Wide receiver upset with his lack of opportunities Brad Biggs
Muhsin Muhammad was never afraid to take some credit for helping bring a young wide receiver in Steve Smith along at the NFL level.
Smith learned well from Muhammad, becoming a Pro Bowl talent for the Carolina Panthers and surpassing his mentor as the go-to target for the offense.
He’s picked up some tricks of the trade when it comes to public relations, too. It was Muhammad, after a 52-9 loss to the Oakland Raiders on Christmas Even in 2000, that found reason to rejoice following the season-ending loss before the cross-country flight home. Muhammad had 10 catches in the game to give him 102 for the season.
“From the ashes and the rubble,’’ Muhammad said. “I guess you could say a flower grew today.’’
Muhammad was also infamous for going out to practice one day with name D-Coy taped on the back of his jersey, a not-so-subtle hint to the coaches about how he felt he was being used in the offense.
So after the Panthers pulled out a 28-21 victory Sunday at Tampa Bay with a two-headed rushing attack of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, Smith was none too happy. He had just one catch in the game, a four-yard grab on the game-winning drive.
“It’s bittersweet,” Smith said according to Darin Gantt of the Rock Hill (S.C.) Herald. “We get the win, but I have a limited role. So, obviously, I see this game as showing I’m no longer an asset to this team.”
Leave it to a wide receiver to make himself the life of the postgame party. Asked to expand on that thought, Smith reportedly headed off to the shower.
“That’s all I got,” Smith said. “My name’s Steve Smith and I stand by that.”
Smith has just 21 catches for 259 yards on the season, and he has yet to score.
Follow me on Twitter: BradBiggs
Could he spend one game playing LG? I mean he could prove just how great of an "asset" he is then. And the million$ will still flow to his bank account. Just consider it, Stevie. I am sure the D-Line would welcome you in practice, let alone the game.
Few of us Red Raiders are surprised and most feel Crabtree was the 49ers best WR the day he signed the contract. I don't think you guys realize how good he is. You don't get a good feel for his ability until you see him live.
A look at the most impressive...
From SEC stud to small-school...
Says N.Y. needs to keep line together
Offseason training is crucial...
Shanahan wants to get away during...
Oct 19, 2009
02:12 PM
I gather that if they lost and Smitty had 12 catches for 160 yds, he would be okay with that....
Nice....