National Football League

Panthers know they need to get ball to Smith

Published Oct. 22, 2009 12:13 a.m. ET

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Steve Smith first used humor when asked if he saw a difference this season in his struggling quarterback, Jake Delhomme. "He has a little growth on his chest, but nothing (else)," Smith said, smiling. When a reporter followed up Wednesday by telling the Carolina receiver that Delhomme, with 10 interceptions, has never been through a stretch like this in his career, Smith jumped in. "I haven't either, I don't think," Smith said. "It's new territory, unforeseen territory." Indeed. There are 50 receivers in the NFL with more yards than the four-time Pro Bowl pick's 259. His measly 21 catches rank 49th, and he still hasn't caught a touchdown pass through five games. Smith's frustrations boiled over Sunday after catching just on pass for four yards in the Panthers' 28-21 win over Tampa Bay, when told two reporters that "I'm no longer an asset to this team." Smith didn't back down from the comments on Wednesday, but appeared ready to move on. "Am I going to apologize or go back on what I said? No, that's at the moment and that's how I felt," Smith said. "I don't think I was disrespectful. I don't think I disrespected anybody. I actually don't believe that I singled out any one particular person. That's how I was received by the individuals that I had conversations with, an open dialogue." Delhomme said he talked to Smith and stressed there's nothing he'd like to do more than get the ball to his playmaker. Trouble is, the double teams that Smith normally faces have been become nearly constant. "This is a competitive guy, who has a drive and a fire like no other," Delhomme said of Smith. "I'm sure he was frustrated. I get frustrated, too, because I'm trying to get him the ball. I know what he can do with it in his hands." Smith led the NFL in receptions, yards receiving and touchdown catches in 2005, and has been double-teamed ever since. But Carolina was still able to get him the ball. He caught 78 passes for 1,421 yards and six touchdowns last year and made the Pro Bowl despite being suspended for two games. This year, though, Smith has been a virtual nonfactor. Part of the problem is that Delhomme has been throwing it to the other team so much. Another is that the bracketing coverage Smith faces is even more intense. That's happening because fellow receivers Muhsin Muhammad and Dwayne Jarrett have done little to create attention and - until Sunday - the running game had been a disappointment. The Panthers hope they can get Smith free, which will in turn get Delhomme out of his funk. He completed just 9 of 17 passes for 65 yards Sunday. He's tied with New York Jets rookie Mark Sanchez for the most interceptions and his 56.8 passer rating is fourth-worst among NFL starters. "I wouldn't believe anybody in the passing game, me or Moose or Jake would say, 'It's pretty darn good,"' Smith said. "I think you always need improvement. The year we had last year statistically there were opportunities that we missed." Sunday's opponent, Buffalo, ranks last in the league in rushing defense. So it may be another day of mostly runs and few catches for Smith. But the Panthers know they need their speedy receiver to be a major component of the offense if they play to turn their season around. Smith has used slights, real or perceived, to fuel him in the past. The latest line circling the league - that he's become the "other Steve Smith" next to the New York Giants' third-year receiver - might do that. But he has to get the ball, first. "This guy practiced at a different level today. It was something out there today," Delhomme said. "He's channeling that energy, that fire, whatever it is to getting better, because we all need to get better in the passing game. "Certainly by running it the way we did last week, maybe we'll have more opportunities to throw. But when we do, we've got to do something with it." NOTES: RB Jonathan Stewart (Achilles'), LB Na'il Diggs (rib), FB Brad Hoover (back) and K Rhys Lloyd (ankle) sat out practice. ... Special-teamer Dante Wesley, suspended for his hit on Clifton Smith Sunday, can't practice or be at team facilities this week.

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