Carolina Panthers WR Steve Smith calls ref ‘garbage’

Carolina Panthers veteran wide receiver Steve Smith was not very happy with the officials in Sunday’s 22-6 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

“No. 64, he was garbage,” Smith told David Newton of ESPN.com. “There is a lot of things I would let him hold, but nothing valuable.”

Smith felt there were several bad calls in the game, but was especially upset about one in particular.

In the second half, Smith caught pass on third down and eight and dove for the marker. He appeared to get the first down, but the official called him down after six yards. The Panthers eventually challenged the spot and the call was reversed, but Smith thought the call should have been obvious immediately.

“When I dove for the first down, he was standing right there,” Smith said of Ferrell. “He didn’t even acknowledge that. He received a check that day. I hope he feels good, because he was terrible.”

On the season, the 13-year veteran has 18 receptions for 203 yards and one touchdowns. The 1-3 Panthers will get back to work Sunday when they travel to Minnesota to take on the Vikings.