More info on Smitty and other stuff

From Darin Gantt http://www.heraldonline.com Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith flew to Alabama on Monday morning to get a second opinion on his troublesome hamstring, which could actually be a sign things are improving.
According to sources with knowledge of the situation, Smith traveled to Birmingham, Ala., to consult with noted orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews. Calls to his agent weren't returned Monday, and Panthers officials won't comment.

Smith has missed the first two games of the regular season after tweaking his right hamstring the Tuesday before the opener. He missed 17 days worth of training camp after a similar injury to the left side.

Since hurting the right one, he hasn't practiced, and when he's stopped to talk he's offered only that he was "day-to-day."

Simply getting another look at the injury isn't necessarily a dire sign. Players get outside opinions often, and there's a sense that Smith's getting closer to a return and just wanted to check with Andrews to make sure the progress was real and that more activity wouldn't pose a risk of another setback.

Smith has said he wants to make sure he's completely well before he comes back, so he doesn't lose the chance to play in more important games later in the year.

If the current problem follows the same timetable as the first one, he could be on pace to return to the field later this week. The Panthers offense could certainly use a lift from last year's league-leading receiver. They've scored one touchdown in two games.

· DE-STARTER IS DE-SAME: Perhaps running back DeShaun Foster's biggest gain of the season came without touching the ball.

After an eye-opening rushing debut for rookie DeAngelo Williams, Panthers coach John Fox still endorsed the incumbent starter, without even being asked about him. Fox was asked about Williams breakout game, the 13-carry, 74-yard performance which followed not getting a single touch from scrimmage in the first game.

Without hesitation, Fox changed directions as quickly as either of his runners.

"DeShaun Foster is still our starting tailback," Fox said. "We feel good about all our running backs, in particular DeShaun and DeAngelo. Really, each game takes on its own personality and (DeAngelo) was making some plays, but so was DeShaun. We ran the ball a little more effectively this past game than we did the week before.

"I think they had the same number of carries. That may not always be true, either. We try to spread the wealth in running the ball and I don't look for that to change."

· INJURY UPDATE: Drew Carter came out of the trainer's room with his right hand wrapped from mid-forearm to mid-palm after getting treatment for a broken finger.

But taking a cue from Fox, who never likes to put much information on the street, Carter laughed when asked which finger he broke on a first-half reverse.

"It's just my hand. One of my fingers. I don't think our opponents need to know," Carter said with a grin. "They probably know it was my right hand. ...

"You know, less is more, that's what he teaches us. They're the enemy, so we don't want to disclose any information."

Cornerback Ken Lucas (neck/shoulder) and safety Shaun Williams (foot) were also mentioned by Fox as being hurt in Sunday's game.

Lucas said after the game he thought he'd be fine, and when the veteran safety came through the locker room on crutches Monday, he said it was not as bad as it looked.

Shaun Williams has been dinged up throughout the preseason and early season with various foot and ankle ailments, but Fox said it wasn't a continuation of an existing problem.

"No, it's been a variety of different things," Fox said. "He plays the game fast and physical and sometimes it's tough on your body."

· THIRD DOWN WOES: The Panthers are a sparkling 5-of-26 on third down attempts this year, ranking 31st in the league -- only Oakland's worse.

Fox said it was hard to make a blanket statement on the problem, since there were different kinds of problems there.

"We're not operating on all cylinders," Fox said. "There's a lot that goes into that. We had two third-and-1s that we didn't convert. But most third downs are pass plays and at the end of the day there's a lot that goes into the passing game -- there's protection, there's throwing, there's catching and we had a little bit of a problem in each area.

"We had some drops. We had some high passes. We had some protection breakdowns. It's not one area, it's not one group. But again, you can put that one back on me, too."

· EXTRA POINTS: Fox didn't say much when asked about his lineup change at right guard. He subbed seventh-round rookie Will Montgomery for Evan Mathis, who had worked at the spot throughout training camp before being pulled late in the opener.

"Looking to find the right formula and trying to get better," Fox said. "Both are similar players in that they're both young players. We'll learn and we'll evaluate where we go from there."

He was asked if there was anything specific that caused Mathis' demotion, and he replied: "Let's just say we were looking to get better. He might be back there this week."

· Fox was sparse with the praise when asked to single out which players performed well upon watching the game tape.

He mentioned defensive end Julius Peppers (three sacks, eight tackles, four hurries, one blocked field goal and a batted pass) and wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson (five catches for 106 yards), but then cut it off by saying: "But I'll just leave it at that."

