Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith isn't known for holding his tongue at the best of times, let alone when a defensive player does something to upset him.
Rams vs. Panthers: Steve Smith has choice words for Janoris Jenkins
The Carolina Panthers’ veteran receiver had some strong feelings about the words of second-year cornerback Janoris Jenkins.
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James Dator has been covering a wide range of sports for SB Nation for over a decade, with a special focus on the NFL.
Smith unloaded both barrels on cornerback Janoris Jenkins in a Q&A with the Charlotte Observer following Sunday’s 30-15 win.
Did you have any run-ins with him before?
“No. What I don’t like is a young guy, comes in, obviously his first time ever using the internet and Google, and he Googles information about me, talks about my wife and stuff like that. That’s kind of some of the (B.S). I just don’t play with.”
What specifically was he saying?
”That’s all I’m going to say. I don’t play them games. When you try to take it personal like that, I don’t have any great humbling things to say. So he can take his (butt) back to St. Louis and watch the (expletive) film because I don’t play them games. And if I see him in the streets I’m going to punch him in his (expletive) mouth.
Emotions were high on Sunday as a third-quarter scuffle led to defensive end Chris Long being ejected from the game for throwing a punch. Smith was in the middle of the incident, but there's no clear indication the two events are linked.
What Smith did make clear, however, was that his exclamation point on his third-quarter touchdown in the form of a dance had a very definite target.
On your touchdown celebration, was that a little bit extra?
“When you embarrass people you rub it in their face. When your dog (urinates) on the carpet, you rub it in his face.”
It wasn't just the veteran receiver who had a problem with a defensive player. Left tackle Jordan Gross also talked about the lack of appreciation for how Rams defensive players acted on Sunday.
Cam said Gross and teammates were upset with Quinn's "explicit" comments after the hit.
— Joe Person (@josephperson) October 20, 2013
Ensuring the Panthers didn’t have the last say, Chris Long made a point of taking to Twitter to address his treatment while he was being escorted off the field.
Thanks Carolina fans 4 the flipped birds+few bottles to the head. Sticks n stones may break my bones but aluminum zimas will never hurt me.
— Chris Long (@JOEL9ONE) October 20, 2013
The Rams and Panthers are unlikely to make the playoffs this year, and there’s no indication when they’ll face off again -- but when that happens you’ll want to circle the game on your calendar.
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