Steve Smith Inteview

[CRA]

We have been saying this for awhile now... According to 90% of the people here it's crazy talk...

Steve can never be a leader and it's time for him to go... That's what they say anyways...

Anybody who thinks that Steve Smith should EVER put on any jersey other than a Panthers jersey is a MORON in my opinion

Jerry Rice didn't wear a 49er uniform his entire career.....unless a player pulls a Barry Sanders most want to stick around too long.

Steve Smith ALWAYS says the right things. ALWAYS. He always sounds great in the offseason in interviews. Put Steve in competitive and high pressure scenarios......and he has proven he has no control. You can't be a real leader when you can't control yourself in those situations.

Smitty is a GREAT WR.....he has proven to not be a great teammate. Eventually, as he ages what he brings to the table won't be worth the negative. That is just reality.

[Razeyfingers]

Jerry Rice didn't wear a 49er uniform his entire career.....unless a player pulls a Barry Sanders most want to stick around too long.

Steve Smith ALWAYS says the right things. ALWAYS. He always sounds great in the offseason in interviews. Put Steve in competitive and high pressure scenarios......and he has proven he has no control. You can't be a real leader when you can't control yourself in those situations.

Smitty is a GREAT WR.....he has proven to not be a great teammate. Eventually, as he ages what he brings to the table won't be worth the negative. That is just reality.

Something I've wondered for awhile now is, did (do) the Niners regret letting him go though. Yeah eventually Rice had to part ways with em, but he clearly still had productive years. He proved he was still very effective up until the end.

Smitty is that type of athlete to me. With no major nagging injuries at the moment I dont see why I should believe otherwise. You say he's proven that he loses control and I agree occasionally he does. He's also proven that he get through a game with Numnuts Hall jabbering in his ear so much that he got himself tossed out. Doesnt that count for something with you?

You always refer to 89 as if he doesnt have a good bone in his body, like he's out for himself and is this ultra selfish egomaniac sadist. I just dont see it and I cant possibly understand where the perception comes from.

[CRA]

You always refer to 89 as if he doesnt have a good bone in his body, like he's out for himself and is this ultra selfish egomaniac sadist. I just dont see it and I cant possibly understand where the perception comes from.

Bottom line is I don't care if he is good with kids and what he does in the community. I don't care how great of a guy he is in the offseason. I know all of that.......none of that matters on Sunday and during his NFL work week. Yeah it is all nice and that should be considered the norm and not discussion worthy....

You don't understand where it comes from???? Then you intentionally ignore it. Again, this is a guy who has reported punched 3 seperate teammates in 3 different seasons (Yas and Gantt both have confirmed 3 even though only 2 hit the news), a guy that has kicked opponents in the head (2003), a guy who even as recent as last year repeatedly went off on his rookie QB for basically being a dumb rookie DURING games. Consistant.

I never said he was an egomaniac.....I have said he has anger managment issues and has PROVEN time and time again he can't control himself in high pressure/competitive enviroments.

EVENTUALLY, as he ages the positives won't outweigh the (proven)negative.....and we have seen that in recent history in this league with BETTER WRs.

[Razeyfingers]

Bottom line is I don't care if he is good with kids and what he does in the community. I don't care how great of a guy he is in the offseason. I know all of that.......none of that matters on Sunday and during his NFL work week. Yeah it is all nice and that should be considered the norm and not discussion worthy....

You don't understand where it comes from???? Then you intentionally ignore it. Again, this is a guy who has reported punched 3 seperate teammates in 3 different seasons (Yas and Gantt both have confirmed 3 even though only 2 hit the news), a guy that has kicked opponents in the head (2003), a guy who even as recent as last year repeatedly went off on his rookie QB for basically being a dumb rookie DURING games. Consistant.

I never said he was an egomaniac.....I have said he has anger managment issues and has PROVEN time and time again he can't control himself in high pressure/competitive enviroments.

EVENTUALLY, as he ages the positives won't outweigh the (proven)negative.....and we have seen that in recent history in this league with BETTER WRs.

