Former wideout Steve Smith appears at practice on Thursday
The Carolina Panthers legend was spotted at practice on Thursday.
It is always nice to see a Carolina Panthers legend at practice. Former Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith was spotted hanging out with general manager Marty Hurney at practice on Thursday as the team prepares for the opener against the Dallas Cowboys.
It is good to see No. 89 back out on the practice field with the team. As some of you may remember, he was not a fan of Ron Rivera’s or former general manager Dave Gettleman. He spoke his mind in 2014, but as Tim Weaver of PanthersWire.com notes, he seemed to have directed his anger more at Gettleman than Rivera.
Agent 89 is back 😎 pic.twitter.com/GwBiMye6YM
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) September 6, 2018
The fact that Smith was at practice on Thursday should excite Carolina Panthers fans. He is someone that you certainly want to have around the organization. Regardless of what some may think in regards to his departure from the organization, he was still a huge part of their success, particularly during the Super Bowl run of the 2003-2004 season. That year, Smith recorded 88 catches for 1,110 yards and seven touchdowns.
More from Cat Crave
- Ranking the top-five QB prospects the Panthers could draft in 2023
- 4 remaining Carolina Panthers cap crunches after Damien Wilson release
- Could Duce Staley help Carolina Panthers land Jamaal Williams in 2023?
- How much could the Carolina Panthers afford to offer Lamar Jackson?
- 4 Panthers rumors to emerge from 2023 NFL Scouting Combine
For his Carolina Panthers career, Smith tallied 836 catches for 121,097 yards and 67 touchdowns in 13 seasons with the team.
In addition to talking with Hurney, Smith also spent time chatting with new offensive coordinator Norv Turner. Turner will be working with a player who has been compared to Smith in rookie wideout D.J. Moore. Smith has given his blessing of sorts to Moore, and the former Maryland star figures to be a big part of the Carolina Panthers offense. Only time will tell whether Moore will be able to live up to Smith’s hype, but if training camp and the preseason have been any indication, he is certainly on track to do so.
Next. Panthers will go downfield against Cowboys. dark
Whether he is there as a spectator or wants to get some insight for his new show Inside the NFL , it is good to see Smith back at practice. He was a big part of the Carolina Panthers organization and it was difficult to see him and the organization on bad terms for a number of years. Hopefully, this practice visit is a step in the right direction and the patching up of old wounds begins.