Smitty was on WFNZ this morning

[Johnny Rockets]

Why are people trying to give Smith such a hard time?

First Fiz talking about him punching people (weeks back when I read a few posts about it), then people questioning him not wanting to be a #1 and now questioning his work ethic.

Probably because when you an a$$ to so many people in real life, not everyone is going to love you no matter how many TD's you score on Sunday.

[Wither]

Probably because when you an a$$ to so many people in real life, not everyone is going to love you no matter how many TD's you score on Sunday.

It's not about his character, it's about his football ability.

There is a difference in questioning his personality versus questioning his ability. For example, his willingness to be a #1 has nothing to do with punching people or being an ass, nor does it have anything to do with his work ethic.

Sure, I guess you can analyze his personality and use that to guess at his motives, but I don't think anyone that has criticized him has sat down and said "Hey, I'm going to analyze Steve Smith today!" It merely sounds like people are making random comments about him.

[Mr. Scot]

Probably because when you an a$$ to so many people in real life, not everyone is going to love you no matter how many TD's you score on Sunday.

Smith is probably the biggest enigma on the team. I'd bet even some of his teammates aren't sure what to make of him sometimes.

He can be a complete jerk, and often is, but he also occasionally can seem like the nicest guy around. This past year, out of the blue and with no prompting, he walked over to a friend of mine and his kids who were standing at the fence after a training camp session and signed an autograph for them. Not too many guys were signing that day, and Smith hardly ever signs, but this day he did.

Is he likely kind of a jerk overall? Possible (some would say probable) but there are times when he'll surprise you.

[Baschski]

- Most notable, he said coach Fox gave a speech to end the season this year that inspired all the players to come back and work harder than ever. Smitty said he spoke to them as men, not players or employees, and that it meant the world to him and most of the guys. He said, "I know I'm going to work as hard as I can for coach fox"

If the players still believe in Coach Fox, then I do too.

[SOJA]

Smitty is way too fierce of a competitor to just roll over... He may want someone else who can be a recieving threat so that he doesnt get triple teamed ever play, but he is not becoming lazy or losing his desire.... bet on that.

I agree with whoever said he is just asking for a number one in hopes for a number two, and I don't blame him for that at all. But asking a rookie to step in and become a legit number two is very challenging.

I really wouldn't be surprised if we make a trade with our next year's first rounder and it just might involve a veteran wide-reciever not named Brandon Marshall.

haha at the Andre Johnson comment, Wouldn't we all like to have him and Peyton

[Strong Arm]

I'd love to see the transcript of that Fox speech...

[Jak Perez]

I think a few of you are reading far too much negativity into Smith's statements. It seems that all he is saying is that he has matured and no longer cares to have his ego stroked by being called the #1 WR. He cites Andre Johnson to emphasize that he is putting himself secondary to the needs of the team. He says he wants to move around positions to demonstrate that he is willing to do whatever it takes.

I thought this was pretty straightforward. Smith wants to win HERE and is going to do whatever it takes to make that happen.

[CharlotteBeer.com]

So Smith thinks he's always open and doesn't particularly like playing second fiddle to a run-first offense, but he wants a No. 1 receiver to come in and take even more attention away from him?

Makes perfect sense.

[Woodcookedbbq]

I'd like to know how his arm is healing.

[The Saltman]

Tommy Jone Done Did Him In.

[necroplasm]

So Smith thinks he's always open and doesn't particularly like playing second fiddle to a run-first offense, but he wants a No. 1 receiver to come in and take even more attention away from him?

Makes perfect sense.

He said he just wants to settle down now for the rest of his career and have more fun and have some new guy come in, help like he did with Moose and Ricky.

[Mage]

Never in my life time did I think a receiver would ever request to NOT be the #1 on their team.

I still love you though, Smitty.

[Phoenaxe]

Never in my life time did I think a receiver would ever request to NOT be the #1 on their team.

I still love you though, Smitty.

I think it's way of telling the front office that he is serious about wanting another reciever. He also knows that his days of being elite are numbered and will probably last only a few more years. The exact quote is this....

“I would like a younger guy to come in and eventually take my spot,’’ Smith said. “I don’t want to be a No. 1 anymore. I don’t want to be a guy who can’t let go of something he’s got to let go. I would like to be a guy that can play in the slot all day, and I would like some of these young guys to start doing some of the out routes like I was doing for Moose and Ricky when I was fresh legged and when I didn’t know what I was doing, and really start to develop and start handing over the torch.’’

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcsouth/post/_/id/9199/smith-i-dont-want-to-be-a-no-1-anymore

[TrueBlackandBlue]

First off thank you so much for giving such a good synopsis of what he said. Too often I hear about Panthers being on espn, nfln, or the radio and I can't listen because of schedules and because I don't live in Charlotte.

Whether Smitty wants to be a #1 receiver or not, he needs at least 7-8 touches a game.

I love the Panthers organization. The fact that Steve Smith, with a history of being our most undisciplined player, shows such an incredibly amount of maturity and class discussing some difficult subjects separates Smitty and our team from the typical NFL franchise. How often do you hear a premiere receiver say they are happy with their contract? Especially one who legitimately deserve more?

I also like what he had to say about Dwayne Jarrett. I think Steve will be a good mentor. It was reminiscent of the wake up call Testaverde gave DeAngelo

Teams in transition, as we are (I'm not sure if I'd go as far as rebuilding), don't seem to stick together as strongly as we have this offseason.

Finally, wouldn't it be awesome to have Andre Johnson and Steve Smith? I would poo myself