Steve Smith reaches out to PFW to address trade rumors

[MadHatter]

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.

The front office definitely did the Panthers no favors last season. However, Fox and his staff did more to create the train wreck known as the 2010-11 season.

[JawnyBlaze]

lol that's not "the way it fuging is". That's your opinion. And let's not "just say that he'll be competing with players drafted from 1999-2003". He'll be competing with players that retire at the same time he does. Holt will already be in the HoF when Smitty retires. Smitty will probably get in before 85 (despite the stats, people have an overall negative opinion of 85 and that will hurt him) and maybe Driver (the rings may sway it in his favor, but Driver will also probably be eligible at least 1 or 2 years before Smitty). Reggie Wayne is the only one on that list that will probably block Smitty. And that'll just be for a year or two. I don't think Smitty is a first ballot'er, but I think with 2 or 3 more solid seasons (better than last year's aberration) and he has a solid chance of getting in within his first 5 or so years of eligibility. Smitty has easily got that many years left, barring more injuries.

Moss and Harrison are easily first ballot HoFers. The only way Ward has more of a chance than Smitty is the rings his defense got him (that SB MVP is more than likely only because they didn't want to give the award to the whole defense...). Keyshawn may or may not have a better chance, he was never as good as Smitty but always solid. Eric Moulds?? Moulds still dreams of being half the receiver Smitty is. Moulds had 2 more seasons than Smitty has had so far and Smitty beats him on TDs and YPC and he's only 1,100 yards behind him (easily possible in 1 more season).

it doesn't matter what you do or do not buy. It's the way it fuging is.

Let's just say that he'll be competing with players drafted from 1999-2003, a good five year span.

Torry Holt

Donald Driver

Reggie Wayne

Chad Johnson

He's behind those four in yards, receptions, and receiving touchdowns.

Then compare him to the guys in the 1996 - 1998 draft.

Keyshawn Johnson

Marvin Harrison

Randy Moss

Hines Ward

Eric Moulds

That's what he has to get to.

Smith will not sniff the hall of fame, regardless if he gets 2,000 yards or the Triple Crown again. WR is a production stat, and he doesn't have it. You can hold out hope that he goes to new england, puts up 6,000 yards in 3 years, and wins 3 Super Bowl MVPs, but that's probably not going to happen.

[OchoNueve]

Hope Smitty comes back, he's a class act despite what any of you guys think.

[DaveThePanther2008]

it doesn't matter what you do or do not buy. It's the way it fuging is.

Let's just say that he'll be competing with players drafted from 1999-2003, a good five year span.

Torry Holt

Donald Driver

Reggie Wayne

Chad Johnson

He's behind those four in yards, receptions, and receiving touchdowns.

Then compare him to the guys in the 1996 - 1998 draft.

Keyshawn Johnson

Marvin Harrison

Randy Moss

Hines Ward

Eric Moulds

That's what he has to get to.

Smith will not sniff the hall of fame, regardless if he gets 2,000 yards or the Triple Crown again. WR is a production stat, and he doesn't have it. You can hold out hope that he goes to new england, puts up 6,000 yards in 3 years, and wins 3 Super Bowl MVPs, but that's probably not going to happen.

Did any of the above names win the triple crown? NOPE

I can pretty much guarantee you that defensive coordinators spent alot more time trying to figure out a way to stop SS then the names you have listed above (Randy Moss being the exception). Part of the criteria for the Hall of Fame (outside of statistics) is how he changed the game. Steve Smith made the Smoke route famous. Jake understood Steve Smith better than anyone. He knew double covered or not he had a great chance of coming up with the ball because of his greatness. Clausen, Moore and no one else understood what Jake did.

Call him what you will, Steve Smith greatness is that huge chip on his shoulder since day one. His ability to do make you hold your breathe when the ball is in his hands.

You believe he has NO CHANCE I, like many others believe you are wrong. I guess we will see in about 10 yrs.

[Jackofalltrades]

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

That's a joke right? The part about the Raiders?

[jtm]

I would like to see him stay, but I can see where he is coming from. I really liked the fact that he wants this to be handled with class. This is how a potential trade should be done.

[thefuzz]

I'm not sure if he gets traded, but I'm pretty sure that SS won't make the HOF.

Small Market

No Rings

Not enough Touchdowns

The HOF does not care about athletic ability, or drive, or chips on shoulders. The only thing they care about is "Is this player one of the best all time at their position"? Or "are they a Steeler"?

[Jackofalltrades]

Triple Crown should be an automatic bid due to rarity, IMO.

[DaveThePanther2008]

I'm not sure if he gets traded, but I'm pretty sure that SS won't make the HOF.

Small Market

No Rings

Not enough Touchdowns

The HOF does not care about athletic ability, or drive, or chips on shoulders. The only thing they care about is "Is this player one of the best all time at their position"? Or "are they a Steeler"?

They do care about the Chip on the Shoulder if it makes them great which Smitty is. Criteria is NOT ONLY NUMBERS. How they changed the game and how they were feared. You name me ONE defensive Coordinator that didn't fear Steve Smith. OUTSIDE OUR OWN!!!!!!!!

Small market has nothing to do with it.. Neither does rings. Marino doesn't have one, Kelly doesn't have one.

Triple Crown should be an automatic bid due to rarity, IMO.

I believe Jerry Rice 1987 was the last year before Smitty did it in 05.

He may not be first ballot but he will get in.

[Jackofalltrades]

They do care about the Chip on the Shoulder if it makes them great which Smitty is. Criteria is NOT ONLY NUMBERS. How they changed the game and how they were feared. You name me ONE defensive Coordinator that didn't fear Steve Smith. OUTSIDE OUR OWN!!!!!!!!

Small market has nothing to do with it.. Neither does rings. Marino doesn't have one, Kelly doesn't have one.

I believe Jerry Rice 1987 was the last year before Smitty did it in 05.

He may not be first ballot but he will get in.

I thought someone did it more recently than that, like Shannon Sharpe maybe? Not sure and can't quickly find an answer.

[King Taharqa]

Thank you OP. Outstanding article. Keep Smitty in Carolina. Let that man retire a Panther. Then erect a statue in his honor right there on Graham baby. JR deserves one too.

[PantherBrew]

I thought someone did it more recently than that, like Shannon Sharpe maybe? Not sure and can't quickly find an answer.

Sterling Sharpe.

That season(1992), Sharpe became one of only seven players in NFL history to win the "Triple Crown" at the receiver position: leading the league in receiving yards, receiving touchdowns, and receptions. Don Hutson (1936, 1941–44), Elroy Hirsch (1951), Pete Pihos (1953), Raymond Berry (1959), Jerry Rice (1990) and Steve Smith (2005) are the only other players to accomplish this feat.

[Jackofalltrades]

Thanks, always get the two backwards.

[Rhys]

For the love of all that is holy, keep Smith.

The man says he wants to be on a team that is competitive. If we can't give him that then what are we all wasting our time here for?

Also, for everyone saying whether or not Smith would be "good" for Cam, please stfu.

You're speculating based on his chemistry with Clausen, arguing that since Cam will be a rookie QB next season he is in some way similar to Pickles this past season.

A scared little tiny-handed stuck-up golden domer from Thousand Oaks California who's never really won anything since high school yet is on the cover of ESPN magazine with the title 'Golden Arm' is FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR from Cam by-god Newton.

Newton wants to EARN respect, and from everything I've seen and heard of the guy, chemistry with the team shouldn't be a problem.