Just called in to NFL radio on Sirius

[Lumps]

It's not that I hate Smitty. I enjoyed watching him for his skill. As far as his drama and theatrics, I really couldn't care less, it doesn't interest me. That said, now that he isn't a Panther...I feel indifferent towards him. I honestly don't understand how you guys watch football caring about characters and drama and bullshit. It's just a sport and the skill of the player is really the only thing that matters outside extremes. I feel like I couldn't watch and enjoy the sport if I actually gave two shits about the drama. Kind of like actors.

[t96]

Except for those multiple times be was arrested for assaulting another human being.

The one time that he was arrested when he busted a teammate (can't even remember who) in the film room (basically on the field) over a decade ago? That makes him a shitty human being? Interesting. So everybody who ever got in a fight with somebody when they were in their young twenties and beat the sh*t out of them is a shitty human being for the rest of their life? Guess I'm a PoS that should just end my life now then, because I busted more than a few noses when I was a kid, and I'm sure there are others here who have as well.

 

Edit: and I'm pretty sure charges were dismissed on that anyways, so he has no "record."

[SIGCHI222]

Steve Smith was a player of ours A.S.N.

None of this is going to be relevant A.V.

[Mol3m4n]

"Who cares how Steve felt, he got money!" :rolleyes:

[goodoleboy]

The best part of that show was when Steve told a story about going against Champ Baily in 2003. He said he put a move on him early and beat him for an 8 or 9 yard gain. Champ adjusted and shut that move down for the next 6 or 7 plays. Steve admitted to getting frustrated and showing his ass. Ricky Proehl came up to him on the sidelines and told Steve to get his head out his ass. Said they would need him to make a play to win that game. Good stuff.

[CarolinaXblue]

People in this town get too butthurt and attached to players. They'd rather see a player stay that isn't cutting it or that doesn't wanna be here so they don't give 100 percent. Like peppers, not saying he didn't give 100 percent, but he got tired of losing. I know there was also some disagreements on defensive settings and positioning but damn. And smitty, it was a business decision and everyone wants to cry about it. Let him go. Look at the young talent we've brought in. More potential there then smitty alone can produce. Doesn't mean I don't love the dude but people gotta let it go.

[The NFL Shield At Midfield]

even if steve smith was on the roster and had announced his retirement after the end of the 2014 season we'd still be paying him going in to the 2015 season.  when this debate was raging last year there was an article on overthecap that concluded that we'd still owe him at least $9 million in that case.  it's possible we would have been sweating cam and luke's extensions a little more right now instead of looking at one as a done deal and the other as an inevitability.

edit:

i found the article.  here is the exact nugget i was thinking of:

If the Panthers leave the contract as is that will lock them into a charge of at least $6 million in 2015 even if he retires or is released.

http://overthecap.com/steve-smiths-contract-situation-carolina-panthers/

at least a $6 million cap charge, possibly more depending on how some of the specifics would have broken down