Smith Out For Two

Carolina Panther's star wide receiver Steve Smith has been suspended for the first two games of the 2009 season following an altercation with cornerback Ken Lucas at training camp on Friday. While the starters were resting following a series of drills at Friday's practice Smith struck Lucas in the face leaving him with a broken nose and a black eye. The two have always had a little rivalry in practice, according to coach John Fox, but it had never been more than a little taunt here and there until now. The incident will cost Smith roughly $200,000.

It is not uncommon for little skirmishes to break out during training camp. In fact, last week at Dolphins' camp first round draft pick Jake Long and second round pick Phillip Merling got in a pushing and shoving match following a few intense one on one drills. Things like this happen. Some coaches actually like to see a little fire out of their players at camp, but what Smith did went too far. A little pushing and shoving is one thing but sucker punching a guy is another story. The sad thing is that it will cost the team as much as it will cost Smith, as they will now be with out their top offensive threat for the first two games of the season.