Smitty closed door meeting with Richardson

[CharlotteBeer.com]

I think Richardson should just hand Smith one of the letters he sent PSL owners. That'll convince him this team's on the up-and-up!

[Jhyler12]

Who didn't see this coming... come on the man is a champion and wants to win a championship! He will not do it here by the time he retires... It is completly understandable but it is sad! I wish he would retire here and im sure he would love too but man... that championship is not in our sights for a while... just terrible

[Urrymonster]

Has anyone thought that possibly it's not to do with a trade (although it could well be)?

One thought that crossed my mind was he comments in the press about Clausen not apologising to the guys in the huddle. That's pretty outspoken and has been swept under the rug simply because everyone has it in for Jimmy. He could well be getting a stern talking to, or at least a chat to understand why he is being more destructive than constructive to his team mates.

Just throwin it out there. It's not like this team appreciates outspoken media comments (Beason springs to mind...)

[scpanther22]

Thomas Davis pretty much confirmed this.

What did he say?

[Murph]

Package him with Clausen so he will still be stuck with him on the same team.

[CRA]

sorry guys but at this point its obvious - Smittys heart isnt in this team anymore- I dont think it has been since the first couple of games. at this point he is a distraction and dragging the team even lower if that is even possible. Time to let him go and hope that one of our rookies will step it up next year if we manage to find a qb that can get them the ball.

yep.

Smitty has made it clear he isn't concerned about his role and will be happy as a #2.....but has made it clear that he simply wants to win. He wants to part of a dangerous offense.

Smitty talk imo is definately about the future in Carolina. Smitty is a win now type of guy.....not the kind you want to have taking up a space to teach during a rebuilding era.

I am all in favor of Carolina doing what KC did for Gonzo. Smitty deserves that.

[Mr. Scot]

it doesnt surprise me.

Ditto.

People are correct in saying that the team doesn't have to consider it though.

The assumption is that everyone would want him or that we could get a decent price for him. To many folks he is a bad apple and troublemaker given his problems along the way. Plus he will be 32 in May meaning he is mostly over the hill and has not had a pro bowl year since 2008.

Not sure he is very tradeable at this point.

I've said before that it needs to be remembered the rest of the league doesn't view him like Panther fans do.

[MHS831]

Why not wait to see who the new coach is?

I agree. If it is Cowher, I can't imagine a man Smitty would rather play for.

[raleigh-panther]

We do not know a) if the meeting really took place or if it did what was talked about.

If he did ask for a trade, who could blame him. He's 32, had he been with a different team that actually knew how to do an offensive game plan with a QB who could execute it, he'd probably be in the HOF. He wont' now regardless. It's too late. If he wants to leave find a way to get value and should it have been earlier, yes, but, that, is not the JR/Hurney way. It is the NE way and that is why NE wins and the Panthers don't. One of many reasons.

On the other hand, Smith makes a lot of money, an awful lot of money, money that those of us on this board can only dream about.

As much as I respect him and his fire, I've grown a little tired of the screaming at team mates and the little unfortunate outbursts that happen now and again. He has never matured in certain ways, and probably never will, it comes with the territory; but, that does not exactly mesh with a young team. One of these times, he's going to pop his mouth off or fists off at the wrong person, and it will be a very bad time for him as that problem, undoes all the good...kind of like a pit bull that 95% of the time the dog is fine, but, that 5% that it is not, it can kill you.

He forgets, all the mistakes he has made apparently.

[CRA]

Ditto.

People are correct in saying that the team doesn't have to consider it though.

I've said before that it needs to be remembered the rest of the league doesn't view him like Panther fans do.

the rest of the league has had to gameplan against him for what is soon to be almost a decade. They have seen the film.......the rest of the league knows they can get a legit WR for cheap likely b/c they can play the troublemaker card and it will work.

[Jangler]

Package him with Clausen so he will still be stuck with him on the same team.

deep

[brandon_87]

NE would scoop him up. They could send us back the pick we sent them for Edwards.

this

[mav1234]

NE wouldn't have given up a 2nd rounder for him and I kinda doubt they would over the offense. What role does he fill for them exactly?

Say what you want, but Smith is just a guy that teams double team now. He isn't the same threat he was. I have no doubt hes still a great receiver, but yeah. We won't get much value for him like some people here seem to think.

Still may be worth a trade though, especially if the differences can't be reconciled.

[CRA]

NE wouldn't have given up a 2nd rounder for him and I kinda doubt they would over the offense. What role does he fill for them exactly?

Say what you want, but Smith is just a guy that teams double team now. He isn't the same threat he was. I have no doubt hes still a great receiver, but yeah. We won't get much value for him.

No WR is that great of a threat when your team can't throw the ball.

Look at his # w/ Moore up until Moore was benched in week 2. He still has plenty in the tank.