Congrats Steve Smith

[Showtime]

GTFO, KThanks

Selfish fan. Where were most of you when no one was giving Smith any credit earlier in the year and everyone saying it was Newton? He's a man too. And he deserves the opportunity and chance to leave a legacy.

By no means would I stand in the way and not be understanding if he chose to go in that direction. Do I want that? Of course not. I'd much rather he wins a Super Bowl with us. But if I had to pick, and we don't make it anyway the next 3 years, why the fug would any real fan want to have a guy like Smith to waste away his final years and fade out into obscurity? I'd me much happier if he made it with another team, because in my heart he's still going to be a Panther no matter who he plays for or who gets him there from here on out.

If he doesn't win a ring, he will never get the respect his play level deserves in the NFL. He belongs in every discussion with other top elite receivers and he's so overlooked in the media and even by Panthers fans, that most are ready to give credit to a rookie QB than to Steve Smith.

[mav1234]

actually what Smith wants is to be able to play the game he loves while not uprooting his family, but hey, you can make it seem like all Smith cares about is football these days if you really want.

He's happy here right now, listen to some interviews. He has other reasons than the Panthers to stay in Carolina.

[Showtime]

actually what Smith wants is to be able to play the game he loves while not uprooting his family, but hey, you can make it seem like all Smith cares about is football these days if you really want.

He's happy here right now, listen to some interviews. He has other reasons than the Panthers to stay in Carolina.

Yeah actually I did. You keep having this black and white mentality about things. You really should listen to his latest interview because he also tackled some other misconceptions some fans like to throw around. In one of his latest interviews, he not only made it pretty clear that when it comes to him, as well as the rest of the guys, they care very much about winning, as well as scoring and how much it means to them to feel like they are part of the reason for winning.

http://davedameshek.nfl.com/2011/11/30/ddfp-steve-smith-deangelo-hall-usher-in-a-new-era/?campaign=Twitter_podcast

Steve may put the team above himself which what you want, but it also doesn't mean the players don't care about some of the other things as well. They do, and they should and any other human being should.

They're not owned. Slaves. Products. Although that may be part of their "job" and "contract". They're human beings with a life and they have personal aspirations as well as team aspirations. Steve coaches a soccer team for example and is also an a business man. What's important is making sure you have your priorities straight and I think Steve Smith has proven that with the Panthers.

Don't be fooled that means he doesn't care about his own legacy. He was ready to jump ship last year but after years of frustration I don't blame him. He's paid his dues 10 fold.

[mav1234]

I know all about that interview, I did a transcript of it. My point was that I think Smitty is happy enough here and isn't going to ask for a trade this year. I never said he should be treated like a slave, lol. You are going off the deep end again, careful.

Here are some quotes:

DDFP: With a player like Cam Newton is it easier to take the losses, where you have a QB where the future is bright?

SS: No it does not. I don't like losing. It's not that I gotta get used to it, I just gotta temper it and realize it's a process. Rome wasn't built in a day.

Note that he says "Rome wasn't built in a day." Sounds like a guy eager to break free of "Panther bondage" or whatever crazy poo you are implying, right?

Now here's the one you missed:

DDFP: I hear ya, but things are looking up, but during the summer we were hearing about you wanting to go to a team that would be winning games immediately. Was the moment you go out on the field and see Cam Newton through the ball you say I'm not going anywhere?

SS: Well you know, it's kind of hard to say exactly what happened, but it was a process and for me it was really a thing where home was important and work came second. I keep that in mind and I think that's the best thing I can do.

Family is most important to him, and family is here. That's why he was considering retiring this year, because he didn't want to play and be unhappy anymore and he wanted to be there for his family. Lucky for him, he has coaches who are utilizing him well and he enjoys that.

I wouldn't feel bad for Smitty if he wanted to leave, but I have no reason to think he does. You can go off on how Smith isn't a slave blah blah blah but nobody is arguing that. There just is little reason to think Smith actually wants to go anywhere.

[smitty_89]

Can we just stop arguing and post some beautiful Smitty pics of his greatest moments..I'll start. Rams playoff game.

[King Taharqa]

Congratulations to #89. Greatest Panther of all time.

[Showtime]

I disagree. Every man hopes for some recognition at the end of his life or his career, or his effort. Smith is no different. Panthers fans are willing to jump off on the next hottest bandwagon in a heartbeat and leave the rest in the dust when it comes to recognizing veterans for their efforts. So does the media.

The only way to solidify yourself in the NFL, as a veteran player, and player in general, is by getting that ring on your finger. He may be happy. He may take wins over personal records. He's willing to sacrifice his own personal records if the team asks for it without ever complaining about it and as long as we are winning, and we get somewhere he probably would never be bothered by it.

But to think he doesn't want at least the kind of recognition he should be getting and deserves in this league is a bit short sighted. He's far too good a receiver, and gets very little credit all things considered. He's a much better player imo than other elite receivers like Randy Moss, yet Randy's biggest moment of fame didn't come until the Perfect Patriot's perfect season. It took that and Steve's not nearly the drama queen or cancer Randy was. Chad tried it too with the Patriots this year. He deserves a chance like that much more than some of those guys do and I think because Smith has his priorities straight, and has put his time in, things will work out for him.

He's a good dude when it comes to being not just an elite receiver, but a team player. He's got his rough edges, but overall, I can't think of a better combination of skill, talent, ability and attitude as well as team player other than Smith. Not too many guys like him in the NFL. he explodes and says certain things in the heat of the moment, but overall, over the course of his employment with the Panthers, he acted more like your typical humble "average" player. Not an elite receiver. That says a lot.

T.O. and Moss would have thrown a fit after about 2-3 years with this team. Steve stayed quiet up until last year.

[mav1234]

What exactly are you disagreeing with? You think Smith really does secretly want out?

[Showtime]

It's not a secret. He wanted out last year, and I'm not sure how much of that was a negotiation tactic.

I think Smith wants:

1. A Super Bowl with the Panthers.

2. A winning season with the Panthers before he retires.

3. A winning season or Super Bowl with ANYONE before he retires.

In that order. And I think if he gets to the point where 1 and 2 seem unlikely, he'll give it a shot before he exits this league. If I was his best friend, family, etc, I would push him and support him in that direction if he ever thought about it. Even as a Panthers fan.

That's all I'm saying. No hard feelings at all. In fact I'd be upset if he didn't try.

[Kevin Greene]

Smitty is the man, he continues to perform in all facets of the game at the WR position.

What a treat we Panther fans get to see Smitty perform again with a QB worthy of his talents.

I can see Cam's big smile and Smitty holding the Lombardi over his head as the silver and blue confetti rains down.

Make it happen JR.

[Kevin Greene]

What exactly are you disagreeing with? You think Smith really does secretly want out?

Showtime is one hard working new troll.

Hmmph, TheOracle hasn't been on, new identity perhaps.

[mav1234]

I have no hard feelings if he did that either but I think you are basically creating things to fit your own view point. His most recent interview made it clear that while he didn't like losing he also knew this was a project and that there were long term goals here. He also made it clear that, as he put it, "work came second."

If he left, I wouldn't feel bad for him, but this last interview, combined with those he gave before the season, made it seem like he was much happier here than he was in the past.

[Showtime]

Uhm...correctional officer or KKK serial killer? ;) This image is just funny. Those two guys know what's up though.

[Carolina Fan]

grats smitty!