.

None :nonod:

[panthers55]

Couldn't have said it better myself.

:iagree:

[Cpt slay a ho]

no fox is not being a team player by keeping delhome as the starter.....

[George Shinnsplints]

Good post, agree wholeheartedly.

[pantherj]

I thought, coming out of the bye, that Moore would have been promoted to the #2 spot over Moose. Part of the problem with Moose is that he isn't getting yards after the catch. He also is no threat to break away for a TD based on his speed. Moore, conversely, has the speed and quickness to make the big plays we desperately need from the passing game.

Fox must be thinking that Moose' blocking ability is more important than big pass plays from the #2 spot. Any WR of normal size can be a good run blocker. Look at Smith, smaller than Moore, but he does a good job of run blocking. I still say, at some point this season, we will see Moore at the #2 spot, and Moose at #3.

[Brooklyn Bully]

Smith will calm down this week and maybe even apologize. What he said was heat of the moment. Not an excuse, but not too many people think clearly in the heat of the moment. Look for him to at least get thrown to more against Buffalo though. Though they have a horrible run defense, the coaches don't want Steve to get in a huff. In Seattle, before the week began, Houshmandzadeh complained he wasn't getting the ball. Though he only caught four passes, he did catch the most on his team. I see the same happening with Smith. Oddly enough, if Smith does start to whine, he could take lessons from T.O. He's hardly complained at all this season.

[Sloth]

Sorry Steve. Despite your talent and ability level, you're a decoy who should just shut up and block. I mean, sure, other teams manage to balance a run game and still get their #1 more than 250 yards through 5 games, but we can't seem to figure out how to do it. We can't figure out how to run without dedicating our #2 WR spot to a blocker who is still finishing off a route in Tampa.

And yeah, we know you've masked big holes in our offense for quite a while now through pure talent and effort, and that you've always had your QB's back even when he's played putrid at times and been a laughingstock.

But, anyways, despite everything, you should happily embrace your much reduced role on the team. Because one sentence of frustration makes you a selfish diva.

[Kevin Greene]

Smitty is a mirror image of ownership, the coaching staff, the players and the fan base. Everyone is pissed off about the Panthers performance this year. Severe case of underachieving.

Frustration boils out in different ways.

[pantherj]

Smith sounded bitter, self-centered, and selfish. His ego is clearly bloated beyond that of most WRs in the league. He also is given to fits of rage (ask Lucas) when his ego is damaged in any way. Smith is the best player in Panther history (imo), but the guy is a total a$$hole.

[Jangler]

I believe Smith has lost it. What ever it is. And Jake can"t throw the deep ball with accuracy anymore. But as I said in another thread. When you only put 2 WRs on the field Smith will be double every time. We need more 3 and 4 WRs sets, HELL, we just need some. With the running game starting to click 3 or 4 WRs will get Smith open more often, to where Jake can get the ball to him....and not 40 or 50 yards down the field. I'm not a OC, so I might not know what the hell I'm talking about. But damn, do something different!!! Try! Wont you just try!!!

[Brooklyn Bully]

I thought, coming out of the bye, that Moore would have been promoted to the #2 spot over Moose. Part of the problem with Moose is that he isn't getting yards after the catch. He also is no threat to break away for a TD based on his speed. Moore, conversely, has the speed and quickness to make the big plays we desperately need from the passing game.

Fox must be thinking that Moose' blocking ability is more important than big pass plays from the #2 spot. Any WR of normal size can be a good run blocker. Look at Smith, smaller than Moore, but he does a good job of run blocking. I still say, at some point this season, we will see Moore at the #2 spot, and Moose at #3.

What does Fox have to lose giving Kenny Moore a shot? Or even Goodson when he's healthy? Or hell, D-Lo and Stewie out of the backfield? He knows he's gone if he doesn't make the Playoffs and the chances are already slim for that. He may as well try something new. Jake is NO Brees, or Warner...and the Saints WRs are nothing special. But both QBs distribute the ball so well. In Fantasy Football, you know better than to start a Saints WR because you never know which of the 4-5 guys will have the most yardage that week. Warner has four guys to choose from (if you include Hightower). Again, nobody breaks out of the pack (other than Fitz) but they make it work!! So put Smith, Moose, Jarrett, Moore, out there throughout the game and just SEE WHAT HAPPENS. If we lose, so be it. But as long as we stick to the SAME DAMN CRAP year after year, teams will just get better and better at scheming for us. Double Smitty, stack the box = win (usually).

