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December 04, 2007
Smith's role diversifies, to team's credit
You have to give the Panthers credit for trying to get wide receiver Steve Smith the ball; they lined him up in the backfield last week and even launched a direct snap to him. He had eight catches and two
carries. The problem is, they need more in the way of production from him in order to finish this final, tough stretch of schedule strong.
Smith has not scored a touchdown in the team's last six games. He has topped 100 receiving yards just once in the last ten. In the other nine, his best total is 64. Compare that with the first two games of the season -- quarterback Jake Delhomme's only two complete starts -- when Smith had a total of 271 yards and four touchdowns.
Keep in mind that Smith and Jake probably knew each other well enough to finish the other's sentences, and adjustments to new quarterbacks take time. I liked the different things the Panthers tried with Smith last week. Expect it to continue in the future. While they don't want to wear him out, Carolina should also consider using him on punt returns in key situations. He can break one and change a game, and we have yet to see that from Ryne Robinson.
-- Stan Olson
Posted by Observer Sports on December 4, 2007 at 01:29 PM | Permalink
Comments
I also would like Steve to play cornerback or safety. I believe this man could do anything. He is amazing.
Posted by: Steve Gilmore, Huntersville NC | Dec 4, 2007 1:45:03 PM
its a shame it took until the 13 for the Panthers to realize this would be a good game plan.
Posted by: m | Dec 4, 2007 1:49:15 PM
Robinson is a bust, cut him loose, let Colbert and Carter return punts and kickoffs.
Release Carr now. Say bye and oops. Pay him to get him out of the locker room and off the team.
How did Jarrett hurt his knee, walking to his car?
Study the Ravens defensive plan against the Pats. Try your best to imitate it the rest of the year. Make Marshall the starter and move the other guy - what was his name? - to nickel.
More Smith. Have him sing the National Anthem.
Where have you gone Thomas Davis?
Posted by: Willy | Dec 4, 2007 1:55:57 PM
Stand by Willy...
Procto will answer those questions for you shortly.
Posted by: Juan | Dec 4, 2007 2:08:59 PM
Thomas Davis is second on the team in total tackles, so at least he is in on plays.
As for Robinson, he has done poor on returns, but then again , so has everyone else they have put back there. It seems that blocking is terrible on the return team moreso than the return man.
Posted by: m | Dec 4, 2007 2:15:30 PM
We were insanely lucky that the punt that RR fumbled somehow got missed by the zebras.
I've never seen a returner who seems so surprised by the ball when it arrives.
Posted by: JAT | Dec 4, 2007 2:25:13 PM
Steve Smith is great, no doubt, but he needs a supplementary WR. Someone that can help carry the load such as K. Johnson (last year), so bring in a better WR – another Johnson perhaps….hmm, how about Ocho-Cinco? There are rumors that he wants out of Cincinnati, so bring him to Carolina and make Elite WR Steve Smith even better.
p.s. Why is Carr, still in the team??
Posted by: JB | Dec 4, 2007 3:14:47 PM
You think the panthers would release an egotistical, but productive player in Keyshawn and then sign another even more egotistical player in Chad Johnson? Not to say they couldnt use his talent, but they dont want the baggage. I do agree that the only way this offense can get over the hump is with a LEGITIMATE #2 receiver and a LEGITIMATE #1 running back.
Posted by: huckabee | Dec 4, 2007 3:18:31 PM
The last time Smith broke off a big punt return was 2005. While I suppose he still could with adequate blocking, it's not going to happen with the guys and schemes we have now.
Posted by: jdb1972 | Dec 4, 2007 3:19:14 PM
Robinson is far from a bust. He's a young player finding his way. Smith was far from perfect as a punt returner when he was younger (see the fumbled punt that cost us the 2002 Bucs home game). He'll come around. He's got the skill.
Posted by: G.M. | Dec 4, 2007 3:24:06 PM
Robinson doesn't have the skill of my Table saw.
Posted by: hehe | Dec 4, 2007 3:30:16 PM
Heck, try Smitty at head coach. I bet he wouldn't call the draw play on third and long. Or the punch punt.
Posted by: Matt West | Dec 4, 2007 3:45:57 PM
And why don't they let DeAngelo return kicks and punts? That would get him on the field more and keep Robinson off of it!
