Smoot vs. Smith: Round Two may be put on hold

By Krupka  |   Thursday, September 14, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

Minnesota Vikings
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The first thing that comes to mind when reading Carolina at Minnesota on the schedule is Fred Smoot vs. Steve Smith. Last season the Panthers' receiver torched the Vikings' cornerback to the tune of 11 receptions for 201 yards and a touchdown. To add insult to injury (Smoot actually was injured in the fourth quarter), Smith decided it would be funny to imitate rowing a boat after a touchdown, mocking Smoot's involvement in last year's bye week shenanigans on Lake Minnetonka.

However, the tables are turned now. Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on your feelings toward the two, there may not be a Smoot versus Smith matchup Sunday because the latter is still nursing a sore hamstring and has yet to practice. He is currently listed as questionable on the injury report.

Last season's Week 8 drubbing at Bank of America Stadium saw the Vikings not only lose the game, getting blown out 38-13, but also their ex-starting quarterback, Daunte Culpepper, for the season.

In fairness to Smoot, last season's gameplan was about the worst way possible to attack the Panthers' offense, especially Smith. Playing a corner 10-15 yards off a speedy receiver the caliber of Smith, with no safety help over the top, is downright insane. Coaching staffs that design a plan like that shouldn't keep their job, and that helps explain why defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell and head coach Mike Tice are no longer in Minnesota.

Up to this point, the Vikings' cornerback has tried to keep it a non-issue. Smoot said, "I feel like I want to win. I'm not worried about evening the score. I want to be 2-0 when the game is over with."

And who could blame him? Certainly, if Smith does play, the scheme will be much different.

"This year we're going to take some pressure off of him [Smoot], we're going to be jamming [Smith] a lot, putting the safety over the top," said corner Antoine Winfield.

And you can bet Smoot, even if he won't admit it, would love another chance to go toe-to-toe with Smith.

When asked about it, Smoot offered, "If he plays, he plays. If he don't, he don't."

Round Two may be put on hold, but in the eyes of Smoot and the Vikings, all that really matters is getting another "W" and improving to 2-0.

Eric Krupka can be contacted at ekrupka@realfootball365.com

Shutdown receivers with Fred Smoot and the Vikings at RealFootball365.com
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