Sleeper Watch

In Carolina’s passing game, Steve Smith wasn’t just the top option this year – sometimes it seemed as if he was the only option. The all-everything wideout tied with Arizona’s Larry Fitzgerald for the league lead in receptions with 103, more than three times the number of balls caught by the Panthers’ second-leading pass-catcher, DeShaun Foster. All in all, Smith caught a whopping 38% of Carolina’s completions.

Perhaps the greatest mystery of the 2005 NFL season is why so many opposing defenses decided not to double- or triple-team Smith. Chicago, in particular, seemed to treat Carolina’s top weapon like any other receiver in the Divisional Playoffs, with the result that the Bears were burned by Smith for 218 yards and two touchdowns. Ouch.

Fast-forward to the Conference Championships. The Seahawks, having apparently studied enough tape to figure out how to throw a spanner in Carolina’s works, threw everything they had at Smith, who at times had to contend with four defenders at once. With Smith, who finished the day with just 33 receiving yards, virtually shut down, quarterback Jake Delhomme had to look elsewhere, and one of the beneficiaries was Drew Carter.

Carter, a former fifth-round pick out of Ohio State who had finished the regular season with just five receptions for 103 yards and a touchdown, caught only two passes in Seattle, but he made them count, beating the defense for a 41-yard gain and a 47-yard score to finish with half of his team’s receiving yardage.

Chances are that other teams will seek to employ similar defensive schemes next season in the hope of containing Smith, opening up room for the Panthers’ other receivers. Look for Drew Carter’s role in the offense to increase considerably next season, all the more so if teammate Ricky Proehl decides to call it quits.

(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)  Loading ... Questions or comments for Arlo? Post them in the Cafe Forums! Want to see your own fantasy wisdom published? Check out the Cafe's Pencil & Paper section!