NFL Week 3 Recap: Why Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith Needs To Shut Up

Steve Smith is electric, volatile at times, and one of the NFL's best wide receivers, although you may not think so because of last year's play and this year's performance.

Well, despite his rather modest numbers thus far, it can't be attributed to Smith, but instead the poor play of his quarterbacks and the overall Panther offense.

Should Smith be frustrated? Yes, he should be and is.

Does that mean he should voice his concerns to the media? No, he shouldn't.

Smith was seen yelling at rookie QB Jimmy Clausen on the sidelines Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. And let it be known that he was "disappointed" in the Carolina offense and went on a semi-rant that was stopped by a member of the Panthers' organization before Smith could say something he might regret.

The problem with all of this is that Smith knew it was Clausen's first start in the NFL, and should have known that the former Fighting Irish QB would struggle. Smith is a competitor and wants to win, but he needs to recognize that the Panthers are in a transition season and cut the team a break.

He needs to remember that organization has cut him a lot of slack over the years and given him numerous chances after altercations.

In his rookie season, he got in a film room fight with teammate Anthony Bright, breaking his nose and leaving him hospitalized for two nights.

There was also the incident when he kicked a Houston Texans' player after a play was over, and how could we forget the infamous training camp fight when he broke Ken Lucas' nose.

Carolina has stuck by Smith through thick and thin. The two have had their ups and downs, but there have been far more ups through the years—it just so happens that right now the Panthers are going through a down period.

Patience is important, something Smith didn't show after the Bengals game. Things could turn ugly if No. 89 chooses to publicly air his frustrations on a consistent basis.

My guess is this won't be the last time we hear from Smith this season, whether that be off the field or on the field is up to him.