Time to get back to work

——————————————————

Hey Darin, I have been a Panthers fan since 2000, formerly a Saints fan (the Mike Ditka years wore me out). I came across a familiar name on the coaching staff, Carl Smith. What exactly does a senior offensive consultant do? — Marshall, Memphis, TN

He consults, of course, with the benefit of his decades in the game (hence the senior part).

Mostly, that means he offers perspective to Canales, Idzik, Bevell, and the rest of them, because he’s literally seen it all over the years. It’s not an everyday position, but he offers the benefit of experience to what is still a young staff. And because of the amount of time he’s been in the same systems as many of these guys, there’s a consistency there, a comfort speaking the same language.

Plus, the man goes by the nickname Tater, and when you’ve got the opportunity to add a Tater to your staff, one simply must.

Plus, I’ve been told by no less an authority than Jake Delhomme that he’s one of the funniest people in league history. Smith coached Delhomme during his time in Cleveland, and they have some stories.

Speaking of Delhomme, he might have been the final straw for you.

In 1999, his second NFL start in what would be the last game of the Ditka era came here, where the Panthers were trying to run up the score to sneak into the playoffs on a points-differential tiebreaker. Delhomme did his part for his future team by throwing four interceptions as the Panthers rolled to a 45-13 win.

If you lived through that game as a Saints fan and decided to cast your lot here, you’ve seen some things. As a reward, we’ll make you this week’s Friend Of The Mailbag and get the appropriate honorarium on the way soon.