Jump to content
  • Welcome!

    Register and log in easily with Twitter or Google accounts!

    Or simply create a new Huddle account. 

    Members receive fewer ads , access our dark theme, and the ability to join the discussion!

     

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


top dawg

Recommended Posts

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.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.


  • PMH4OWPW7JD2TDGWZKTOYL2T3E.jpg

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • The bottom line is we saw long stretches this season where T-Mac wasn't even targeted.  He had games where he went an entire half without seeing a pass thrown his way, and it lead to a bunch of games with 5 or less targets.  If he's healthy and we're not up a stupid amount and only running the ball, I can't see him having more than a game or two next year with 5 or less targets. We were also only 22nd this year in pass attempts, and that was with a rookie #1 and no legitimate 2nd option for half the season.  And even then, we were only 46 pass attempts above 31st place. If we go into next season with T-Mac improved in his 2nd season and a healthy Coker for 17 games, there is absolutely no reason for us to not throw it more.  That right away increases both of their target totals without sacrificing any targets from each other or other players, add in them taking targets from the TEs and RBs on top of that, and your argument just doesn't hold water anymore. You can't look at targets/yards in a vacuum and think next year Coker just takes some from T-Mac.  You have to look at the team as a whole and our situations this year and then project what will happen next year. If he's healthy for 17 games, I'd bet my life savings that T-Mac sees increases across the board, targets/catches/yards/TDs.   Just as Coker will also see career highs in all categories, it's not one vs the other, it's shifting offensive strategy given our personnel, which next year will be much better for our passing game (QB issues aside).
    • C'mon now.... First, you can't switch up your argument once someone points out a major flaw in your point. You're saying we shouldn't expect a big increase in targets/yards for T-Mac, but then shift to talking about averages with Chase when I point out the significant leap he took there once you factor in his missing games.  He saw an increase in targets in 5 less games, averages aside, he saw a significant increase in targets in his 2nd season, what he then did with those targets is actually irrelevant in this discussion. Puka seeing no increase is pointless, as he saw such an absurd amount of targets for a rookie, it's near impossible to see an increase. But the real issue in this post is that you think I'm proving your point by showing how Waddle had to share targets with Hill. Tyreek Hill was a 1st team All Pro who was 2nd in the NFL in yards that season. If you think Jaylen Waddle sharing targets with a 1st team All Pro and a future HOFer is even remotely in the same category as T-Mac needing to share targets with Coker... then you are certifiably insane, lol. If anything, you could make the argument that Coker is to Waddle as T-Mac is to Hill in that discussion (which would then lead to a serious increase in targets/yards for T-Mac).  But even that is insane, as neither T-Mac or Coker will be as good as Hill and Waddle respectively that season.  I love both of their potential, but c'mon now, T-Mac isn't getting 119 catches for 1,700 yards and Coker isn't getting 117 for 1,350 next season.
×
×
  • Create New...