I see too much hope pinned on Smith here.

[PantherFanForLife]

I have been reading a lot of the arguments here and I am in the camp that the Panther's offense may just surprize when the regular season starts and certainly not as bad as some are making them out to be. But not just because of Smith and Stewart. Rather more from them actually being a complete unit with focus now versus an experiment(which is what they were during pre-season), something the national media keeps missing.

But I do wonder why so few on here consider Smith's age and size and think he's the same guy he was 4-5 years ago. He's getting up there and has had some serious injuries in his career. I think his new attitude displaying his humbleness comes not just for his kids but probably also from this realization that he's not getting any younger.

While Smith has played with a chip on his shoulder his whole career, his strength and quickness(aka explosiveness) along with heart was able to overcome his size and doubters.

But being a small guy myself, I have to tell you, that the job never ends. You always have to work harder than the rest just to keep up. Unfortuantelly as you get older those things begin to fade and in the case of Smith, this means he will once again have to prove himself, but this time that he can be just as explosive as an aging veteran receiver overcoming injuries. Not saying he won't(I'll never underestimate Smith) but it's NOT a given you guys.

I'm his biggest fan, and if he doesn't do this I would hate to see this board trash him because they didn't take the time to consider this reality of his career(Just like so many trashed Delhomme when it was also Fox's fault he puts the playoff game of a RUNNING team in the hands of a self-destruct QB and lets him hang himself out there).

At least that's how I see it.

GO PANTHERS! GO VIKINGS tonight!

[blackcatgrowl]

Yeah, Smith's ability to make a difference will be limited, because I just don't him being able to stop a pass rush or open up running lanes.

[panthers55]

Smith will make a difference particularly on the deep ball. How many times for example did Moore put one on the fingertips of Moore and he dropped it? I can think of 2 times in the three games Matt played.

Also keep in mind that we didn't do in the preseason what we normally do in the regular season. Normally we run more than we pass. Well in the preseason we were 9th in the league in pass attempts and 19th in run attempts. Anyone think that will hold up in the regular season??

Jarrett or Lafell will be a fine number 2 receiver they just weren't a good number 1 receiver. Barnidge and Rosario got little work in the preseason which won't be the case in the regular season.

The bottom line is that our offense won't be great but it won't suck either. Somewhere around 15-20 where it always is.

[Dpantherman]

Its not about Smith doing alot, or more than usual. Its about him being on the field opening up things for other guys. And yes Stewart makes a difference as well, as guys like Stephen Jackson who is beat up because he is alone in the backfield (among other things). and again yes Otah makes that much difference. as Matt Moore after Sunday w/ no Jeff Otah if he missed him.

[PantherFanForLife]

Smith will make a difference particularly on the deep ball. How many times for example did Moore put one on the fingertips of Moore and he dropped it? I can think of 2 times in the three games Matt played.

Also keep in mind that we didn't do in the preseason what we normally do in the regular season. Normally we run more than we pass. Well in the preseason we were 9th in the league in pass attempts and 19th in run attempts. Anyone think that will hold up in the regular season??

Jarrett or Lafell will be a fine number 2 receiver they just weren't a good number 1 receiver. Barnidge and Rosario got little work in the preseason which won't be the case in the regular season.

The botom line is that our offense won't be great but it won't suck either. Somewhere around 15-20 where it always is.

Like I said, I realize the preseason was an experiment for the offense. It was obvious Fox wasn't actually implementing a focused strategy but rather trying out new things(FINALLY!!!!! Mr. Fox).

I just see so many people call Smith the savior, and I can tell you right now, Smith is not stupid. He will play a great game, but I don't see him killing himself out there all by his self to carry the offense if we're not in a playoff position or going for the superbowl.

It will be the other way around. This offense without him will need to prove themselves and put HIM in a position to do his thing. With just a few years left in his career, I don't see him risk an early career ending injury if we don't stand a chance.

Oth, if this team can get us on a possible playoff run, I see him willing to break his neck to get that ring. I know he wants it bad.

[Jai.]

Like Randy Moss said, as you get older, you also learn to utilize your natural talents more, or how to better use them, with age, for most, comes wisdom, and I think you'll still see an effective Steve Smith, just not the one that you've grown accustomed to over the years.

