Cam Newton vs Steve Smith

[CarolinaKat]

Except that IMO getting into a fight at practice is part of football. I view committing a crime and going to jail more severe. Like I said we had scuffles almost daily in HS. We have a difference of opinion that's cool no big deal....

So assulting someone is less of a crime than buying stolen property. Fights dont happen all the time in practice. Your team was full of people destined for jail if they fought as much as you say. Sucker punching your team mate in the eye and sending him to the hospital is something most people go to jail and serve time for. But to you thats just part of football? I know it's just your opinion but that just doesn't make sense

[King Taharqa]

As to Smitty, he's a Panther now... and he's taken his lumps for the stupid poo he's done. He seems to keep his anger problems to the game even if it means decking teammates. This is stupid poo but he knows it's a problem and he has worked on it. This is an issue and there is no excuse for it but I do not view it quite the same as an arrest off the field.

I view Smitty's issues as worse. I view Beasons issues as worse, which is why I laugh when people play up Cam's off the field issues simply because he plays QB. I have no doubt in my mind, if Steve Smith and Jon Beason were QBs, our fans would react the same way. Panther fans have an overconcern with 'character' that is detrimental to a franchise.

[C47]

So assulting someone is less of a crime than buying stolen property. Fights dont happen all the time in practice. Your team was full of people destined for jail if they fought as much as you say. Sucker punching your team mate in the eye and sending him to the hospital is something most people go to jail and serve time for. But to you thats just part of football? I know it's just your opinion but that just doesn't make sense

But most people don't work in the kind of environment Steve Smith does. Once again I never said Steve's actions are acceptable I wish the incidents didn't happen but I just don't see how getting in fights at practice (something that often happens from hs football and up) is as bad as committing a crime, lying about it to police and then when you know your caught trying to get rid of the evidence. Sorry we just aren't going to see eye to eye on this so I'm just going to bow out....

[Darth Urious]

Steeler fans love Big Ben, Philly fans love Vick.....

once a guy suits up for you and if he helps you win...for the most part, nothing else matters. Homer glasses always go on. Steve Smith is a horrible teammate and a douchebag.....but most of us would paint him as the ideal Panther.

wow...

[CarolinaKat]

I just don't see how getting in fights at practice (something that often happens from hs football and up) is as bad as committing a crime

So punching someone in the face isn't a crime? The panthers aren't going to call the police but its still a crime. And No...fights dont happen as often as you are trying to portray them. I played in highschool and college too and worked for my college team before and after school. I know what your saying isn't true. Arguing, yes.....shoving wreastling.... yeah....full on fist fights....Not so much. These people are grown ass professionals not your highschool team of misfits

I guess I'll bow out too while i'm still Charlie Sheen'n

[cdandi1]

At least we all know, with smitty's issues, that he goes out there 100 percent every down and plays with the same fire as he did when he was a rookie. The money hasn't gotten to him, the fame, etc.

If Cam is drafted and plays with a similar chip on his shoulder, and plays with the same passion as smitty after all the pay checks...i'll be wearing the newton jersey as proud as I wear my smitty jersey.

The fact is though...we don't know enough about Cam. If he is drafted by the panthers we shall revisit this question 5 years from now.

[C47]

So punching someone in the face isn't a crime? The panthers aren't going to call the police but its still a crime. And No...fights dont happen as often as you are trying to portray them. I played in highschool and college too and worked for my college team before and after school. I know what your saying isn't true. Arguing, yes.....shoving wreastling.... yeah....full on fist fights....Not so much. These people are grown ass professionals not your highschool team of misfits

Like I said I'm done, you made your point we don't agree I'm fine with that. Find someone else to argue with....

[teeray]

I agree with what a lot of people are saying about Smitty. BUT his attitude is one of his biggest strengths. I prefer it when he takes it out on opponenets and not Lucas' face, but it is exactly that nature that allows a guy that is 5'9 be one of the best WR in all of football.

As far as Cam goes his "character issues" are ridiculously overblown and have never been a concern for me. Mainly because none of us know the whole story (although we like to think we do) and the Panthers will investigate these things thoroughly.

[King Taharqa]

As far as Cam goes his "character issues" are ridiculously overblown and have never been a concern for me. Mainly because none of us know the whole story (although we like to think we do) and the Panthers will investigate these things thoroughly.

Its par for the course because of who he is and the position he plays. Character attacks should be expected.

[OchoNueve]

I probably would have traded Smith after the 2nd incident honestly. I don't forgive him, and I certaily don't praise SS. He is a bad teammate, and is very hateful/ungrateful toward the fans of this team.

I don't have to forgive Newton, just the same as I have not forgiven SS.

And for all that are concerned, I am not nearly as concerned about Newtons off field stuff, as I am about his on field.

Less than 300 D1 passes, and 1 year starting leads to disaster.

I think the guy who owned the laptop and the people that Smitty punched in the face are the only ones that can really forgive these guys. You are just someone that got their feelings hurt because someone you looked up to did something bad.

If you are looking for unblemmished, angelic, "do-gooder" role models then become a fan of Green Peace, because the NFL is not for you.

[CRA]

wow...

It is what it is.....he is a talented guy....but is a bad teammate and douchebag (you can use any word here you like....maybe you would prefer just jerK).

He has punched 3 teammates.......and his team has even sat him down after one such event and voiced there concerns about him as a teammate. Steve has also displayed a host a various other displays of anger consistantly from cussing out QBs on the field, cussing out coaches on the field, cussing out anyone who will acknowledge him and even going as far to kick opponents while down on the ground.

Steve Smith's says a lot of really nice things after mistakes......but he has never changed. He is an angry jerk.....who can play football. I like watching him play football......but like lots of top teir talent at WR there comes a time when he is no longer worth the bullcrap.

[mav1234]

I view Smitty's issues as worse. I view Beasons issues as worse, which is why I laugh when people play up Cam's off the field issues simply because he plays QB. I have no doubt in my mind, if Steve Smith and Jon Beason were QBs, our fans would react the same way. Panther fans have an overconcern with 'character' that is detrimental to a franchise.

His off the field issues are played up as much because he is in contention for #1 as his position. But QBs are held to a higher standard, you are right there. If he was a tightend, people wouldn't care what he'd done. Then again, he also wouldn't be in the conversation at #1 probably.

Quarterbacks are the face of the franchise; they are the player most often associated with a franchise, and some fans like to believe that winning isn't all that matters.

It's not just Panther fans, either. Some Steelers fans were willing to get rid of Big Ben. Some Eagles fans rioted when they brought in Vick (though he has quieted a lot of that by showing he looks like he has indeed changed; good for him!)

But anyway, as I've said before I do NOT think his off field concerns would be why the Panthers passed on him if we do pass.

[SOJA]

He was just a 2nd year return man when he assaulted Anthony Bright.

I don't see how Newton's past character issues even come close to comparing to assault on a teamate.

Again I am just curious as to how one gets a pass over another.

Does production = forgiveness

If Cam is drafted and leads us to a Super Bowl....can/will you forget about his past?

without a doubt, I already don't really care

[HSCBandit07]

Steve Smith is a WR and Cam is a QB. See the difference here? For what it's worth, I don't believe Smith should be wearing the Captains patch based on his history.