Saturday, August 2, 2008

Steve Smith: What A Letdown



As many Carolina fans already know, superstar stud WR Steve Smith has been suspended for the 1st two games of the 2008 season: which opens @ San Diego and a home game vs. the Chicago Bears. The suspension comes after "Smitty" sucker punched teammate Ken Lucas on the sidelines, after drills were over, breaking Ken Lucas' nose, which will put him out for a while in Training Camp. It could have been much worse. Smith could have broken an eye socket, jaw, severly damaged Lucas' eye, or even breaking his own right hand.

This is by far the most idiotic thing that Smith could do, especially since he is fashioning himself as a team leader. This incident has far more reaching ramifications that go far beyond just Smith. Smith not only took himself out for 2 games, but he took another teammate out for an undisclosed amount of time, and put his Head Coach's job on the line. If Carolina starts out 0-2 again this year, in games that Carolina's best player could have helped them win, then you better believe that Fox and Hurney's seat will be scorching. Not only because of a slow start, but because the team went all out in the draft this year to win this year, trading away a 2009 1st Round pick.

I think it goes without saying that his hurts. Talk to anybody that knows me very well and they will tell you that Steve Smith is my hero, as far as the NFL is concerned. One of my most memorable moments in life was when I met and got Steve Smith's autograph at training camp in 2006. Now, he has severly hurt his team, his fans, and will have to once again win everybody back over...and it's going to take more than just another stellar season. Right now, I don't care about his 1,500 yard season in 2005. All I care about right now is him sucker punching not just anybody, but his own teammate.

What I find most hilarious is everybody calling for Lucas to get a suspension. Let me check: last I heard, "trash talk" isn't a punishable offense...punching someone and breaking their nose is. Sure, Lucas isn't completely innocent in this case, but he's not the one that took it to blows. I wish Lucas all the best luck in his rehab and hope that he can return in time for the regular season. For Smith, I seriously hope that he does some soul searching and realizes that he's got to grow up and not cost your team any more with your temper and attitude.

Finally, this causes this Panther fan to go "Here we go again". Ever since the 2003 season, this team has had some kind of curse. Whether it's 20 injuries in 2004, losing 4 running backs in the Playoffs in 2005, Smith and Delhomme missing games in 2006, Delhomme missing 13 games last year, now Smith missing 2 games this year. What the hell is going on?