Losing makes people stupid.

The angst that has come from Carolina Panthers fans over their team's collapse from 6-2 to 6-6 isn't necessarily misplaced, but it has generated some kneejerk reactions to the state of affairs. Perhaps the biggest reactionary takes have concerned head coach Ron Rivera, who in four weeks' time has gone from widely regarded as the best coach in the history of the team to the target of angry Internet and sports radio mobs calling for his job.

Having played for three years under Rivera, Panthers great Steve Smith witnessed first hand Rivera's rise from a by-the-book playcaller who struggled to win close games to "Riverboat Ron", a two-time NFL Coach of the Year. But Smith also witnessed the highs and lows of two other head coaching regimes: The fall of head coach George Seifert in 2001, and the rise and fall of John Fox. With those experiences in mind, Smith offered his thoughts on rumors concerning Rivera's standing with first-year owner David Tepper, while also giving words of warning to Panthers fans who want Rivera gone over the Panthers' losing streak.

"Mr. Tepper has every right to do whatever he wants to do, but you also have to look at where he's come from: He's come from the Pittsburgh Steelers. He understands sometimes you're gonna have bad games, bad years," said Smith on WFNZ's Garcia & Bailey. "But making a immediate change when you're not sure what's out there - who you gonna go get? Who's better out there? Do you want to really start over with some of these key pieces?"

Smith cautioned that if the Panthers opt to blow up their current coaching staff and start all over with many of their key pieces still in place, there's little guarantee that those key pieces - like Cam Newton and Luke Kuechly - will still be around and playing for the Panthers in five or so years.

Smith stressed that it takes time to build anything successful, citing his experience in Rivera's early years where the fourth head coach of the Panthers did not have instant success. And having endured the Panthers' two worst seasons ever in 2001 (1-15) and 2010 (2-14), Smith put things into perspective for fans who think things are bad for the team now.

"I've been through a rebuilding process. I've also witnessed a rebuilding process with other organizations," said Smith. "Hell, we witnessed 25 years of rebuilding process by the Cleveland Browns. And how's that going? 27 quarterbacks later, they finally - they hope, they think - they got the right quarterback. So be careful what you wish for."

Overall, Smith expressed support not only for Rivera, but for first-year defensive coordinator Eric Washington, by stressing patience with what the Panthers are doing.

"(Washington) needs some help, and there's nothing wrong with that. Coach Rivera, he wasn't successful the first day on the job. Everybody learns, and people have to be patient," said Smith. "The old adage: Rome wasn't built in a day, it was built brick-by-brick. A home is built brick-by-brick. And that's why it takes a certain period of time to build a quality home. And that's what the Carolina Panthers are trying to do."