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Steve Smith Tells Dwayne Jarrett the Party Is Over, Brah
By Brinson | April 21, 2008
Remember when Steve Smith told Dwayne Jarrett to get his ass in the film room? Or perhaps when he said that thing about poppa not losing when the kids are in attendance? Of course you do. Well, Smuff is at it again. This time, he’s being fairly ambiguous about who he targets, but I think we all know better than that. Apparently Smith was at a charity golf tournament in Raleigh when a reporter asked him if DJ was “due for a coming out party”. His response, is, dare I say, pretty freaking sweet.
‘You know, the party session is actually over,’ Smith said. ‘This is the NFL. You make plays. You’re here to play football. You do the party scene at your own discretion, but on Sundays, we’re here to play football. If you can’t play football, you won’t be playing with the Carolina Panthers or any NFL team.
‘So, this isn’t a poke at anybody. That’s just the way it is. You know, you produce, you’re in. You don’t produce, you’re out.’
Um, burn? I love how he took the phrase “party” the complete wrong way that the reporter intended it and took the time to just thrash Jarrett publicly. Again. Now don’t get me wrong, the guy needs a little more than just some thrashing. People can talk all they want about receivers needing time to develop, yada-yada. I’m not buying it in Jarrett’s case.
He was a second round pick out of USC, which means that he should be ready to produce. The simple fact that he hasn’t — and it sure as hell isn’t opportunity that’s keeping him from stepping up — just screams that he’s used to moseying along and winning despite his effort. As Smith said, shit like that don’t cut it in the NFL, especially when you’re fighting for a spot in the wideout rotation behind three capable players. And odds are pretty good at some time next year we’ll have to lean on Jarrett; I don’t buy that Smith, Moose and Hackett all stay healthy for the entire season. Party’s over, brah. Get to work.