The receiver who took over Steve Smith’s locker this fall was never expected to replace the best player in Panthers’ history.During Jason Avant’s first eight NFL seasons — all spent with the Eagles — the most receptions he had in a year was 53. Smith caught more than that during 10 of his 13 seasons in Carolina.The most receiving yards Avant had in a year was 679. Smith has 711 yards in just nine games with the Ravens.Avant has 13 receiving touchdowns in his career. Smith has 71.The biggest reason the Panthers signed Avant was they hoped he could help with something Smith was never great at — mentoring the team’s young receivers.“I think having those types of minds in the locker room when you’re a rookie gives you an advantage,” Kelvin Benjamin, this year’s first-round draft pick said. “He knows pretty much every coverage. He’s seen all scenarios.”Smith knows all that stuff, too, but patience with younger players was never his best virtue. Avant comes nowhere close to giving the Panthers as much on the field as Smith did, but he does act as a better teacher in the locker room.”I’ve learned a lot on the field, off the field. Small things like just keeping your body healthy,” Benjamin said. “As a rookie, you don’t know much about taking care of your body for the long run.”One of the maintenance secrets Benjamin has picked up from Avant — acupuncture.
Jason Avant, Panthers Receiver/Mentor, Returns to Philadelphia
