Steve Smith on Gettleman's "Evaluation" comment

[carpanfan96]

http://www.stationcaster.com/player_skinned.php?s=131&c=1291&f=2485923

[Keep Steve]

I didn't read all 16 pages, but I don't have a problem with losing Smith. As long as he is around Cam will always be a young QB. I think if he leaves it will allow Cam to put the team on his back and the extra cap room will be great.

[iamhubby1]

I think since Smitty heard this through social media, etc.,that GMan was misunderstood.  I think Smitty is making something out of nothing here.  Does anyone really think that if they were going to let him go they wouldn't have reached out to him first?

This is probably closer to the truth than pretty much all the other speculations combined. If the Panthers were planning on cutting Smitty, they would have already been down that road. The fact that he is still here tells me they want to do something to keep him.

They just haven't gotten around to dealing with Smitty yet. Now, after all this. It could be an interesting meeting.

[XClown1986]

maybe i need to bold[cole82ee]"im still going to wait for a non- person like source to confirm"

It was the Beason part that was ill informed. Beason requested the trade, Gettleman didnt get rid of him.

[top dawg]

The debate isn't whether or not we need Steve Smith.  

 

The debate is about whether Jerry Richardson would fire David Gettleman for hypothetically releasing an aging receiver who's production is on the decline but his paycheck is the same.

 

Big Cat is not firing DG even if he does release Steve Smith.  It was DG's signings that got us to 12-4.  That's worth more then Smith's delicate sensibilities.....and they are delicate ( I know first hand). 

 

I agree it would be nice to have Smith....a great Panther finish his great career with decent production as a Panther.   I also thought that with Kasay, Kris Jenkins, and Pep.  Things change.

 

Let me ask you this hypothetical.

 

If cutting Smith this year was the difference in resigning Cam next year what would you do?

 

Besides DG didn't even put us in this position.  It was hurney.  Why is this even a conversation?  Over payed running backs.  Why is it scary that we might lose the Kracken?  Over payed running backs.

 

You're mad at the wrong dude.

 

I

 

Mad?  I'm nothing of the sort. 

 

G-man is my man. But at the same time I call a spade a spade. He and Rivera should have handled the situation a little differently.  That was my only problem with the situation as a Panthers fan, and a fan of 89. That was Smith's point of contention as well.  G-man and Rivera should have given generic answers publicly, and privately communicated with Smitty at the appointed time, regardless of a reporter's question or not.  As the head man, you should expect those types of questions, and be prepared for them with markedly noncommittal answers (e.g., "Smitty has been an important part of the team for many years, and he continues to be a part of the puzzle. Next question."). 

 

As for our discussion, I never said that we did or didn't need Smitty. But, obviously at this point in time---before we can assure ourselves a capable replacement---I would say that we do need him. After all is said and done, he is still our most productive receiver. That may change in the future (maybe in the near future), but it's still true at this moment.  Moreover, I never said that Richardson would fire G-man. That notion is waaaaay out there! I do believe that Richardson would privately reprimand G-man for not having more tact. I also believe, probably unlike most, that Smitty won't be axed if J-Rich gets involved (which I wouldn't put above him).  Smith might truly be sensitive, but the way that you handle probably the greatest player in franchise history during the sunset of his career is truly a delicate situation, and there is no need to let it spiral out of control into a public relations nightmare. 

 

To answer your hypothetical: Sure i would cut Smitty to keep Cam. That's a no-brainer. But that hypothetical situation is not really realistic is it?  Not only is Smith's salary not that large relatively, but Cam would probably take that little pay-cut just to ensure that Smitty could stay around.  Everyone is acting like Steve Smith is getting top dollar. His 2014 cap hit can even be considered modest and worth every penny, relative to what he has brought to the table in the past and his current level of production today (the 2013 season).  it's really the 2015 and 2016 numbers that are more troublesome.

[MV%doe]

the beason that played for the giants was not the same player for panthers. i watched a few giants games, beason was flying around, covering receivers, and taking on blocks. nothing to do with position change, he was putting out 100% effort. beason would be one of last guys that was "peppers" it, but the effort was not there in carolina. the SLB does dirty work, so the other LB can make plays. blackburn out played beason at the SLB and MLB if he had to.

 

also the SLB is not on the field for over 50% of the plays and beason was above playing STs, again unlike chase. panthers made a switch, rather than sit the bench or even be inactive.... beason felt like he could still play and said so. rather than give him the SLB spot back like marty hurney would have done, don traded him. beason was a leader and could have caused issues. funny after the trade the panthers went on the winning streak. don is not marty and beason even said "hurny wouldnt have traded me". hence the cold blooded part, he even got beason to take pay cut, which i believe marty would have never done or ask.

