Steve Smith Is ON WFNZ Having A Confessional, Won't Let the Story End

[FootballMaestro]

Developing story right now, unless I'm dreaming. So bear with me on the developing, play by play nature and posting without a proper introduction guys (rest assured, I've been editing, cleaning it up; adding better situational context the best I can).

 

There was no lead in or promotion of his call. It just happened (apparently Smith called in on his own); surprising everyone, including me. I was working, and had FNZ on for background, then boom I hear Smitty going All In! .And Boy, he said a mouthful! I had to listen carefully for current authentic cues before I posted, cause it was so unexpected and passionate. It was as unexpected as it was surreal!

 

My guess? Must be a response to the Ian Rappaport story (regarding: Smith was the one that actually asked for a release; not Gettleman--RELEASING  SMITH, along with his Cam Newton RedZone passing comments), and being criticized on it.  Gotta throw in Smith's emotional/bi-polar personality in the mix as well? Lol The Call Up show guys, following The Mac Attack  went in hard against Smith regarding the Rappaport story as well in particular.

 

The interview itself was crazy. Smith started like he was basically crying on Bustin Loose with Frank and Mark Yarborough (after he got past the opening pleasantries). Quite emotional, yes. Blood and Guts indeed.

 

He went in hard on GMan and Rivera. Kinda spared everyone one else (including JR, the guy that signs everyone's checks-- when asked). Guess Smitty still wants to be retired by JR at sometime, huh? He knows who not to criticize.  Lol.

 

Smitty felt, DG was disrespectful, and Rivera wasn't being a coach, a Man to him. Honestly? It sounds like a bad break up.

 

The Link is at the bottom of my post. It's 20 Blood and Guts spilled; Chock Full of quotable, emotional, passionate minutes of The Great Ex Panther--Smith's feelings on his Panther breakup.

 

Here some highlights (and they're a lot) for those who want, have to read it first:

 

Said he started receiving several text while taking some college course while in Salt Lake City, Utah after the season regarding what was happening with his Panther career from his contacts, and later his agent. Smith said his text and feedback read, "I'm a  distraction"..."Not as good as I used to be".... "Gotta worry about my tenure with Carolina", etc.

 

When he did meet with GMan after several delays/attempts; said GMan told him: He's a shadow of the player he used to be... He can't run and jump like he used to be.... "We're going to trade you".  After hearing all Smith; told his wife, he would "be traded or released". Added; no one would trade for a "35 yr old distraction". Stuff like that.

 

Smith, not only discussed, Gettleman delayed discussing his tenure. Said he "doesn't have the "cajones" to tell him he was going to release him to his face! Regarding his contract restructure: Said he would have lost a $5 mil bonus (deferred $$); stating that was "guaranteed money". So it wasn't a simply restructuring. Smitty would have lost money, he says.

 

In an nutshell: Smitty, basically said GMan took him into a corner and scolded him. You can't make this up. Lol He added: "it was personal" with me and Dave Gettlemen. It's obvious "I did something that got underneath his skin". He Repeats: "Gettlemen said I was a distraction".

 

When answering a question from Frank regarding his being a possible distraction on the team; Smith says/and I quote,  "All I did was hit other teammates (talking about the ones he's punched in the past) 6 or 7 yrs ago, but I didn't beat my wife", etc., when asked about his pay cut". What you said Steve about 'just punching a couple of teammates out (Yikes/What!)'??  This is not made up folks. SMH/Lol

 

When asked what does he have to say to Dave Gettlemen, he says "I have nothing to say to him". Smith added: "I didn't ask for a release. I just wanted to play ball"

 

More tidbits: He Knocked Jake being emotional (by just calling out his name in the comparison, if you ask me) when asked about his recent QB comments. Said Joe [Flacco] Cool was/is more calm in the huddle. But he did not knock Cam while saying this. I repeat. He did not knock Cam during the ongoing interview regarding this subject or anything else.

 

Speaking about Newton. Smith recalled, "Cam didn't even know I was cut". Said Cam wrote him a nice letter and text him after. Mentioned he had no ill towards Newton at all.

