Panthers 2018 season opener countdown: 11 days to go There are just 11 days until the Panthers kick off the 2018 regular season. Today’s player is wide receiver Torrey Smith.Torrey Smith Blue Kawann Short Jersey , Wide receiverBioHeight: 6’0”Weight: 205 lbsAge: 29College: MarylandNFL Experience: 8 yearsSmith came to Carolina in a trade that sent cornerback Darryl Worley to the Eagles. Since his arrival, Smith has made an impression for two different reasons: making plays in practice and being out spoken on issues about which he is passionate.He was acquired by the Panthers for much the same reasons as new teammate Jarius Wright. Since then, he has stepped up in training camp and earned the No. 2 receiver spot. Both Smith and Wright provide a boost of speed and a solid veteran presence in the wide receiver’s room. Smith had a bit of a down year last year, numbers wise, with an Eagles offense that was happy to spread the ball around, but don’t let that fool you. He is only 29 and not too far removed from his days as a top wide out in Baltimore. There is no guarantee that he will hold on to the starting job opposite Devin Funchess for the whole season, but he has shown the skill for it in the past and — for now — it is his job to lose.Off the field is a much easier story to tell Blue Cam Newton Jersey , if new owner David Tepper doesn’t batten down the hatches on his team’s public communications the way his predecessor did. Smith is trying to move the player’s movements for social justice from protests on the field towards actions in the community through his work with the Player’s Coalition. He has also taken the time to explain the simple difference between protesting during the national anthem and protesting the national anthem. A clear and passionate voice speaking to common issues is exactly what sports should elevate. Torrey Smith is that. I, for one, am hoping that he plays well enough this year on the football field to merit keeping his voice in the Carolinas for years to come. The Carolina Panthers have added safety Dezmen Southward to their practice squad to replace Josh Hawkins, who was activated to the 53-man roster last week when Da’Norris Searcy was placed on injured reserve.Southward has been with the Panthers on and off again since 2016. He was active for one game in 2017 and spent the rest of his time on the practice squad.The Panthers only have three active safeties on the 53-man roster (Mike Adams, Colin Jones, Rashaan Gaulden), so there’s a chance that Southward will be activated after the bye week just to give the Panthers more depth at the position. While I know that bringing in Southward is a good idea to add bodies to the room Cam Newton Jersey 2019 , there’s another way the Panthers could add not only depth, but quality at the safety position—sign Eric Reid. He’s available, he’s talented, he’s young and he fills a need. There’s no good reason to let a perfectly good solution to one of the defense’s biggest problems go to waste. Bring him in Marty, even if it’s only a one-year deal, and fix the lack of safety depth before it becomes a real issue.