Panthers receiver Steve Smith took the blame for Jake Delhomme's costly interception against the Cowboys on Monday night.
Frustrated by his inability to get open and navigate double-teams, Smith altered his route late in the fourth quarter. He stayed outside instead of running inside as Delhomme expected.
The result was a Dallas interception that resulted in a 27-yard return for the game-clinching touchdown.
"Jake was expecting me to cross his face," Smith said. "I should have crossed his face and I didn't cross his face. I put Jake in a bad situation. I second-guessed my route and I shouldn't have. The bottom line is that I screwed Jake."
Smith didn't want Delhomme taking the blame for another loss.
"I am a firm believer in calling a spade a spade," added Smith. "Jake, for many years, has expected me to cross a guy's face. Nine out of ten times I cross his face. This is the one time I didn't and I screwed us. (Cowboys cornerback Terence Newman) was playing a cover two technique. He was taking the inside away. He did a good job. Terence Newman did a good job all day. They had a very good game plan. They stuck to it. On that play I was impatient and it didn't work. It was not up to the caliber it should have been and what's expected of me and what I'm used to doing."
Smith Botched Route On Delhomme's Interception