Cat Scratch Reader on Steve Smith

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On his first career touch, Smith took the opening kickoff of the 2001 season against the Minnesota Vikings 93 yards for a touchdown, one of three return touchdowns his rookie year (two kickoff returns, one punt return). Smith ended up being one of the few bright spots in that doomed 2001 season, earning Pro Bowl and First Team All Pro honors as a returner.
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Smith's rookie year earned All-Pro honors; career Panthers records: 1,438 targets, 836 catches, 12,197 yards.

Smith's rookie year (2001) featured three return touchdowns (two kickoff, one punt) and earned him Pro Bowl and First Team All Pro honors as a returner despite major pundits declaring the third-round pick would be wasted on a punt returner; he finished his Panthers career as the all-time franchise leader in targets (1,438), catches (836), receiving yards (12,197), receiving touchdowns (67), yards per game (67), punt returns (178), punt return yards (1,652), and punt return touchdowns (4), while finishing second only to Michael Bates in kickoff returns (98), kickoff return yards (2,371), and kickoff return touchdowns (2).

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