Last year around this time, Steve Smith was talking about how much better the Carolina Panthers' new offense was compared to the previous year. Well, it's summer again, and Smith is once again saying after minicamp that this team looks better than it did last year."With those two (receiver) acquisitions and with some of the big guys on the offensive line -- the rookie (Jeff Otah) -- offensively I think we finally made an upgrade."
Smith seemed to have nothing but compliments for the offensive linemen, the new receivers -- pay close attention to how he didn't mention Dwayne Jarrett -- and Jake Delhomme's arm, which Smith said seems a little stronger after Tommy John surgery. Of course, Smith also mentioned that Jake still can't out-throw him, but there you go.
The proof is still in the pudding, though, and that pudding doesn't get served in summer minicamps. The offense might have been better last year, too, but losing Jake Delhomme to injury in Week 3 killed the season. That rebuilt O-line needs to protect the quarterback to get this team back into the playoffs.
