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A 'Humbled' Steve Smith Returns to the Panthers?

In surprisingly deep speculation, Charlotte.com's Charles Chandler offers a between-the-lines interpretation of two tiny little words offered by John Fox in his Monday interview. We've come to expect little insight from a John Fox interview so you really have to look deep to find anything worth discussing. Here's what Fox and then Chandler had to say:

He (Fox) said the fact that Carolina started the season 2-0 despite playing without suspended receiver Steve Smith "makes us all better, him included."

The "him included" is what made the statement noteworthy.

My first thought of the Fox statement was "Well anything that makes the team better benefits Smith as he's part of the team (now)". Chandler offers more of a "Dr. Phil" type of analysis:

 But what's good about it for Smith?

For starters, it keeps the pressure off of him. He's able to return to the team without feeling like he has to do big things immediately to rescue the season.

If the Panthers were 0-2, for example, it could create an unhealthy co-dependent relationship between him and the team's hopes for a playoff run.

Smith needed to know the Panthers can survive without him.

 

 

Star-divide

Co-dependant relationship Charles? My understanding of codependence was someone who is out to save the world, someone who is always looking for someone worse off than themselves to save. Now if Fox & Chandler are hinting that Smith has "gotten high on his horse" which led to his blow up at Ken Lucas then I might agree. Smith doesn't come across as the most humble guy on or off the field. If Smith has humbled himself then Chandler' final analysis has merit:

The guess here is that he'll appreciate being on this team more.

I still stand by my theory that Smith has to play with a chip on his shoulder to motivate himself. I think we will see a more contrite Steve Smith and a little less boisterous activity from him on the field, at least until he scores his first TD. There is a happy and hopefully definite end to this sordid saga:

It's also positive for Smith to return to a happy locker room. Players are in a good mood because they're undefeated, and several of them said after beating the Chicago Bears 20-17 Sunday that they were looking forward to having Smith rejoin them.

It really does seem that this whole affair is wrapping up about as well as we could have hoped. When the story first broke we had Eagles fans predicting the draft pick they got in exchange for Jeff Otah had suddenly risen to the top 5 because of Smith. A 2-0 start and Smith's return has this team riding high and being acknowledged as a playoff contender. Let's hope Chandler is right and Smith delivers his Pro Bowl performances. Lord knows we could use a less hectic victory!

Poll
Do you think the Steve Smith - Ken Lucas saga is done and finished?
Yes, thank goodness
59 votes
It will still take more time
8 votes
It will linger the rest of the season
3 votes
It will linger as long as Smith is in Carolina
2 votes

72 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 9 comments

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Comments

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Steve Smith Motivated

I agree that Smith likes to play with a chip on his shoulder. Having to prove himself on the field after the fight should give him plenty to play with all season. I think he’ll have a big season.

I also hope he has a big season as he’s on my fantasy team.

by LittleKing on Sep 17, 2008 9:47 AM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'm predicting 120 yards and a TD

He’s going to be a rocket!

I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com

by Jaxon on Sep 17, 2008 11:18 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The Rocket

I really like that description. I even changed my fantasy football team name to “The Rocket Returns”

by LittleKing on Sep 17, 2008 1:37 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Looking forward to seeing our entire offense play

You can imagine how Steve being back on the field will open up the run game and give some of the other recievers an opportunity to catch some passes. These close games are enough to give someone an ulcer, I too would like to see a few more games with a comfortable lead by the fourth quarter.

by Davejinxer on Sep 17, 2008 1:05 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Jaws is Impressed with Otah

From a USA Today article:

Jaworski says one of the most impressive rookies he’s watched while breaking down video is Panthers rookie right tackle Jeff Otah, drafted 19th overall following a trade of a 2008 first-round pick with the Philadelphia Eagles.

I can’t agree more. When he locks ontot a guy he plows him 10 yds down field.

I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com

by Jaxon on Sep 17, 2008 2:19 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

the trade is looking good

While is already playing well, he should only get better with experience which means that trade with the eagles looks like a great move.

by LittleKing on Sep 17, 2008 5:25 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Wait a minute

Were all hyped, but be careful. If we get beat this week, then we will absolutely lose all this excitement.

On the other hand, since ‘05, Smitty hasn’t had the chance to play with other play makers. This year I can’t fathom how they could double team him and not let either Rosario, Muhammad, Hackett, DWill or Stewart run wild. But I am cautious, cause we have been knocked off our high horse many of times!

Jack Sutherland
SouthTunnel Web Development
http://www.southtunnel.com

by southtunnel on Sep 17, 2008 6:21 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Eagles fans are chumps

What a fantastic prediction: top 5 worst team- give me a break.

Basically, if we make the playoffs, the pick is validated from a draft position point-of-view, regardless of how awesome Otah is or how weak next years draft class will be.

Oh, and the Vikings are top 1/3 of the league vs the run and bottom 1/3 of the league against the pass- so, yeah, I expect a lot out of Stevesie and the rest of the receivers this week.

by the bomb dot com on Sep 17, 2008 6:48 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

smitty's return and the draft

We all know what it means for Smitty to be back. Let’s look at last season for example. No QB threw for even 1,000 yards, and Foster led the ground game with about 800 yards or so, yet Smitty still had a 1,000 yard receiving season on 87 catches. In 2006 in two games against the Bears, (including the playoffs) he had 26 total catches for over 350 yards. It’s simple, Smitty will continue to dominate. He doesn’t need a chip on his shoulder or anything like that. He goes 100 percent every play, including practice, regardless of our record or the score.

Now imagine this. We draft a pass catching TE, a solid tackling LB (PennState’s all-time leading tackler), and a speed rushing LB, and we don’t even need them right now. Our draft was successful by the end of the 1st rd, and we’re set to be competitive for years to come.

by usana_gaines on Sep 18, 2008 3:18 AM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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