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Panthers, Titans both claim 'Smash and Dash'
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Published: December 13, 2008
CHARLOTTE - The last thing the Carolina Panthers need right now is a major controversy involving one of their best players.
They lead the NFC South with a 10-3 record going into Sunday's home game against the Denver Broncos. They are on the verge of clinching a playoff spot. They could still come away with home-field advantage throughout the playoffs if they win their final three games.
As Coach John Fox stressed in a meeting with a select group of veterans earlier this week, this is the time to focus on football, to avoid the Dom Perignon and the Kool-Aid.
But even in a crucial stretch drive, there's nothing wrong with a playful, light-hearted diversion.
That's what has happened in the past week with running back DeAngelo Williams and The Great Nickname Debate.
Williams has taken a liking to the nickname "Smash and Dash" that he and rookie Jonathan Stewart have been tagged with in recent weeks. Stewart is "Smash" for his power running inside, and Williams is "Dash" for his ability to break long runs.
Problem is, Tennessee's LenDale White claims that he coined the nickname for he and teammate Chris Johnson earlier this season, after the two ran for a combined 317 yards in a win at Kansas City on Oct. 19. White told reporters in Nashville that he has copyrighted the nickname and has printed up "Smash and Dash" T-shirts, with the proceeds going to charity.
"If you go back and show me where they started calling those guys ‘Smash and Dash' first, I'll give them the name," said White, who seems to have first heard of the duplication while watching the Panthers' 38-23 win against Tampa Bay on Monday night.
Copyright for sale
"I will sign it over to them. If we were ‘Smash and Dash' first, they should definitely pay for something, take us to dinner. You don't make that up halfway through the season.... That is phony. That is very phony."
White also suggested that Williams and Stewart be known as "Identity and Theft" -- which is more clever and original than "Smash and Dash."
"I like the Identity and Theft comment," Williams said, after he and White had a cordial 15-minute telephone conversation midweek. "That's pretty good. I couldn't come back with any snazzy comeback. So I won't say anything until I come back with something."
Actually, Williams has said plenty, in a joking way that makes it clear he's enjoying the all the hoopla.
He remains unwilling to concede the nickname to White and Johnson, even though the first verifiable mention of Stewart and Williams as "Smash and Dash" came from Fox's Laura Okmin during the Panthers' win at Oakland on Nov. 9.
"It's not over yet," Williams said. "I'm not giving up that easy.... I will have to fight this thing. He said he has it copyrighted, but I'm waiting on the documents."
Panthers fans, he said, have every right to continue to cheer on "Smash and Dash."
"They can keep doing it, because I didn't come up with it, and Stewart didn't come up with it," Williams said. "When I talked to him, he said he came up with it, but if the fans tag you with that, then it's something special. If the fans want to continue to call us Smash and Dash, we're all for it. They can be the Smash and Dash of the AFC, and we'll be the Smash and Dash of the NFC."
Plenty of alternatives
Williams does seem open to a new nickname, though.
Wide receiver Steve Smith offered up "Razzle and Dazzle" as a possible nickname for Williams and Stewart. Fans have used various Internet sites to offer up "Boom and Zoom," "Will and Steel," "Fire and Brimstone," "Shake and Bake," "Rock ‘Em, Sock ‘Em," "Cruise and Bruise," and the old, reliable "Thunder and Lightning."
"I like the Boom and Zoom," Williams said. "I like the Will and Steel, too. These people are awesome."
Quarterback Jake Delhomme may have come up with the most-clever and most-fitting nickname of all -- "Penn and Teller," after the entertainers known for their Las Vegas magic/comedy act. Penn is the gregarious, outgoing member of the group, much like Williams. Teller remains quiet, which is definitely Stewart.
Of course, there is a way to resolve the situation that both White and Williams would agree to.
The Titans have the best record in the AFC at 12-1, and the Panthers have the second-best record in the NFC, so both could wind up in the Super Bowl. If that happened, the game could turn into a battle for the nickname, a showdown between the two Smashes and Dashes. It would amount to a Loser Leave Town (without a nickname) match.
Or, the duo that winds up with the most rushing yardage at the end of the year could rightfully claim the nickname. Williams and Stewart lead the league as a pair with a combined 1,840 yards. White and Johnson have combined for 1,768 yards.
Either would be added motivation for everyone.
"It's all fun and games," Williams said. "It's fun because it means our backfield is doing something positive, not something negative. Because it could go the other way. As long as we remain productive back there, it's a good thing. It's just about how special this team is this year."
■ John Delong can be reached at jdelong@wsjournal.com.
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