Roundup: Panthers’ Smith open to fast help
Published: February 13th, 2010 | Tags: Bill Polian, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Casey Fitzsimmons, Casey Hampton, Chan Gailey, Curtis Painter, Detroit Lions, Dwight Freeney, Jeff Reed, Jim Sorgi, Kevin Colbert, Larry Foote, Martin Mayhew, Oakland Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers, Richard Seymour, Ryan Clark, Sebastian Janikowski, Steve Smith, Will James
The Carolina Panthers won four of their last five games last season behind a solid offensive line, two of the league’s best running backs and the improved Matt Moore at QB. Even star WR Steve Smith can see what’s missing.
Smith told Tom Sorensen of the Charlotte Observer the Panthers could use some help in the form of a speedy receiver to complement his game.
But don’t you need another receiver? Don’t you need a young player with speed? Don’t you need a receiver who can attract an extra defender and scare a defensive coordinator? Wouldn’t you love to have a fast, elusive player to complement you?
“I would,” Smith says. “And I would complement him. I’m 30. I’d love to have a player faster than me.”
Here’s a quick look at some of the other interesting news around the Web on Saturday:
- Bills coach Chan Gailey believes the pieces are in place for his 3-4 defense, but depth is a concern.
- The Raiders have some decisions to make on DL Richard Seymour and K Sebastian Janikowski. The team is trying to sign Janikowski to a new contract, but could opt for the transition tag.
- Lions LB Larry Foote is moving ahead with the mindset he’ll become a free agent. The Lions’ pending unrestricted free agents include Foote, CB Will James and TE Casey Fitzsimmons, but GM Martin Mayhew said the team won’t use its franchise or transition tags.
- Steelers director of football operations Kevin Colbert identified the team’s three free-agent priorities as K Jeff Reed, NT Casey Hampton and FS Ryan Clark.
- Colts president Bill Polian said DE Dwight Freeney will not need surgery for his torn ankle ligament, and expects Jim Sorgi to return to compete against Curtis Painter.