89 wants to play 3-4 more years

[B wood]

http://m.espn.go.com/nfl/story?storyId=8044013

Basically said in 4 years when his son starts college he will hang up the cleats to become a cheerleader for his son. He said he has zero doubt he is still an elite receiver in the NFL but when the time comes he will be happy to pass the torch & take a backseat to LaFell & Gettis. Said he understands it will be more about being a leader. Also mentioned his gratitude towards Mr. Richardson. Smitty is a Panther for life thru & thru.

Steve Smith is a fierce competitor, great teammate, & loving family man.

Damnit Cam, get this man a ring!

[Zod]

His son starting HIghschool this year makes me feel old as crap.

[B wood]

His son starting HIghschool this year makes me feel old as crap.

I know the feeling. My best friends daughter is starting high school this year. I remember driving home from college when she was born.… yikes =[

[Cape Fear Cat]

My best friend's son, who I first met two days out of the hospital maternity ward, is just about to graduate from infantry school at Camp Geiger. Then he'll report to 2/8 Marines. Yep. I feel old too.

[Hotsauce]

Yep, you guys are old...

Now about Smitty, I am glad he is set on being a Panther. So when Cam is resigning his multi-year $1 Billion contract, Smitty will still be here to encourage him to stay....and just think in 8 years, will could have Smitty JR???

[JawnyBlaze]

"With all my flaws I never see myself as all of that," Smith said. "I'm still trying to figure out this football thing and this leadership thing. I think the people (with the statues) out there I've met and I respect and I hold those people in high regard. I won't ever be in a position to say that I deserve that. I have in the past, ignorantly and being immature.

"I work hard on the field and Mr. Richardson has blessed my family with that. If that's all I get I'm pretty appreciative of that."

Diva.

[Toundra]

He is tall enough to be a WR already..

[Guest moninghaly]

we are becoming older and older . haha

[panthers55]

Some of us are like fine wine and get better with age. We don't look at age as anything but a number. How do I look at getting older? Mostly from what I can or can't still do. At forty I didn't scuba dive or rock climb. This year I did both, so I am still not over the hill.

As for Smitty, as JB said more succinctly, anyone who can read that article and think Smith is a Diva has a must different definition than I do. Smith is going to be worth keeping around as much for what he can do in the locker room as for what he can still do on the field.

[Razeyfingers]

but but so many of you thought he had "lost a step" two years ago. . . wha happened.

Cam happened huh. Ya Cam magically made 89's legs stronger.

[CRA]

Diva.

Steve Smith could punch your mom....and a week later talk to the media and you would think he was calmest and most rational guy in the world.

Smith has always said the right things...

His leadership was a joke as late as 2010. Let the guy be a one man wrecking crew. That is what he is...and the best player to ever where a uniform here ( he doesnt have to be everything)

[cdandi1]

great article about a great player..

but what I found most interesting was this little tidbit..

He raves about rookie cornerback Josh Norman calling him "impressive" and adds linebacker Luke Kuechly is a star in the making and a guy he sees as "making 15 tackles on an off day."

Good to see the rookie corner impressing the vet

[footballisasport]

Wow...what a difference a year and a number one pick makes. This time last season folks were still hoping and praying that Stevie wouldn't leave.

Here's hoping he can get his ring before he retires.

[Growl]

Rivera went out of his way to praise Norman the other day.

Hope he becomes the real deal real fast.