Where do you honestly see Smitty on the All Time Receiver list?

[MooreToSmitty]

Let's put our love for one of our favorite players aside and look at how he's played and what he's had to play in.

The four time pro-bowl, three time all-pro receiver has had 574 receptions, 8330 yards, a 14.5 yard average., 68.8 yards per game, and 50 TDs. All of this over nine years, one of which he only played one game.

He has these kind of stats playing in a predominately running-based team, where much of the time the 5'9 receiver was double teamed. Despite that, he was still able to stretch the field, whether it was grabbing the deep ball, risking himself over the middle, or gaining YAC on a screen.

He's also one of only 7 players in NFL history to hold the Triple Crown for receiving, achieved by greats like Jerry Rice and Sterling Sharpe.

Right now I have him 16 on my list when you look at all aspects of the game and what he's had to deal with.

Taking all of this into consideration, where is Steve Smith on your all time receiver list, keeping in mind that he still has some good years left in his career?

[beckersteen]

Well I have seen him take over games before and for a WR that's hard to do. Even the best WRs don't take over games by themselves. I think since 2005 only two WRs have more yards than him (I think Fitzgerald and Andre??). He would easily be recognized as one of the best if he was in a big market franchise.

As far as a list of all time I would put him top 20. If he can finish his career strong it could hit top 10. If he could be in another Super Bowl that would certainly help

[E CaT PanTHer]

He's definitely up there. However there's a lot of guys that have retired recently (or close to retiring) that have had far better careers than smitty. Guys like Rice, Cris Carter, Marvin Harrison, Terell Owens, Randy Moss, just to name a few. I started this thread last year about Smitty and his chances at being a hall of famer.

http://www.carolinahuddle.com/forum/carolina-panthers/28777-steve-smith-a-sure-lock-for-the-hof.html

[CRA]

as of right now, he isn't a blip on the all time radar. Smitty will have to get a ring and have a few more postseason appearances of big play imo to get alltime talk.

[HPPantherzfan]

I think if Smith were in a different offense and had a better passing QB throwing to him for his entire career he would be top 10 easily...now, while the best ever Panther he probably doesn't rank all that high in the history of the NFL

[beckersteen]

He's definitely up there. However there's a lot of guys that have retired recently (or close to retiring) that have had far better careers than smitty. Guys like Rice, Cris Carter, Marvin Harrison, Terell Owens, Randy Moss, just to name a few. I started this thread last year about Smitty and his chances at being a hall of famer.

http://www.carolinahuddle.com/forum/carolina-panthers/28777-steve-smith-a-sure-lock-for-the-hof.html

I think the lack of attention in a small market franchise will hold him back from being a HOFer.

[malik]

#1

[thefuzz]

Probably shouldn't be in the top 35 or so, but my homerism is wanting him to be higher than that.

[PanthersPhan18]

I think if Smith were in a different offense and had a better passing QB throwing to him for his entire career he would be top 10 easily...now, while the best ever Panther he probably doesn't rank all that high in the history of the NFL

Exactly! With Manning as his qb, he would definitely be and known as one of the very best receivers this game has seen. The talent is there, but the stats aren't.

[natty]

In different situations he'd be considered one of the best all time but that can be said for a lot of great players. Most of the top guys had very good QBs throwing them the ball. The stats just aren't there.

[rayzor]

I think the lack of attention in a small market franchise will hold him back from being a HOFer.

right now on the all time lists he is:

96th in TDs (tied for it with 6 other guys)... he has 15-20 more TDs and he might get noticed.

68th in receptions.... at 574 he could get in the discussion if he gets another couple hundred.

64th in receiving yards... he is sitting on 8330 right now but it's going to take probably another 3000 yards to get in there.

in addition to a ring or two, if he plays to 35 years old he will probably need to have a minimum of 60 receptions, 950 yards, 7 TDs a year. that will get him pretty safely into the top 15 in each category. add in a ring and there and he'll be a shoe in.

[Wither]

As far as I'm concerned he's the best receiver to play the game and will always be.

[SuperLego5]

If you followed Smiths career(like us Panthers fans) you realise how much he has overcome; injuries, height, run first team etc... and you rate him alot higher than his stats show. Sadly he's from a small market team so is judged purely on his stats and any other reasons he makes the headlines(off the field issues).

If I was rating Smith on talent and heart I think he is one of the greatest ever to play the game, with a Manning or a Favre throwing to him he would break records.

What makes Smith so great are his intangibles such as his passion and fire. Other fans don't see that so he will never be rated as high as we rate him.

[Seal (SmittyIsOurSavior)]

*Sniffle* Only God knows, I dunno.