Steve Smith

Give Steve Smith credit. He's accountable.

After the Carolina Panthers wide receiver turned in a shabby game, he was first to stand up and say so, mincing no words about his own part in the team's 20-10 loss at St. Louis.

"For me personally I let my teammates down. I played horribly," Smith said, beginning what would become a torrent of self-flagellation. "Probably one of my worst games in my career. Offensively, the loss goes on me. I didn't help us win.

"I take full responsibility on screwing things up. Didn't play well, didn't play at a high level, and it was like for a few plays I messed up, it was like they played with 10 men on the field."

Pretty much.

Smith had nine receptions for 85 yards, but that doesn't begin to describe his day. He also had at least two drops and a fumble when he was trying desperately to make something out of nothing.