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Toughness and the Future

XClown1986

By XClown1986,
in Carolina Panthers

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XClown1986 Experienced

XClown1986

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This is what Ron Rivera and Dave Gettleman are looking for: toughness. They reiterate this trait when assessing how the Panthers will be built. So why did they cut arguably the toughest player in the locker room, Steve Smith? He wasn't the right kind of tough anymore. I'll explain.

 

 

Steve Smith is renowned by fans, teammates, defenders, and the media as one of the most physical, motivated, and talented players in the NFL. But Smitty has always had a flaw. He isn't mentally tough. He just isn't. He has lost control, rubbed people wrong, and spoke his mind to anyone within shouting distance. Why? Because he could. He is great for a big play and even better for a quote. So was Gettleman right that he was a distraction? Yes, but maybe not in the sense that you think.

 

 

Rivera is preaching toughness in the locker room because it can mean the difference in a win or a loss. Physical toughness allows you to endure. Mental toughness allows you to persevere. Smitty has and always will feel that he has been slighted as a player and this fueled him on Sundays. That chip on his shoulder contributed to more highlights and wins than it did unfortunate events and losses. So why cut him? Because Cam is the RIGHT kind of tough for the future: the perfect mixture of physical prowess, mental toughness, and most recently, emotional control.

 

 

The locker room needed to belong to Cam and I realize this now. Smitty has so much clout and such a high reputation among players that, despite his physical stature, makes him dominating in nature. He hates to lose, wants the ball, and will blow up if the mood strikes. To put it lightly, he is volatile and won't be ignored. This is part of why we all loved and hated Smitty (rarely hated), which can be an unsettling combination of emotions to feel about one player, which brings me to Cam. Cam grew up a lot this past season. He learned how to win, how to get his team to believe in him, how to take some of the pressure off of himself, and how to handle the outcomes of games.

 

 

Cam came into this league with a chip on his shoulder as well. He was called a thief, a liar, a cheat, and a future bust. He was told he would never be an NFL quality passer, that his playing style wouldn't translate, and that he was going to take the money and run. Jamarcus Russell 2.0. And you know what? That fueled him. He played hard, proved the doubters wrong, and won Rookie of the Year. But the criticisms only evolved. He then was criticized for not being a winner and for being a "baby" during press conferences. He was constantly trying to improve in year 2 and the pressure he put on himself was obvious. He may have gotten one more win than the year before but more questions were raised about his future, not less.

 

 

Year 3 marked the most important change for Cam Newton. He simply let go. He let go of the anger, the pressure, and the hate. He simply started playing football. And then he started winning. No one talks about Cam's flaws anymore. We now talk about finding pieces to build around him. THAT is major progress for this franchise; a progression that couldn't be ignored by fans and, more importantly, the franchise. This brings me to how Steve leaving could and should be seen. 

 

Rivera needed Smith for his first 3 seasons because Steve Smith was the embodiment of on-field domination and he knew how to strike fear into opponents. He helped beat our new wide-eyed young guys into NFL players. The young guys were going to get going or get gone with Steve Smith as a leader. This mentality was necessary to build a core that knew how to be ready on Sunday. We owe a good deal of the development of Cam and our defense to Steve. They always were looking for him in practice. Every single play. But Cam's time is now. He learned to embrace the doubters and then he ultimately learned how to let them go. When student surpasses teacher, it is time for a change.

 

 

We, as fans, may be bitter about the way it happened, how long it took, and ultimately who pulled the trigger, but we have to acknowledge that this couldn't have been the easiest decision to make. They probably hesitated more than once and maybe even decided against it altogether at one point. But it had to be done. Steve maybe didn't get the send-off we all envisioned, but one day he will be back to say his goodbyes to the NFL and we all will smile and cry for the man that gave it all on Sundays for a franchise that took a chance on a 3rd round "punt returner." He still hasn't let go of that anger. But maybe now he can. He can go to a team where all of the pressure isn't on him, where he can enjoy the game a few more seasons, and then hang up the cleats peacefully.

 

 

This is where I come back to toughness. Losing a beloved player is tough. Embracing change is tough. In a situation where it is easy to go with what you feel, this regime was able to make the brave decision to go with what they knew. They knew Cam was ready to go forward and they know Smitty couldn’t go with him. Cam can overcome and endure and show the young guys what it means for this new period in Panther history to "be tough." Steve's toughness was never going to transcend the new generation, but it was more than enough to prepare the future leaders for their next obstacle.