 

Regarding their relationship, pointed out Cam's not 35 years old with kids and they're not going to play Madden together; implying they wouldn't be hanging out like that off the field. So no biggie. Makes sense. Was very calm and cool discussing Cam. Nothing Snarky or emotional at all, such as with Rivera and GMan.

 

Note: He did not mention Cam, when asked after about the guys on the team he respects (after naming several players). However, it appears Smith was just talking about/named defenders at the time, since they're the ones he goes against in practice.

 

Smith added later; he has high standards, "And maybe I need to bring people up to my level", regarding his alleged attitude, competitiveness, and ferocity.

 

Back to Gettleman: "Yes it's personal with Dave Gettlemen". He reiterates: "Obviously I did something that got underneath his skin".

 

When asked to compare the differences between Ron Rivera and Harbaugh. Smitty said: Rivera never spoke to him the entire time he was being evaluated (I'm guessing about him, his situation), and finally spoke to him after the win Sunday. Smith said, he didn't care; was going to "put out there (his Rivera feelings/comments)". Smitty was obviously not happy with how Rivera distanced himself from him/the situation.

 

Amongst other things regarding Rivera. Smitty quipped "Stabbed in the back". Say's Rivera "wasn't a man" and didn't talk to him throughout the ordeal'. Says, "we supposed to be boys and you respected me. But you don't talk to me through the ordeal"? Adding; "But now you want to shake may hand after the game, and you talked to the media; why"? Yes, he said that! He was not happy with Ron Ron at all. He described it all as Rivera 'Hiding In His Office' when everything was going down!

 

Later says, every guy has problems and Egos on teams (responding to himself/reputation on the team). But to make them/him a problem....He thinks the Panthers are trying to justify why he isn't there by making him a scapegoat.

 

Says, there are 'Villains and heroes in the world". Says "Lois Lane don't love Clark Kent; she loves Superman. And I'm Lex Luther. And without Lev Luthor, you can't have Superman", when summarizing himself. That's Smitty!

 

Wow, this is like a soap opera/bad break up. And Smitty, really seemed to have it in for Rivera and Gettleman in this one! He's full of quotes.

 

Just finished at 12:26 pm Weds, October 1st. Started at 12:05.  Wow!

 

Seems to me Smitty wanted to be/feel loved, and he didn't like how everything went down (regardless of how it happened)? He wasn't happy he was being evaluated, and I guess just expected business as usual (The Marty Hurney Way). Lotta scars there.

 

My question: What do the Ravens think about him doing this, when he's a teammate of them right now?

 

Whew! We all need a break! The link is below.

 

 http://charlotte.cbs...ttleman-rivera/

 

Note: Bustin Loose will replay it at 2pm. Primetime will re-broadcast at 4pm

 

 

[CRA]

89 is a "me" guy. Listen to any reporter that covers Carolina. He likes attention. It's like people who have followed him the longest paid no attention to so much about him

[Jangler]

who?

[LUUUUUKE]

Obviously he shat on Gettleman and our Defense and is having a career year! Oldest WR EVER to have 400+ yds through the first4 games of a season.

Let him have his time to shine with the National spotlight on him. Who cares what he does? He's earned the right to run his mouth.

"Know the rules and regulations" before u start crying about Agent89

[AceBoogie]

fug Dave Gettleman

[teeray]

There is a lot of stuff here that I flat out don't believe.

I was fooling around last week, because actually I love Smitty, but this reeks of bullshit

[TheRumGone]

he will never get over it.

 

 

[Marguide]

Steve needs to let it go.

 

But that's not Steve.

[LUUUUUKE]

he will never get over it.

Nor should he. He was done dirty. That's the business side of it. Our organization decided it was time to move on, but I think we've beat this horse to death. It wasn't handled properly. Love it hate the guy, he deserved better

[Cary Kollins]

is this real life?

[PhillyB]

weird

[AceBoogie]

he will never get over it.

Would you? The guy obviously still wants to be a Panther, but because of one man's selfish and arrogant decision he has to get on a plane to see his family every week.

[Jangler]

you would think he wouldn't have time to talk about the Panthers being in Flacco's ear all week.

[TheRumGone]

Would you? The guy obviously still wants to be a Panther, but because of one man's selfish and arrogant decision he has to get on a plane to see his family every week.

 

uh probably because i'm a grown man.