Smith could break Rice's record at a younger age

[mj4life]

where do you see way? and besides im just giving messing with p55.

i put it in myself, age really doesn't factor in either's production is all i'm saying

[Iceberg Slim]

thinking Steve has about another 2 years performing at his current level of production and then a fall off too a number 2..who steps up in the current core, who knows but I am kind of leaning towards LeFell.....that kid has some talent that is being under-utilized

[SauceBoss]

If we sign a veteran wide reciever rather than drafting one in the 2nd round, we won't find a replacement.

[SOJA]

4 more only one of those as number 2

[PhillyB]

i give him another two years with this sort of productivity, and then he'll start falling off.

i expect we'll do like others have suggested and update the WR corps so he can still play as a number two or slot receiver and still be productive.

to that end i think he'll be with the team for as long as he can play. he wants a shot at the HOF more than anyone and as long as cam continues to be incredible and smitty is having fun, i think he'll stay on the team as long as he's physically able.

[panthers55]

i put it in myself, age really doesn't factor in either's production is all i'm saying

Actually the age that could matter might be the quarterback not just the receiver. Right now Brady is having a career year at the age of 34. Manning is 35 and suddenly missed a year and had serious neck surgery after being healthy for a decade. Who thought that Manning would just fall apart and need 3 neck surgeries in less than a year.

I think that with Newton being so young and potentially durable, he will be around well after Smith retires.

Brady on the other hand could play for another 4 or 5 years or could suddenly tail off as other quarterbacks have done after a particularly vicious hit.

Brees will be 33 at the end of this season. All of these guys are on the downside of their careers age wise although they seem to be peaking from a production point of view.

[Panthers128]

Technically Legedu Naanee could also break Rice's record, although it's highly unlikely.

[beastson]

S.S been on break the past 2 years lol

[riddel]

Smitty could probably play late into his career (like 37-38) or so but will have to be replaced and take on more of a Donald Driver role. Question remains, with our luck at WR, will we find that real #1 WR......

lolz

[pepaw]

I know folks think that Smith is getting up there in age where his productivity could be a issue. Even Rivera said he wished he were 4 years younger. But I found it interesting that Rice actually set his yardage record at the age of 33 which is 1 year older than Smith is right now. With Newton only likely to improve, and if Smitty can keep things up for a few more years, he could put up huge numbers for the next 3 or 4 years barring injury.

Just some food for thought.

How many years do you think Smitty has left??

Rivera said he wished he was younger?

[panthers55]

Rivera said he wished he was younger?

Yeah he was praising him and how good he is in our offense. It wasn't a bad thing at all. It would more like he was great and wanted him around for a long time.

[pepaw]

Yeah he was praising him and how good he is in our offense. It wasn't a bad thing at all. It would more like he was great and wanted him around for a long time.

Oh okay well that's cool. My guess is 3 years for him to still be a legit #1 receiver. I think once you hit your 30s it all comes down to how commited the player is/ genetics.

Seeing him put up these numbers is a double edged sword. Because he probably would be on his way to 2nd in Rec yards all time and a place in Canton had he had this offense earlier in his career.

But seeing him put up these numbers is so gratifying because I think the majority of fans and journalist(especially with small market teams) do not look at the whole picture when it comes to where a player is at in their career. Most sports journalist saw Steve's numbers for the past two years and just wrote him off as not a #1 receiver instead of looking at the inept offense he was on. Then they probably went and ate a donut and wrote something about Favre or what's wrong with the Cowboys this time?

I hope it's a long time because he's my favorite player, even ahead of Barry.

[Kevin Greene]

I hope Smitty plays for the Panthers as long as he wants. Sure he could could be a legit #1 for 3 more years, which is not to say a 2nd legit #1 would be a bad idea. 2 is better than one.

And Jerry Rice, the year he set the yardage mark only had Steve Young chucking the rock to him for 11 games. Elvis Grbac was the QB the other 5 games. Crazy.

[Panthro]

I could see in 3 years Smitty being the #3 WR, Gettis #2 and a player TBD as the #1.