Steve Smith was going to retire after the 2014 season

[TN05 3,143]

 

Steve Smith had made up his mind. Last January, in the days following the Carolina Panthers' disappointing one-and-done playoff appearance against the San Francisco 49ers, Smith's heart and body started leading him in the direction of his own one-and-done experience. His decision was clear. He would play one more season with the Panthers, his 14th in Carolina, and then retire, heading home to his burgeoning family and whatever life after football held.

 

"The only people who knew were my close friends and my wife,'' Smith said Wednesday afternoon.

 

"This year was actually going to be my last year in Carolina. I was going to retire. I was done. I had been waking up every day about 3 a.m. and wrestling with some things in my quiet time.

 

"I finally decided and made the commitment to my family. I told them, 'I'm done. I don't think I can do it much longer. My knee was sore and I knew all the work I had put into my career and what it would take. I came to terms with it, that this year was going to be my last year ever playing football.''

But plans can change rapidly in the NFL, and Smith is thankful they did. Days after his surprise release from the Panthers in mid-March, Carolina's all-time leading receiver signed a new lease on his football life, agreeing to a three-year, $11 million deal in Baltimore, with a Ravens organization that has a long and successful history of adding still-productive veterans to its winning mix. The unexpected jolt Smith, 35, received this offseason might have been exactly what he needed, and he's freshly motivated by the possibility of a career-capping three-year run in Baltimore.

Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nfl/news/20140605/steve-smith-baltimore-ravens-john-harbaugh/#ixzz33neVqWwe

Thoughts? IMO there needs to have been better communication between Steve and upper management. We lost money cutting him this year to save money in the long run, but if he was going to retire anyway, why cut him?

[joemac 1,511]

Damn...ain't that a bitch.

[SCP 30,419]

Some of his quotes from that article should be scary for our DBs. He might go for 800 yds and 16 TDs against us. He has a serious axe to grind.

[Sapper 1,282]

I think he gets in 2 more productive years and retires a Panther.  If he's happy to get a 2nd wind then I will root for him.

[fieryprophet 6,834]

There's no way to know if he would have or not. And it's been apparent for a long time that it was not just about the money.

[stirs 6,509]

Then Smith should have made it known to upper management

[joemac 1,511]

I don't think Luke or TD will hesitate to lay his ass out when he tries to go across the middle. That game should be highly entertaining...

[Lumps 1,644]

Don't give a fk about Steve Smith or any other Raven.

[Beast_3000 307]

Yeah Steve will get his self laid out by TD if he starts all that trash talk.

[TN05 3,143]

Then Smith should have made it known to upper management

 

Maybe upper management should have told him they were considering cutting him before they told the press... which is why I said there should have been better communication on both ends. Should Steve have told them first? Sure. Should Gettleman have handled the thing better? Sure.

[SpeedOFLight 577]

The writing was kind of on the wall. He had downsized his home and such. There should have been better communication between both parties in which both are to blame.

[Arroz con Panther 1,759]

I loved Smith, everyone loved Smith, but it's way too easy for him to say that now.

[thomas96 12,440]

I hope in 3 years he puts up 5000 yards for Baltimore and 25 touchdowns, then retires a Panther and a future hall of famer. As OP said though, the communication between the FO and Smitty must've been horrible. We could've kept him and he could've retired and both of us could've been better off. Oh well... I wish Smitty the best in 15 games next year. When we play, and I'll be at that game, I hope Cason or Harper knocks the poo out of him a couple of times.

[Jangler 700]

There's no way to know if he would have or not. And it's been apparent for a long time that it was not just about the money.

 

Yeah, we know know it wasn't about the money, because I'm sure he would have reworked the contract if he was really going to retire after this season.

 

whatever...good luck Smitty in all 15 games.

[WilmyWood 1,003]

As much as I love Smitty and as upset as I was about him leaving, I still can't help but think about how much that dude must have ruffled other Panthers' feathers.  There will be some players looking for a little revenge.  Should be an fun game to watch.