I just feel that you're putting too much emphisis on those negatives. We've debated the subject before so I understand where youre at, but these "negatives" can be "positives" in certain ways and theyre not the type of negatives that break him completely ( ala Pacman Jones or Ricky Williams). He's still a premiere receiver in this league and there is literally no one who can play the game like he does (size strength build speed knowledge skill), imho.

It might take longer than you think for those negatives to outweigh anything worth noting in the eyes of the Panthers Organization. It might not, this is true, but I'll say this: This dude is the main factor in our team's success to date and there's no reason why he cant continue to be that factor at the moment.

[CRA]

I just feel that you're putting too much emphisis on those negatives. We've debated the subject before so I understand where youre at, but these "negatives" can be "positives" in certain ways and theyre not the type of negatives that break him completely ( ala Pacman Jones or Ricky Williams). He's still a premiere receiver in this league and there is literally no one who can play the game like he does (size strength build speed knowledge skill), imho.

It might take longer than you think for those negatives to outweigh anything worth noting in the eyes of the Panthers Organization. It might not, this is true, but I'll say this: This dude is the main factor in our team's success to date and there's no reason why he cant continue to be that factor at the moment.

I am not putting too much on them....just acknowledging Smitty most likely will reach a point if he chooses to play several more years.....the negative will outweigh the postive for him in the eyes of LOTS of teams.

at one point Smith was (past tense) the main factor in offensive success. Steve Smith is NOT the main factor for this teams success anymore. That is a key point. The ground attack > Smith. Smith isn't going to take that back. The ground attack my eventually lose that to someone else...but it won't be Smith.

I like Smitty. He has been great and I think he still has gas in the tank to play at a high level. Smitty is not the asset when his skills fade some paint him as.....he is a hot tempered guy that has legitimately only worried about himself. Nothing wrong with that. But people will eventually look at him like they do currently Moss or Owens ( who you can argue are possibly less trouble). Most teams might already.

[Chaos]

I think that "one chance at greatness" line is basically putting a nail into pickles coffin.

Saying "one chance at mediocrity" would have the same effect.

[bleys]

Smitty still has quite a few years left in him. he isn't going to become Dwayne Jarrett slow within the next few years, and as long as he doesn't forget how to run routes, he'll be a threat.

[Razeyfingers]

I am not putting too much on them....just acknowledging Smitty most likely will reach a point if he chooses to play several more years.....the negative will outweigh the postive for him in the eyes of LOTS of teams.

at one point Smith was (past tense) the main factor in offensive success. Steve Smith is NOT the main factor for this teams success anymore. That is a key point. The ground attack > Smith. Smith isn't going to take that back. The ground attack my eventually lose that to someone else...but it won't be Smith.

I like Smitty. He has been great and I think he still has gas in the tank to play at a high level. Smitty is not the asset when his skills fade some paint him as.....he is a hot tempered guy that has legitimately only worried about himself. Nothing wrong with that. But people will eventually look at him like they do currently Moss or Owens ( who you can argue are possibly less trouble). Most teams might already.

Those two , Moss and Owens, both have made every effort to make their outbursts public and in everyone's face just so their whiny prima donna asses could sell some more tickets to the clown show.

Smith has always just been emotionally angry. He's the guy that would ask his wife and kids what they want to do for his next career move. This would be unusual for a selfish person. He stopped celebrating TD's as flashy as he was because he didnt want his kids to get a bad lesson in sportsmanship. Not very selfish. He's not paid unusually high for a WR even though he (in the eyes of the NFL) was at one point the baddest wideout in the league. He didnt press for a new contract at the time or crazy money.

He has never been spoken of as a cancer for the Panthers by our team members. This is the biggest factor I can think of. Moss and TO have been openly been called out several times by their teammates. Unlike McNabb, Romo, Culpepper, and the rest of the guys that threw to the nuckin futs brothers, Jake would have done anything for Smitty it seemed. You have never heard of any team leader calling out Smith for being a jackass.

