Tebowmania might have infiltrated all sectors of our society, but Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith appears to be immune from Tim Tebow's considerable charms.
Smith plays catch daily with Cam Newton, a young quarterback he believes is in a different class than the Broncos' signal-caller.
Whatever you say, Cam
Though he thinks Cam Newton could've said it better, Steve Smith didn't take issue with Newton likening himself to a lion trapped in Carolina's losing culture.
"You can't compare Cam to Tebow. I think Cam's a more complete player," Smith said Wednesday, according to the Charlotte Observer. "Tebow has the wins (he's 7-1, compared to Newton's 4-9). But everybody wants to crown Tebow. Yes, he has the will to win. I think Tebow is no different than any other professional. But Tebow has a great opportunity to play behind a great defense."
Smith also takes issue with the idea that Tebow is a versatile player, especially when compared to Newton, who set an NFL record for touchdown runs by a quarterback (13) and is just 167 yards away from erasing Peyton Manning's rookie passing record.
"Versatile would mean you can throw the ball very accurately, run the ball, create things. And the only thing he's creating is running," Smith said of Tebow. "He isn't very accurate. You watch him, I don't think 3-for-10 (after) three quarters is a versatile quarterback."
Smith later added: "If Tebow is standing next to me, I would tell it to his face -- come check me out in five years, Jack, and you'll know who's the best quarterback. Three-for-10 ain't gonna get it."
Smith neatly hits on the main talking points in the anti-Tebow movement. Defense secretly carrying the day? Check. Lacks accuracy to be considered a legitimate passer? Check. Shows signs of being a flash in the pan? Check.
So no, Steve Smith isn't a Tebow fan. If Tebow learns this, he no doubt will pay an outrageously earnest compliment to the wide receiver.
