How many more years does Steve Smith have left in the tank?

[Hoenheim]

what do you think? and who do you think will become our wide receivers of the future (someone on the current roster? some amazing draft prospect?)

and another question, do you think we will continue to be a run oriented team for the rest of the season, even though our two best are out??

[CatMan72]

I think Smitty has a few more years in the tank, but after this season he may want out of Carolina.

I think both Gettis and LaFell are good candidates for the future, but it's so early in the process that it's hard to tell at this point.

We will continue to be a run-oriented team as long as Fox is the HC.

[CarolinaBlue34]

He lost his nitrogen a couple of years ago, hes now running on regular gasoline. I say he may have 3-4 years before the tank goes dry.

[Hoenheim]

Oh yeah, forgot to add he is 31 years old. How long do receivers usually play in the league? (or rather, to what age?)

[CarolinaBlue34]

Oh yeah, forgot to add he is 31 years old. How long do receivers usually play in the league? (or rather, to what age?)

I think Jerry Rice played till he was 40 and T.O is 36, but they weren't human. Id say the cut-off for a player with the caliber of Steve Smith would be 35, that's usually when injuries take place.

[rayzor]

I think Jerry Rice played till he was 40 and T.O is 36, but they weren't human. Id say the cut-off for a player with the caliber of Steve Smith would be 35, that's usually when injuries take place.

like 2 broken arms in 9 months followed by a high ankle sprain?

i know lots of people hate hearing this, but we need to trade him away while he still has value. trade him for a 3rd round pick and then package that pick up with another to get a much younger WR stud. i don't want to waste/spend/whatever more draft picks on rookie WRs. i want his spot to go to a younger more proven commodity.

[TheRealDeal]

i want his spot to go to a younger more proven commodity.

Who is younger AND more proven than SS?

[Dpantherman]

With a fresh new offensive scheme, and a QB that doesn't turn it over or fumble the snap...3-4 years. without it...a few games (at least in Carolina).

[Anybodyhome]

Look carefully at this contract:

5/8/2007: Signed a six-year, $43.85 million contract. The deal included a $9.3 million signing bonus, a $6 million roster bonus in the second year, and a $2 million roster bonus in the third.

2010: $5.75 million

2011: $7 million

2012: $7.75 million

2013: Free Agent

See how backloaded this deal is? He's going from $5.75M a year to $7M a year, a $1.25M raise next season and another $.75M raise the following year. A $2M raise over the next 2 seasons when he's been in the $4-5M range for the last 3 seasons means he is a prime candidate to be a salary cut regardless of the new CBA, based solely upon his declining performance.

[Brooklyn Bully]

Ask Hines Ward.

[Hoenheim]

how come he hasn't been getting too many receptions this season? is it because he can't get open? quarterback not looking for him? offensive line problems?

[Carolinator]

Depends on how much gas is now.

[Kakarot]

Smitty still has 5+ good years left. He's still the heart and soul of this team, so I hope he stays long term, but I kinda doubt it. I really wouldnt blame him, due to this organization being the laughing stock of the league.

[Chaos]

How many threads you got in ya tonight? That's the question.

EDIT: as for the real question, I'd say 2-3 more, but we've seen his best days as an NFL receiver, and that's a tough reality pill to swallow.