Fox...you have to take chances, bub.

[pantherj]

What does Fox have to lose giving Kenny Moore a shot? Or even Goodson when he's healthy? Or hell, D-Lo and Stewie out of the backfield? He knows he's gone if he doesn't make the Playoffs and the chances are already slim for that. He may as well try something new. Jake is NO Brees, or Warner...and the Saints WRs are nothing special. But both QBs distribute the ball so well. In Fantasy Football, you know better than to start a Saints WR because you never know which of the 4-5 guys will have the most yardage that week. Warner has four guys to choose from (if you include Hightower). Again, nobody breaks out of the pack (other than Fitz) but they make it work!! So put Smith, Moose, Jarrett, Moore, out there throughout the game and just SEE WHAT HAPPENS. If we lose, so be it. But as long as we stick to the SAME DAMN CRAP year after year, teams will just get better and better at scheming for us. Double Smitty, stack the box = win (usually).

Fox...you have to take chances, bub.

I don't think Fox will be fired unless we have back to back losing seasons. JMO.

It would be my worst sports related nightmare to see our offense spread out like the Saints. I would just start crying on the spot, and there's no crying in football. The idea of Jake airing it out gives me a cold chill, like the death rattle of my only son, and I don't have kids.

Moose is a problem because after the catch he looks like my grandad walking upstairs. Moore can give us some excitement at the #2 spot.

[Mr. Scot]

Fox...you have to take chances, bub.

I wouldn't hold my breath on that.

[Pejorative Miscreant]

Things to say regarding the Steve Smith comments after the win over the Bucs...

The timing was pretty bad

The Panthers as a team had just won the game. Had the comments come after a loss, or even during the middle of a week, they might not have reflected quite as badly on Smith. Coming right after a hard fought win, while the rest of the team is breathing a sigh of relief and/or trying to put a positive spin on things, it stands out like the proverbial ink spot in the middle of a clean page.

There are reasons why Smith is not as effective this year

Among the biggest of them, the lack of a complementary threat. Muhsin Muhammad had a good year last year, but the team needed to find a number two this offseason and relegate Moose to the number three. Perhaps the staff thought "this is the year Dwayne Jarrett steps up". Right now it looks like that'll happen the same year Michael Vick masters the West Coast Offense.

Bottom Line: Minus that second threat, teams can double cover Smith with impunity.

But wait, there's more

Other weaknesses have had their own effect as well. The playcalling hasn't been what it should be, the offensive line hasn't been up to par, and of course there's the much discussed struggles of Jake Delhomme. Those things are valid issues, but anyone looking to solely blame those things for Smith's problems are missing the boat a bit (discussed in more detail below).

In truth, this was bound to happen

The other major reason for Smith's not being as much of a factor, honestly, is the design of the offense. The ideal "Foxball" offense is run heavy with the pass primarily used to keep teams from being able to stack the box. Knowing this, it was inevitable that Steve Smith's role would decrease as DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart came into their own. This presents no problem for John Fox. For Smith though, it's an issue.

With all that in mind though, there's one nasty truth that needs to be discussed.

Smith himself is also part of the problem

In prior years, a ball thrown anywhere in the general vicinity of Steve Smith was going to result in a catch more often than not. This year, Smith isn't making some of the catches he's made in years past. Has Delhomme been off? Sure, but it isn't all traceable to that. Much as I might hate to say it, Smith this year loks like either a) he's not trying as hard or he's beginning to lose a step.

Option A is a bit too tough for me to swallow knowing his history. Option B though? Logically, it has to happen at some point, even to an athlete with the skills of Smith. Could this be the year? Being brutally honest, yes it could.

So is it any one thing? No. I'd say rather that it's a combination of all factors discussed. And yes, at least some of the blame for it must be shouldered by Steve Smith himself.

All this in mind, What's the bottom line here?

Smith is not being a team player

When an individual player makes negative comments coming off a team win, there's very few ways to interpret it other than the player being selfish and acting like a diva. Might he be justified in some of his feelings about this situation? Possibly, but point blank, it doesn't matter. When the team wins, you win. If you have issues coming off a win, deal with them privately or you are putting your own concerns ahead of the team.

And in the end, as good a player as Smith is, and as much as he has meant to this team...

There is no justification for that.

None :nonod:

At least no ones gotten punched in the face. Yet...