NFL films guru Greg Cosell says Steve Smith is the NFL's 4th best WR

[Dpantherman]

Here my top five:

5. A.J. Green

4. Steve Smith

3. Larry Fitzgerald

2. Calvin Johnson

1. Andre Johnson

My inclusion of Steve Smith at No. 4 might surprise some, but I’ve studied him for a long time, and I always felt he had special attributes. There is no tougher wide receiver in the game; physicality and explosiveness define him. Smith might be short (he’s 5-foot-9) but he’s not small, and he plays with an edge that never relents. He has elements of finesse due to his dynamic quickness and short-area burst, and he’s strong and powerful as a result of his body type and his uncompromising desire. He’s always made tough catches in traffic. He’s elusive with the ball in his hands, with the run-after-catch ability of a punt returner, which he has been in his career. There might be no better route runner versus man coverage than Smith. He can run past corners vertically, and he can run away from them across the field. Vertical speed, lateral explosion, physical strength and mental toughness: you normally don’t see that combination of traits in one receiver. You could argue that not even the top three embody each of those characteristics in the all-inclusive way in which Smith does.

http://nflfilms.nfl....wide-receivers/

[Navy_football]

First post on "The Huddle", but I've been following you all for awhile - you guys are hilarious!

Big Panther fan from the beginning. Probably older than most of you, as I was graduating high school when the talk of a franchise started. I'm from Columbia, SC and I remember that being one of the possible destinations early on, but Charlotte won out - definitely for the best.

Currently live in Northern VA, so I have to endure these pitiful Redskins fans at every turn. Love it when they play the Panthers. We absolutely own them, but I really do hope RGIII makes them at least respectable again.

As for the topic at hand, I've never looked at Smitty as just a WR. I label him as more of a playmaker, in the Sproles/Reggie Bush mold - hard to call them RBs. Of course he can't go up and get it like Fitzgerald, Calvin, Andre Johnson, or even AJ Green. But in my honest opinion, there have been very few players in the last 10 years more dangerous than Steve Smith once he has the ball in his hands. He's built to play the slot, but has excelled at a position normally dominated by men 6'2" and above.

[L-TownCat]

http://nflfilms.nfl....wide-receivers/

*boner*

.....no homo....

[KendrickPanther]

Steve is and always has been special.

[rayzor]

i can agree with that list.

Vertical speed, lateral explosion, physical strength and mental toughness: you normally don’t see that combination of traits in one receiver. You could argue that not even the top three embody each of those characteristics in the all-inclusive way in which Smith does.

100% agreed with that which is why i thought he should be ahead of roddy white in that one rankings yesterday.

[Frizzy350]

in terms of raw ability, smith is the best in the league. if he had height, competent qb play and a few of his missed seasons back he'd be a sure fire HOF candidate by now.

[Car123]

Of course he can't go up and get it like Fitzgerald, Calvin, Andre Johnson, or even AJ Green.

Yes he can

[nickzz]

that's a near-perfect description of steve

[PhillyB]

hard to believe he considered retiring this time last year

[panthers34]

i like that but Andre shouldnt be top 5..he doesnt even play with all his injuries

[Gallagher]

i can agree with that list.

100% agreed with that which is why i thought he should be ahead of roddy white in that one rankings yesterday.

I can't. AJ Green at 5?!

[rayzor]

I can't. AJ Green at 5?!

sure, why not. the dude's incredibly talented. he doesn't seem to have the drops issues that roddy has. seems like he can be more clutch as well. i think roddy is good, i just don't think he's as great as others say he is.

[SmokeScreen]

Steve said it himself in an interview that if he was 6'2, he'd be illegal lol

[Gallagher]

sure, why not. the dude's incredibly talented. he doesn't seem to have the drops issues that roddy has. seems like he can be more clutch as well. i think roddy is good, i just don't think he's as great as others say he is.

Not even including Roddy "Dropped Ball" White, there are so many other receivers who deserve the #5 spot over Green. Welker, Wallace, Jennings, and Nicks to name a few.