Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-US Presswire

Steve Smith had a promising career ahead of him when he was drafted by the Giants 51^st overall in the 2007 draft. He was an explosive prospect who clocked 4.31 in the 40 yard dash and fulfilled his promise starting in the 2008 postseason, when he was a key part of the Giants’ victory in Superbowl XLII. But with the departure of Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer, the Giants looked thin at receiver in the 2009 season.

Steve Smith seized the opportunity, setting the all-time Giants’ single-season receiving record when he notched 107 receptions for 1,220 yards and 7 TDs. During his record-setting campaign, Smith often worked in the slot with Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham mostly working outside the numbers. Unfortunately, knee troubles have plagued Smith since he left New York. He signed with the Eagles for the 2011 season but saw little action before being put on IR with a knee issue. In 2012 he played with St Louis, appearing in 9 games but starting only twice. The Rams targeted Smith 23 times and he hauled in only 14 catches for 131 yards.

In 2010 Smith had microfracture surgery and mosaicplasty on his left knee. In these complex operations, doctors create small breaks in the bone to encourage the creation of new soft tissue to help strengthen and stabilize the knee. Since this procedure Smith has 25 total catches and unless his healing has been delayed, which is a distinct possibility, he may have lost some of his burst and may not be able to take the pounding of an entire NFL season.

If he is healthy and can regain even eighty percent of his old form, Smith could be a valuable contributor and role player for Tampa Bay.  Although the Bucs have Vincent Jackson and Mike Williams as able starters on the outside, their possible third receivers include Chris Owusu, Kevin Ogletree, and Tiquan Underwood. None of these players have the same experience and history that Smith has. Smith’s addition to the Bucs makes sense, though, because he carries no risk. He signed for one year at the league minimum, meaning he has to fight hard to even make the roster. Bucs fans everywhere have to hope that Smith can miraculously regain his old form and provide the steady third-down option they need to help take the pressure off Josh Freeman. Smith’s signing will probably have no impact on the Bucs’ draft plans, because he is questionable to even make the final roster. But if he does make the final roster, Buccaneers’ fans could see a very strong trio of receivers to give Josh Freeman even more options than he had in 2012.

I was hoping that the league would take notice of Smith’s numbers and not select Devin Hester solely because of the name, and it appears the fans and the players and coaches took notice. 

The one player I’m dissapointed to not see on the roster is Mike Linebacker Barrett Ruud.  He is 4th in the league in tackles with 117 and has contributed 3 sacks, 2 INT’s and 8 passes defended.  Patrick Willis is a flashier player, but I think Ruud deserved the spot. 

One guy who I was hoping would make it, but didn’t, was WR Antonio Bryant.  I can’t justifiably argue his stats against the other NFC starting WR’s (Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, Roddy White & Steve Smith), but just hope that Bryant gets named as an alternate.  He also has a good chance to lock up the NFL Comeback Player of the Year.  He is currently sitting at 74 catches for 1,044 yards and 6 td’s including the years sure fire catch of the year.

I am currently staying in a Marriot in the heart of downtown, which is about 4 blocks from Time Warner Cable Arena (where I attended the Cavaliers Bobcats game on Saturday) and about 3 blocks from Bank of America Stadium where I will obviously be attending tonights Monday Night Football Game.  The hotel is right in the middle of the nightlife scene in the downtown Charlotte area.  The aforementioned nightlife has been quite fun.  We frequented Stool Pigeons, BlackFinn and Foxx and Hound, all bars with a nice female ratio, as well as solid drink prices and a friendly crowd. 

Now let me get off of my Charlotte ass kissing rant, and move to a more pressing issue, the game. 

Injuries – Kevin Carter and Gaines Adams are both listed as questionable, and Jovan Haye is listed as doubtful.  This could be a little troubling facing a team with such a potent running attack.  Kevin Carter’s questionable due to an illness, so I’m not sure if he’ll be able to go or not.  I would expect Gaines to play, and Jovan Haye to be inactive.  These injuries should lead to more extended play for Jimmy Wilkerson and Ryan Sims who both have been playing well as of late.  The Panthers have no injuries of significance to report and will be playing with a healthy roster. 

Matchup of Note – Steve Smith vs. TB Corners (Phillip Buchanon, Aqib Talib and Ronde Barber) I don’t really need to go into the game breaking ability of Smith because it is pretty well documented.  He leads the league with 22, 100 yard games over the last few years.  Shutting his big plays down will be the key to the game.  We held Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams to 40 yards on 20 carries last game, but I would expect a little more out of them at home.  If Steve Smith can get past the first level of our defense on some play action passes, the Bucs will be in big trouble. 

This is one of the biggest regular season games for the Bucs since our Super Bowl run.  Two 9 and 3 teams, fighting for a division title, home field advantage, and with the Giants loss yesterday, possibly not just a 2 seed, but homefield throughout.  On top of that, its freaking Monday Night Football.  With a win the Bucs have a good grasp of their 2nd straight NFC South title, the first time since realignment that the same team will have won the NFC South in consecutive years.  With a loss, the Panthers (who have a little tougher final 3 than the Bucs) will be in prime position to take that homefield advantage and the division.