Is Smith's lost step that obvious (if even true at all)?

[top dawg 10,167]

I was talking with my boss this afternoon (who is also a Panthers fan), and he mentioned to me how Steve Smith has definitely lost a step. He said that back in the day, Smith would have burned Leodis Mckelvin all day long. He also pointed to the pass where McKelvin just popped the ball out of Smitty's hands. He said that the Steve Smith of old would have not only completed the catch, but would have taken McKelvin's arm with him. 

 

I hadn't really thought about it, but perhaps my boss is right. I am not necessarily the most objective about this situation---donning my Smitty-colored glasses---so I welcome other thoughts.

[TheRumGone 14,923]

he's definitely not as explosive, but he is still a hell of a player.

[jtnc 3,667]

This has been obvious for the past two seasons, Smith used to fly by people. Still a good receiver though.

[Fox007 5,814]

If you have to ask if Smitty has lost a step then you clearly didn't watch the Panthers back in the day.

 

 

[PhillyB 43,345]

he's definitely best suited for the slot for the rest of his career. he doesn't have the over-the-top speed that allowed him to overcome his size on the outside.

[camtheone 158]

I think maybe we has lost a bit of a step...he's still up with the elite receivers..Him losing a small step is making him still a top 10 WR...The pass knocked out while he was in the air not a big deal...was a hard catch for anyone....Smitty is still smitty for the most part....maybe just minus a small amount of quickness...but damn he's still good...

[Growl 8,223]

I'd say there are bigger fish to fry given his level of production in comparison to the rest of our receiving corp

 

 

 

 

[The Huddler 12,848]

We wasted his talent.

[nosuchthingasapanther 2,886]

i wish he would lose the screaming, howling, and chest thumping after a short gain.

[Eazy-E 2,083]

Like PhillyB said he should be in the slot. He doesn't have the top end he once had but he is still quick as hell and a top receiver in this league. Thank Hurney for being the worst evaluator of WRs in the history of football.

[CelibatePimpv2.0 87]

With that comment he made about signing gay players, heck his cheese has slid off his cracker as well.

[Fox007 5,814]

I wasn't trying to be a dick just...it's obvious...Smitty has lost perhaps more than just 1 step.

 

Should be in the slot like others have pointed out. He runs some of the best routes you'll see and still has good quickness.

[CRA 14,144]

If you watch a 2005 highlight reel....then yes, he has lost some steps.

Still good. Not the video game player he was

[OneBadCat 2,436]

He isn't ridiculously fast as he used to be. That play where the ball popped out was just a good play. Insert a dumber CB, and Smith makes the catch.

 

I think he's near 85-90% of what he was. In his prime he was the most the dominant WR in the NFL, so he's still a damn good WR. He's good enough to still get doubled against most teams. The problem is that LaFell sucks, Ginn doesn't get enough targets, and it seems that Hixon's contract says that he doesn't actually have to play.

[top dawg 10,167]

Like PhillyB said he should be in the slot. He doesn't have the top end he once had but he is still quick as hell and a top receiver in this league. Thank Hurney for being the worst evaluator of WRs in the history of football.

 

 

he's definitely best suited for the slot for the rest of his career. he doesn't have the over-the-top speed that allowed him to overcome his size on the outside.

 

Just a question (don't bite my head off):

 

Do you think that we could get by with putting Ginn and LaFell on the outside, and Smitty in the slot? Would that make our offense more or less effective?