Has Steve Smiths play at WR hurt his skills at Kickoff return?

This has tugged at me all year. Smith isn't the biggest guy in the world and I feel like the hits he has taken has effected somehow his KR abilities. I know that the blocking has broken down alot on kickoff returns but when is the last time Smith has taken one further than the 25-30? I know in the Panther offence, (oxymoron) that they need Smith in as receiver, but still am I the only one that see's Smith as return man all the time, and receiver only as the #3 guy?

 

I think you may have me on ignore, but anyway... I eluded to this from a different angle in multiple threads the last 2 days.

IMO, Smith is concerned with his time at WR. He is trying to be focused on that. From what I have seen this year, I'm not so sure we would lose much by playing 1-2 guys behind him in his place.

I was all for seeing him make the move to WR. Right now, I'd just say, tell him he is a full time KR and will see spot duty on the offense...

 

I was discussing this very topic with a fellow suffering fan this morning. Well, which came first, the chicken or the egg? Is WR duty hurting his KR skills, or are the demands of KR hurting his WR focus?

We decided it's both, basically he's spread too thin and appears tired in the receiver spot as the game draws to a close. Also, he occasionally runs a receiver route almost like he's trying to field a punt.

This could be the beginning of a problem, IMO.

 

Actually, I don't think it's hurting KR duties at all. He's had a couple come back due to penalties, had a couple good ones last week.

Kick returns taking away from his routes? Maybe.

With Byrd hurt, we don't have much choice.

 

Didn't they throw Dee Brown in for one or two returns? I thought he did OK, but its hard to recall at this point.

 

Smith needs to stay at the #3 WR spot and continue to return kicks, like Hakim did for St. Louis. We need a #2 WR that can catch the ball. Moose and a dependable #2 WR would make Steve Smith invisable again and he would get one or two big plays a game at WR and still have the energy to return kicks the way he use to.

 

I think Steve is doing better this year than he did last year. He's making smarter decisions, he's holding on the ball with both hands, and he's getting all the yards that are there.He hasn't tried to do anything stupid.

He's a Pro Bowl return man, and teams know this coming in. They are playing ST to stop this guy, and they are. He's broke away a couple of times, but like Piper said, penalties........I think he needs a little bit better blocking, setting it up. He's been getting creamed too, and he's taking the hits and getting back up.

He's definately better though, a lot better.

 

Not officially,

 

>> I think Steve is doing better this year than he did last year. He's making smarter decisions, he's holding on the ball with both hands, and he's getting all the yards that are there.He hasn't tried to do anything stupid.

i agree with Y2. he had a horrible game at receiver. but he is still pretty inexperienced at the position. should continue to get better. shame that we didn't get a legit #2 and let him develop at #3.