Reggie Smith wants the city of Charlotte to rally behind the Panthers as they aim for the playoffs

[jtnc]

CHARLOTTE - Safety Reggie Smith didn't play as big a role in the San Francisco 49ers' remarkable 2011 season as he had hoped, but he has high hopes for a bigger role and an ever bigger finish now that he's a Carolina Panther.

"It's an amazing feeling to have a city get behind you like that," Smith said of last season in San Francisco, when the 49ers hosted the NFC Championship Game. "I think we can have the same thing here."

The 49ers went 6-10 the year before going 13-3 in the regular season and coming within a play of reaching the Super Bowl. The Panthers are coming off a 6-10 season.

"In a way, it kind of reminds me of how the 49ers were prior to last year - a team on the rise with a lot of young talent," Smith said. "All they need are a few things to go a certain way, and the sky's the limit."

Smith hopes to be a big part of the Panthers' next step. He started the final seven games of the 2010 season and held the position into training camp last season before he suffered a torn meniscus in his knee that prompted the 49ers to re-sign free agent Dashon Goldson.

Smith was healthy enough to play in the season opener, but Goldson never relinquished the starting spot.

"That put me behind everybody, and I just never caught back up," Smith said. "I'm happy I was able to contribute to the season, and I enjoyed the 49ers team. I just want more."

With the Panthers, Smith will be given every opportunity to compete. The team returns starters Charles Godfrey and Sherrod Martin at the safety spots but brought in a pair of hungry safeties in Smith and Haruki Nakamura. The Panthers also drafted safety D.J. Campbell in the seventh round.

"There already were a lot of good guys here, and they brought in even more," Smith said. "It's going to be a good competition."

The 49ers drafted Smith in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft out of Oklahoma, where he ascended from freshman all-conference to a second-teamer to a first-teamer before turning pro after his junior year.

Smith enjoyed solid four seasons in San Francisco, playing in every game the last two seasons and playing on special teams throughout his tenure. A baseball player growing up, Smith said he plays safety a bit like he played centerfield, always aiming to close fast and make game-changing plays on the ball.

In his short time with the Panthers, Smith has leaned on his Oklahoma roots. He's the fourth former Sooner to join the roster in the last seven months, giving Oklahoma more representatives on the 90-man roster than any other school.

The first of those four additions, fellow safety Jonathan Nelson, played in the final two games last season and had an interception. Nelson and Smith were college roommates for one season, and Smith has leaned on him since they reunited in Charlotte.

"He's really helped me out," Smith said. "Just take a look at my phone. I'll put in the Os and Xs, and he'll draw up the formation and send me a text message that shows me, 'OK, that's where we need to be.'"

And now Smith is where he wants to be - in the fight for playing time with another up-and-coming team.

"Everybody's aspiration is to start," he said. "I want to help out. I want to be on the field."

http://www.panthers.com/news/article-2/Safety-Smith-wants-more-for-himself-Panthers/add9acc8-b056-40bd-a9ef-ff7f06fabc19

[toldozer]

Honestly he hasnt been here long enough to speak on the fan base. Personally Im behind the team win or lose

[Lumps]

But he's right and has the right attitude, but these things sound a lot better from a proven player so I hope he can help out them team next year.

[Chaos]

Wait till he sees those Dallas jerseys in BofA. He'll shyte brix

[panthers55]

Different thread name but same article I posted yesterday.

[B.B.S]

My probation ends just in time for me to brawl with all those Cowboy fags. I'm sick of those bastards invading.

[PantherPhann89]

Our fan base is continuing to grow daily. The presence of Cam, new coaching staff thats willing to adapt and an Offensive Coordinator with a good mind has done wonders for our fanbase.

[RelaxImaPro]

Thought that said Reggie Bush for a second.

[TruCatzFan]

At first glance... For some reason I thought of Reggie White... I was like wtf!? Is this some kind of joke?

Don't judge me... It's 5:15 am...and I'm still up; Need I really say more?

[SCP]

Wait till he sees those Dallas jerseys in BofA. He'll shyte brix

Yes, it will be hard to stomach. But if we can pull out a win that sh*t is gonna be fun as hell walking out of that stadium.

[rayzor]

the thing he and other players really need to be doing is getting PSL holders to quit giving their tickets away to fans of other teams and focus on panther fans getting them when they don't go.

[Kurb]

the thing he and other players really need to be doing is getting PSL holders to quit giving their tickets away to fans of other teams and focus on panther fans getting them when they don't go.

Most that I know try and sell them to Panthers fans if they cant find someone willing to pay they go to the highest bidder.

Several factors play into the notion that the stadium is (OMG IT WAS 70% "them").

1) Its usually not true and an exageration

2) if a team sucks people dont go.

3)When we as a franchise become a consistent winner the redneck other fans wont go and the diehard other fans wont be as bad IMO.

4) We are too friendly as a fanbase and we dont protect our own enough. Also Charlotte is a shitty sports town b/c 80% of the people there are transplants.

Finally as the old PSL'ers pass their tickets down to the new generation of fans, coupled with the excitement we all think Cam will bring, I think you will see a decided changed in the vibe of the stadium in general.

[PiratePanther189]

Just play baby, show me on the field!! Earn your spot and make us respect you.