Carolina Panthers No. 89: 3 reasons why Steve Smith was so great

1. Elite production

If there was anything that made Steve Smith the player he was. It was his ability to produce the goods on a consistent basis.

He quickly became arguably the most reliable receiver in the NFL. And he displayed the range of catches that defied a man his size.

Smith had a rare ability to make even the most difficult catches look easy. This was matched by a fierce desire to get to the ball that gave him the edge on almost every cornerback he came up against.

His time with the Carolina Panthers was extremely prolific. Smith ended a glittering spell with 836 receptions, 12,197 receiving yards, 67 touchdowns, and a yards per catch average of 14.6. The player also recorded a 58.1 catch percentage over his 13-year stint with the franchise.

A move to the Baltimore Ravens followed. And although Smith was clearly passed the peak of his powers. He still managed to attain 195 receptions, 2,534 yards, and 13 touchdowns over a three-year span.

It’s all well and good talking a big game. But you have to back it up under the spotlight. Smith did all this and more during his time in the NFL. And he was simply a joy to watch whenever he stepped onto the field.

The Panthers have never been quite the same since his departure. And fans can look at their Super Bowl run in 2015 and think what might have been had Smith been part of the roster during this particular period.