Carolina Panthers: Steve Smith Shows His Silly Swag by Dissing Ref's Age

Steve Smith may be enjoying his time as Cam Newton's go-to receiver, but that doesn't mean he can't be a grumpy cuss when the need arises. The star receiver has an issue with officials and he let us all know about it. 

The Carolina Panthers lost yet again on Sunday. That's what happens when you mix one of the best offenses with one of the most awful defenses. If defense wins championships, it can also cause your spirited team to go 2-6 to start the season. 

With this kind of high-powered offense, you would think the Panthers would be threatening to steal the division. Instead, they will continue to lose to mediocre teams for the rest of the season. 

That kind of frustration would make anybody brash. So I see where Smith was coming from when he went off on a referee that was just doing his job. 

The receiver was called for holding late in the Panthers game against the Vikings on Sunday. The call very well could have been the difference from the Panthers getting a late win. Instead, a great offensive effort was wasted. 

NBC Sports reports Smith went off on the official that flagged him with a holding violation. He was quoted as pretty much saying the ref was incompetent. 

"

If the ref says it’s holding, I can sit here and say this and that. But at the end of the day he’s the guy with the flag and he calls it. I got a few texts already saying in the HD it didn’t look too bad. But for a 70-year-old man gimping down the field, I guess that’s what he saw.

"

Smith is not going to let his opinions be silenced. The league may indeed issue a fine for such disobedient talk, but I don't see anything wrong with a little gentle ribbing. 

Every sane football fan will see the play and realize that Smith was indeed holding. However, he is just letting off a little steam at the officials expense. Move along, nothing to see here. 

Smith is frustrated and this is hardly the worse thing any of us have said about officials. In fact, most of what I have muttered can't be written here. 

Smith will be fined and sent off with a slap on the wrist. And I am perfectly okay with that. Now if the Panthers continue to lose as they put up gaudy numbers, I worry what Smith will say about his own defense. Now that will be something to care about.