Peppers, Beason, Rucker, Minter, Moose. . . go right down the list and tell if any one of them has anything bad to say about Eight Nine for not being a team player. They all refer to him as a guy that would do anything for the team. He fielded punts, the most dangerous thing a wideout could possibly do, in his prime. Ya, I never saw TO or Moss do that. TO wouldve been a monster returning, but ya he never would put himself in that risky of a position.

So we're back to he's hot tempered. . . he's hot tempered. OK, He's hot tempered. HE'S HOT TEMPERED OK :cuss:.

I am too sometimes, stupidity (represented by Jimmeh last year) has that effect on people in high pressure situations. Not fair to JimBob since he was a rook, but lets be honost. He and his agent and Mel Kiper were advertising how good he was. Whats an 89 to think? I'd be thinking "damn son! dont act like your one thing if your not. We bet a season on you." . .And couldve been seasons if Cam hadnt of come along.

[DaCityKats]

he might not blow by a DB on a fly route to often now, but the man runs the tree great. plus he is hell to bring down YAC. more value here with another WR .

[bleys]

what Razey and DaCity said...

[Fiz]

Saying "one chance at mediocrity" would have the same effect.

as your posting demonstrates, people actually have nearly limitless chances to achieve it.

[jarhead]

Smitty still has quite a few years left in him. he isn't going to become Dwayne Jarrett slow within the next few years, and as long as he doesn't forget how to run routes, he'll be a threat.

I am not so sure he has to many years left playing at a high level.I like SSmith but we are in a rebuilding stage and he knows it.It appears he is not happy with the current state of the Panthers nor do I blame him.It sounds like something may be brewing with the Chargers where he will have a mature accomphished qb.The bottom line is we are not conpetetive at the qb position and it may take a few years for Newton to develope.From the Panthers perspective do we want to pay a frustrated WR 9 million for the final year of his contract or can we get a younger receiver that can develope with Cam.

[CRA]

Those two , Moss and Owens, both have made every effort to make their outbursts public and in everyone's face just so their whiny prima donna asses could sell some more tickets to the clown show.

Smith has always just been emotionally angry. He's the guy that would ask his wife and kids what they want to do for his next career move. This would be unusual for a selfish person. He stopped celebrating TD's as flashy as he was because he didnt want his kids to get a bad lesson in sportsmanship. Not very selfish. He's not paid unusually high for a WR even though he (in the eyes of the NFL) was at one point the baddest wideout in the league. He didnt press for a new contract at the time or crazy money.

He has never been spoken of as a cancer for the Panthers by our team members. This is the biggest factor I can think of. Moss and TO have been openly been called out several times by their teammates. Unlike McNabb, Romo, Culpepper, and the rest of the guys that threw to the nuckin futs brothers, Jake would have done anything for Smitty it seemed. You have never heard of any team leader calling out Smith for being a jackass.

Peppers, Beason, Rucker, Minter, Moose. . . go right down the list and tell if any one of them has anything bad to say about Eight Nine for not being a team player. They all refer to him as a guy that would do anything for the team. He fielded punts, the most dangerous thing a wideout could possibly do, in his prime. Ya, I never saw TO or Moss do that. TO wouldve been a monster returning, but ya he never would put himself in that risky of a position.

So we're back to he's hot tempered. . . he's hot tempered. OK, He's hot tempered. HE'S HOT TEMPERED OK :cuss:.

I am too sometimes, stupidity (represented by Jimmeh last year) has that effect on people in high pressure situations. Not fair to JimBob since he was a rook, but lets be honost. He and his agent and Mel Kiper were advertising how good he was. Whats an 89 to think? I'd be thinking "damn son! dont act like your one thing if your not. We bet a season on you." . .And couldve been seasons if Cam hadnt of come along.

still think you are looking at it through Panther glasses.....

Take Randy Moss vs. Steve Smith over the course of the last 4 seasons. Randy has been a signficantly more productive WR in the NFL......yet no one wants him. Randy hasn't been a bigger problem child over that time......he just hasn't been a team willing to put up w/ the nonsense.

also, please quit bringing up Smitty talking to his wife that he is unselfish in regards to football. Does he mentor young guys to make the team better? Does he get injured doing things not related to football? Is he likeable guy overall per reports no the lockerroom or a loner outcast who people walk on egg shells around?