[CRA]

I expect him to be similar to the 09 Steve. That caliber of a threat impacts a game....even if he only catches 3 balls for 50 yards.

[SorthNarolina]

Smith will make a difference particularly on the deep ball. How many times for example did Moore put one on the fingertips of Moore and he dropped it? I can think of 2 times in the three games Matt played.

Also keep in mind that we didn't do in the preseason what we normally do in the regular season. Normally we run more than we pass. Well in the preseason we were 9th in the league in pass attempts and 19th in run attempts. Anyone think that will hold up in the regular season??

Jarrett or Lafell will be a fine number 2 receiver they just weren't a good number 1 receiver. Barnidge and Rosario got little work in the preseason which won't be the case in the regular season.

The bottom line is that our offense won't be great but it won't suck either. Somewhere around 15-20 where it always is.

We'll pass more if we get stuffed like the Titans game. They have got to be restricting the audibles some because they just ran right into blitzes and overloaded edges.

[CharlotteBeer.com]

Even at his age, Smith is still a dynamic playmaker. He's only 31, and should have at least a two or three more years in which to claim he's one of the league's best.

[panthers55]

Like I said, I realize the preseason was an experiment for the offense. It was obvious Fox wasn't actually implementing a focused strategy but rather trying out new things(FINALLY!!!!! Mr. Fox).

I just see so many people call Smith the savior, and I can tell you right now, Smith is not stupid. He will play a great game, but I don't see him killing himself out there all by his self to carry the offense if we're not in a playoff position or going for the superbowl.

It will be the other way around. This offense without him will need to prove themselves and put HIM in a position to do his thing. With just a few years left in his career, I don't see him risk an early career ending injury if we don't stand a chance.

Oth, if this team can get us on a possible playoff run, I see him willing to break his neck to get that ring. I know he wants it bad.

Most players and Smith in particular doesn't analyze things like that during the game. Football is an emotional sport and Smith is surely a fiery player. He will do everything he can to win the game while he is out there despite where we are record wise. It is true that most players don't kill themselves for example if their team is behind by 20 in the third quarter. And teams out of the playoffs sometimes do pack it in.

But to assume that Smitty will be cerebral and less reactive particularly in the heat of battle is most assuredly false.

[MadHatter]

Wait until we see the product on the field for a game or two before making any judgements on this offense....it may suck and it may not.

I am in a cautiously optimistic wait-and-see holding pattern.

[CharlotteBeer.com]

He will play a great game, but I don't see him killing himself out there all by his self to carry the offense if we're not in a playoff position or going for the superbowl.

Have we been watching the same Steve Smith all these years? He risked (and received) injury from playing flag football. The guy just wants to win, and he'll do anything he can do it.

It will be the other way around. This offense without him will need to prove themselves and put HIM in a position to do his thing.

Agreed, but that's been the case for the last two years.

[PantherFanForLife]

Like Randy Moss said, as you get older, you also learn to utilize your natural talents more, or how to better use them, with age, for most, comes wisdom, and I think you'll still see an effective Steve Smith, just not the one that you've grown accustomed to over the years.

I agree with this viewpoint more. I think Smith is beginning to wisen up. I have a feeling he wants to retire as a Panther, and this is just speculation and hope on my end, but I hope he gets an early start, on the "old man" game.

I want him to stick around as long as possible, and I think he does too. And if he learns how to take the pressure off him a bit, and begins focusing on eventually becoming the Ricky Proehl of the Panthers, while making room for new guys and maintaining his health, he could easily stick around for 4 more years.

And in the next 4 years I do see this team having a shot at it. I hope he's around for it, gets a ring, retires as a panter along with Kasey, and lives on forever in Panther history.

That probably means more to him than anything else at this point.

All this could end with a serious injury though, and at his age he is more prone to those. I think he sees that and I just hope the fans UNDERSTAND this!

And keeping all that in mind, it's more important than ever that some new guys on this offense step up and make a name for themselves and if not,.....next year we better draft some WR's!

[CharlotteBeer.com]

If there is just one Panther that I felt confident in saying he would give it his best without fear of injury, no matter how old he is or how poorly his team is playing, it is Steve Smith.