Eventually #89 will be told to leave. Get over it.

[Growl]

Hahahaha what a terrible post.

[Kevin Greene]

Eventually Smitty will announce it's the last year he's playing.

The Panthers will retire his number, put up a statue and in 5-8 years he'll be in the Pro Football HOF.

 

Get over it.

[stratopanther]

Smitty will be on the team this year.  If his options are to take a pay cut and stay in Charlotte or take possibly more of a paycut and go to another team I'm pretty sure he'd choose to stay.  Obviously he'll be gone some day but I doubt it's this season.

[lola]

Smitty will be on the team this year. If his options are to take a pay cut and stay in Charlotte or take possibly more of a paycut and go to another team I'm pretty sure he'd choose to stay. Obviously he'll be gone some day but I doubt it's this season.

I'm thinking this too. Why uproot his family for a year or two?

[TheRumGone]

or he could just retire if they tell him to take a paycut.

[jptaylor84]

I would love to hear this massive list of teams that let potential Hall of Famers that are still the best Offensive playmaker (outside of the QB) on the team walk out the door with literally ZERO options behind them....

Not only that, but the teams that can't even be bothered to talk to the greatest player in the history of the franchise before making comments to the media....

I didn't say a list of options I said plenty of teams have moved on from a key player be it at whatever position you want to name without a genuine replacement, it's not unheard of and how do you know our gm hasn't someone lined up whether it be FA or draft? It isn't a smitty or nothing world like your making it out to be, because I remain positive and trust the way we are being lead rather than cry over an ageing wideout leaving is my choice.

[pantherclaw]

If I wait for batman to say something worth reading, will I still be alive to read it?

[PhillyB]

whatever happens, we're going to find out whether money or a ring is more important to steve smith.

[pantherclaw]

But seriously, I'm not getting wrapped up with the whole steve smith issue.

I believe people are over reacting on both sides of the issue.

[Mr. Scot]

As a side note, I'm not convinced going to the Pats is as sure a path to a Super Bowl as some think it is. Not these days.

[C47]

I didn't say a list of options I said plenty of teams have moved on from a key player be it at whatever position you want to name without a genuine replacement, it's not unheard of and how do you know our gm hasn't someone lined up whether it be FA or draft? It isn't a smitty or nothing world like your making it out to be, because I remain positive and trust the way we are being lead rather than cry over an ageing wideout leaving is my choice.

 

 

I'm still waiting to hear these teams. 

[jptaylor84]

I'm still waiting to hear these teams.

Should we just wind up the frandchise because Steve smith may not be here this year? Get a grip man

[C47]

Should we just wind up the frandchise because Steve smith may not be here this year? Get a grip man

 

Maybe you should get a grip since you're assuming thoughts that I don't even have. Just saying with the place that this franchise is in right now (minimal cap space, 28th pick in the Draft) it's not nearly as easy to replace 89 for 2014 as you're making it out to be. 

[MHS831]

Disagree. Since 2000, less than 7% of first round Wide Receivers have had 750+ yards in their rookie year, and I don't see us having the cap to bring in a guy who can put up more than that either....

 

If you knock $4 million off the cap figure by reworking Smitty and move him in to the slot, I see a free agent and a rookie combination opening up the #1 WR spot.  The $4m plus maybe a bit more can be applied toward a pretty solid free agent.

 

I do not think either of us wanted this situation, but the failure of anyone to find WR talent since Smitty was drafted has put us in a bad situation.  I just do not think a 35-year old small speed WR is an option at #1 any more.  His contract, his age, the QB, needs, etc. all suggest that we are not using him the right way.