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October 21, 2009
Steve Smith: No apologies
Smith, after catching one pass for four yards against the Bucs, said Sunday he was "no longer an asset" to the Panthers.
"Am I going to go back and apologize for what I said? No,” Smith said Wednesday. “That’s how I felt at the moment. I don’t think I was disrespectful. I don’t think I singled out any one particular person. That’s how it was received by the individuals who spoke to me.”
One of those people was quarterback Jake Delhomme.
"Steve and I talked," said Delhomme. "Am I condoning (what he said)? No. But you've got to understand, this is a competitive guy who has a drive and a fire like no other. I get frustrated too. I'm trying to get him the ball because I know what he can with it in his hands."
Said Smith: "I’m here to work, that’s what I’m going to do. If people get frustrated or discouraged about things, it happens. It’s going to happen on a team in Carolina, like it has in the past, or on a team like Arizona, whatever the case may be.
"I want to win, and I want to be involved in a win. And if a person feels like he’s uninvolved, that should be taken in the manner in which it has been said."
Smith is off to his slowest start since he became a starter, with 21 catches for 259 yards and no touchdowns. Delhomme has thrown 10 interceptions (tied for most in the league) this season as the Panthers passing attack has struggled.
"It's new territory for everybody," Smith said. "But new, unforseen territory is an opportunity to grow and find some things out about yourself that you're not used to dealing with." -- David Scott
Posted by Observer Interactive on October 21, 2009 at 04:48 PM | Permalink
Comments
Finally, a player with enough cahoonas on the team, to not apologize about remarks he made about the team. This team is in turmoil. I never thought I would see the day when I would actually say: "I'd rather have Kyle Orton than Jake Delhomme." But that day is here. Steve is the heart of this team. First we have to find us a new coach, then after that we've just got to find somebody to get him the ball.
Posted by: Smitty | Oct 21, 2009 5:09:36 PM
I have a feeling we'll be seeing at least a few "smoke" plays with Steve this weekend. And digressing to the Bills game, I keep reading that the Bills have the #4 pass defense in the league. Don't you think that's likely because they blow so bad at the run defense that no one really pushes pass plays? Just thinking with my fingers... Go Panthers!!
Posted by: Carl Childers | Oct 21, 2009 5:25:21 PM
Coach Fox has done a masterful job of winning the last two games. It's taken discipline and patience to stick to our strengths which, unfortunately, no longer seem to include Smith and Delhomme. Hopefully, he can slowly integrate them back into the offensive scheme.
Posted by: HAve2650 | Oct 21, 2009 5:25:39 PM
Kris Jenkins was the last player to stick his neck out and criticize the way the team was playing, and he got shipped out the following offseason.
Posted by: Kelz | Oct 21, 2009 5:35:31 PM
The team is not in turmoil you idiot!! The Redskins, Titans, Chiefs, & the Raiders are. You think were in turmoil b/c Steve Smith is so selfish? Sur, he hasn't been getting the catches he should, but we run the ball, and when we do it well, we win. For him to make those comments public just wasn't right. So what ifyou think he should have said it. If I work for Bank of America and we are having the best year financially ever and I feel like I didn't contribute, as a professional, I shouldn't go to the media and talk about it. you keep those things in house. Steve Smith Im telling you to GROW UP!!! GROW UP!!! GROW UP!! If you think you should get more catches, then, like Larry Fitzgerald, find a way to get open in double teamed situations. Grow up Steve!!! Im sick of it.
Posted by: Ronnie | Oct 21, 2009 5:36:21 PM
Look for a lot of interceptions by Jake on Sunday. Because of Steve Smith's comment, Jake will try again to force the ball into double coverage to Smith. The results will be the same. The other wide receivers and tight ends have got to step up and make plays. Until someone else consistently makes passing plays, other teams will continue to double cover Smith.
