MMQB: It’s Good to be a...Panther?

[UNCrules2187]

Stretching after practice Thursday in Charlotte, indestructible 34-year-old Panthers receiver Steve Smith found himself looking at the sky and thinking about how long it’s been since he was in a meaningful game this late in the season.

 

“I’m literally laying there,” Smith told me an hour after the stretch, “and I’m looking up, and this thought came to me: It’s good to be a Carolina Panther.

 

“You know how great that is? You know how great it is to go through a two-hour practice and instead of thinking the work I did today is not just because I signed a contract, but because we actually have a chance? Nothing to a football player is more degrading than going into a game hoping things don’t blow up into a disaster in the first quarter, or, for me, wondering if I’m going to catch more than one pass today. You start thinking, What did I do to deserve this?”

 

More at the link: http://mmqb.si.com/2013/11/08/steve-smith-carolina-panthers-san-francisco-49ers/

[smash_n_dash]

Hope he gets into the HoF, deserves it so bad.

[PantherWake]

Oh so thats how you really feel.

[PhillyB]

awesome. i hope to jesus steve gets a ring

[Captain Morgan]

he deserves both...ring and hof

[Marvin49]

I hate to say it, but Steve Smith won't make the HOF.

 

Don't get me wrong. I respect him greatly, but he just hasn't had the career it now seems to require to get in.

 

As a Niner fan I'm in the same boat with Frank Gore. I would love him to get in and just like you guys I'd like him to get a ring...

 

...but I don't think Gore is getting in either.

[ed bell]

If he plays two or three more years for us I'll be ecstatic.

[ed bell]

Steve is a Ring away Marv..... Gore needs way more than that.

[Chaos]

No need for a 49er fan visiting for one week to weigh in on this topic.  Thanks for your contribution, but you and Frank Gore can exit this thread.

[SpeedOFLight]

You know, thinking back on Smitty's career, this guy is everything you want in a player on your team.  He obviously could have bailed when things weren't going so well. He loves this team and the city of charlotte. He lays everything out there from his emotions to his physical play. I have to say in my opinion he is the best panther in our short history. I hope we can get this guy a ring. He sacrifice a lot in his career and he is still kicking. I believe this team is ready for a run. I see a young defense that is hungry for some respect and aging vets realizing that their window is not far from closing so they are wanting to lay it all out there. This team will shock some people this year...enjoy the ride

[PhillyB]

I hate to say it, but Steve Smith won't make the HOF.

 

Don't get me wrong. I respect him greatly, but he just hasn't had the career it now seems to require to get in.

 

As a Niner fan I'm in the same boat with Frank Gore. I would love him to get in and just like you guys I'd like him to get a ring...

 

...but I don't think Gore is getting in either.

 

most of us are pretty sure that steve would need another 3 years in the league catching close to 1000 yards a season with a couple deep playoff runs in there to boost his stats (and at least one superbowl ring) in order to make it. you won't find too many who have the illusion that he's a shoe-in or something.

[CRA]

I hate to say it, but Steve Smith won't make the HOF.

Don't get me wrong. I respect him greatly, but he just hasn't had the career it now seems to require to get in.

As a Niner fan I'm in the same boat with Frank Gore. I would love him to get in and just like you guys I'd like him to get a ring...

...but I don't think Gore is getting in either.

I don't think 89 gets in bc it will be near impossible for WRs now.....but Gore doesn't have an 89 resume.

[smash_n_dash]

Then it's simple for him, play like this is your last year, own the field every Sunday (and on MNF) like he had in previous seasons and there is no reason we can't win the rest of our games and have a shot at getting him a ring.

He is by far the best Panther we've had, imo

[PanthersBigD]

God, I hate Peter King so much.