Steve Smith Punt Return

[2plankingpanther]

Why can't Jones KR and PR?95% of you thought it was a good idea to have Smitty do returns and I'm sure he is capable,but is that worth losing our # 1 weapon,the opponents ST players go running down the field like kamakazies ready to break bones!Yeah,Smitty is tough but poo happens,especially on returns.I cringe everytime I see Smitty doing a return,if he wants more action,throw him the ball more,but Jake also needs to spread the wealth too!Besides,didn't Smitty get well over a 100 yards yesterday?:nonod:

[runrunpass]

Why can't Jones KR and PR?95% of you thought it was a good idea to have Smitty do returns and I'm sure he is capable,but is that worth losing our # 1 weapon,the opponents ST players go running down the field like kamakazies ready to break bones!Yeah,Smitty is tough but sh*t happens,especially on returns.I cringe everytime I see Smitty doing a return,if he wants more action,throw him the ball more,but Jake also needs to spread the wealth too!Besides,didn't Smitty get well over a 100 yards yesterday?:nonod:

He never got hurt returning punts his first 3 years but he broke his leg in 2004 at WR he has as much of a chance of getting hurt playing WR as he does returning punts.

You guys are being dumbasses, in the playoffs you don't play afraid to get injured.

[the butch]

Fox is settin' up his post season options it seems. This gets me excited considering if worse comes to worse, Fox is at least preparing for it. Shouldn't have to resort to this though, if our D could actually play Fence.

[2plankingpanther]

He never got hurt returning punts his first 3 years but he broke his leg in 2004 at WR he has as much of a chance of getting hurt playing WR as he does returning punts.

You guys are being dumbasses, in the playoffs you don't play afraid to get injured.

He still has a better chance of getting hurt doing returns,how many other teams have their #1 receiver doing returns?Besides,why can't Jones do the returns,he's doing a good job!?:confused:

[Fright]

I don't recall them "warming" up Smitty on KR/PR's in the regular season when we used him vs Seattle in the playoffs in '05. I think it was a choice Smith called. He wanted a way to help and that was a sure shot of him getting the ball.

But, I would like to see Stewart back there some like we used him at the start of the season. He doesn't get as many touches as D-Will now that he's clearly the go-to guy. He's a dangerous weapon that I think could benefit us as a returner now that he's not getting as many touches.

[panthers55]

I figure that as long as it isn't an every punt situation, then it's a good thing to give Smitty a few more touches and an opportunity in the open field. He is smart enough not to expose himself to a hit unless it is while leaping for a long thrown ball down the field and he gives up his body to make a catch. Otherwise, not so much.

[runrunpass]

Yeah, he scored a TD in the NFC championship vs Seattle when they decided to put him in on one.

Any Panther fan who doesn't want Steve Smith to return kicks in the playoffs is an idiot.

[Gazi]

If we make the Superbowl, look for Smitty to have punt returns in that game. Nothing to lose

[Jrock88]

didn't like the call... jones is fine back there.

We were already in the playoffs and if i remember correctly we had a solid lead at that point... not like we were down and needed a big play.

wasn't worth risking our franchise player IMO

[Badbak]

Showing Smith at PR gives the other teams something else to prepare for going into the playoffs.

[shinner]

sticky this thread....if he gets wasted fielding a kick, I want to see the people on the pro side's reaction. I can't believe some think that since we went 2-0 without him (vs a piss-poor Chargers team and a nearly as bad Bears team), it wouldn't be such a big deal losing him on a kick return vs what we could have gotten from him catching the ball.

[shinner]

Yeah, he scored a TD in the NFC championship vs Seattle when they decided to put him in on one.

If I remember right, our offense was pretty much gutted for that game....we're not gutted right now, in fact we have a very good offense and maybe better at RB than we've ever been in the team's entire existence. No need to risk our passing game when we have a very capable returner on the roster.

[mantal]

This argument has been made before on many occasions. At first, I was sorely against SS for returning kicks due to health risks. Now, I'm just as adamant that he have the touches at every opportunity. Time changes everything...

[monstercat]

Why do people always freak out about this stuff? Steve Smith has never gotten hurt doing returns, and that used to be all he did. IMO, it's pretty smart to get him kind of used to it again, because there might come a time when we're behind in the play offs, and need a spark... and nobody can provide a spark like Smitty can.

It's called planning ahead.