Thank you David Glenn for your take on 89

[top dawg]

He is on the show right now.

 

He says Steve Smith hasn't been perfect, but that Smith is more "real deal" than "low class".  

 

Finally a guy that gets it.  He says Smith deserved better than he got when he was pushed out the door.

[teeray]

No he didnt

[top dawg]

Darin Gantt basically said that everyone who knew Smith should not be surprised by Smith having a great game and burning bridges.  He said that Smith shouldn't have taken things so personally, but that Gettleman should have handled the situation better as well.

 

He specifically said that people are always throwing the Jerry Rice and Joe Montana argument around, but he basically said that it's apples and oranges because those guys were notified privately and had time to make the transition within their minds, whereas Smith didn't.

 

Both Gantt and Glenn basically said that it was OK to move on from Smith, but that Gettleman should have handled the situation befitting of the franchise legend that Smitty was (is).  

 

That's what I and others had been saying all along.

[top dawg]

Love it.  David Glenn is breaking it down. If you are not listening, you're missing.

[top dawg]

No he didnt

 

Oh yes he did (and is).  He says generally that he'd rather deal with a dude like Steve Smith that may be an ass sometimes, but keeps it real, than someone who says all the right things then sneaks behind your back and does the opposite.

[Mr. Scot]

Bill Voth's take on Mac Attack was more informed.

 

The podcast can be found here (link)

 

Here's a synopsis...

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

- Said first that Smith is not the "innocent little angel" that he claims to be.

 

- When asked by McClain if the Panthers botched their handling of Smith, Voth said "no" and explained why.

 

- Per Voth, Smith was in Gettleman's office all of last year being told to cool down, act professional, ease up on teammates, etc.

 

- Smith's response was "Do you know who I am?  I do what I want".

 

- Then suddenly he's cut, and acting hurt like "What did I do wrong?"

 

- Says that there was indeed a meeting with Gettleman where he was told he would be cut, and that immediately after he went to Jerry Richardson's house.

 

- Voth added his own belief that Kelvin Benjamin wouldn't be as good as he is now if Smith were still around.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Basically, Voth believes Smith thought Jerry Richardson would back him like he had before (like the story with Jeff Davidson).  When Richardson didn't overrule Gettleman, he was left dumbstruck.  But because he still believes he's more important than Gettleman and Rivera, he's only burning bridges with them and not Richardson.

 

Essentially, Smith is the spoiled kid that Daddy has always protected from the consequences of his actions.  Then suddenly Daddy tells him to face the music and he acts like a whiny brat.

[teeray]

Oh yes he did (and is).  He says generally that he'd rather deal with a dude like Steve Smith that may be an ass sometimes, but keeps it real, than someone who says all the right things then sneaks behind your back and does the opposite.

 

I am saying he didn't deserve better than he got.

[teeray]

Bill Voth's take on Mac Attack was more informed.

 

The podcast can be found here (link)

 

Here's a synopsis...

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

- Said first that Smith is not the "innocent little angel" that he claims to be.

 

- When asked by McClain if the Panthers botched their handling of Smith, Voth said "no" and explained why.

 

- Per Voth, Smith was in Gettleman's office all of last year being told to cool down, act professional, ease up on teammates, etc.

 

- Smith's response was "Do you know who I am?  I do what I want".

 

- Then suddenly he's cut, and acting hurt like "What did I do wrong?"

 

- Says that there was indeed a meeting with Gettleman where he was told he would be cut, and that immediately after he went to Jerry Richardson's house.

 

- Voth added his own belief that Kelvin Benjamin wouldn't be as good as he is now if Smith were still around.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Basically, Voth believes Smith thought Jerry Richardson would back him like he had before.  When Richardson didn't overrule Gettleman, he was left dumbstruck.  But because he still believes he's more important than Gettleman and Rivera, he's only burning bridges with them and not Richardson.

 

Essentially, Smith is the spoiled kid that Daddy has always protected from the consequences of his actions.  Then suddenly Daddy tells him to face the music and he acts like a whiny brat.

 

 

Voth or Glenn (who I like but has no real info on this outside of what is reported) and Gantt who is... well Gantt.  Not the best source.

 

I will take Voth all day

 

[Darth Biscuit]

Darin Gantt basically said that everyone who knew Smith should not be surprised by Smith having a great game and burning bridges.  He said that Smith shouldn't have taken things so personally, but that Gettleman should have handled the situation better as well.

 

He specifically said that people are always throwing the Jerry Rice and Joe Montana argument around, but he basically said that it's apples and oranges because those guys were notified privately and had time to make the transition within their minds, whereas Smith didn't.

 

Both Gantt and Glenn basically said that it was OK to move on from Smith, but that Gettleman should have handled the situation befitting of the franchise legend that Smitty was (is).  

 

That's what I and others had been saying all along.

 

 

Hate it that I agree with Gantt, but I do as well.

 

Gman did not handle it well... Smitty took it poorly (and personally) and is pissed.

 

 

I understand why he was cut and although I didn't 100% agree with it, it's done and time to move on.  I wish Smitty could but apparently he's not ready to yet.

[teeray]

He had a private meeting with Gettleman.  Gettleman informed him that he would try to trade him and if not he would release him.  Then Smith had lunch with Big Cat the day before he was released so that Richardson could thank him.

 

All this while the Panthers were denying rumors or no commenting rumors flying all over the press.

 

So.... how did Smith not have time?  That is utter bullshit

[Mr. Scot]

I like Jerry Richardson as an owner, but I gotta say he made one huge mistake.

 

Treating a player like he's untouchable undermines your leadership and makes it tougher for them to do their jobs.  To his credit, he finally wised up, but it would have been better had he not created the situation in the first place.

[top dawg]

Whatever. Voth's opinion is not really addressing the issue at hand.  Smith should have been notified privately before he was cut.  Any mature and business-minded person should be able to see that.   If you're running a first-rate organization, that's what you do: act professionally, even when you believe that others have not.  As a GM, you are held to a much higher standard.   Anyone with any sense of professional protocol should be able to understand.

[Darth Biscuit]

He had a private meeting with Gettleman.  Gettleman informed him that he would try to trade him and if not he would release him.  Then Smith had lunch with Big Cat the day before he was released so that Richardson could thank him.

 

All this while the Panthers were denying rumors or no commenting rumors flying all over the press.

 

So.... how did Smith not have time?  That is utter bullshit

 

 

I agree that there is a lot we don't know and I think Smitty is being infantile by doing what he's doing.  He'd be much smarter to chill and let it settle down, play ball, and come back here when he's done to welcoming arms to retire.  He apparently doesn't want to do that, and It doesn't surprise me given his personality.

 

I stand by what I said though, Gettleman could have handled it better than he did, both with Smitty directly and most especially with the fans.  He could have come out and explained what went down, but as usual, they chose to remain silent and take the heat.

[top dawg]

He had a private meeting with Gettleman.  Gettleman informed him that he would try to trade him and if not he would release him.  Then Smith had lunch with Big Cat the day before he was released so that Richardson could thank him.

 

All this while the Panthers were denying rumors or no commenting rumors flying all over the press.

 

So.... how did Smith not have time?  That is utter bullshit

 

This was way past the time that Smith should have been notified that a change was coming.  Come on, dude.