"Steve Smith spent most of 2010 with a scowl on his face, and talked to Panthers owner Jerry Richardson late in the season about a possible trade.

But Smith is a happy receiver these days.

Smith, in his 11th season with the Panthers, said the offensive philosophy of the new coaching staff has been a refreshing change following the worst season of his career. Smith said offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski is using him in innovative ways that John Fox's staff would talk about, but never implement.

"I respect coach Fox and I respect the offensive coordinators that have been here. But at the same time I'm a wide receiver. Run blocking is not my forte," Smith said Saturday following the two-hour Fan Fest at Bank of America Stadium.

"It is nice to have layers, have multiple sets, not to just be stacking to one spot for 70 plays. I get to line up in different spots. It's just refreshing. It's not saying, 'Well, we're going to move you around,' and then never do it. Here they're actually saying it and it's happening. It's not just me. It's other guys as well.""