I often take the unpopular stance

[Kevin Greene]

,

[PhillyB]

take steve smith off this team and we are garbage. you wanna see lafell facing number one cornerbacks and keolohaharla fugin pilares facing number twos?

take steve smith off this team and add another wide receiver and we are marginally better if we hit the jackpot.

keep steve smith on this team and add top-flight receiver in FA and we are instantly formidable at the position.

[Marguide]

My question with Smith is this...when we inevitably draft or sign our future #1, how does he behave? Does he take a backseat and adapt comfortably to a support role, or does he act up? I'm not sure anyone knows the answer to that, but Steve sure better be thinking about it.

Oh, and as to the post claiming that a big problem with Smith is getting hit in stride, I saw that happen many times last year. Not so much this year. Why it's changed is a good question for the new staff when they arrive.

[jarhead]

Smitty himself has said we need more talent at WR.It would make him better and the other wr.My problem is at the number 2 wr who seems to disappear for quarters at a time.Not like the Moose days.y

You have to realize Smitty is getting other teams best cb and double teams.It should be the number 2 making more plays.I disagree with you on Smitty

[Matthias]

I will say this. If Smitty wants to be in the HOF, he better find himself another team. One of the biggest tragedies within this franchise, is that we never capitalized on his talent. If Steve played for a team that had a great QB throughout his career, he would have a 2,000 receiving yard season by now.

[rickyisclutch]

These days you have to have a 1a and a 1b. Steve can still be that 1b. If you cut/trade him you need to make sure we have his replacement AND another speed guy. Isnt worth it, one step forward and two back.

[Zcustom]

I get where you're coming from CRA, because our biggest problem at WR has been that we have avoided addressing the #2 spot because we have such a potent #1. The theory seems to have been that if we could get a marginal player at the #2 spot they would flourish because of all the attention Smitty commands. But...

What if a new GM was able to properly address our WR core issues without getting rid of Smitty? To me, that would be the ideal solution. Unfortunately it may take losing Smitty to force this team to address the WR position, but I hope not.

[Match.com]

Re-hire Dom Capers as head coach

that would be funny if we did that...

[Match.com]

so, much for moving foward

[panthers55]

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.

As for Cam and Luke I would have to say you were not alone in saying draft them. I was there as well.

As for the RBs, the issue wasn't paying them, the issue was not changing the offense to take advantage of what they do. Based on what we did last year and what we were supposed to do this year which is run more, it actually made sense. Obviously Chud didn't get the memo.

As for Chud, there were those among us who said that he had one good year in Cleveland and then struggled, lets wait until we see what he does before deciding if he is good or bad.

As for Smith, it makes little sense to make someone retire until you have someone better to replace him with. And you don't trade a number 1 receiver for a third or fourth rounder which is all you could get.

So about Smith, you are wrong.

About the other things, don't take credit for being the originator of that train of thought, you weren't. You can take credit for bashing Williams at every turn and saying he was overpaid. If you want to trade someone then trade him, that would at least make a little sense since the dead cap space after this year would only be 6.4 million if I remember correctly.

[raleigh-panther]

I seriously doubt the JR will allow any GM to part ways with Smith. This is Steve Smiths team to leave.

JR fired his sons. He fired Hurney. He let go of Delhomme. If Smith is declining, do you really think he would not allow the GM to do what he thinks best?

I'm not saying moving Smith is best. I am saying if you have a GM, he should be empowered to do whatever is needed.

[NanuqoftheNorth]

Smith's aggressive attitude is one of his better traits and something this team is severely lacking in.

Steve is willing to take a secondary role and has said a much. Problem is, this organization has never found a consistent replacement for Moose, much less a new #1.

Don't see an upside to getting rid of him till we find at least two, if not three better receivers and that isn't likely to happen anytime soon.

[CRA]

As for Cam and Luke I would have to say you were not alone in saying draft them. I was there as well.

As for the RBs, the issue wasn't paying them, the issue was not changing the offense to take advantage of what they do. Based on what we did last year and what we were supposed to do this year which is run more, it actually made sense. Obviously Chud didn't get the memo.

As for Chud, there were those among us who said that he had one good year in Cleveland and then struggled, lets wait until we see what he does before deciding if he is good or bad.

As for Smith, it makes little sense to make someone retire until you have someone better to replace him with. And you don't trade a number 1 receiver for a third or fourth rounder which is all you could get.

So about Smith, you are wrong.

About the other things, don't take credit for being the originator of that train of thought, you weren't. You can take credit for bashing Williams at every turn and saying he was overpaid. If you want to trade someone then trade him, that would at least make a little sense since the dead cap space after this year would only be 6.4 million if I remember correctly.

Never implied I was alone in all those....you as well took heat for some of those.

And like many scenarios.....we don't know if I am wrong yet. Like I said in my initial post....I expect the reminder of the season will shine light on my take. Smith will prove why his time is done here.....it isn't about talent. About fit. Like coaches, players can hang around too long.

[CRA]

Smith's aggressive attitude is one of his better traits and something this team is severely lacking in.

Steve is willing to take a secondary role and has said a much. Problem is, this organization has never found a consistent replacement for Moose, much less a new #1.

Don't see an upside to getting rid of him till we find at least two, if not three better receivers and that isn't likely to happen anytime soon.

Double edged sword. Was fine when he was a video game back in the day.....as he ages his attitude will keep him from playing as long as he actually could.

Big picture. Don't need a drama queen pouting and running the media to vent.....that wears a C on his chest. Can tolerate it if a guy is a beast in his prime. New era isn't about 89.....don't care if he claims he will take a reduced role. 89 says a lot things.....behavior doesn't always match.