Steve Smith reaches out to PFW to address trade rumors

[Dpantherman]

Smith remained quiet, refusing several media advances along the way, amid reports surfacing that the Panthers would be willing to grant his wish of a trade — most notably to the Raiders or Chargers, with other teams such as the Patriots and Ravens mentioned as well. He read about things he said have not happened in the past few trying months but chose to stay quiet.

Until now.

Smith reached out to PFW on Tuesday to discuss his future and clear up some of the misreporting he has read about. He knows he's at a crossroads in his career, coming off two seasons in which his statistics have fallen off amid a struggling passing game in Carolina. Smith's motivation is to let people know his story — and that he hasn't ruled out any end to it.

"I would rather do it on my terms when I have the ability to," Smith said, noting that the NFL's lockout has put his and every other NFL player's status on hold for now. "These people that keep writing these articles, none of them have even spoken to me. What I want to do is be classy and not tip my cards, be respectful to the (Panthers) organization.On rumors that he has asked to be traded: "First of all, have I demanded a trade? I have not demanded a trade. What I have asked for is to be in a competitive situation. I sat down with Marty a lot of times prior to the lockout. I am respected as a veteran amongst the players as well as the front office. So there has been dialogue (about his future in Carolina) prior to the lockout.

"On reports that a Panthers official asked to weigh his future with the team after last season: "I was never asked to sit down and weigh my future in Carolina. I was never approached by management or by Coach (Ron) Rivera to weigh my options or my future (here). I sat down with Coach Rivera after he was hired because I was asked to and because that's what veterans do. They sit down and meet with the new decision makers.

"On whether his house being on the market means he wants out of Carolina: "I think it's important that people realize I am not packing my bags. As far as why my house is for sale, we built this huge house and we just don't have any business living in it. It seemed like a great idea, and then we moved into this big house. We started cringing at all that space we had. For me, it was a little bit vain that I have this big house with this big yard. People saw my house was on sale and said it was me sending a message. Really the message I sent was to my kids: Dad made a mistake. This isn't how we are supposed to live. This isn't what I should be projecting. If we don't do this now, what incentive do I give my kids to reach for? You make a lot of money and then you go blow it? I don't want to be a statistic. I want to be a good steward.

"On if he expects to be traded: "Do I expect to be traded? Really ... to be honest, I am not sure what to expect. That's the truth. Could I see a situation where I stay (in Carolina)? In my mind, I have played out every scenario: I could be moved, I could be cut, I could stay or I could be locked out. Honestly, my family and I are prepared for whatever steps are presented in front of us."

More: http://www.profootballweekly.com/2011/05/10/panthers-smith-addresses-trade-talk-future-in-caro

[pantherfan81]

50/50

[CatMan72]

Good interview, sounds like the door on returning to Carolina is by no means shut... he just wants to be "in a competitive situation" which means he doesn't want to stay if the Panthers are going to play another season with one hand tied behind their back like last season.

[Matthias]

I say go ahead and trade Smitty to the Chargers (I personally want to see him traded to the Texans if he's traded), and let him play with a consistent passing game.

[YoungPanthers89]

If we trade him i request we trade him to a super bowl contender, i dont want to see him go out with the raiders or some other team

[firstdayfan]

It really seems that the players especially the veterans know what really went down last season. I think they realized that the organization put fox and the team in a terrible place last year. I feel like smitty probably told Marty and maybe even JR not to do that again or he will leave. I really think that's what he meant about being in a competitive situation...the players probably knew they had little hope last season and I doubt they want to be in that position again. JR will have to open up the wallet a little and make this team more competitive in order to get Smith. I totally agree with him on that aspect.

[CatMan72]

If we trade him i request we trade him to a super bowl contender, i dont want to see him go out with the raiders or some other team

If you read the rest of the article, it sounds like he says no thanks to the idea of playing for the Raiders.

[Udogg]

The raiders actually are in a competitive situation tbh. Here in Carolina that's debatable.

[Floppin]

I really like the tone of that article, and the general premise of offering an interview. If he really wanted to be traded, why not just let the rumors circulate to possibly build up his bargaining chips? To come out and call BS on a lot of the rumors gives me hope that he doesn't mind staying around.

[Zaximus]

I personally think he just doesn't want to seem like a distraction or nuisance. Make sure they know he isn't demanding trades or threatening. That should actually increase his value.

[The Saltman]

umm If he will stay then I want him here. A 4th round pick isnt worth what he could do for us in the passing game. Yes he has an ego and can be a diva but what WR isn't (Andre Johnson the exception)

If we do trade him It will never be so he can go to another team to win a superbowl. That is just idiotic at best.

Before I said he is gone and lets move on, but after reading this article things aren't over yet.

[Nicbsbll2]

He said that the possibility to return to Carolina was still on the table, however, I got the impression that it's only on the table because he's under contract to play for them (not because he wants to).

Maybe that's just me though.

[Fiz]

god what a jerk

Really the message I sent was to my kids: Dad made a mistake. This isn't how we are supposed to live. This isn't what I should be projecting. If we don't do this now, what incentive do I give my kids to reach for? You make a lot of money and then you go blow it? I don't want to be a statistic. I want to be a good steward.

[Tarheels23]

After reading that article I'm not sure how I feel about the Smitty situation.

"What I have been through, really the last two and even three years, I started to doubt my ability. I have been insecure about playing. At times I often have lined up on Sundays — before and during games — wondering if I would be lucky enough to catch more than one pass."

This line really bothered me! I just can't picture Smitty saying something like this, even if he did think it.