It is comical you claim that he quit celebrating TDs as an example of good sportsmanship. Since he quit he has punched his 3rd teammate and has aided in destroying confidence in rookie's thrust into the lineup humilating them on the field. He is a cry baby and a hot head......who says the right things when taken out of a competitive situation.

after the Lucas incident Smitty even said his teammates voiced their long concerns about this attitude and what his teammates thought of him.......didn't sound like a loved guy to me. Sounded like a talented guy and people respected the talent....not so much how he carried himself in the Panther organization.

Steve Smith unlike those other guys entered the scene and initially made his name as a returner......so I don't see the point with that statement.

Like I said, I like Smitty a lot and his talent at times has been almost unmatched at points in his career......but the other stuff.....outside talent and will to win.....is lacking. Smitty has a lot of negative about him when looking at a team sport enviroment like WR......when his skills fade and they will I don't want him on a young team. Smitty will only fit on team ready to win and not rebuilding.....if Smitty stays part of this team we better hope we get on the fast track toward winning.

[Razeyfingers]

still think you are looking at it through Panther glasses.....

Take Randy Moss vs. Steve Smith over the course of the last 4 seasons. Randy has been a signficantly more productive WR in the NFL......yet no one wants him. Randy hasn't been a bigger problem child over that time......he just hasn't been a team willing to put up w/ the nonsense.

also, please quit bringing up Smitty talking to his wife that he is unselfish in regards to football. Does he mentor young guys to make the team better? Does he get injured doing things not related to football? Is he likeable guy overall per reports no the lockerroom or a loner outcast who people walk on egg shells around?

It is comical you claim that he quit celebrating TDs as an example of good sportsmanship. Since he quit he has punched his 3rd teammate and has aided in destroying confidence in rookie's thrust into the lineup humilating them on the field. He is a cry baby and a hot head......who says the right things when taken out of a competitive situation.

after the Lucas incident Smitty even said his teammates voiced their long concerns about this attitude and what his teammates thought of him.......didn't sound like a loved guy to me. Sounded like a talented guy and people respected the talent....not so much how he carried himself in the Panther organization.

Steve Smith unlike those other guys entered the scene and initially made his name as a returner......so I don't see the point with that statement.

Like I said, I like Smitty a lot and his talent at times has been almost unmatched at points in his career......but the other stuff.....outside talent and will to win.....is lacking. Smitty has a lot of negative about him when looking at a team sport enviroment like WR......when his skills fade and they will I don't want him on a young team. Smitty will only fit on team ready to win and not rebuilding.....if Smitty stays part of this team we better hope we get on the fast track toward winning.

We're talking personalities so we're talking careers. Last 4 years is meaningless to me (so are stats, and you of all people know this). I also see now TO is out of the conversation entirely which your argument was partly based on. I'll agree not to bring up the kids sportsmanship thing and the wife thing but to be fair lets talk apples to apples then and not pick and choose seasons, portions of careers, and stats where variables in one scenario are clearly not the same as the other.

We're talking about what kind of a teammate is Smitty compared to TO/Moss right now right?

Now back to the lockeroom, CRA, I believe this to be the single most important factor. Who says people walk on eggshells around him first of all? The media or a player? You talking about some joke of a player who could care less about the team? Again, show me any Panthers leader past or present who you think would side with you on this? Give me any reason to speculate and I'll listen. You know who walks on eggshells, cops around Moss, unless they want to get run over.

Have you forgotten what Moss did last year to the Titans? He called out the whole team pretty much and then bad mouthed the coach/staff and claimed his former coach, the greatest cheater in sports who I will hence refer to as pigeonchit, was the best coach. Eh if Moss loves Pigeonchit let him go play for the chump, but they cut em and they had good reason to. They CUT his ass, buh bye, mid season. Do not pass go and collect 200 beans, just. . get the fug out, bye.

Smith is 10 times the player Moss is because he'll fight for you. When the going gets tough, count on Moss to be a bitch and start complaining. This has been his MO all of his career and this has been 89's MO all of his career.