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September 17, 2007
Smith's relentless TD run still amazing
I've now seen Steve Smith's third touchdown catch in Carolina's loss to Houston--yeah, the 74-yarder--a half-dozen times, and I still don't believe it. This is one they'll be showing for years to come.
In case you missed it, Smith was simply running a short route over the middle, left to right and only a few yards past the line of scrimmage. Then it became fun.
Smith caught the ball, turned upfield and immediately made cornerback Jamar Fletcher whiff on his attempted tackle. Cutting back to his left, he abruptly ran into linebacker DeMeco Ryans (not to be confused with cornerback DeMarcus Faggins, whom Smith torched whenever Faggins had the audacity to single-cover him).
Now, Ryans is 6-foot-1 and 239 pounds; Smith is 5-9 and 185. Smith somehow broke away from him, still bearing left. At that point it seemed that a nice individual effort was over, as what appeared to be four Texans converged on Smith at once.
"It was five, but...," Smith said today in the locker room without cracking a smile. He too, had seen the replay.
You waited for the pile to crash to earth and it did, but not before Smith somehow squirted out of its left side. And went the last 60 or so yards to the end zone untouched.
"That's the way I planned it," Smith joked of his escape. "That's why you just keep your feet moving and protect the ball." -- STAN OLSON
Posted by Observer Sports on September 17, 2007 at 08:46 PM | Permalink
Comments
Thank you Steve Smith. What would this offense be without him. Jake had a good game, and the rest of the offense just didn't seem to give a damn. Three hours of my life I'll never get back. Oh, and Peppers, WAKE THE HELL UP!!!!!!!!
Posted by: jeff | Sep 17, 2007 9:04:03 PM
John Fox was hired because of his great defensive teams of the Giants. Fire this Turd o guy. Fox takes over as defensive coord. if he doesn't do any better, then fire him too. He acts and sounds the same win or lose....IT IS WHAT IT IS....It feels like George Siefert is back.
Posted by: apslholder | Sep 17, 2007 9:13:53 PM
You guys just don't realize what "this guy" John fox means to the Panthers organization. I asked him on air today about the team's commitment to keeping and signing injury prone players on the roster and whether or not Jerry Richardson has a hand in that and he immediately said that all decisions are made and finalized between him and Hurney. Well, frankly, that's BS because the Panthers having been doing the same thing since the franchise opened the doors, changing only the fact that they keep big name/contract signings to an absolute minimum. Despite that, Fox's integrity took all the blame, just like he does for his players. That is huge for morale and not many coaches in the NFL are, were or will be like that. "This guy" is a player's coach and has turned things around since he has been here. Only one 7/9 season and everything .500 or better... and that will not change during his tenure.
Posted by: SYRPIS | Sep 17, 2007 10:12:28 PM
Our coaching staff is, although not the worst in football, but far from the best. Jeff Davidson is a good O-line coach, but it ends there. His cut-blocking scheme works, but his vision on how the rest of the offense should function successfully remains in question. I think the Panthers should use more of a conventional pro-style offense predicated on a full-back package, and throw the defense off by implementing a 3-wide set particularly on 3rd down. I would feel more comfortable having a fullback hitting those gaps, rather than Jeff King in augmenting the running game. The problem is that our defense is so bad that we can't get our offense on the field.
Posted by: SC | Sep 17, 2007 10:18:45 PM
I will say it, HE IS THE BEST WIDE RECIEVER THAT HAS EVER PLAYED THE GAME. If I had a choice of any WR to start a Franchise out of all the WRs to ever play in the league Steve Smith would be my guy. YOU CAN NOT COVER THIS MAN, OR TACKLE HIM, OR MATCH HIS INTENSITY!!!!!
Steve Smith- Best that ever played the game, they will say when it is all said and done.
Posted by: BigKahuna | Sep 17, 2007 11:20:25 PM
Who the hell are these bums posting on this blog, one guy who supposedly has a Radio/TV show and another who thinks he's a coach.
