I often take the unpopular stance

[CRA]

those examples i gave were in order from what I consider to be the lowest to the highest importance. I wouldve hoped that you would take time to consider the last one more than the other 3.

Well, you still listed that one....but fine.

Well, expand more on your most important one. I agree confidence is HUGE in this sport.....and fear IMO is pretty universal and the impact it can have.

[Navy_football]

Steve Smith is the best WR on this team, by a large margin. He should not, and can not be traded away without a proven replacement in hand. If you do, you hinder the development of our young QB. I just read somewhere that he is one of the league leaders for broken tackles at the WR position.

Would I love to see him leave and have a real chance at a SB run... I think so. Because I've grown to love and respect his game so much, I do want to see him achieve that milestone. I just wish that it could be with my team, and I'm sure he wishes the same. I think that's what drives him. He got a taste early and has been striving for another chance all these years. Fact is, the Panthers aren't that far away - talent wise. With better leadership and a few more playmakers, we're prime for a run. Though I feel, honestly, that we have legitimate playmakers on the bench that could put this team over the top in the areas most needed - Gettis (offense) and Adams (ST).

[Razeyfingers]

Well, you still listed that one....but fine.

Well, expand more on your most important one. I agree confidence is HUGE in this sport.....and fear IMO is pretty universal and the impact it can have.

I have surgery tomorrow, crooked shnoz is making me snore and get sick too often, I cant elaborate too much at the moment but I will promise to read more of your posts if youre interested in going beyond listening to my perspective.

The concept is this: any man who gets drilled by a guy 3 times his size and then gets up and smashes his head a few more times with both fists and yells "WOooooOOOOO" is sending a messege to the opposing team. You cannot take that away or let him be traded.

[Chaos]

Draft Cam - before it was cool to say

Draft Luke bc we can't trust Beason and company to all be back

Don't sign all these RBs bc we won't give them touches to justify it

Chud is overrated and nothing like what is being pimped- last season when people wanted him as our HC

I typically get the, "CRA, you are an idiot" for such thoughts......

We should trade Smith or force him to retire after this year. Greatest Panther to date....but his time has run its course. He is one of MANY big moves we must start making. We need to move forward....I think as this season progresses that will become more clear. Bash away bc I know the Smitty man love is off the charts.....but his era is over and that era still holding on is one of several big problems IMO.

And what was your honest opinion of the Clausen draft pick?

[CRA]

I have surgery tomorrow, crooked shnoz is making me snore and get sick too often, I cant elaborate too much at the moment but I will promise to read more of your posts if youre interested in going beyond listening to my perspective.

The concept is this: any man who gets drilled by a guy 3 times his size and then gets up and smashes his head a few more times with both fists and yells "WOooooOOOOO" is sending a messege to the opposing team. You cannot take that away or let him be traded.

I agree with that....I really do.

I just think he also sends a message with certain behaviors in 2010 and 2012 to his own teammates.....

I think that too often gets ignored bc of what you just mentioned. But pound for pound, Smitty is tough as nails and has many traits you wish more players had. I just think he brings more to the table than that.......and some of it is negative. The negative gets too often overlooked. He is a better fit for certain teams that are in certain windows...than others.

Good luck with the surgery.

[Razeyfingers]

I agree with that....I really do.

I just think he also sends a message with certain behaviors in 2010 and 2012 to his own teammates.....

I think that too often gets ignored bc of what you just mentioned. But pound for pound, Smitty is tough as nails and has many traits you wish more players had. I just think he brings more to the table than that.......and some of it is negative. The negative gets too often overlooked. He is a better fit for certain teams that are in certain windows...than others.

Good luck with the surgery.

Thank you

and I understand that how us two weigh those things makes the difference in our opinions. This team is dire need of leaders now. They need conifidence badly and not the kind that comes through soft spoken words of encouragement. Whatever the cost with 89, I gladly pay it.

My favorite scene in the Batman begins is a scene where Rhazz Alghul is giving Batman his final test. "YOU HAVE TO BECOME AN IDEA". . you have to become what they fear most. Thats 89

Batman vid on youtube has embedding disabled, click to watch

[CRA]

And what was your honest opinion of the Clausen draft pick?

hated it.....well documented. Liked AE though....

Never understood the hype, played exactly the same way at ND and never beat anyone.

[Kevin Greene]

Draft Cam - before it was cool to say

Draft Luke bc we can't trust Beason and company to all be back

Don't sign all these RBs bc we won't give them touches to justify it

Chud is overrated and nothing like what is being pimped- last season when people wanted him as our HC

I typically get the, "CRA, you are an idiot" for such thoughts......

We should trade Smith or force him to retire after this year. Greatest Panther to date....but his time has run its course. He is one of MANY big moves we must start making. We need to move forward....I think as this season progresses that will become more clear. Bash away bc I know the Smitty man love is off the charts.....but his era is over and that era still holding on is one of several big problems IMO.

