Reeder's Take

   Have to admit I didn’t see this live (I don’t think anyone working in the press box Sunday did), but television replays  of the game showed Panthers WR Steve Smith appeared to be upset at the coaching staff’s play calling more so than the late hit he took from Saints FS Darren Sharper out of bounds following a short reception during Carolina’s 30-20 loss at the Louisiana Superdome.

   What do I make of it? Not much.

   It’s no secret Smith has been frustrated all year at the way things have gone in the passing game and quite frankly, I think if things continue he’s really going to blow his stack at some point. He’s a fierce, fierce competitor, more than you could ever imagine and it’s part of what makes him great.

   And, while I’m not sure how much this had to do with his level of frustration, I’m sure at some point it’s occured to Smith that there’s no way he’ll be making that annual trip across the pond to Hawaii for the Pro Bowl — and there’s nothing he can do about it. More than that, Smith wants to win football games. But it has to aggravate him that he’s tied for 31st in the league in receptions (30) and 30th in the receiving yards (414) and has just one touchdown reception on the season.

   Is this Smith’s fault? No. His decline in numbers is largely due to the folks around him not that he’s turned 30. Simply put, when you have a weapon like Smith you find a way to GET HIM THE BALL. That’s up to the offensive coordinator, the quarterback, the offensive line (to block better) and the other receivers/tight ends (who need to become bigger factors in the passing game and take pressure off him). I also blame it on the front office for not going out and getting a No. 2 receiver this off-season or trading for a quality TE like Tony Gonzalez.

   Smith wasn’t asked about his brief tirade after the game basically because nobody in the press box saw the close-up replay of the comments on TV at the Superdome. (I’m not sure if they even showed them where we were sitting and the voice is always off).

   So is Smith upset? You bet.

   Is it anything new? Hardly.

   If you watch closely enough, you’re bound to see a blowup at least once a game on the sidelines if the Panthers are losing. And given Smith’s volatile nature combined the Panthers struggles in the passing game, TV networks realize they need to keep a camera on Smith at all times — because you never know when a blowup is coming.

You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.