Like many Wide Receivers, Steve Smith was used as a returner early in his career, and as a rookie, he was a First Team All-Pro leading the NFL in Returns. Smith would segue more into being a more traditional Wide Receiver and would have his first 1,000 Receiving Yard season in 2003. Smith would miss most of 2004 after breaking his leg in the first game of the season, but he came back in 2005 and would have the best season of his career leading all NFL Wide Receivers in Receptions (103), Receiving Yards (1,563) and Receiving Touchdowns (12). He would be a First Team All-Pro, a Pro Bowler and won the AP Comeback Player of the Year. Smith would continue to be one of the top wideouts in the NFL and would go to three more Pro Bowls and had five more 1,000 Yard Receiving seasons.
As a Panther, he would tally 836 Receptions with 12,197 Receiving Yards and 67 Touchdowns.
1. Steve Smith
There should be no question that Steve Smith is the greatest Wide Receiver in Carolina Panther history, and as of this writing is the best Panther period.
The Bullet Points
- Position: Wide Receiver
- Acquired: Selected in the 3rd Round, 74th Overall in the NFL Draft 4/21/01.
- Departed: Released 3/14/14.
- Games Played: 182
-
Notable Statistics:
161 Games Started
836 Receptions
12,197 Receiving Yards
67 Receiving Touchdowns
57 Rushing Attempts
387 Rushing Yards
2 Rushing Touchdowns
178 Punt Returns
1,652 Punt Return Yards
4 Punt Return Touchdowns
98 Kick Returns
2,371 Kick Return Yards
2 Kick Return Touchdowns
0 Pass Completion
1 Pass Attempt
120 Approximate Value
9 Playoff Games
51 Receptions
856 Receiving Yards
8 Receiving Touchdows
5 Rushing Attempts
45 Rushing Yards
7 Punt Returns
73 Punt Return Yards
1 Punt Return Touchdown
2 Kick Returns
41 Kick Return Yards
0 Pass Completions
1 Pass Attempt -
Major Accolades and Awards:
First Team All-Pro (2001 & 2005)
Second Team All-Pro (2008)
Pro Bowl (2001, 2005, 2006, 2008 & 2011)
AP Comeback Player of the Year (2005)
All-Rookie (2001)
Most Receptions (2005)
Most Receiving Touchdowns (2005)
Most Receiving Yards per Game (2008)
Most Punt Returns (2002)
Most Returns (2001)
Most Return Yards (2001)
Comments powered by CComment