Panthers' plan is simple: Get Smith the ball

By Darin Gantt - dgantt@carolina.rr.com

CHARLOTTE -- For all the talk about the running game, the Panthers need Steve Smith to pick up his production. The good news is, Tampa Bay is where he turns in some of his best games.

Smith has been quiet so far this season (20 catches for 255 yards and no scores), but he has gained more yards against the Buccaneers than any other division opponent.

Since 2003, when he became a full-time starter, he has 62 catches for 878 yards and four touchdowns against Tampa Bay, 62 for 858 yards and seven scores against New Orleans and 56 for 775 yards and three touchdowns against Atlanta.

Against the Bucs, he has six 100-yard games in his last eight, including nine receptions for 117 yards and a touchdown in the last one in Charlotte. He has four 100-yard games against the Saints and three against the Falcons.

Quarterback Jake Delhomme said he hopes improvement by the running game leads to more opportunities for Smith, since teams are bold about doubling the star receiver.

“That's part of the deal,” Delhomme said. “When that running game starts going, that's when we'll get more single coverage, and that's when we'll get some big plays.”

NO BLACK SATURDAY REUNION — Since the Panthers typically don't take practice squad players to road games, new wide receiver Dexter Jackson won't get to catch up with former teammate Corey Lynch this weekend.

The two played together at Appalachian State and were key players in the 2007 win at Michigan. Jackson had two touchdown receptions, and Lynch, a do-it-all safety, blocked the final field goal to seal the Mountaineers' signature win during their back-to-back-to-back championship run.

Lynch was drafted in the sixth round by Cincinnati last year, but the Buccaneers nabbed him off the Bengals' practice squad earlier this season.

Jackson was former Bucs coach Jon Gruden's second-round pick in 2008, but was cut by the current regime after being deemed too small.

“For us, he didn't really fit with what we wanted to do,” Tampa Bay coach Raheem Morris said of Jackson. “We wanted a more physical type of receiver. Dexter is more of a speed guy that can run around. He was a punt returner for us at one time and got replaced by Clifton Smith, so he kind of lost that role. He is a specialized guy as far as size and speed, and it just wasn't for us so we decided to move on.

“You're talking about a smaller receiver. Anytime you have a smaller receiver for the most part besides Steve Smith, you have to protect him. Steve has broken that rule. I don't know if he is really a smaller guy, he is just short. Dexter is put in those situations where you have to protect him. He is going out now and trying to find that role where a speed guy is needed where he can make plays and be that deep threat. Hopefully, he will find that in his near future.”

INJURY UPDATE — The Panthers enter this week's game relatively healthy. Tight end Dante Rosario, who leads the team in yards per reception and touchdown catches, returned to the practice field Friday after taking Thursday off with a sprained ankle.

He was listed as limited, though coach John Fox admitted he did most of the work and was entered onto the injury report as questionable.

Backup linebacker James Anderson (concussion) is listed as questionable, but he practiced fully Friday.

Six players are listed as probable, including Smith (knee), running back Jonathan Stewart (Achilles), linebackers Jon Beason (knee) and Na'il Diggs (ribs), defensive tackle Nick Hayden (toe) and cornerback Captain Munnerlyn (shoulder).

For the Bucs, the injury report was mostly good news.

Fullback B.J. Askew will miss the game because of neck and back injuries sustained in a car wreck this week, and will be replaced by running back Earnest Graham.

Otherwise, everyone else on the report was listed as probable.