Posted by: Glo | Oct 21, 2009 5:37:34 PM
Poor poor Smitty's ego which is triple the size of Texas. Did you hear Moose crying about not getting the ball?!?! That is because Moose is MATURE AND A TEAM PLAYER- THERE IS NO I IN TEAM - SMITTY. I have never liked him and don't think he is all that. So we run the ball and win a game. But he gets pissed because he doesn't get all the glory?!?!? Remember it is all about SMITTY- who has punched out TWO teammates and gotten away with it. He make me sick. Let him move on. Our running game was very good and those guys ran their hearts out and Smitty is jealous?!?!? Get over and go back to South Central LA where you belong. And quit blaming Delhomme. Moose is a MAN- Smitty is a thug cry baby. Could it be we have a clone of T.O?
Posted by: Wiggles | Oct 21, 2009 5:39:51 PM
i would take delhomme over kyle orton any day. kyle orton might be 6-0 right now, but he hasn't done it before. delhomme's been consistently good until this year. i'm not jumping off the bandwagon till the guy turns in 2 bad years. nobody else won that many games for us. there aren't many that won that many games at that position in this league PERIOD.
Posted by: charlottean | Oct 21, 2009 5:40:58 PM
Just SHUT UP SMITH
Posted by: Wiggles | Oct 21, 2009 5:41:14 PM
JUST SHUT UP SMITH
Posted by: Wiggles | Oct 21, 2009 5:41:42 PM
quit whinning like a spoiled baby and play football.....i dont know how any coach can deal with pro ball EGOs....
Posted by: bob stafford | Oct 21, 2009 5:43:09 PM
Smith is SPOT ON!!! This team is HORRIBLE. John Fox is the biggest joke in the league. We barely won the last two games against teams that could not win at the high school level. The people of Charlotte deserve better than what we are getting on the field. Right now I could care less if the Big Cat moved this team. The Bobcats are actually trying to provide a good product to the fans, I will spend my money there. Fox sucks, plain and simple.
Posted by: Fire-Fox! | Oct 21, 2009 5:53:35 PM
Wow - nice comparison; BofA with it's 200,000 bagel-scarfing employees vs. a team of 52 of the best athletes in the world.
Posted by: Carl Childers | Oct 21, 2009 5:55:08 PM
Smith is a bozo, he needs to go.
Posted by: Jake | Oct 21, 2009 5:57:44 PM
This team needs a little discontent. They remind me of the freakin Brady Bunch. Look at what the comment from The Beast did for the play of Thurston Howell Peppers...
Posted by: StinkerBelle | Oct 21, 2009 6:02:02 PM
Uh, wasn't Moose the guy who protested his lack of involvement by taping "D Coy" across the name on the back of his jersey? Wide receivers are prima donnas, deal with it.
Posted by: dogear | Oct 21, 2009 6:03:15 PM
he should have punched jake in the eye. let me translate what steve smith really said, "jake sucks put in moore".
Posted by: joe cool | Oct 21, 2009 6:04:30 PM
I can't wait until we play the Jetts. What an interception-fest that will be. Hehehehe
Posted by: SirPurr | Oct 21, 2009 6:07:35 PM
Steve Smith has twice physically assaulted his teammates and he gets away with it. He should be in jail not whining! Another case of someone getting away with something because of their athletic ability. This team needs more character people like Beason, Stewart, Williams, Gross, Muhammad, Brown and Hoover. Smith and Peppers are rich as can be and the Panthers coddle them and put up with their nonsense and they are still not happy. Disgusting!
