Ihmir Smith-Marsette sparks time-deprived Panthers

TROY HULL | THE CHARLOTTE POST

Ihmir Smith-Marsette ran twice for 33 yards and a touchdown and caught a pass for 18 yards in the Carolina Panthers' 33-30 loss Sunday to Green Bay at Bank of America Stadium.

Ihmir Smith-Marsette appeared to take offense to the notion that he was “just a gadget-type” NFL player. The Carolina Panthers’ new-found sparkplug wants to be known for more.

“I’m not just a gadget guy,” he said Thursday. “I see myself as someone who is working his way into the offense. Wherever they need me. Wherever they find use for me, that’s where I’m going to be at.”

That’s where he was Sunday against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. In the second quarter, he scored on a 20-yard run during the Panthers’ controversial 33-30 loss at Bank of America Stadium.
Smith-Marsette may be playing his way into a bigger offensive role late in this season, but it’s good to have gadgets.

“Definitely,” he said with a grin.

Providing a spark ‘wherever’

Taking advantage of Laviska Shenault Jr.’s injury, Smith-Marsette continues to fill the multi-tool role for offensive coordinator Thomas Brown.

Along with the touchdown Sunday, which brought Carolina back from their first double-digit deficit, Smith-Marsette also ran for 13 yards for a key second half first down.

“Ihmir has been doing a great job,” quarterback Bryce Young said during his post-game press conference. “We’re starting to see it more on Sundays. What you don’t see is how hard he is working during the week, practicing super hard. That’s someone who’s worked his way up to earn the snaps he’s getting.”

Someone taking advantage of the gadget plays he is being awarded.

But don’t call Smith-Marsette a “gadget player.”

Even if most of his snaps come on diversion-type plays. Defenses are beginning to recognize the trend. Still, there’s still one thing left, Smith-Marsette pointed out Sunday:

“They gotta stop it. That’s the biggest thing. They know about it, of course. Everyone’s seen it now. They say 11 … 11 … 11 … He’s going in motion. They gotta go out there and stop it, man.”
Green Bay couldn’t on Smith-Marsette second-quarter TD run when he beat Packers defenders to the edge.

The Panthers are finding additional needs for providing Smith-Marsette time and space.

“I think he’s a player that kind of keeps growing,” interim coach Chris Tabor said. “His role is beginning to expand on offense, which I’m excited to see. I just think whatever opportunity he gets, he’ll take advantage of.”

Following Thursday’s practice, Smith-Marsette anticipated getting additional touches against the Packers.

“I hope I do get some touches against Green Bay,” he said. “Last week, getting those touches felt pretty good, really, really good, actually.”

Out of time, fall short

Sparked by Smith-Marsette and receivers finding holes in the Packers’ secondary, Young had a breakout outing, completing 23-of-35 passes for a career-best 312 yards. He hit D.J. Chark Jr. for two fourth quarter scoring passes, pulling the Panthers even with 4:05 remaining.

Packers kicker Anders Carlson hit what proved to be a clinching 32-yarder with 19 seconds left. The Panthers “didn’t get the job done,” Young said. “It stings.”

The Panthers fell to 2-13, while the Packers, who remain alive in the NFC playoff race, improved to 7-8.

The Panthers rallied from a 30-16 fourth quarter deficit, but fell a second short of trying a potential game-tying field goal. Following a deep, over-the-middle pass to Adam Thielen, Young attempted to spike the ball to stop the clock.

Too late.

“We ran out of time,” Tabor said.

The Panthers entered Sunday ranked 31st in passing net yards per game (164.9), 30th in total yards per game (270.9) and 29th in points per game (14.7), but against the Packers, Young said the offense “was as good as we looked. It’s a good building block.”

“Those guys made plays,” Tabor said.

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