simey
Footballguy
RECEIVER EXCITED ABOUT CHANGE
Panthers plan to get Smith open more
Expect more motion, deception, says new offensive coordinator
STAN OLSON
solson@charlotteobserver.com
INDIANAPOLIS - A priority for the 2007 Carolina Panthers will be to get the football to Steve Smith.
That has always been important, but it seemed to become more difficult as last season progressed. Smith, who missed the season's first two games, had four 100-yard receiving games in his first seven, one in his last seven.
He finished with 1,166 yards after piling up 1,563 the year before. Opponents routinely double-teamed him. New Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson, in Indianapolis for the NFL scouting combine, wants that to change.
"We've got a few things that we've already put in the playbook that would allow him to not play the same position all the time," Davidson said. "So it's not as easy for defenses to zone in on where he's going to be."
Expect to see Smith, who has met with Davidson, in motion more, as well as lining up in different locations. And Smith already knows changes are in the works.
"I'm excited that we have something new," said Smith, in Indy Thursday for a NFL Players Association meeting.
"But I haven't gotten to the second tier of excitement because one, I haven't got a playbook, and two, I haven't seen the plays, and three, I might be switching positions."
He will still be a receiver, but various adjustments are possible.
"I want to know, will I have more roles as far as added positions," Smith said. "I mean, I don't know. I'm playing it by ear."
You would expect Davidson, a mini-mountain who played and coached offensive line in the league, to want a smash-mouth, run-oriented offense.
"There's going to be some of that," he said through a grin. "I think the major push is to try and stay balanced. Are we going to run the ball? Yeah. My personality will show through."
However, Davidson knows that Smith must be a huge part of whatever the Panthers do offensively.
"I think what I learned is that winning is important to him," Davidson said of their meeting. "If he has to go a game without getting the ball, he's OK with that. Now, I don't think it would be very smart of me. But at least I was able to see that he's more of a team guy than a `me' guy. That's what I took away as a major positive."
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Panthers plan to get Smith open more
Expect more motion, deception, says new offensive coordinator
STAN OLSON
solson@charlotteobserver.com
INDIANAPOLIS - A priority for the 2007 Carolina Panthers will be to get the football to Steve Smith.
That has always been important, but it seemed to become more difficult as last season progressed. Smith, who missed the season's first two games, had four 100-yard receiving games in his first seven, one in his last seven.
He finished with 1,166 yards after piling up 1,563 the year before. Opponents routinely double-teamed him. New Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson, in Indianapolis for the NFL scouting combine, wants that to change.
"We've got a few things that we've already put in the playbook that would allow him to not play the same position all the time," Davidson said. "So it's not as easy for defenses to zone in on where he's going to be."
Expect to see Smith, who has met with Davidson, in motion more, as well as lining up in different locations. And Smith already knows changes are in the works.
"I'm excited that we have something new," said Smith, in Indy Thursday for a NFL Players Association meeting.
"But I haven't gotten to the second tier of excitement because one, I haven't got a playbook, and two, I haven't seen the plays, and three, I might be switching positions."
He will still be a receiver, but various adjustments are possible.
"I want to know, will I have more roles as far as added positions," Smith said. "I mean, I don't know. I'm playing it by ear."
You would expect Davidson, a mini-mountain who played and coached offensive line in the league, to want a smash-mouth, run-oriented offense.
"There's going to be some of that," he said through a grin. "I think the major push is to try and stay balanced. Are we going to run the ball? Yeah. My personality will show through."
However, Davidson knows that Smith must be a huge part of whatever the Panthers do offensively.
"I think what I learned is that winning is important to him," Davidson said of their meeting. "If he has to go a game without getting the ball, he's OK with that. Now, I don't think it would be very smart of me. But at least I was able to see that he's more of a team guy than a `me' guy. That's what I took away as a major positive."
link
