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CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Carolina Panthers receiver Steve Smith saw an interesting number recently, something, truth be known, that inspired one of the seven deadly sins, which is envy.
He saw that Denver Broncos receiver Brandon Marshall, in the news for plenty of off-the-field issues, was targeted 174 times on pass plays last season.
"One-hundred and seventy-four times," Smith said. "Can you believe that?"
A buck seventy-four is a number now ingrained in Smith's head like your birthday or Social Security number is in yours.
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It's that way because Smith plays in a run-first offense for the Panthers, and it's a number that sounded way too high for any receiver. Here he is one of the game's most explosive receivers, and he spends a lot of his Sundays banging heads with corners in the run game, a speedy receiver blocking way too much.
"So how many times were you targeted?" I asked Smith.
"It wasn't close to that, I can tell you that," he said.
Smith missed the first two games of the 2008 season serving a team-imposed suspension after a fight with corner Ken Lucas, but he was still targeted 129 times, which is nearly two throws per game less than Marshall saw.
That's not enough.
Which brings us once again to the subplot for the Panthers as they ready to defend their 2008 NFC South Division title.
Do they throw it well enough to win a Super Bowl?
Coach John Fox never backs down from his belief that the run game is the way to go. Last summer, he stood against a wall inside Bank of America Stadium and told me the Panthers would return to their power-running ways.
Fox was true to his word. The Panthers were third in the NFL in rushing, 19th in passing. Running back DeAngelo Williams had a breakout season and the Panthers went 12-4.
But when it came time to throw it in the playoffs, they couldn't. They were upset on their home field by the Arizona Cardinals as quarterback Jake Delhomme had a horrific day, getting picked off five times.
The question becomes whether Delhomme is good enough to be anything more than a manage-the-game passer.
In Fox's ideal world, the Panthers would pound it, make big plays down the field to Smith in play-action, and play good defense. That's all well and good when things are going well, but what about when the running game is choked off some? What about when there's a holding penalty on first down or you are down 10 in the fourth quarter?
The margin for error with that style is slim.
Smith can only dream about what it would be like to play in an offense that throws more on early downs. He averaged 18.2 yards on his 78 catches, 1.1 yards better than the next highest per-catch average of any of the other top 20 receivers, 17.1 for Detroit's Calvin Johnson.
"As a wide receiver, I never think we throw the ball enough," Smith said. "I understand completely why people say things about our offense. When you talk Carolina Panthers football, you talk defense and the running game. I just work here and do what I'm told."
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Sleeper ... Mike Goodson: If you're the type of Fantasy owner who likes to draft the backup to your top rusher, you're in trouble if you spend an early pick on DeAngelo Williams. Because Williams and teammate Jonathan Stewart share the ball a bunch as part of the Panthers' formula for winning games, getting both requires not just an early pick but also a pick between Rounds 5 and 6. The savvy move is to go after Goodson. The rookie from Texas A&M has good speed and quickness and was probably drafted to fill in for Williams in the event he struggles or gets hurt. Best of all, not many Fantasy owners are interested in picking him up in the draft, making him a very likely final-round pick for your team if you take Williams (or Stewart) early on. Breakout ... Dwayne Jarrett: Jarrett sizes up as your typical third-year receiver. His first two years in the league have been marred by maturity issues, and now that he's in an offense he's familiar with, there's a chance he might finally step up. Yes, the Panthers are a running team and any huge receiving totals will go to the veterans, but Jarrett should be the favorite to be the team's No. 3 receiver, giving him a clear path to finally start scoring in the NFL. Think late-round pick in the deepest of leagues with him. Bust ... Steve Smith: With all due respect, some trending stats point to Smitty falling short in 2009. Smith posted a career-best 18.2 yards per catch last season, which helped him get to 1,421 yards ... on just 78 catches, a four-year low. Smith also has seen a precipitous drop in touchdowns, going from 12 in 2005 to eight in 2006, seven in 2007 and six last season. The Panthers clearly made hay as a running team last year and there's nothing to suggest we won't see more of the same in 2009, and that's magnified by Jake Delhomme remaining under center. Smith's health isn't an issue, nor is his age (30), but for when he's typically taken in drafts (Rounds 3-4), he's just not going to live up to expectations. -- Dave Richard Current Draft Averages QB: Jake Delhomme (137th overall) RB: DeAngelo Williams (7th) WR: Steve Smith (27th) TE: None |
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Aside from the belief in the run game, there are two other things that hold him back. One is Delhomme's ability to take over a game at quarterback. Then again, he has never really been given the chance, which can be a double-edge sword. Yes, the run game helps open up the pass, but it also doesn't allow a quarterback to get into a groove.
