Panthers WR Steve Smith's future uncertain

[Laetitia]

(By Darin Gantt, [email protected]) Watching Steve Smith isn't a perfect barometer, but it can tell you things about the Carolina Panthers.p/And what's made the previous week fascinating is that in a five-day span, he's gone from as engaged in the process as he's been all year to shaking his head wondering what's coming next, a confusion that's carried through the whole room.

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[Proudiddy]

The premise of this article really doesn't make sense... It seems like it is questioning the direction of the franchise more than Smith's future with it.

[Mr. Scot]

The premise of this article really doesn't make sense... It seems like it is questioning the direction of the franchise more than Smith's future with it.

Actually he's questioning whether those two things are going in the same direction.

Unbelievable - and just plain wrong - as that may sound, it's a valid question :sad:

There's a very real possibility that Steve Smith won't finish his career as a Panther. Shocking, given that no Panther player has been more readily identifiable with the franchise for some time now. It's a matter of debate whether it's the best thing or not, but in the past the notion that it was even possible would have been shot down pretty much without consideration. That's not true anymore.

Truthfully, I'd disagree with the premise that Smith is the best player on the Panthers anymore. He certainly was for a long, long time. but these days? One of the best, still, but he isn't what he used to be. DeAngelo is better (when healthy) and you could make an argument that Beason might be too, maybe even Stewart.

Opponents still account for him, but they don't fear him like they once did. Yeah, the QB situation is part of it (a big part) but objectively, how many times this season have we seen Smith drop a perfectly thrown pass or lose a hand fight with a DB. Those are things that hardly ever used to happen, but they're happening a lot more this season.

I wrote a pretty long post prior to this season called "Octoninophobia" about fear of the number 89. Saddens me much to say it looks like the league has found a cure

Does that mean we should part with him? I'm not ready to go that far yet.

But the team might be...

[rayzor]

as much as people hate to hear it, he is more valuable to the panthers in the long run (and maybe in the short term) as trade bait right now.

get a third (i'd even settle for a 4th) round pick and then turn around and use that pick packaged with a late round pick and get a younger (and better) model.

sure smith has star power and we'd be losing some of that, but 1) that star power is waning, 2) it's pretty marketable, and 3) star power don't win you games.

don't get me wrong...i would love for smith to stay forever and for him to retire as a panther, but i am more interested in making the panthers better than i am smith sticking around another 5 years or whatever so that he could retire as a panther.

it's pretty clear, he isn't in love with the idea of being surrounded by youth. he doesn't love the idea of a kid throwing to him. he wants to be with grown ups. i really don't think he wants to be a leader anymore than peppers did. smith just wants to play and then retire.

i'd miss him for sure, but i'd get over it. life goes on.

[YoungPanthers89]

no way

[Mr. Scot]

There's also the very real possibility that he may stay here, but no longer be a starter.

Making him a third-down slot receiver could certainly create some favorable matchups, and it'd be less wear and tear on his body.

[CarolinaCatBrigade]

Is it to late to return Armanti Edwards for the #33 pick next season? (/sigh)

[rayzor]

There's also the very real possibility that he may stay here, but no longer be a starter.

Making him a third-down slot receiver could certainly create some favorable matchups, and it'd be less wear and tear on his body.

thats true as well. i just don't know that we have someone on the team that can be a legit #1 WR. thats why i'd love to have someone like curtis johnson from the saints as OC here (if we could steal him away, that is).

that dude is the best WR coach there is. i'd give him the job with no problem, esp. if we hired an offensive minded HC like harbaugh.

[Kevin Greene]

Is it to late to return Armanti Edwards for the #33 pick next season? (/sigh)

Ask Marty, but he won't take the call. I think he smokes crack on draft days sometimes.

Smitty needs to play out his contract in Carolina barring some unforseen outburst rearing its ugly head.

What we would get in return would pale to what he brings to the field every Sunday.

[rayzor]

you could say what smitty brings to the field every sunday is pale compared to what he used to bring....and it will only get worse.

[nosuchthingasapanther]

There's also the very real possibility that he may stay here, but no longer be a starter.

Making him a third-down slot receiver could certainly create some favorable matchups, and it'd be less wear and tear on his body.

isn't this what he wants?

[Kevin Greene]

you could say what smitty brings to the field every sunday is pale compared to what he used to bring....and it will only get worse.

Perhaps, but there's also passion for the game. You always had to wonder what Pepper's body could have done with Smitty's heart. Would love for that to rub off on some of the youngsters.

[Snake]

Everyone want to over react to one bad season but the truth is we will have a new coach. If he is good Smith will be happy because he is being used in the right way. He will not want to be traded and will want to remain with the team. As far as now he is just as frustrated as we are. He wants to win but knows everyone is mailing it in.

Next season will define if Smith stays or goes. We have the talent and cash to be good we just need the coach to put the plan in order.

[iamcline]

Is it to late to return Armanti Edwards for the #33 pick next season? (/sigh)

Once the Panthers opened him (put him on the field) there was no return.