" The oldest position player on the Carolina Panthers roster moves left and then right, with simple and precise moves, and then moves right again and he's open near the sideline and the ball is in his hands.

Steve Smith, 32, always thinks he's open. On Wednesday, he is. Cornerback Captain Munnerlyn comes back once, reacting quickly, and slaps the ball out of Smith's hands. Otherwise, at least early in practice, the part that's open to the media as opposed to cloaked in darkness and mystery, nobody can stay with Smith.

Did you know Smith is open?

Says Carolina quarterback Cam Newton talking about his conversations with Smith: "One man on him, 'I'm open.' Two men, 'Give me a chance.' Three men ...'Throw it up and see what happens.'

"Don't ever tell Steve that he's covered," says Newton. "You might get one of those looks.""