OT: Steve Smith punches out Ken Lucas in CAR camp

[RugbyMuffin]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d809a8482&template=with-video&confirm=true

"While training camps often include shoving matches between teammates, this melee occurred on the sidelines and after both players had taken off their helmets in a break for starters during a special teams drill. It was unclear what provoked the fight. While the two have routinely jawed at each other in practice since Lucas signed with Carolina in 2005, they've never come to blows in view of reporters."

"A three-time Pro Bowl pick, Smith has had trouble controlling his temper. He was suspended for a game in 2002 after punching teammate Anthony Bright during a film session. Smith received counseling for anger management, and a lawsuit filed by Bright was eventually settled out of court" Link: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/panthers/2002-11-22-smith_x.htm

Muhammad said. "I'm just praying that we rally together as a team, because obviously there's going to be some adversity here. The focus is not where it needs to be right now."

BUT, to be fair the broken orbital bone is a rumor:
http://www.profootballtalk.com/2008/08/01/should-steve-smith-be-suspended/

Furthermore, I was not a sucker punch. The two seemed to be jawing at each other for quite a while before it. But I have also read that the Panthers D-fense was REALLY REALLY P.O.'d/ Thus Fox has to tell the team there is to be no reliation against Smith.

 

[cardsfanmd]

If my brother broke my orbital bone, I could care less of circumstance. He would have to sleep with one eye open for a looooong time. He would get a bat to the face brother or not.

Boys will be boys is not an excuse for stupidity. Boys will be boys doesn't keep you out of prision, or out of court.

I am not saying my brother and I didn't fight. Or that I have not had my stupid moments out on a rugby field with a team mate. But I have NEVER and would never be looking to injure a team mate or family member to that degree. And calling it an accident is no excuse.

Some call it toughness, I call it a lack of self control, which I consider a weakness, coupled with insercurity.

Smith is the farthest thing from being a bad ass, IMO. It sounds like he has a napoleon complex, and heaven forbid if he ran into a true bad ass, cause he would get his arse handed to him for the same reasons he lashed out like he did today. I'd like to see his 5'9" 185 arse go up against a LB, or defensive linemen and see what it is REALLY like to have someone stomp on you. See if he would like a beaten with no restraint from one of those boys.

Call it a femine idea if you want, but Smith was the one acting like a little spoiled brat bitch as far as I am concerned.

I hope Lucas presses charges, and we can see how "it just was a fight" excuse holds up.

Stupid. Period.

You just proved my point. I wasn't being an advocate of him breaking the guy's face. I was just saying a scuffle here and and there isn't always attempted murder.

I do doubt that he was thinking, "wow, I am gonna try to break this guy's orbital bone" when he threw the punch. I have had mine broke in a fight and have broken a bone or two in other guy's equipment too, but it was never intended. it just takes a quick jab in the right (wrong) spot.

I dont have any opinions of Steve Smith as a man. I dont care. He isn't a Cardinal and never will be so the guy's never been on my radar. Personally I would love to see suspended for the season, as it would help our team.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

I do doubt that he was thinking, "wow, I am gonna try to break this guy's orbital bone" when he threw the punch. I have had mine broke in a fight and have broken a bone or two in other guy's equipment too, but it was never intended. it just takes a quick jab in the right (wrong) spot.

Understood. As I said I have been in a scuffle or two myself. But it is best to keep your wits about yourself in those situations. Even if you are in full rage. What if that "I didn't mean to hit you there blow" cracks the guys temple?

Just sayin' I am not making myself out to be Mr.Devistation but I am a pretty big guy. One wrong swing and I could have a dead person lying in front of me. The chances are slim, yes, but still. Not worth the risk.

The world is just a different place these days. You just can't get into that kind of confrontation. It is just stupid.

But don't get me wrong. As I said, I have been in those stupid situations myself. More so when I was younger, so I am not hoiler than thou is this situation.

I do agree (bad karma alert) this will hurt the Panthers. Smith is going to be suspended by the team, and no one has thought of this yet, but Goodell could get involved since this is Smith's second instance of this kind of violence, and the last one resulted in charges being pressed against him.

IF Lucas has suffered and injury like the rumored broken orbital bone, or jaw he could be lost for the season, and the Panthers CB situation is not looking to good.

 

[Sandan]

Not everybody thinks that that starting a fight is ok and acceptable.

Some of us actually think there are better ways manage our interpersonal realtions

 

[cardsfanmd]

Glad I didn't say that it was OK to start fights so that someone wasn't insinuating the thoughts that go on in my head and further slandering me on this board. That would suck. Then I would probably quote him and say something decent in return.

whew-- glad it wasn't me.

 

[HeavyB3]

Beats getting the crap beaten out of you at a nightclub..

Wait was that even Ken Lucus?

 

[scXfreakX]

Weak. Punching out teammates.

 

[ajcardfan]

In your opinion. Some less feminine folks would just say boys will be boys from time to time.

And this less feminine person thinks Smith is a hot-headed ****** and I hope he never plays for the Cardinals.

 

[Sandan]

Hmm, suggesting that folks who don't agree its ok are feminine ?

 

[Brian]

Jesus.

Two guys came to blows. One guy won and one lost. That's what happens.

Big deal.

