Steve Smith at the Pro Bowl...

[Mr. Scot]

...was doing something I'm not at all used to seeing Steve Smith do.

He was half-assing it, like most of the other veterans were.

That is, except when Cam Newton was throwing to him. On the plays where Cam was in there, Smith had a higher gear. but not for Rodgers, and certainly not for Brees (gotta wonder what it was like between them given that little hello Smitty said to Sean Payton a few weeks back).

Is this a criticism of Smith? Not really. These days about the only guys that actually give much effort in the Pro Bowl are the first timers, and even they tend to catch on fast. But Smitty? He never does anything halfway, right?

(right?) :sosp:

It's more of an acknowledgement, honestly. Even the fastest men on the planet can't outrun Father Time. These days, he looks to be gaining on Smith. And the day we see a Panthers roster without a number 89 is closer now than it's ever been.

My advice: Enjoy every minute you get to watch Smitty run in the years to come. As impossible as it may seem, eventually one of those plays will be his last :(

[megadeth078]

let's judge him based on his play in the pro-bowl.

scot, you know better man...

[Mage]

It's the Pro Bowl.

[megadeth078]

father time looks to be gaining on ol' Mr. Scot.

[Mr. Scot]

Father Time caught me years ago.

As to Smith though, i wish it were just the Pro Bowl, but it isn't.

He's still lightning fast, but the lightning doesn't quite flash like it used to.

You saw more penalties on him than usual this season because his losing a step sometimes means he has to take a shortcut or two.

He's winding down. I doubt next year will be his last year, mind you, but I don't think it's far off.

[megadeth078]

If speed was the only thing needed to be a good wide receiver, then I'd be worried.

Are we forgetting that Smith earned an invitation to the pro-bowl under a rookie quarterback? That's gotta be worth something, c'mon. At least wait until he doesn't make the pro-bowl before saying he might be over the hill.

[Chaos]

Smith's game is at its peak when he's fired up and pissed off, using not just speed but his physicality to get an edge.

Last night's game required none of the "fuel" Smitty needs to tear it up on Sundays, therefore he wasn't what you were used to seeing.

[Guest Irv]

Why would he risk injury and ruin the rest of his vacation in a meaningless game

[Jesse]

Well good thing Smitty has the biggest heart on the field, runs crisp routes, and is a leader. That is what makes 89 so good

[megadeth078]

Smith's game is at its peak when he's fired up and pissed off, using not just speed but his physicality to get an edge.

Last night's game required none of the "fuel" Smitty needs to tear it up on Sundays, therefore he wasn't what you were used to seeing.

Well put. Smith goes as hard as he can for his team, a ring, and the fans.

None of those factors were present on Sunday. Not a fair judgement on Smith.

[YourMomsLover]

It will be a sad day when he finally hangs up his cleats.

I also noticed Smith step it up when Cam came in. I guess its the comfort level they have with one another. Same for the numerous Brees/Graham passes, and Rodgers/Jennings passes yesterday. Cam, and Smitty wanted to put a huge Panther stamp on the Pro Bowl. Which they did.

[panthers55]

Smith readily admits he is slowing down but that is not what makes him great and never was. He is quick in and out of breaks and an excellent route runner. That doesn't require flat out speed but quickness and knowledge of defenses. The reason Ricky Proehl was so good for us was not his speed (he was slow) but his ability to find openings in the defense and know how to set up the defender. Look at the pass to Smitty in the endzone. He set up the pass with a double move and still has great body position and the ability to hold onto the ball. Those things will allow him to be good for 3 or 4 more years. And honestly that is plenty of time to find his successor.

[Mr. Scot]

When did 33 become the new 90

That reminds me, Frank Garcia got in a dig on old number 90 today. He said that with everyone else only going half-speed, it almost made Julius look like he was giving a full effort.

I think Smith probably has two more good years in him, maybe three or four if I'm being optimistic. We'd better have a replacement plan in the launching pad sometime in that time frame.

[thefuzz]

Give us 2 more seasons, and he will go down as the best draft pick the Panthers ever had, if not the best player.