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August 01, 2008
Moose: Suspensions possible, but team must stay together
Tough times hit the Carolina Panthers Friday morning, one day before the team's annual FanFest scrimmage in Charlotte, and wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad said the team must stay united and focused.
Punches were thrown between receiver Steve Smith and cornerback Ken Lucas in a sideline fight that broke out while the team was working on special teams.
Neither player was wearing a helmet, and Lucas later was carted off the field with an ice pack over his left eye.
Muhammad acknowledged that other players were waiting to find out what disciplinary action would be taken. He acknowledged that there could be suspensions and possibly even legal ramifications.
"Obviously, everybody is going to be waiting to see what are the repercussions for this event," said Muhammad. "I'm just praying that we rally together as a team because, obviously, there's going to be some adversity here.
"The focus is not where it needs to be right now, which is training to play this 2008 season. I'm hoping we all come together as a team, as a family, and are able to put this behind us and come together and focus on the season, focus on winning games, and keep the big picture in mind because we're all here to try to win a Super Bowl."
Neither Smith nor Lucas joined the team for lunch and both had left the Wofford campus. There was no official word whether they'd been suspended from camp.
When asked about if he had thought about the chance that Smith could be suspended for a game, or games, Muhammad said: "That could be a possibility, and Ken as well. Those are possibilities. We don't know exactly what's going to happen but the focus still needs to be on what this team needs to do.
"You can lose guys one way or another during the course of a season. This is unfortuante, but it happened, (and) I think the true test will be how we respond from it."
Muhammad wouldn't speculate on the severity of Lucas' injury.
"I have no idea how long or who's going to be out at all. I don't know to what extent Ken's eye is damaged or what the case may be."
After the fight ended, Lucas was taken to a tent and sat with an ice pack over his left eye.
Muhammad escorted Smith to the tent, and Smith leaned down to speak to Lucas.
"Steve was probably a little remorseful for what happened and was trying to apologize," said Muhammad. "I was walking with him, just to be there."
The incident was an example of how players need to have self-control, said Muhammad.
"This is a very, very competitive business, (with) very high emotions," he said. "Obviously, it's a battle everyday to channel those in the right directions. The number one thing is to leave that on the field, definitely."
-- Charles Chandler
Posted by Observer Sports on August 1, 2008 at 12:55 PM | Permalink
Comments
I love the guy!!! Moose is the Man!
Posted by: Bob | Aug 1, 2008 1:10:39 PM
It will be interesting to hear what Fox says about this considering the other day he said fighting is a part of camp in reference to an on field fight between Otah and Brayton. It seems that They need to wait until emotions calm down a bit and speak with each player to get the story and then make a decision. This is unfortunate, but I don't think it will break the team.
Posted by: Will Parker | Aug 1, 2008 1:12:18 PM
Smitty, beating cornerbacks on the field and off the field since 2001...
The bad news is this is a terrible distraction, but the good news is that at least we know for sure Smitty can still brawl with the best of them.
Posted by: South Florida Panthers Fan Club | Aug 1, 2008 1:17:14 PM
When you put highly competitive guys together in 100 degree heat, for two a days, stuff like this happens.
Legal Ramifications? Suspenions?
Breaking the team? ... Give me a break.
Posted by: CarPanFan1 | Aug 1, 2008 1:23:54 PM
This is crazy! Smitty's competitive nature makes him the player that he is. Lucas' eye looked jacked up in that pic. Fighting is a part of the game, but I dont think this is worth legal action.
Posted by: J | Aug 1, 2008 1:32:32 PM
Is it me or has anyone else noticed how it always seems that Mr. Volcano "steve smith" is always sucker punching his fighting partner. He sounds kinda chicken S--T to me. Anyway, thanks for taking the fire and passion for competition out of a very talented corner back Mr. Tyson. Ya know, the last time I looked, the teams that played as a team seemed to always come out on top in the end. And we've seen what you can do when double covered. NOTHING!
Posted by: stork302 | Aug 1, 2008 1:33:59 PM
Looks like there's a reason Smith lands these heavy-duty punches, his unsuspecting teammates never know it's coming.
Posted by: dogear | Aug 1, 2008 1:41:08 PM
Sucker punch Stevie up to his old tricks- again showing how he is a poor leader and team player.
May show why we had to bring Moose back to help our other receivers- Smitty cannot even help himself.
What a waste.
Posted by: Mike Harrison | Aug 1, 2008 1:44:07 PM
This has definate ramifications if Lucas has a broken jaw or eye socket. One legal ramifications, plus losing a starting CB for part or all of a season.
If Smith is suspended for any lenght of time this also brings into play the dynamics of playing a fairly tough schedule the first few games without the Panthers best weapon.
Muhammad is right.
Posted by: Bccnp1 | Aug 1, 2008 1:49:16 PM
Yeah, this camp is really starting to go south. The team is now out its top four defensive tackles, two wide receivers and a cornerback. Did I miss anybody?
I guess there'll be a buncha' know-shows for that FanFest thing tomorrow.
Posted by: dogear | Aug 1, 2008 1:57:12 PM
Guys, I've been searching through some wide reciever playing history archives, and I can't find one single incident where Jerry Rice sucker punched anybody. "steve smith", hall of fame, or hall of shame. Personally, I think the later. Nuff Said!!!
Posted by: stork302 | Aug 1, 2008 1:58:54 PM
Hey Stork. Shut up. No one ever said he would win an award for sportsmanship, but the guy loves the game and this team. Smtih seems to obviously have trouble controlling his emotions but that doesn't make him a bad guy. He obviously felt bad. And lets be honest with ourselves, do we think Ken was backing down from the trash talk and confrontation. I would bet you a cookie he wasn't.
