Carolina Panthers receiver Steve Smith says he understands why people are angry with him for punching teammate Ken Lucas during training camp in August.
In a blog written Friday on the Athletes United for Youth Web site, Smith says: “To be honest, I'm not really expecting people to give me a free pass. There's no explanation I can give to justify what I did and I'm not going to try to waste their time trying to. It's just unfortunate.
“My job is not to bring anybody back in the public to being on my side, but I can stand up and say, ‘I've made a mistake.' I'll be the first one to own up to it. I've never been a guy to shy away from things – when I've done good or bad. I took full accountability for what happened and if people think that's me trying to push it under the rug, you need to look at what accountability is.”
Smith, who apologized to Lucas and was forgiven, was suspended for the Panthers' first two regular-season games. He's missing Sunday's regular-season opener at San Diego and next week's game against the Chicago Bears at Bank of America Stadium.
Smith also says he banged up his shoulder on the first play from scrimmage in the Panthers' exhibition against the Washington Redskins on Aug.23. It aggravated an injury he says he got against the Dallas Cowboys last season.
Smith also said the concussion he suffered on Aug.9 against Indianapolis gave him serious headaches and some memory loss.
Here's the link to Smith's blog: http://www.athletesforyouth. org/steve_smith-going_deep -2008-9.html
Around the league
BALTIMORE: After signing his three-year, $11million contract with the Ravens, offensive tackle Willie Anderson hopes to play in Sunday's season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals, the team that cut him.
BUFFALO: Rather than lose a game paycheck of more than $191,000, Bills Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters made plans to end his holdout and report by today.
DALLAS: With left cornerback Terence Newman hobbled with a groin injury, Adam Jones will start Sunday's regular-season opener at Cleveland. Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said having Adam Jones gives the team the luxury of not taking risks with Newman's injury.
GREEN BAY: Running back Ryan Grant and defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila missed practice as a precaution heading into Monday night's opener against Minnesota. Grant has been dealing with an ailing hamstring, while Gbaja-Biamila has been recovering from right knee surgery.
JACKSONVILLE: Receiver Jerry Porter was ruled out of Sunday's season opener at Tennessee because of a hamstring injury. Porter, who signed a lucrative contract to be the team's No.1 receiver during the offseason, missed all of camp and the preseason.
NEW YORK GIANTS: Defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka alleged that Washington Redskins tackle Chris Samuels made a dirty play when he fell on the back of his ankle after being beaten on a pass rush on the final play of the NFL season opener. Kiwanuka hurt his left ankle on the play. X-rays were negative, but the ankle was still sore on Friday.
An arrest warrant was issued in Central Islip, N.Y., for
Mark Ingram, a star on the New York Giants' 1991 Super Bowl-winning team. He failed for a third time to appear in federal court for sentencing on a money laundering and bank fraud conviction.
PHILADELPHIA: Reggie Brown again missed practice with a bad hamstring, meaning that rookie DeSean Jackson probably will make his NFL debut on Sunday against St. Louis at wide receiver, likely along with Hank Baskett, who hasn't started since 2006. The other starting receiver, Kevin Curtis, is out indefinitely after having surgery for a sports hernia.
SEATTLE: The return of Seahawks receiver Deion Branch is going to wait at least a week. Branch was ruled out of Seattle's season opener at Buffalo by coach Mike Holmgren. He is recovering from major reconstructive surgery on his left knee seven months ago. Typical recovery time for that type of injury is a minimum of nine months.
@Nyx.CommentBody@