Posted by: david | Oct 21, 2009 6:07:40 PM
TEAM last I checked it spells team all 53 not one person. Yes Jake is awful and getting worse no doubt about it. But all of those who love Steve go buy more of his jerseys. To me, a win is a win period. Steve has been awesome when things was good in Carolina but now they are not. Maybe it is time to put someone who can catch the ball on the other side of Steve then teams will stop double covering him. I am sorry but Moose is not getting it done anymore. The TE's are more reliable at catching a pass than Moose this year. No wonder he is upset and I don't blame him but this crying crap from a grown man has to go. At least do it to the Coach (in his office) not for the fans to see. All you people who love Jake really don't see why at all. At one time he was decent but now, sorry he needs to be benched for good. Maybe Steve will get his wish and we can trade him this spring and get some picks for him. Because any player who is not a TEAM player does not need to be here. I don't see D. Williams crying saying Stewart is getting some of my carries. It was bad enough when Peppers said he wanted out of Carolina. It took a MAN like Beason to call him out on the radio about his play. Steve look at Denver WR Royal caught a bunch of passes last year not much this year but he is helping out on special teams, why because he is a team player. If I remember correctly Steve went to the Pro bowl as a returner Helloooooooooooooooo you can help the team there for sure. But no I understand you would rather cry in public and make things worse.....good move. As far as everyone screaming fire Fox well think of this. Most of his coaches left after a 12-4 season because they did not get an extension (don't blame them at all), it is tuff when you lose you coaches ask Jeff Fisher. Fishers coaches are in Det and the other is in NO. I think Tyler was a steal for a 5th Rd pick and he is still young. It is not like the organization is not trying to improve but you can only do so much when you have jerks on a team who tie up all your money. (Peppers) Now we have to have young guys who are learning to play at this level and only time will help that out. Our special teams are bad anytime the BUCS run one back it is bad. As for this fan yeah I wish we was 5-0 but hey it is what it is. Still thankful we have a team here in the Carolina's. So you guys just bash Jake until he gets better he needs it.....and this is the only problem I have with Fox because he keeps playing him. If the Panthers lose this weekend then it is time to find out what we got at QB for the future period. I am talking about even bringing that kid off the pratice squad up to let him take some real shots and see what he can do also. No need in paying the people and not have them do nothing. I don't think Fox will go anywhere after this year because the Big Cat knows what he has but I think Fox is scared he might lose his job, because nobody made a move to keep his coaches last year. But I might be wrong but I think the Big Cat has already taken care of that problem by dumping his own sons...who knows. I am sure we will never know the truth behind it.
Posted by: Joseph Cagle | Oct 21, 2009 6:14:19 PM
Showing your true colors Smitty? What a moron. It is low-lifes like this that give the NFL a bad name. You punch two teammates, beat your chest every time another receiver that challenges your talent level comes around, publicly complain that you're not the highest paid player when you get a contract extension while you still have three years left on your curreent contract (and was still made one of the top 5 players at his position) and now are going to be a punk when the team starts to get its mojo back??? This roster is filled with RICHARDSON BRATS. How can a coach control his team with this type of junk going on. Jerry needs to step up already and publicly announce how he has reprimanded his adopted little children. Otherwise, it will not matter if he reserects Vince Lombardi to come in here and coach this team, it will never win a superbowl. It is elementary (you would think), TEAM FIRST!!!
Posted by: SYRPIS | Oct 21, 2009 6:18:37 PM
I love the posts that put down Steve Smith..,.but where were you when he was winning games and making Jake Delhomme look good..you were loving him then...This is the same love that the Panther fans showed Julius Peppers..I hope the lovely fans of Charlotte wind up with a bunch of non talented..ain't gone say nothing if we lose football team..this will allow you to watch the winners go out and get the superbowl rings that they desire...and the action that is needed to do so...IF Pep & Smith goes then it will be to a team that is twice as good as the Panthers and all of the charlotte fans can look on while they are celebrating winning a superbowl ring!!! Go Eagles!!1
Posted by: know_truth | Oct 21, 2009 6:19:03 PM
Maybe Steve should talk less and play more. Quit going to the media, and find a way to get open. Quit being the problem and part of the solution. We never heard Deangelo or Johnathan complain about lack of touches when when 89 was getting 100 plus yards a game last year. Steve Smith we've all seen this movie with you before. You should worry less about your ego, and more about the step you seem to have lost.
Posted by: dantewesleyfanclubprez | Oct 21, 2009 6:23:20 PM
I'm trying to remember the last Eagles Super Bowl win.. hmmmm LOL
Posted by: david | Oct 21, 2009 6:27:41 PM
I enjoy how the same people type their same comments over and over under different user names, it really makes you guys look cool.
This fan base has to many cry babies who arent even truly CAROLINA PANTHERS fans,just transplants who like to bia and moan like a high school cheerleader.
THE TRUTH HAS BEEN SPOKEN!
Posted by: GhostOfSparta | Oct 21, 2009 6:35:46 PM
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