How Long Can Steve Smith and Deangelo Williams Play in the NFL?

[Kevin Greene]

Yes the signing bonus is part of the guaranteed money, so yes he's getting around 22.6 million of his 43 million this year. His cap hit for this season is around 7 million if I remember correctly.

five-year, $43 million contract. The deal contains $21 million guaranteed, including a $16 million signing bonus and $5 million of Williams' second-year base salary.

Sounds right because the 16 mill bonus is prorated over 5 years.

Probably it will go something like this:

Numerous sources are now reporting that Williams will return on a 5 year, $43 million deal with $21 million in guaranteed money. However, contracts can't be looked at for just face value. This could easily be a back-loaded deal with money at the end he'll likely never see,

http://www.derp/2011/7/28/2300835/thursday-afternoon-fa-open-thread

The truly ugly cap figure would be the year after he was released when the entire prorated bonus must be accounted for.

[scarface]

They can play until they stop, and then they will stop playing.

~Confucius~

[CRA]

Smith has a solid 3 years until he's truly declined. Deagelo, since his running style is less physical, I want to say 5 years. Almost all RBs hardly last 10 years in today's league.

He will be 29 next year......a 34 yr old Williams will struggle to be depth on a NFL roster. A 31-34 yr olod Williams will most likely struggle to make a roster.

[SuperMan]

I'm very curious as to what you guys think, since these guys are such an integral part of our offense.

Sorry if this has been addressed before, I've been having serious problems with the huddle thread search function lately.

feel free to say how long other people on the team will last.

And how long do RB's and WR's usually last in general?

Steve Smith is still elite, so i would say he can be at least a #2 until he is 35-36.

Williams is 28, but i think he has at least 4 more good seasons in him despite the fictional "30" wall people say RB's hit, its not an accurate measure, the real measure is when a back hits 1,600 total Carries, its the amount of wear and tear not age that is a factor with RB's.

[SuperMan]

He will be 29 next year......a 34 yr old Williams will struggle to be depth on a NFL roster. A 31-34 yr olod Williams will most likely struggle to make a roster.

I see you buy into the Fictional "30" wall.

[therealmjl]

Call it blind hometown, but I just can't bring myself to say Smitty will slow down or his level of play will not be at a high level....those words don't belong in the same sentence.

[smitty_89]

Until they win the superbowl...so about 2-4 years :)

[smitty_89]

Call it blind hometown, but I just can't bring myself to say Smitty will slow down or his level of play will not be at a high level....those words don't belong in the same sentence.

Totally agree. Smitty will stop playing before he gets to that level. He may stay an extra year to help out the team/young WR but other than that, he will retire when he knows he can't perform at a high level. Its hard to say when that will be.

[I am Hubby]

Steve Smith is still elite, so i would say he can be at least a #2 until he is 35-36.

Williams is 28, but i think he has at least 4 more good seasons in him despite the fictional "30" wall people say RB's hit, its not an accurate measure, the real measure is when a back hits 1,600 total Carries, its the amount of wear and tear not age that is a factor with RB's.

Not sure I like a finite end to a RBs career. If it happens you are done. If it does not happen you retire. DWill is like Cam, they both have that uncanny ability to avoid the BIG hit. (And for a RB, that is no mean feat.) Sure, RBs get banged around, and miss games, but at this stage of his career, DWill is still very healthy. I can see him playing 4 more years in this offense.

As for Smitty. That horse is running til' somebody takes him out. He will continue to run wild until some young stud comes along and sends him out to pasture, or his competitive juices diminish. Neither of which I see happening in the near future. So rejoice in the knowledge that "Cam to Smitty" is going to be around for the forseeable future.

Ain't it a great time to be a Panther fan? The team is improving, the schedule is getting easier, and the wins will soon be piling up. Good Zod my giddy is dam near out of control.

My giddy says it is so, so I believe it. And GOOO CATS!!!!!!!

[Wither]

I see Smitty declining sooner than later, unfortunately. :(

[necroplasm]

nobody deserves a ring more than smith

[nickzz]

Call it blind hometown, but I just can't bring myself to say Smitty will slow down or his level of play will not be at a high level....those words don't belong in the same sentence.

exactly... he's too beastly, too focused, too driven and too athletic to play poorly

[nickzz]

i have a strong feeling steve will get his ring before he's out of the league :)

[jtm]

Smitty has another 2-3 years as a top WR and should last another 3-4 in the slot. Williams might be traded after 3.

This is best case scenario. Although I see Smitty hanging around a while longer.