Sports Media 101 (panthers101.com) fuels the great Smitty-HOF question.

[top dawg]

Well, we have probably heard it all before (even recently), but with the news that Smitty wants to play at least three more years, you knew it was coming, and because I enjoy writers who can put together some entertaining commentary on my team, I am compelled to share it.

 

 

To put things into perspective, No. 89 needs 2,326 more receiving yards to move into the top 10 all-time.

While you would expect a dip in production from most aging NFL receivers, Smith, who turned 34 this May, isn't most aging receivers – and his numbers over the last two seasons bear out that notion.

 

 

 

^^^^^^^^^

There is Smitty's target. Not guaranteed, but very doable (esp. in three years with Cameron J Newton). And with a ring in the equation there's no keeping him out under any circumstances.

 

 

 

Smith looked to be fading after failing to reach 1,000 yards receiving in consecutive seasons from 2009-10 – something that hadn't occurred since his first two years in the NFL. In reality, the merry-go-round of mediocrity at quarterback was mostly responsible for the Panthers' offensive impotency during this period.

In fact, this is perhaps the most impressive thing about Smith's numbers. Until Cam Newton came to Charlotte, the 5-foot-9, 198-pound California native played mostly with lousy-to-middling quarterbacks.

 

 

 

The writer, Jesse Collin, gets an "A" from me for the term "offensive impotency" pre-Cam, and his very astute use (in my opinion) of "lousy-to-middling" QBs that Steve Smith has had to endure through the years.

 

Go Smitty!

[OneBadCat]

Smith can definitely do it. Another 1,000 yd season, and 600-700 yards in the next 2 seasons and he's basically there. We should have a future #1 on the team by then too. That'll also give him time to increase his TD totals.

[CarolinaCoolin]

I still don't think that will get him into the hall though. Took Chris carter forever

[CRA]

Smith can definitely do it. Another 1,000 yd season, and 600-700 yards in the next 2 seasons and he's basically there. We should have a future #1 on the team by then too. That'll also give him time to increase his TD totals.

 

if he does that.....by the time he is HOF eligible....all he will have his yards and he won't be top 10 at that point.    If you look at just numbers only....Santana Moss' numbers will be just as good overall.  

 

He needs a ring and to improve his postseason resume (which was off to a record start) IMO.

[Lilsmitty09]

I approve

[mwright350]

I think unfortunately it will come down to the team he plays for and lack of a championship...and I think it will keep him out.

 

Smitty is, to me, without a doubt a HOF talent but that doesn't always translate to actually getting in.

[top dawg]

I still don't think that will get him into the hall though. Took Chris carter forever

 

But he got in. And with all due respect to Chris Carter and most great WRs, they just aren't as enigmatic, loved, hated and magnetic as the atypically sized WR on and off the field.  In a way, they are run-of-the-mill (if you will) powerhouses while Smitty is the surprising pint-sized powder keg that can be as explosive as any of them.

[ncsu12engr]

Unfortunately, he probably won't get in unless he gets a ring. 

[usmcpanthers]

Also if Smitty misses a few times it will be hard to ever get in with the yardage the modern day receivers are racking up in today's passing league. A ring would get him in for sure, without it I dont think so. We are just too small of a market and every sports writer will use the Ken Lucas incident against him.

[Razeyfingers]

Ahh some of the usual suspects already arriving to the party. The thing he didnt mention in that interview was the line about how the receiver room is fuggin loaded with legit potential now. Smitty says that he could feel it when he walked in:

 

 

This is the most competition I've seen and it's real, legitimate competition,'' Smith said. ''The first day I walked into the receivers' room I could feel the thickness in there. It's kind of this uneasy feeling. You could feel the competition. You could feel the seriousness. No one was loose.''

 

 

There are a lot of amped the fug up receiver's in Carolina right now. This competition is gonna be a lot of fun to watch. Every practice is gonna be a showdown.

 

[PhillyB]

it'll help if he can rack up some yardage in playoff games too.

[Rules&Regulations]

Smitty's ace in the hole is that the HOF needs a Panther. I think that will help him get in.

[Montsta]

I remember hearing or reading once from someone I believe is a HOF voter and one of the single biggest criteria that they look for in HOF eligibility was the following:

Were you (one of) the most dominant players at your position for a sustained amount of time during the era in which you played?

Smitty fits this to a T. Ask any CB's, both dominant pro bowlers or scrubs, who the toughest guy they've ever had to cover is, and I promise you an overwhelming percentage will say Steve Smith. He did it it in the regular season, the playoffs, the Superbowl. Every stage he has been on in the NFL he has dominated. Remember the triple crown or the 05 NFC Championship game run we were on where he absolutely dominated Chicago and NYG? It wasn't until Seattle put a literal quadruple team on him that we lost. And even then, 5th string RB's didn't help. The first time the man touched a football in the NFL, he took it to the house for a touchdown for gods sake. I hope in four years when he hangs it up, the last play he makes is a Super Bowl winning TD catch.

Smitty HOF 2022.

[DaveThePanther2008]

It is not all about numbers.  I realize they are important but more importantly is how he was viewed by coaches and his peers.

 

NOT one team, not one coach does not mention Steve Smith when game planning for the Panthers.  5'9" and how many times have we seen him go up between 2 and 3 DBs and come down with the ball.  These coaches cringe when the ball is headed his way. The majority of the time.  He comes down with it.

 

He may not get in on the first ballot but he will be the first Panther in the HOF.  (Reggie White went in as a Packer)