Ken Lucas will live.

Every single team in football has a fight in training camp every single year. Whoopie-doo.

 

[Sandan]

In this case there was some fairly serious injury.

 

[ShadowGBQ]

It's really good news in the sense that this could hurt the Panthers in several ways, and if it's bad for them, it's good for us. I wouldn't wish these two men ill if they were strangers but they are members of the enemy camp. I hope the injury is bad enough to keep Lucas out and the longer Smith is suspended or the team is embroiled in a legal scandal, the better.

 

[nurnay]

Smith sounds like a bit of a thug. He's done this once before, and this reeks of the Michael Westbrook - Stephen Davis beatdown back in the day. Smith tends to be the guy that calls everyone out when he deems their level of play to not be up to his standards.

Call it Napolean complex, whatever. This stinks of a guy that's a prototypical a-hole. It won't stop me from drafting him in my FF leagues, though.

 

[RonF]

Not everybody thinks that that starting a fight is ok and acceptable.

Some of us actually think there are better ways manage our interpersonal realtions

I agree. Much better to say, "Yes dear," rather than continuing losing the argument.

 

[Southpaw]

Anger management might be an oxymoron. Sort of like passive aggression.

 

[cardsfanmd]

Hmm, suggesting that folks who don't agree its ok are feminine ?

No, I suggested suggesting that folks who go out of their way to call my opinion

dumb and backwards.

when I said nothing to insult them may be acting a bit feminine about the whole thing.

Jesus.

Two guys came to blows. One guy won and one lost. That's what happens.

Big deal.

Ken Lucas will live.

Every single team in football has a fight in training camp every single year. Whoopie-doo.

THANK YOU!!!!!!!! Finally some sense here.

In this case there was some fairly serious injury.

Actually, if you read any of the current articles on the subject you wouldn't write this as the team has yet to report any injuries.

It's really good news in the sense that this could hurt the Panthers in several ways, and if it's bad for them, it's good for us. I wouldn't wish these two men ill if they were strangers but they are members of the enemy camp. I hope the injury is bad enough to keep Lucas out and the longer Smith is suspended or the team is embroiled in a legal scandal, the better.

 

[100%CardsFan]

People I guess are different and Im not pushing my opinon on anyone Im just saying that if someone is in your face talking bad then you should punch them first so you dont get hit, or if they say something very offensive like "your brother is a ******" Which btw someone told me in high school I busted his nose right after. Im sorry but the "Talk it out" thing just doesnt work in my life.

 

[cardsfanmd]

From what I read, this thing has been brewing since '05, so I just have a hard time putting all of the blame on Smith.

 

[MigratingOsprey]

I used to fight a lot - i have two brothers, the younger one had too much of an age gap, but the older brother and I went at it - hard ........ kids used to talk crap in school and i responded by throwing blows

unfortunately it took until about mid way through 10th grade before I realized how stupid it all was

i don't let other peoples shortcomings put me in a bad situation - words are just that and my pride is never low and self confidence never empty

i can walk away and laugh it off now - which is so much nicer

if someone is being physical or somehow finds the line that shouldn't be crossed that's one thing ......... but everyday BS is just that

boys will be boys - a lot of us are built with competition in mind - always wondering if we could get the better of someone else

however, these guys are supposed to be men - supposed to be professionals - supposed to be working toward a common goal

if there is flare up in the heat of competition - with all the pads and BS on - that's fine

when that's done and you are in the film room, or on the sideline, cooling off, outside of the game and feel it's a good idea to attack a teamate and injure them ........ then that's just stupid, immature, irresponsible and bad for the team

it's also selfish if you don't care about winning - if you do care then it's just extra stupid

everyone works with people they don't like - fighting them doesn't do anything though except put your own job in jeapordy ...... also sometimes that jerk may help you gain success in a team environment so you suck it up

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Beats getting the crap beaten out of you at a nightclub..

Wait was that even Ken Lucus?

Former teammate Ken Hamlin

 

[MigratingOsprey]

yeah - hamlin got jacked with a stop sign and had his skull fractured - but that's cool, he was both protecting his pride and defending his family, so i'm sure it was totally worth it

i think it was javon walker who was most recently worked in vegas

those are the two most notable that come to mind

 

[Redheart]

Q for Smith, straight up.

 

[Sandan]

boys will be boys - a lot of us are built with competition in mind - always wondering if we could get the better of someone else

however, these guys are supposed to be men - supposed to be professionals - supposed to be working toward a common goal

Absolutely

 

[Sandan]

Anger management might be an oxymoron.

No I don't agree, I certainly understand the need to manage ones anger.

As Osprey said, you can learn to deal with it. He isn't the only one that had a short fuse when he was a child, then he grew up. I was there as well.

 

[justAndy]

Are you sure it was a sucker punch? And some people have different definitions of what a sucker punch is. If someone is in your face talking a mess you SHOULD hit them first if you think it is going to go to fisticuffs, If you dont you might be the one knocked out. I think a sucker punch is walking up behind someone or up to them when they are not expecting it. If he was all up in Steves face then it isnt a sucker punch. He just bombed first which is the best way to go.

face to face it's just throw before he does, but when i see the words "sucker-punch" i take it to mean situation apparently calm then pow!