Ron Rivera: "Steve Smith part of the plan right now"

[Proudiddy]

Yeah, sounds like he'll be leaving to me...

[Primetime 89]

I'm scared....someone hold me

[mountainpantherfan]

I'm probably one of the few Panther fans that think Smitty needs to leave but he is my 2nd favorite Panther all time (only behind Sam Mills) and I don't want to see him leave. But Smitty isn't the mentor/teacher type of guy. He isn't interested in being apart of rebuilding and he will fight it all the way.

Smitty has been upset since Henning was let go. Then last offseason he loses the only WR coach he has ever worked with in the NFL, his best friend QB and a close friend and vetern WR that mentored him to begin with. In all reality, Smitty is in the same situation that Fox was in. It may just be in the best interest of both parties to part ways.

The biggest issue is the relationship between Smitty and JR. I've said this before, JR will not trade Smitty unless Smitty asks to be traded. Smitty will not ask to be traded because of his relationship with JR. So this happening will not be quick. Rivera and Hurney will have a play a sly game of telephone to get the two sides (JR and Smitty) to come to a conclusion of a trade happening without either feeling like they are the one originating the idea.

[SmokeScreen]

i hope smith shows up and so does rivera offense plan...i just want smith back in beast mode...

[Darth Urious]

If I had to deal with the QB play that Smitty has had to deal with his entire career here, I'd be an asshole too...

[Mr. Scot]

I'm in the camp that wants to see Smith stay, but with a reduced workload as the third receiver.

I believe that's the most effective use of his skills now.

[riddel]

I'm in the camp that wants to see Smith stay, but with a reduced workload as the third receiver.

I believe that's the most effective use of his skills now.

Not. He's still a #1 WR. With a Qb and other WR threats, he's our #1 guy.

Smith wants out. That sucks, but I don't blame him. If the owner tanked a season on me, I'd be pissed too. Players only have a certain amount of time and then they're done......

[PantherFanForLife]

i think he is going to want to stay after he sees the changes the coaching staff has made

What changes will he see? Do you know something we don't? Don't automatically assume whatever changes this FO puts into place are going to be great, and will please our players.

We still have no idea what this team is going to look like, not until we are at least 3-4 games into the season. You guys should really learn to take things like this with a grain of salt.

I don't want to be Mr. Negative here, but change isn't always good. For all we know, we may be even worse. With the way Richardson has been acting, talking, and acting again, and with the CBA one thing is pretty clear to me: the main motive being the driving force behind all of these changes is money. The only thing that's a certainty is it will be better financially for our owner.

From the way that excerpt reads, it doesn't sound like a definite endorsement from Rivera.

[Mr. Scot]

Smith isn't what he once was. It's sad, but it's true.

I believe he can still be effective, but would be more effective in a reduced role.

[dimbee]

When you consider the Big Cat's justification of releasing veterans because the younger players wouldn't get the chance to step up without doing so... If that's truly how he feels, then... well... stand by your words, JR

[SPANKY]

I hope he will stay a Panther, he's the best WR in the history of the team, and one of the best ever IMO. I think he's still good enough to be a #1WR. Jon Gruden said it best," Look at some of the trainwreck's the guy has come out of. He's got just as good a highlight reel as anyone."

[OneBadassCat]

This is my bottomline statement on the subject of Smitty's fire/anger/assholeishness.

I'm going to bed.

Did you have a bad run in with him after he burnt your wittle Gummy Bears in Chicago?

[mountainpantherfan]

Not. He's still a #1 WR. With a Qb and other WR threats, he's our #1 guy.

Smith wants out. That sucks, but I don't blame him. If the owner tanked a season on me, I'd be pissed too. Players only have a certain amount of time and then they're done......

So you disagree with Steve Smith, too? Because Smitty was the first one to say he would be more effective in a lesser role last year. And I'm sure that hasn't changed.

I agree he needs to be the slot reciever now and that Smitty may take on that role. That will not change his approach to being on this team. He isn't pissed at JR, he's pissed at the situation. I'd even put money on it that Smitty has put all of the blame on Fox and Clausen. He does want to win now and that isn't were the Panthers are right now.

Not to mention we need a vetern leader at WR that 1) will take the younger WR under his wing and teach them and 2) be a mentor to our young QBs as well and helping form the bonds between the young WR and QB.

I love me some Steve Smith but being a mentor and teacher is not one of those reasons.

[dimbee]

Did you have a bad run in with him after he burnt your wittle Gummy Bears in Chicago?

Pointless.