The bottom line folks, this team does not and has not had any heart in over 2 years, and that comes from the head coach on down.
Posted by: Red | Sep 17, 2007 11:58:03 PM
THE BOTTOM LINE IS HOUSTON IS AN AWESOME TEAM. I MEAN HELL IF YOUVE BEEN THE WORST TEAM THE LAST FIVE YEARS YOUR GOING TO HAVE THE BEST COLLEGE PLAYER EVERYONE OF THOSE YEARS. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS AND THE PANTHERS HAD NO REAL GAME PLAN BECAUSE THE TEXANS HAVE NO NAME PLAYERS (SHUABE?) WE REALLY HAVENT FIGURED OUT HIS WEAKNESS. IF WE HAVENT GAVE UP THE TURN OVERS WE PROBABLY WOULD HAVE WON THE GAME. CONSIDERING WE WAS UP 14-0. FUMBLES ISNT REALLY THE COACHES FAULT SO ALL YOU JOHN FOX HATERS WE'LL STILL LET YOU ON THE BAND WAGON IN DEC. I READ THIS SITE ABOUT EVERY DAY AND I HAVE ONE THING I WANT TO SAY TO ALL THE NEGATIVE POSTS. THIS IS CHARLOTTE .COM PAT AND STANS SITE. IM NOT GOING TO BE LIKE SOME NEW YORK YANKEE INDIAN KILLER AND BOO MY QUARTERBACK OR TEAM EVERYTIME THE DONT GET A FIRST DOWN. I MEAN WHAT KIND OF FAN IS THAT. IM FROM NC AND THE PANTHERS ARE MY TEAM.OH YEAH STEVE SMITH IS THE BEST RECIEVER POSSIBLE EVER. CHAD SMITH HAS GOOD HANDS AND IS FAST BUT STEVE IS THE BETTER CATCH AND RUN RECIEVER. STOP THE TURNOVERS AND DELOMME AND SMITH WILL DO THE REST. PEACE OUT
Posted by: rutherford county res | Sep 18, 2007 12:37:31 AM
The guy that said Jeff Davidson should only be an O-line coach is dead wrong. The O-line is the worst part of our offense right now. They are the reason we had no running game against Houston. People that like to blame Deshaun and DeAngelo just show their lack of football knowledge. It all starts up front.
Posted by: Jerad H. | Sep 18, 2007 12:59:41 AM
Rutherford County Res...Houston is not an awesome team...They are a very average team that came up with a game plan that our coaching staff couldn't match...I am a PSL owner and support the Panthers each week, but, I also have the right to show my displeasure with an aweful gameplan...I have invested alot of time and $$ in watching a good football team...When they underachieve, they need to be held accountable and I am going to let them know about it...It is my right as an investor in the team...Regardless of whether I'm a Yankee or not...They are my team too...If I want to boo a bad call, a bad QB, a dropped ball, a fumble (which IS a coaching responsibility), or a bad defensive stand, I have every right to do so and should to show I am not satisfied with the effort or heart given by this team...
Posted by: frankieT | Sep 18, 2007 9:06:09 AM
so who else thought the fella from rutherford county was a little crazy? first of all, all caps? give me a break bro. then he incorrectly spells the last names of both QBs from sundays game, and calls steve smiths biggest rival as the "best receiver possible ever" Chad Smith. lets try to limit the seagrams before posting, and/or crazy people.
Posted by: tomP | Sep 18, 2007 9:36:47 AM
and my apologies mr. rutherford county man, i didnt mean to single you out, but dont ever start an all caps post by saying that the houston texans are an awesome team. thats flat out wrong. if it wasn't so embarrassing b/c of what happened on sunday, it would be funny.
Posted by: tomP | Sep 18, 2007 9:38:42 AM
This was one game where Smitty could have said...give me the damm ball. He was "smokin!"