Posted by: Matt West | Dec 4, 2007 3:47:08 PM
It doesnt matter who is returning the kicks/punts if the guys up front cannot block
Posted by: huckabee | Dec 4, 2007 4:01:09 PM
Huckabee,
I agree. Chad does come with some extra “baggage” as you put it. But, the rookie hasn’t deliver (not entirely his fault, doesn’t get enough playing time). And hey, Chad Johnson is great and a little narcissistic, but sometimes that sales tickets and that’s also good for the team. I do see you point of trading lemon for a lime, though.
Posted by: JB | Dec 4, 2007 4:08:25 PM
Willy: Sure, "safe hands" Carter and Colbert catching punts. More great ideas?
I see two options for QB as the season is busted anyway. Play Moore to see if he is worth keeping behind Jake or bring back the good old single wing, at least that would be fun :-).
Posted by: Thorrez | Dec 4, 2007 4:13:03 PM
I'm not ready to give up Carter yet, but Colbert can hit the road any time.
Why not let Smitty return punts and kicks both? More touches, and if he gets hurt, the season's already ruined.
It's time to get Charles Johnson some snaps, too. We're either wasting a 3rd rd pick or we're wasting opportunities to get this kid some experience.
I'd like to see Kalil get some snaps at center, too. Hartwig has been very disappointing. Let's see if we need to keep him on the payroll next season.
Posted by: Authority on Everything | Dec 4, 2007 4:18:39 PM
I agree, between Carter and Colbert, Carter should stay. As for starting Moore, it may not be time just yet, we are only 1 game back im the WC and i know its a longshot considering who we have to play,
Posted by: huckabee | Dec 4, 2007 4:25:11 PM
Why dose eveyone keep saying its Robinson fault the KR/PR game is not going. If you have no blocks you cant run. I dont care to see Smith get cleaned up by the ST coverage when his team just looks at the other players blaze by them.
Posted by: Dame | Dec 4, 2007 4:53:12 PM
Yeah, I don't its worth it to put Smith returning kicks and punts. He would do good, but if he gets hurt that would leave us with no offense at all.
I still don't see why D. Will isn't returning.
Posted by: Matt West | Dec 4, 2007 5:08:10 PM
Steve Smith is a very good ball player. He is NOT the all-pro, do-it-all, hall of famer many of you make him out to be. The best on this team, without a doubt. One of the top receivers in the league, probally. An elite player..not. Would I be willing to trade him for multiple picks...without a doubt. Are his best days behind him, YES.
Posted by: Carl Leazer | Dec 4, 2007 5:13:09 PM
hmmmm. it looks like Leazer is trying to invoke a response, and I have taken that bait. Offensively, Smitty is the only player that they can count on to make big plays on a consistant basis. So it makes no sense to trade away the only real threat on offense for a bunch of picks, it would be an enormous setback if a bunch of rookies came in to fill smitty's shoes.
"one of the top receivers in the league, probably" PROBABLY?? Over the past say 5 years he sure is up there with TO, Moss, Ward, Harrison---that would be a DEFINATELY.
"Are his best days behind him, YES" my only response to this comment is for you to actually pay attention to the football.
Posted by: m | Dec 4, 2007 5:20:46 PM
TwinkleToeAngelo isn't returning kicks because he's even worse at it than Robinson is, pitiful blocking notwithstanding. In 45 returns (a pretty good sample size), his KR average is a pretty pitiful 19.0, and it's even worse this year than last: 17.8!!! Robinson has at least averaged an almost-average 20.0.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Dec 4, 2007 7:12:32 PM
As for punt returns, there's probably a reason Williams has never done it, even when he was the far and above the best player on his team (and probably even in his whole conference) at Memphis. Some guys just aren't good at fielding punts, and it even gets in your head at some point.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Dec 4, 2007 7:15:56 PM
Thank you Stan for reporting fairly and honestly. As negative as this article was, there was much optomism and positive outlook in it too. However, Jake also had a tough time getting the ball to Smith the last two games he played. It will happen when you declare a 2,000 yard season! I absolutely agree with putting him in for punt returns. Instead of wearing himself out trying to beat triple coverage, he can wear himself out scoring TD's on returns. Thing is, the blocking has to get alot better for that to happen. To many people on the field in every phase of the game, walking around watching other players.
Posted by: SYRPIS | Dec 4, 2007 7:37:44 PM
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