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Marguide

By Marguide,
in Carolina Panthers

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mav1234 Grand Master

mav1234

Posted
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Smith would have left for sure?

Why do you say that? Everything he said indicates he would have stayed, and that was before we knew we were drafting Newton. Yes we knew we'd play in a vertical offense but I think he would have stayed for reasons outside of the offense.

Smith himself said family was most important to him, and that's the main reason he wanted to stay.

I think Cam did help make him happy, but I doubt Smitty would have left without him and 'even' a QB like Matt Moore was able to get Smitty the ball. The fact is he felt underutilized with Fox and I think Chud would have used him even if we didn't have Cam.

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ed bell Newbie

ed bell

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I remember hearing that Cam Newton talked Smith into staying. Maybe you didn't see Smith in the off season, but he was pissed and very determined to be traded.

Anything he said afterwards is simply himself reassuring his choice of staying, IMO.

I don't remember ever seeing anything that indicated that Smith was "pissed and very determined to be traded". I seem to recall that he specifically mentioned that he didn't share any of his thoughts about his situation here with anyone in the media and that there were a lot of fabrications put out there. I'm sure that he was unhappy about how things had been going and wanted to contemplate his future, but I never saw evidence that he was going to ask for a trade. Maybe he did, I just don't know.
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Marguide Newbie

Marguide

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If Barkley came out like expected, it would be better

Both Barkley and Landry Jones were expected to come out, and yes, that would have changed the look of this class a lot.

Everything he said indicates he would have stayed...

I think Smith would have come back also, provided we obtained a QB that had the ability to throw the ball down the field. The Panthers may have also told him that attractive offers weren't coming in, so he was not likely to be moved. We will probably never know for sure. Cam was a factor, but there were others as well.

All of this just goes to show how much things can change in just a few months. IMO, this offseason is almost as critical as last. Expectations are high, and Rivera and Hurney will need to deliver.

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mav1234 Grand Master

mav1234

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I remember hearing that Cam Newton talked Smith into staying. Maybe you didn't see Smith in the off season, but he was pissed and very determined to be traded.

Anything he said afterwards is simply himself reassuring his choice of staying, IMO.

You may have heard that, but Smith himself has said that one of main reasons he wanted to stay was his family. He nearly retired to spend time with his wife when he thought she was ill. I tend to take his word over something you heard, becuase why wouldn't he say "and you know, getting a chance to stay here and play with Cam was a big deal" or something, instead of "Well this organization gave me my first chance, they value me more than anyone (my translation: Panthers told him they tried to shop him for potential trade destinations and also told him what other teams were willing to offer, and that pissed Smitty off even more), and it's where my family is which is the most important thing."

I am pretty sure that while Newton had a positive impact on him enjoying this season, he knew he was going to stick it out before he really got to spend much time with him. It was good they hit it off early, though, helped build chemistry.

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jb_online Newbie

jb_online

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I can't prove it, but I remember reading an article with a lengthy interview in the Charlotte Observer one day in the Charlotte library (my friend and I were killing time). Smith was totally pissed and going off on how he wanted to win a Super Bowl (with someone). The whole context of the article was "Smith is going to leave us". Of course, that was a writer shaping a story, but it was very persuasive to me. I wish I could give you more info, and I understand if that's not enough of an argument, but I think the writing was on the wall. I heard several commentators say that Newton was the sole reason that Smith was still a Panther (unless they would refuse to trade him, of course).

Considering the direction the Panthers were going the two seasons before Cam Newton, who could blame a seasoned veteran like Smith for wanting to find greener pastures before he retires? The guy deserves a Championship.

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mav1234 Grand Master

mav1234

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Smith has said a few times that a receiver wants to win but also to be a part of the game.

he felt like he wasn't much a part of the game in the offense last year.

I think if Fox had stayed, Smith would have gone, even if we had somehow miraculously drafted Cam anyway.

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jb_online Newbie

jb_online

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My friend and I were in town to see a Bobcats game. I remember one thing about the game, I'm not much of a basketball fan, and it was a buzzer beater at the end of the 3rd, I think. I found footage of that game, with the shot in the highlights. That was Tuesday, January 5, 2010. I'm going to see if I can find the article. It would be interesting reading, regardless.

Found it. WR Smith Coy About His Future

Not as much as I thought I remembered, but scary at the time, none the less.

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