Posted by: Henry | Aug 1, 2008 2:19:11 PM
I agree with everyone steve smith has lost my respect! I hope he is suspended for at least a game or two. and $$$$
Posted by: tj | Aug 1, 2008 2:24:24 PM
How about we wait to hear the entire story before demonizing Steve? Yes, he has a history of fighting. Yes, things should not have escalated to that point. However, let's look at the recent past, specifically the first Atlanta game last year. It is a testament to his improved self-control that he didn't absolutely throttle Deangelo Hall, even though he really, REALLY looked like he wanted to. No one knows exactly what happened between him and Ken, so how about waiting for the facts before fully placing blame.
Posted by: KCPanther | Aug 1, 2008 2:26:04 PM
I was there this morning and this is being blown completely out of proportion. So they had a scuffle, big deal. This is football. Hopefully Lucas is ok, and will be able to practice soon. As for Smith, get off his back. You guys act like he's a punk or something. He wants to win and on the battlefield he gives his all. These two guys have been going one on one for awhile now, so its not surprising they were jawing this morning.
And Steve Smith is one of the best players on the Panthers. He leads by example on the field and the intensity that he uses to approach the game should be emulated.
And sportsmanship is the most overrated and ridiculous thing about sports. Its for the kids, not grown men. I don't ever want to play a sport with anyone who wants anything other than to destroy and demoralize their opponent.
Posted by: Al | Aug 1, 2008 2:29:54 PM
henry, I've met the guy several times. Trust me, he lives in his own world and the rest of our panthers team ain't in it. Buy the way, if you're planning on going to fan fest tomorrow, you might ought to leave your family at home. I'd hate to see your four year old get jacked up for asking for an autograph.
Posted by: stork302 | Aug 1, 2008 2:30:57 PM
How about, since none of you have any details whatsoever about ANYTHING, you keep your mouths shut. None of know what happened or why, and none of us ever will. So, move on. Frankly, its none of our business.
Posted by: Wes | Aug 1, 2008 2:32:10 PM
As for the rest of practice though, two guys specifically stood out to me. Chris Harris made some plays. He had a INT, a FF on Jeff King during one on one drills, and several pass deflections. Moose also had a very nice morning. He made two spectacular catches and caught some other difficult balls. His blocking was very perfect on a Nick Goings screen and very timely on a couple of DeAngelo's and Johnthan's runs.
Dan Connor was burnt several times on one on one drills. Terrence Holt dropped an INT and had to do pushups. He was beaten by a WR later but recovered late to punch the ball out of the receiver's hands in the endzone. Dwayne Jarrett caught every catchable ball thrown his way. He just seems to look a little slow coming out of some of his breaks but he did get open. Toniu Fonoti looks to be in amazing shape for a man of that size. He definitely appears to be more athletic than Jenkins did, around the same size, last year. Landon Johnson got several first team reps in the base defense.
And I should've stated this earlier, but Steve Smith does not deserve to be suspended, fined yes, but suspended no. Lucas also deserves a fine. It would be ridiculous, stupid, and in bad taste to bench either of those two for their involvement.
Posted by: Al | Aug 1, 2008 2:36:57 PM
Geez...isn't it always something with this team?...wonder if they ever consider changing the team's name, from a black cat??
Posted by: Brent | Aug 1, 2008 2:40:40 PM
In response to the guy who said he met Smitty and that he "lives in his own world". What world are YOU living in. I've met Smitty twice and he was very nice and personable both times. He goes out of his way to sign autographs for the kids and to give them his post practice gear. What he does on the field has NOTHING to do with his personality away from it. That's like saying Brian Urlacher is a violent guy because he hits hard in practice. People, get over yourselves!!!
Posted by: Al | Aug 1, 2008 2:42:02 PM
al, he is a punk and leads by example?????? I heard he hit ken while ken was taking a knee. Does he have to hit people when they arent looking?
Posted by: tj | Aug 1, 2008 2:55:10 PM
Al, I was also at camp this a.m. and was standing not 50 feet from the sucker punch. Truthfully, your last post is dead on. This is the most talent I have ever seen on these training fields in all of their past years. And I've been here every day of every single year. This was bull s--t. Kenny was on one knee with his helmet off. This is one of the most talented C.B's in the entire NFL. So why take the wind out of his sails before the season even begins? I got a good look at Ken's eye and its puffed out there something terrible. Imagine doing press interviews looking like that. Once again, self centered smith.
Posted by: stork302 | Aug 1, 2008 2:55:35 PM
Stork, he may live in his own world but guess what! He makes my world a helluva lot better come Sunday around one o'clock. He puts us as a team on a completely different level.
Posted by: Henry | Aug 1, 2008 2:58:58 PM
way to go, making our starting cornerback miss time in practice and maybe longer. Doesnt sound like a team player and that does show his personality.
Posted by: tj | Aug 1, 2008 2:59:27 PM
Fighting happens in training camp. Period. If this fight didn't involve two high profile guys then it would be a non-story. The picture of Smith speaking with Lucas is enough proof that their emotions simply ran wild. Both players play with a lot of passion and when you are going against your own team mate it's easy to get caught up in the moment. They will probably both be find and maybe suspended for a Preseason game. If more than that happens I will be shocked unless some more serious details come out. But if Jake says it's squashed then I believe it's squashed.
Posted by: the climaxan | Aug 1, 2008 2:59:32 PM
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