Posted by: mac | Sep 18, 2007 11:17:34 AM
WOW! It must be hard to have such lack luster fans "supporting" you. I'm a Panthers fan. 1&15 or 15&1, I'm a Panthers fan! I don't have a problem w/expressing opinions but I can't beleive how hard some of you are on this team for just 1 loss.
I believe. I believe we have the best team in the NFL. I believe that we are going to win our next game, the NFC south, the NFC and the Super Bowl.
I think the only problem w/this team right now is lack of spirit. We have the tools, now all we need, is to believe; from the coach to the players, to the fans. We need that spark and to carry that chip on our shoulders. We need to believe.
Do I have any REAL fans who will join me? Do you BELIEVE? Let's let our team know that we are with them!!!
Posted by: rawjem | Sep 18, 2007 11:40:46 AM
I am with you, but these guys can play better then that!
Posted by: BigKahuna | Sep 18, 2007 12:02:43 PM
Im with you, before the season started I knew the talk would be the way it is... We are 1-1 guys. And have lost what? the last 4 game season openers I think...So nothing quite to new about the lost. They came out fired up but we lack motivation when things get down or troublesome. They let it snowball down without anyone or something trying to make it stop.. And thats where we come in, they need us. They need to know they we will support them all the way to Arizona...we really might have to be the 12th man to propel them. I agree Rawjem and BigK. We have to be that difference if we really want them into the Super Bowl and coming away with the win. Its just that simply...full support not this doubt and harassment they have to come back to on Monday after a lost. They need to get it sometime I wont say that we dont, but this our team, we to some of us... No bandwagon jumping on and off...when the wins start coming then.....well we already know.....see u then. The defense has a total of 7 points in 2 weeks in fantasy. Thats not going to get it. Giving up 34 points is not going to get it done. Atlanta prepare to get it. 27-10 Panthers! Next.......
Posted by: Panther Fan 4Lyfe | Sep 18, 2007 12:57:30 PM
Apparently many here think that the only way to be a true fan is to shut up, don't notice weaknesses, and drink the weekly kool-aid.
We are all fans. That is why some are upset.
It is not only two games this season we are reacting to - it is four years of games.
This is essentially the same team we have been watching for four years with the same problems: inconsistency, bad play calling, low energy, and no fight.
I am frustrated. I have been on this roller-coaster for years. I won't drink the koo-aid.
Posted by: Matt | Sep 18, 2007 1:13:32 PM
What the Panthers need to do is listen to Andre Johnson in his post games comments, and see that is how they and the entire league feels about them....NFL network Texans postgame press conference.....thats crazy and true...if that wouldnt fire me up what would.....he has been talking about since he was a rookie 4 years ago....we have to build a new rollercoaster that just fly's high...
http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80265934
Posted by: I dont believe this | Sep 18, 2007 1:22:23 PM
Matt,
I'm frustrated too. I bet the team is frustrated. But its like family, we tell our children, spouses etc. when they're wrong we can express our dissapointment but we don't throw them into the river. You don't tell our wife she's fired b/c she burned the pot roast.
We come to these boards to kick around ideas as to how to better our team at this point.
Heck if we got rid of every head that's been called on to roll we wouldn't have anyone left except Kasay and I'm sure someone's typing up a post to get rid of him as we speak.
By the way, we've had a great team in two of the last four years and even in the other two we were better than most.
