Carolina Panthers to get even better with Steve Smith

Wow, the Panthers are 2-0. How about that eh?

Yes, the same team that has sucked on that field the last couple of years are perfect so far after two weeks into the 2008-09 NFL football season.

After two improbable comebacks against the Chargers and another against the Bears, the Carolina Panthers have put up an undefeated 2-0 record for the first time since 2003.

And while the Panthers may already have a Super Bowl run in mind, things should get a little better with Steve Smith returning after the team suspended him for two games for breaking the nose of teammate Ken Lucas in a training camp fight.

Smith is the leading receiver for this Carolina Panthers team the last few seasons and having him back should give Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme even more options down field.

''He's ready to roll,'' Carolina Panthers head coach John Fox said. ''Obviously he's excited to be back and excited that we're 2-0.''

Yeah sure, any coach should be excited to have a player of his caliber back on the field. But while the head coach may be giggling with anticipation, are the players also as excited as him? More specifically, Ken Lucas who got his nose shattered by the guy?

For what it's worth, the Panthers claim they have gotten over any hard feelings created by Smith's sucker punch on his cornerback. They also claim that Smith has already apologized to the team, especially to Lucas and Lucas has accepted.

The Panthers have the 0-2 Minnesota Vikings next Sunday and Carolina having Smith will definitely spread up that tight Vikings defense a little bit, the same defense that ranked no.1 in the league last season.

Who will win Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa, Florida? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

New York Giants 17.00

New England Patriots 4.50

Dallas Cowboys 7.00

Indianapolis Colts 8.50

Want more odds? Visit Bodog sportsbook for more football betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

Steve Smith Carolina Panthers