How many coaches would have suspended their biggest playmaker two games for a preseason in-house fight? Training camp fights between teammates happen all the time, most are reported, others are not.
When Steve Smith clocked teammate Ken Lucas while he was reportedly kneeling with his helmet off, looking the other way, Carolina Panthers head coach John Fox made the appropriate decision.
Regardless of the potential damaging effects on the offense, Fox suspended the team's best player for the first two games of the season. Smith was no doubt going to be missed against the Chargers and Bears' defenses, but Fox was focused on doing what was right. That type of skirmish between teammates can't be tolerated and even at the professional level, a team needs to understand there will be consequences.
As a result, the Carolina Panthers are now a better team after learning to win without Smith. And Smith is likely a better teammate, realizing he's just one small part of the offense that can operate without him if necessary.
When we've got coaches like Marvin Lewis who eschew character in favor of talent in hopes of saving their job, it's nice to see Fox take the disciplined route and still be rewarded. There's little surprise that the Bengals have started their season 0-2, while the Panthers are 2-0.
There's more to winning in the NFL than having talented playmakers. Discipline and teamwork trumps that every time. It'd be nice to see John Fox win NFL coach of the year.
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