"Sometimes when you're pounding the football and then get to the fourth quarter having to make plays, it can make it tough," Delhomme said. "But when you run it you also bring the extra guy down and have chances for big plays."
During his career, Smith has seen as many double-teams as any receiver in the game, in large part because he has had little help on the other side. Veteran Muhsin Muhammad starts opposite him and at 36 he doesn't present any speed to scare opposing corners.
So teams double Smith or roll their zones to his side on every play.
"I'm real familiar with the safeties," Smith said. "I have a great relationship with all safeties in the league."
Delhomme's playoff meltdown, along with his so-so play this summer, have led to questions about why he is still the starter. Here's why: Fox and general manager Marty Hurney think he's perfect for their system.
Yes, that manage-the-game guy. It's why they gave him a five-year contract extension this spring, something that was in the works during the 2008 season. The deal helps lower Delhomme's cap number, which the Panthers needed, but it also makes him their guy for at least a few more seasons.
If the Panthers are to get to a Super Bowl, Delhomme has to be more. He is one of the classiest and most likeable players in the league, so classy that when I dubbed him "Jake the Fake" a few years ago, he was able to laugh it off.
He played better than that label for a year or two, but now one has to wonder if it wasn't spot on.
After playing only three games in 2007, and having Tommy John surgery on his elbow that year, Delhomme completed only 59.4 percent of his passes and had 15 touchdowns and 12 interceptions last season. The impressive thing was the 7.9 average per attempt, which was the highest of his career.
But then came the playoff disaster, where he threw the five interceptions and had a passer rating of 39.1 with a lost fumble in a 33-13 loss to the Arizona Cardinals -- on his birthday.
"Some birthday present," Delhomme said.
JezoJoe: What are the key differences between new defensive coordinator Ron Meeks' defense and longtime defensive coordinator Mike Trgovac's defense? Has there been some growing pains?  Jon Beason, linebacker: Both schemes are great schemes and have some similarities. Trgo's defense relied on being strong up front and included some complex blitz packages that would keep the offense off balance because you never knew where people were coming from. Coach Meeks' defense also relies on being strong up front and sound in your technique. Coach Meeks wants guys to play fast, get to the ball in a hurry and cause turnovers. The transition has been a smooth one, we just need to get healthy. |
When the Panthers lost the Super Bowl after the 2003 season to the New England Patriots, Delhomme didn't watch that tape for three months. The Arizona loss he watched the next day.
"For some reason, I didn't play well that night," Delhomme said. "I didn't see the field well. That was so disappointing. I watched it the next morning. I thought I knew where my mistakes were and I just wanted to see them again."
Smith didn't watch it. Still hasn't. It took him a week to get over that loss.
"I sat in the house for six straight days in my pajamas and watched Netflix," Smith said. "That's all I did. I ain't watching it. For what?"
When I asked Fox, Delhomme and Smith if the Panthers throw it well enough to win a Super Bowl, they all said yes.
Throwing it well enough and simply enough are two different things. That's where the issue is now. And why Smith is guilty of envy when he looks at some of the other receivers around the league.
The number is ingrained in his head. One seventy-four.
"I know I'm not going to get 174," Smith said.
Well, maybe he should.
