I don't think losing Smith for a week or three is that bad a thing.

[pantherj]

This season is about practising for next season, and going 0-16 to get the highest possbible draft picks.

[Bonehenge]

I had this exact thought when 89 went down. Now Clausen doesn't have the pressure to get Smitty the ball. The season is over anyway. Let's get these young receivers some playing time.

[mav1234]

In the short term, it will hurt the team and it may also prevent Clausen from gaining chemistry with Smith he definitely needs for the future. In the long term, it will get valuable playing time to players who can only benefit from it for next season.

More than our receivers, we need better o-line play - I think we have someone who can get our guys the ball.

[MaineManPanther]

I agree to an extent. However with Smith gone this will just increase the amount of pressure and run defence the offence and Clausen will be facing.

[jasonluckydog]

WTF!! Steve Smith is the offense!! Teams have to account for him if not they stack the box and kill us!! We need Smitty back asap!!

[PantherBrew]

I think Smitty is putting a lot of pressure on Clausen.

I think it is negatively effecting him.

[ladypanther]

Never good to lose Smitty.

[Cat'sGrowl]

Steve Smith is my favorite player.

I'm wearing his jersey as we speak, and I wore it proudly today at the Superdome.

But.

Clausen to Gettis has to become an established threat if we ever want Smitty to be a vital part of our offense again.

If not, coverages are continue to roll to Steve's side of the field, making it impossible to get him in the game.

I think losing him for a week is a blessing in disguise.

[propagandamachine]

Three amens.. Steve who..

[Lumps]

WTF!! Steve Smith is the offense!! Teams have to account for him if not they stack the box and kill us!! We need Smitty back asap!!

I agree. Clausen will have a lot of trouble even trying to get it to Gettis and all the other slower receivers we have held onto. Also Smitty can block like a mofo, it'll hurt our run game as well. I can see either side's point. Smith just isn't part of the future of this team. They have got to find a receiver.

[CharlotteBeer.com]

I remember when I first heard this -- during the offseason, when Smith broke his arm for the second time. It didn't make us a better team then, and it won't now.

Maybe Gettis or LaFell will benefit from it, but it certainly won't make us any better.

[beastson]

Sounds like a trade Smith thread

[PantherExpress]

Wow, I can't believe so many people think this is okay. Things just got a lot harder for the offense.

[Montsta]

At least the Steve Strade trade rumor threads should go away now.