 

This game isn't just about playmakers. It's about chemistry and culture. The Carolina Panthers of the future will be built as a tough team going forward. We will look for guys that are aggressive but smart, passionate but not distracting, and talented but team-oriented. Smitty is a different breed of player and doesn't fit the mold anymore. It hurts to admit but ultimately it's fair. The other players recognize this as an end of an era and this will challenge each player to step up. This is a key moment for our current crop of leaders: Cam Newton, Luke Kuechly, Thomas Davis, and Ryan Kalil. These are the guys that will shape our incoming players to be men of the Carolina Panthers. They will do a great job.

 

 

 Fans should always remember Steve Smith for the great player he was for the Carolina Panthers for 13 years. But when you still doubt the front-office for letting him go, think of it like a passionate love that lost the passion. When suddenly the one great true love of your life comes along, changes everything, and you recognize it, you have a decision to make. Do you stay with what you know; knowing that it likely won't last much longer? Or do you embrace the honesty before the old love ends naturally? It's the hardest decision to make for some. But ultimately, ending it sooner gives both people the opportunity they need to achieve true and lasting happiness. Sometimes the immediate pain is worth the long-term peace.

 

I realize this isn’t about “true love,” but the metaphor holds true. If we stayed with Steve’s leadership, we risk losing Cam’s continued development into the franchise quarterback that he is turning out to be, as well as the new definition of “toughness” for the franchise.  Steve had fuel left in the tank to be sure, but it was never about that. The time was right to make a move even if it didn’t make sense financially or objectively. The future is here and the past is now in Baltimore. It’s scary and exciting.

 

 

We are washing our hands of the old regime and the old mentality. This requires patience and toughness from all those involved. Gettleman is building something bigger than we have had before, and sometimes that means losing old players, frightening current players, and confusing on-lookers. Cam WILL have new weapons, he WILL have new blockers, and he WILL continue to win. He’s ready for it and we are working to ensure the future will continue in that direction. The juice is worth the squeeze, the night is darkest just before the dawn, whatever euphemism reaches you remember: give it time and be positive. This is our team and we are here to support them as much as critique them.

 

Keep Pounding. Go Panthers.

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XClown1986 Experienced

XClown1986

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When you've been the smallest guy on the field your entire life, it takes mental toughness to succeed. Everybody has told Steve all his life that he wasn't big enough, he turned that into a hall of fame career, and that takes mental toughness.

Does it? Or does it suggest that he overcompensated his mental toughness with emotional and physical imposition?

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CelibatePimp Newbie

CelibatePimp

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On a more serious note, I hear u. RR needed Smith until the point where he was validated as a coach, same with Cam. Now anybody who comes in knows that the coach and QB are proven winners and the QB is going to be making the demands on offense and not a WR.

 

Even if you think about it, do you think anyone brought in to be a #1 WR could have played with Smith?

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AceBoogie Veteran

AceBoogie

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Does it? Or does it suggest that he overcompensated his mental toughness with emotional and physical imposition?

Overcoming adversity isn't just about physical toughness. That's why when guys have acl injuries, they're usually fine, but can't get over it mentally. So before Steve Smith could set out and prove the world wrong, he had to first prove it to himself. A mentally weak person accepts their limitations, and never even makes it to the physical stage.

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Stroupe-a-loop Newbie

Stroupe-a-loop

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Does it? Or does it suggest that he overcompensated his mental toughness with emotional and physical imposition?

Are you close personal friends with steve smith? Because I don't think many people take a psychological diagnosis from a complete stranger very seriously. Especially when your exposure to steve smith consisted of watching him run around in tight pants for an hour once a week.

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t96 Grand Master

t96

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Are you kidding me? His mental toughness is THE reason that we beat the Patriots on Monday Night Football. He got in Talib's (who's a mental midget) head and destroyed him both mentally and physically, knocked his ass out of the game, and we won. Just because Smitty has an edge and defends himself, he is absolutely mentally tough. How many personal foul penalties did he get last season? Jesus christ man what are you talking about?

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