5 scariest Carolina Panthers players in franchise history

Steve Smith – WR

At first look, there isn’t much to be scared about when you look at Steve Smith. The diminutive wide receiver wasn’t your stereotypical build of a prolific pass-catcher in the NFL and, at least initially, he didn’t appear to be much of a threat to anyone.

How quickly that perception was changed.

Those who underestimated Smith did so at their cost. His big-play ability and fierce competitiveness was a scary proposition to overcome for even the most talented cornerback. And the way he got into people’s heads with elite trash-talking was another way the former third-round pick made his presence felt on the field.

It didn’t take long for Smith to become one of the NFL’s most feared wideouts. Opposing players knew what they were getting lining up opposite No. 88 and his high-level of production is something the Carolina Panthers benefitted enormously from.

He was the beating heart of Carolina’s locker room and demanded nothing but the best from his teammates. Smith was probably pretty scary to them, too. But although he might have been difficult to be around at times, there was no doubting the respect he commanded.

Scary? Yes. But that was all part of what made Smith so unbelievably great and one of the greatest Panthers players in history.