Smith V Jarrett, Round 1

The biggest reason I'm not as concerned with Jarrett, is because I've always assumed him, Charles Johnson, and CJ Wilson would all need a "redshirt" year.

 

George Allen once said for every rookie you start, you lose a game. I believe some coaches subscribe to this notion, though they can't say it.

Vets know exactly what the coaches expect.

It doesn't hurt to let a rookie get hungry and force him to improve his work ethic to the point of habit.

 

George Allen coached when the fans had some semblence of patience, rookies didn't represent as big a hit in salaries and players typically stayed with their teams for most of their careers. It's possible Jarret has just said "Screw it...I'm getting paid".

 

In which case, maybe Smitty needs to show him Anthony Bright's old seat in the film room.

 

never underestimate the yas
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http://www.charlotte.com/panthers/story/343331.html

Smith offers Jarrett advice
Star: Stop talking, go watch some film
PAT YASINSKAS
[email protected]

Dwayne Jarrett was wearing a Phillies cap, standing in front of his locker and talking quietly to two reporters about his frustrating rookie season with the Carolina Panthers.

As he spoke, veteran receiver Steve Smith walked up to his own nearby locker and looked straight at Jarrett. Smith hasn't been talking to the media recently, but he did speak to Jarrett.

"Instead of talking to the media, why don't you go watch some film?" Smith said.

Jarrett gave a polite half-smile and kept talking.

"Seriously," Smith added in a stern voice and walked away.

Read what you want into Smith's words, but they might be the first public glimpse into why Jarrett, who came out of Southern California rated as one of the top college receivers, has appeared in only one of Carolina's first seven games. Taken in the second round with the 45th overall pick, there was a public assumption Jarrett would be in the starting lineup from Week 1.

Days after drafting Jarrett, the Panthers dumped veteran Keyshawn Johnson, and all indications were they believed they had a younger version of Johnson -- a big receiver, who would contribute immediately.

It hasn't worked out that way. The starting position opposite Smith has been held by Keary Colbert, who spent much of the past two seasons on the bench. Drew Carter, another guy who's been in and out of the lineup in recent seasons, has been the No. 3 receiver.

The Panthers have dressed only four receivers on game days most of this season, including rookie Ryne Robinson, a fourth-round pick who is used as a return man.

Jarrett, who set Southern California records with 216 receptions for 3,138 yards, and the Pac-10 record with 41 touchdown catches in three college seasons, has appeared in one game. That was a Sept. 30 loss to Tampa Bay and he played sparingly, making one catch for 6 yards.

Maybe Smith's comments were his way of telling Jarrett he needs to grasp the playbook better. No one else has come out and said anything as close to that strong, but coach John Fox said Jarrett is making progress.

"He's improving," Fox said. "He's a young player. I've said all along he's working his way through. He's definitely got the talent. So far, for the most part, we've only been in four (receivers) on game day. He's not been in that four-person mix yet. But he's right on the verge."

Fox won't say if Jarrett will be active Sunday when the Panthers play at Tennessee. It's not uncommon for teams to bring rookie receivers along slowly, but players drafted in the first two rounds generally are expected to make contributions as rookies.

Jarrett was considered a fairly polished receiver, playing in one of the nation's top programs. But he did come out of college a year early and, at 21, is the youngest player on Carolina's roster.

Jarrett admitted it's been tough not dressing for games.

"It's just something you've got to get through and keep working hard at it," he said.

Jarrett said the coaches haven't told him he has to improve in any specific area to earn playing time.

"It's all around," he said. "I'm a rookie. We've got players in front of me, including Steve and other receivers. I just try to learn from those guys every day and just try to take what I can."

Although there have been suggestions by fans and media that Jarrett might be a bust, he said he's not worried about that.

"I really don't pay attention to it, what people say and the media and stuff like that," Jarrett said. "I kind of stay out of that."

Colbert, who also played at Southern California and has taken his share of criticism throughout his career, said Jarrett just needs to bide his time.

"It can be frustrating at times, but it is a learning experience," Colbert said. "I think he knows that. You just take it as such. You really want to play in this league for as long as you can.

"If you can learn from older guys and not be out there taking a pounding, I think it will benefit him in the end. He'll be fine once he gets an opportunity." PANTHERS AT TITANS

1 p.m., sunday, fox, wccb (Ch. 18)

Rookie Curve

Statistics for receivers drafted in the first two rounds in April:


PLAYER TEAM PICK REC. YARDS TDS
Calvin Johnson Detroit 2nd 15 273 2
Ted Ginn Jr. Miami 9th 7 141 1
Dwayne Bowe Kansas City 23rd 29 499 3
Robert Meachem* New Orleans 27th 0 0 0
Craig Davis San Diego 30th 9 84 1
Anthony Gonzalez Indianapolis 32nd 14 194 0
Sidney Rice Minnesota 44th 14 146 1
Dwayne Jarrett Carolina 45th 1 6 0
Steve Smith** N.Y. Giants 51st 4 26 0

*Had knee surgery in June, has not played this season. **Injuries have limited him to two games.

 

George Allen got run out of L A because he wouldn't start his shiny new rookie QB, I believe it was Vince Ferregamo. Some of that was fans and some of it was the F O.

FWIW I do not believe Fox is too worried with who the fans want to start.

Although WRs tend come in to the league with an attitude, it's not necessarily a bad thing for that position. I don't think he came in with a screw it attitude, though he might have thought he had the spot with Keys dismissal. Make him do what it takes to take it.

My gut feeling, and it's only a gut feeling is that they picked and like Colbert because he is smart. Jarrett may have the talent factor, but he will have to overcome any significant difference in that area barring injury.

 

Yeah...I agree, Fox could give 2 shits about who the fans wanna see. I just think years ago the season ticket holders weren't so quick to bail when things turned sour. Fans today seem more fickle. Not so much a problem for the coaches, but could be a problem for owners if it were to really get outta hand.

I gotta wonder what the heck happens to USC receivers of late in the NFL?? I would have thought (and I thought Jarret was a great pick at the time BTW), that USC recievers would really do well in the NFL because they run such a pro system there.....wtf?

 

I'm not too worried at this point. I think he will get enough play time by the end of the season to know if he has promise. It seems to me that the coaches wanted to find out if with enough reps the other WRs would step up.

Of course the problem with that is that there hasn't been enough consistency at QB to make the evaluation they would have liked.

 

uh, or he doesn't study film and learn what he needs to learn - or why the fuck else would smitty of called him out in front of reporters. this isn't an ice cream and cherry deal - he's fucking loafing - and smitty called him out. wtfu!

 

Colbert is better than Carter.