 

Again, i will put this here instead of starting a new thread...

http://www.tbo.com/sports/bucs/MGBCJKBP9SE.html

Kelly: Toe Injury Isn't Improving

TAMPA - CB Brian Kelly has played hurt before. During the 2003 season, he played in pain after he tore a pectoral muscle, an injury that eventually ended his season prematurely in October.

This time, pain isn't his only concern.

Kelly has been suffering from a recurring turf toe injury the past three seasons. It flared up again last week and prevented him from playing against Atlanta, and there's uncertainty whether he'll be able to play Sunday against Carolina. The ninth-year veteran will have doctors evaluate the injury this week to determine the extent of the damage.

"It's just wear and tear, and my concern is it's not getting any better," Kelly said. "I'm not a big shot guy. I'm not one for just taking shots, especially on a foot. So I want to make sure that it's something that won't be any worse."

Coach Jon Gruden said Kelly will be listed as probable this week. That was his status leading up to the Falcons game, but when he got to the Georgia Dome on Sunday morning, he realized he wouldn't be able to play. It was the first time he didn't start since his shortened 2003 season.

"It just didn't feel good," Kelly said. "For me, it's a situation where I've got to feel comfortable putting it in the ground and planting. If I played another position, I'd probably be able to handle it.

"The fact that every play I'm cutting and planting, I've got to be able to put it in the ground and have that confidence in it, and I didn't feel good about it."

Kelly is hoping to play Sunday, but he also has to be concerned for the future.

"It's a situation where it put Deion Sanders in retirement for a while," he said. "For us, corners, this is one of our things, this is what we get. Toes always turn up messing up. I just want to make sure this is something I can deal with. My pain tolerance is high, so I'm OK with that. I just want to make sure I'm fine."

BIZARRO WORLD GAME: The only numbers that ultimately mattered in Sunday's game were the 14 points Atlanta scored and the three Tampa Bay scored. But the statistics both teams racked up led you to believe there should have been more points on the scoreboard.

Bucs QB Chris Simms set single-game career highs with 313 passing yards and 53 attempts. WR Joey Galloway, who had no receptions in Week 1, caught nine passes, tying a career high, for 161 yards, five shy of his career best.

Atlanta set a record with 306 rushing yards. The teams combined for 733 yards of offense.

Then there was the kicking game. In total, there were six failed field goal attempts, four by Falcons K Michael Koenen. As bad as it was for Bucs K Matt Bryant, he could empathize with Koenen.

"I've never had it that bad before," Bryant said. "[Sunday] was my worst. To go 0-for-4, I can't imagine."

INJURY REPORT: RB Cadillac Williams missed practice last week because of recurring back spasms, but that is not why he has been a nonfactor in the Bucs' two losses. In two games, Williams has carried the ball 23 times for 59 yards.

Gruden attributed Williams' lack of production to the fact Tampa Bay has fallen behind early and the offense basically has had to abandon the running game to catch up.

"I'm fine. The back is not a problem," Williams said. "I played [Sunday] and it didn't give me trouble. Once I come to the sideline, I've got to keep moving, keep heat on it or it'll tighten up."

In other injury news, TE/LS Dave Moore (ribs) and G Davin Joseph (knee) have been ruled out for Sunday's game against Carolina.

UP NEXT: The Panthers come to Raymond James Stadium on Sunday in a similar predicament as the Bucs. The favorites to the win the NFC South also are 0-2, but they are an opponent the Bucs respect.

"They're still a very good defensive team," Gruden said. "They're very physical, a very big team. They're a veteran-laden team, defensively. Offensively, they've got some injuries on their line. … They've had some injuries that certainly, I'm sure, set them back, but they're a very good football team, well-coached. They've got a great kicker [John Kasay].

"This is a great rivalry, and both teams have got to have the win, so it will be a great contest and one we're looking forward to."

 

what happened to the "men" who used to play with busted noses and collar bones etc, making $200K/yr if they were lucky?

 

They're in wheelchairs sipping lunch through a straw.

 

Smitty did not confirm nor deny the report, but he did say he was followed through an airport on Monday. I saw Smith tonight at a charity thing in South charlotte.

He thinks the hammy thing is becoming a circus.

Ya think?

 

Gantt is a fruit

 

It may be a circus but given the way we look without him it is likely to stay that way.

 

Hehe...tru dat.

 

Morning Sports Page reported that Smitty said he thought he'd start practicing sometime this week...

 

It's Wednesday already...