[ajax4132]

So basically Gettleman is fuging #89 up the asshole right????

[ajax4132]

If he leaves #89 out to dry, I am off the Gettlewagon quick fast and in a hurry

[TN05]

Still not convinced they will cut him, but it would be ridiculous for Gettleman to think we can lose two captains (Gross and Smith), have no options at receiver and have to rebuild the whole line and expect us to win.

[MHS831]

I get the feeling the players are not real fond of David Gettlemen.  They loved Marty Hurney.  I think that there needs to be distance in order to make tough decisions.

 

Steve Smith should probably understand that the quote was taken out of context and not responded when provoked by a member of the media.  Maybe he senses that he will be contacted about a pay cut--or maybe he already has been.

[TheRed]

The goal is to keep surrounding our franchise quarterback with weapons, not get rid of the only good ones he has. There were even people talking about cutting Olsen not long ago because of how much he's making, now it's Steve Smith. It's sad how clueless some can be.

[carolinarolls]

to potentially see Gross and Smitty exit in the same off season would constitute an end of an era. a very tough and inconsistent era but an era none the less

[TheMaulClaw]

Mad?  I'm nothing of the sort. 

 

G-man is my man. But at the same time I call a spade a spade. He and Rivera should have handled the situation a little differently.  That was my only problem with the situation as a Panthers fan, and a fan of 89. That was Smith's point of contention as well.  G-man and Rivera should have given generic answers publicly, and privately communicated with Smitty at the appointed time, regardless of a reporter's question or not.  As the head man, you should expect those types of questions, and be prepared for them with markedly noncommittal answers (e.g., "Smitty has been an important part of the team for many years, and he continues to be a part of the puzzle. Next question."). 

 

As for our discussion, I never said that we did or didn't need Smitty. But, obviously at this point in time---before we can assure ourselves a capable replacement---I would say that we do need him. After all is said and done, he is still our most productive receiver. That may change in the future (maybe in the near future), but it's still true at this moment.  Moreover, I never said that Richardson would fire G-man. That notion is waaaaay out there! I do believe that Richardson would privately reprimand G-man for not having more tact. I also believe, probably unlike most, that Smitty won't be axed if J-Rich gets involved (which I wouldn't put above him).  Smith might truly be sensitive, but the way that you handle probably the greatest player in franchise history during the sunset of his career is truly a delicate situation, and there is no need to let it spiral out of control into a public relations nightmare. 

 

To answer your hypothetical: Sure i would cut Smitty to keep Cam. That's a no-brainer. But that hypothetical situation is not really realistic is it?  Not only is Smith's salary not that large relatively, but Cam would probably take that little pay-cut just to ensure that Smitty could stay around.  Everyone is acting like Steve Smith is getting top dollar. His 2014 cap hit can even be considered modest and worth every penny, relative to what he has brought to the table in the past and his current level of production today (the 2013 season).  it's really the 2015 and 2016 numbers that are more troublesome.

 

I appreciate your thoughtful response.  I initially felt the need to write something in this thread because a huddler said that DG would get fired if he released Steve....and I just flat out disagreed with it.  That's what I was initially responding to in this thread. I wasn't sure if you were backing that argument or not.  Since it seems we're having an entertaining debate I thought you might have agreed with him.  My bad.

 

I'm inclined to believe that DG was misunderstood in his comments.  He said that Steve's had a great career....which is true.  If Smith retired today he would have a borderline HOF career.  That is based on the past....Steve in his current condition is not the triple crown winner he once was.  Smitty just needs to come to terms to that.  DG also stated that it's an evaluation.  Why have any sort of meeting with Smith until the evaluation is completed and a course of action is determined.  In essence he's saying we're figuring out to keep the team good next year with cap problems and Smitty is part of the process....how is that disrespectful?

 

It is very very very easy to accidentally make Smitty feel disrespected.  I was over complimentary of Steve before asking some perfectly reasonable questions on the radio and he flipped at the drop of a hat when I asked him if the team ever collectively talked about not having a repeat of 08 before the 49ers game.  Smith told me not even to go to the game like I'm some sort of horrible fan.  When in reality I bleed Panthers blue. He looks for conflict.....which is part of his competitive nature for better or worse.

 

I understand why you think generic responses might be best, however it feels refreshing to have a straight shooter and questions answered honestly. A retreat from the vagueness of Fox speak, and a reprieve from the unsure answers Marty Hurney always seemed to give to the fans.  Gettleman actually I thought had a very Gettleman like response and he told us he was straight forward when we hired him.

 

This shouldn't be the story it is.

[MHS831]

this is a timy bit more info--Panthers (RR) standing firm on thier position, it seems.

 

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2014/02/26/panthers-gross-retires-wr-smiths-future-unclear/5840541/