Professor

http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlot...s/14515137.htm

Smith embraces new WR
Says he and Johnson will make quality pair
CHARLES CHANDLER

Smith caught 103 passes in 2005; Johnson 71

Steve Smith isn't naïve enough to think his strong personality will never clash with Keyshawn Johnson's strong personality.

"We will have a lot of disagreements to agree," Smith said. "Both of us will be trying to argue each other's point."

But on Friday, the opening day of the Carolina Panthers mini-camp, Smith said he doesn't expect any problems with his new receiving mate.

"We were joking, laughing and messing around (about it) in the huddle," Smith said. "It's going to be good chemistry. I think it's going to be fun.

"A lot of people are going to be watching how we interact. It's not really (about) how we interact. It's how many games we're going to win, because that's what really counts."

That's where Smith sees Johnson fitting in best for a Panthers team that lacked a consistent No. 2 receiver last year.

Smith caught 103 passes. No other wide receiver had more than veteran Ricky Proehl's 25. The lack of balance was a glaring weakness after Carolina lost Muhsin Muhammad to free agency after the 2004 season.

Johnson, the former No. 1 overall pick (1996) who caught 71 passes for Dallas last season, has similar characteristics to Muhammad. Both are outstanding possession receivers with good blocking ability.

Smith wants nothing to do with equating Johnson's value to the team with Muhammad's. Smith and Muhammad had a strong bond during their four years together with Carolina.

"Moose is Moose, Keyshawn is Keyshawn," Smith said. "I don't compare two men against each other that I've played with in different aspects of my career. I think it's unfair."

Smith makes it clear, however, that he and Johnson will complement one another, just like he and Muhammad did.

"We will feed off of each other," Smith said. "All good tandems feed off of each other."

Smith mentioned several past receiving duos -- the 49ers' Jerry Rice and John Taylor, Dallas' Michael Irvin and Alvin Harper, and Jacksonville's Keenan McCardell and Jimmy Smith.

"Those guys put up numbers and that's the game plan here," Smith said. "Put two good receivers together and (it) combines (for) more wins."

UCFNoleFan

Of course he does, he finally has a weapon on the other side after Muhammed left. Teams won't be able to gear all coverage on Smith anymore, as KJ is a decent receiver.

Professor

the only thing though it will prolly reduce his overall stats, because not every single pass will be coming his way.

Mad Viking

Smith makes it clear, however, that he and Johnson will complement one another, just like he and Muhammad did. "We will feed off of each other," Smith said. "All good tandems feed off of each other."

While I consider this positive news for the Panther's camp, only time will tell if this is a match made in Heaven.

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Professor

i think that they will help each other. As much as I can't stand key, he is better than mushin. I say that smith's numbers go down a bit, but the team could be more successful.

PoppaPoe33

You can't have a Kobe Bryant attitude in football, and I'm glad that Smith and Johnson are taking this well. Delhomme's probally the most excited out of everybody because they'll have a great passing attack now.

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Professor

as bigboy pointed out to me, when moose was there Jake focused only on one guy, when smith went down, jake only focused on moose, when smith was back jake only focused on smith. Jake seems to have tunnel vision when it comes to his WR's and he has to change that first for the tandem to be successfull.

FatBear

Did you see the Panthers first preseason game, they are spreading the ball around alot more. Carter caught the first touchdown pass for the Panthers, and don't forget about Keary Colbert's contributions

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you are now Panther prey!