The Facts: Panthers HC Ron Rivera recently spent time with Chad Knaus, crew chief for six-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson, according to ESPN.com's David Newton. Rivera, took a few pointers that might help his team succeed in 2014 despite a shaved roster. Rivera used one of those lessons to indirectly throw some shade at Smith. "This guy may jack the car up a 10th of a second faster, but he doesn't work as well together with others," Rivera said, "while this guy may be a 10th of a second slower, yet he works well with everybody. We're the same way. It's about, 'How does this guy fit in the locker room?'"

Diehards Line: As NFL.com notes, though not named, it's hard not to read that quote as a shot at Smith, considering the Panthers dumped the veteran receiver after it was leaked that he was becoming a locker room distraction. ... Again, the repeated jabs at Smith are hard to understand, especially given Smith's high-strung nature. Also given the fact that Baltimore, Smith's new team, will play Carolina this season in a game that becomes of greater interest every time Rivera opens his mouth.