Link to your genius prognostications?

Force Smitty to retire, yes I'm certain that is the right course.

[Icege]

I think if we started a thread about the overwhelming amount of unpopular things that you have also been wrong about that they would far out number the merit of your hits :P

[CRA]

I think if we started a thread about the overwhelming amount of unpopular things that you have also been wrong about that they would far out number the merit of your hits :P

Outside of Jarrett, Moore, and now Rivera, I have been lucky on the things I have gone on and on about. I am sure I am due to have things blow up on me soon though. Moore probably is a push though.....I still think he was sabotaged to a degree in 2010.

[Swaggasaurus]

If we cut Smith and bring in a legit #1 we are back having the issue of one WR plus some scrubs. Steve Smith>Jbreeze and any #2 who is not a Packers, Giant, Steeler, or Falcon

[CRA]

Link to your genius prognostications?

Force Smitty to retire, yes I'm certain that is the right course.

Well, if you listen to 89...retirement could easily be close. Blowing it all up and bringing in certain people could encourage that.

Not sure what you want links for.....

[top dawg]

Draft Cam - before it was cool to say

Draft Luke bc we can't trust Beason and company to all be back

Don't sign all these RBs bc we won't give them touches to justify it

Chud is overrated and nothing like what is being pimped- last season when people wanted him as our HC

I typically get the, "CRA, you are an idiot" for such thoughts......

We should trade Smith or force him to retire after this year. Greatest Panther to date....but his time has run its course. He is one of MANY big moves we must start making. We need to move forward....I think as this season progresses that will become more clear. Bash away bc I know the Smitty man love is off the charts.....but his era is over and that era still holding on is one of several big problems IMO.

I don't think this is so unpopular as you may think, but I think that whoever shares your opinion is off their rocker. Smith could easily be a top 10, and maybe even a top five receiver in the league if he played with a QB that could actually hit him in stride. Hell, if he had had a consistently accurate QB throughout his career, he would easily be top 10, and possibly top 5 of all time. Delhomme didn't do it, he did, however, give Smith the opportunity to show his jumping ability and timing skills. Cam can hardly hit Smith in his hands, much less in stride. Of all the things that I am critical of Cam for, it's missing a wide open Steve Smith. So many missed opportunities this season. I believe that people would rather dump on Smith than look at the bigger problem in regards to his lack of continued potential: Cam Newton

This is not to say that Cam can't or won't get better, but right now you can't blame Smith for Cam's shortcoming.

I think forcing him to be our #2 would be more ideal IMO

more of a matter if smitty can handle it

Smitty has already stated that he is ready to take a step back. The problem for what should be the waning years of Smith's ability is that the FO has done a poo-ass job of bringing in Smith's future replacement.

Or have him occupy the slot when we run 3WR sets.

Smith would love to do this, but the FO needs to poo or get off the pot, and Cam needs to tighten up his throws!

It isn't a talent issue.....Smith has the talent to play for several more years in an altered role.

Damn! You seem to get it. This is my opinion, but it seems that it is the antithesis of the original post.

He could be the best slot receiver in the game.

Problem.is we don't have the talent at the position that would allow him to slide into the slot.

Get that talent, and steve smith would continue being one of the most feared receivers in the game.

Hell, yeah! I think Cruz is a manbeast, but Smitty still has the speed and skill set to give Victor a run for the money.

I think Smith said like 2 years ago he don't mind playing backseat

Hurney failure was not getting a receiver in here all those years

Right. Ditto! Like I said earlier. Can't only blame Hurney though. Richardson is a football man. He should have demanded that they get a receiver that could fill that role a long time ago. We were too busy trying strike gold again with a lucky pick. I swear that the entire FO had their hands up their asses they were sitting on them so hard.

We threw out the last original Panther John Kasay and look what we got for it, that bastard Olindo Mare.

Steve is still productive, let him retire when he is ready to do so.

I agree. We'll set ourselves back at least another year by trading Smitty, really.

[pantherj]

- Didn't like the Pickles pick, made a detailed post as to why and recieved neg rep for it.

- Wanted us to draft Cam or AJ Green. Said Cam would take several seasons to become a good QB. Now I'll make a bonus prediction, I expect Cam to make a major leap in play in his 4th season with us, but not before.

- Predicted Gabbert would be a bust.

- Predicted that we would draft Jonathan Stewart before it was popular.

- I bet on the SB last season and won.

But at the same time I've been wrong with some predictions as well. I thought we were drafting Couples, and I wasn't interested in Luke. My predictions are hit and miss like anyone else.

Smith isn't going anywhere imo unless there is a WR in the draft who can replace him. Otherwise cutting him would only do further harm to our already weak passing game, and also further upset an already crushed fanbase.