Posted by: rawjem | Sep 18, 2007 3:31:57 PM
It’s very disappointing I really have to say, but HEY... we can't win them all. How many of you out there picked us to go 16-0? No one... I figured. It's too early in the season to change things up now (that was what training camp and the preseason were for). It takes a little time for a true unit to gel... can we make one or two changes... Yes. Bridges is coming back eager to prove himself at Right Guard kind of like Ray Lewis after his trial. I believe that it's time to start our first round selection at running back Deangelo Williams, and our second round selection in Dewayne Jarrett as our third Wide receiver. Drew Carter will find his groove. Julius said he'll be fine, and I'm quite sure that he will... remember we haven't paid him yet... so he's working, it just bad defensive play calling. At least our safeties hit hard... they're learning on the job and they'll be fine. Please don't let me say I told you so four weeks from now. You would rather find out what your issues are now, than in January. I don't know about all of you, but I'm looking at a 10-6 season at worse. So like this week... there will be at least five more to come. Enjoy the fruits:)
Posted by: Caro2daHeart | Sep 18, 2007 8:15:33 PM
tom p you're such an idiot. can you read? i said houston was an awesome team in a sarcastic tone and i said steve smith was the best reciever ever. i guess if youre going to hate the team your going to hate the fans too. oh yeah i wrote in lower case letters to make it gentle and easy for you to read.
Posted by: rutherford county res | Sep 18, 2007 8:30:26 PM
Jerod, the reason why we didn't have a running game is b/c we were outgained nearly a freakin quarter in Time of Possession. We carried the ball only 18 times and averaged close to 4 yards a carry, 3.7 to be exact and averages to a first down if my math is right! And the reason why we ONLY carried the ball 18 times is because Houston scored 34 unanswered points or something like that. Explain to me how the running game can synchronize in a game that was completely unbalanced. Try looking at the real problem, an OD who runs a symplistic scheme. The offensive line is far better than last year, JD needs to improve the rest of his offense and that starts with him b/c I believe the talent is there!!
Posted by: SC | Sep 18, 2007 9:38:20 PM
Question: Why does Carolina ALWAYS seem to be a better team on the road, in a hostile environment, than at home? It puzzles me.
That said, in the words of Ollie Williams (the Family Guy weatherman)...Atlanta "you gon' get it!"
P.D.
Posted by: Panther Dan | Sep 18, 2007 9:53:34 PM
I don't think you people get it, we are not booing the fact that they simply lost the game and are now 1-1. We are booing because they got their tails kicked all over the field. We are booing the fact that Colbert drops every pass thrown to him, because Peppers is getting his ass pushed around and not making any plays, because Goins should not be returning and fumbling kick offs, because 51 of 53 players and the entire coaching staff (especially Fox) PHONED IT IN SUNDAY. No effort, no heart and no emotion. It is like somebody said, if you can't get motivated and psyched for 16 games a year - find something else to do.
That is why I was booing Sunday and why I am still ticked off on Wednesday.
Posted by: Cappy | Sep 19, 2007 1:11:32 AM
Man I live in Texas and I'm a die hard Panthers fan. I love these guys, but man the GAME WAS HORRIBLE!! I'm on the band wagon, suffered through 1-15 and the joys of going to the super bowl, and I will always be there for the Panthers man!! However man they gotta get that killer instinct back. Everyone keeps talking about Jake, Foster offense etc...hey back in the day you the offense gave you 14pts and that was enough. Where the Heck is the Defense?? No body should be running on our line. The linebackers what is up?? TD,JB,DM....come on hit somebody. Why isn't Chris gamble or Ken lucas locking down people. Harris is a great hitter, but he is toast in coverage. I don't want to say they have no heart..Football is a very hard sport, but man they need to believe in themselves and do it for us die hard fans who aren't quick to yell replace this guy, or get rid of that guy...for who??? Cower?? Carr?? what ever man..this team has been to the playoffs, super bowl..i'm not ready to give up on them. Come on man..get behind them..you either a fan or your not.
Posted by: Pmsquare | Sep 20, 2007 7:09:19 PM
hey back in the day you the offense gave you 14pts and that was enough. Where the Heck is the Defense?? No body should be running on our line
Panther Dan, my sentiments exactly. Where the heck is the defense? The reason our team rocked previously is that we had strength on BOTH sides of the football!
Posted by: panthergrrl | Sep 22, 2007 6:09:27 PM
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