Smith Accepting Leadership Role

Steve Smith has always been something of an enigma.  The prototype for players like Devin Hester of the Chicago Bears, Steve Smith is easily the most successful “return man turned wide receiver” story that I know of personally.  However, up until this point in his career, Smith has been only expected to be a playmaker.  The Panthers did not call on him to be a leader in the locker room.  However, that is changing as the Panthers shuffle their line-up, and Steve Smith is shifting his role on the team to one of leadership, both on the field and in the locker room.

The article focuses mostly on the friction between Smith and young receiver Dwayne Jarrett.  Jarrett joined the Panthers last season as a rookie, and at one point during the year, Smith scolded him publicly in front of the media.  Jarrett had a terrible rookie campaign, and Smith knows that he must repair the damaged relationship between himself the the young complimentary rookie if the Panthers are to be successful.  This is admirable, but Jarrett must also accept responsibility and begin behaving like a true professional if he wants to improve his game.

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