Smith's return among few early positives

(By Scott Fowler, sfowler@charlotteobserver.com) Carolina receiver Steve Smith saw his first preseason action of 2009 after missing two games with a shoulder injury. His physical, confrontational style hasn't changed a bit.Smith blasted Ravens cornerback Domonique Foxworth out of bounds with a big block on Carolina's first play. Later, Smith caught his first pass, tried to stiff-arm Foxworth and ended up drawing a face-mask penalty. But at least Smith was using that formerly injured shoulder with authority. Later, he did stiff-arm Foxworth on a 26-yard run off a flanker screen. Smith's return was one of the most positive things about a very uneven game for Carolina.The Panthers' first-team defense seemed to have forgotten what a three-and-out was during the first half, but it certainly understood 10-and-in. Baltimore had long touchdown marches on two of its first three drives – one a 90-yarder. Quarterback Joe Flacco repeatedly whipped the Panthers D, throwing ...