Smitty meets with Gettleman today

[neverlosethefeeling]

And in drop percentage he still ranks behind Brandon Marshall, Wes Welker, Cecil Shorts, Stevie Johnson, Reggie Wayne, Brian Hartline, and Vincent Jackson. Not exactly terrible receivers there.

And to your YPC argument... it doesn't matter. We weren't sending him on 20+ yard post routes so he didn't have that many opportunities to get a ton of yards. His YPC was lower in 2007, when he had to take a similar approach. For that matter, his YPC was virtually identical to Larry Fitzgerald. Are we going to argue he's washed up too? I know for a fact a few people here would gladly swap for him. A better stat to look at would be first downs and first down percentage - Steve got us 44 first downs on 64 catches, meaning he got a first down on 68.8% of his catches. That is pretty good compared to most other #1 receivers. Additionally, he didn't have a single fumble this year and was instrumental in the run blocking game.

 

Do you know the difference between YPC and YAC? I didn't mention YPC at all, so I don't know what "argument" you're referring to.

 

What do you mean 68.8% is pretty good compared to most other #1 receivers? It's not even top 20 last year. http://stats.washingtonpost.com/fb/leaders.asp?type=Receiving&range=NFL&rank=059

[DaCityKats]

  I  saw that he is still very dynamic creating separation at the very moment Cam released it picking up valuable yardage. Sure he is aging but lets see how this plays out. The question is who can we replace his production with and how much it will cost/

 

im sorry i didnt see that same dynamic of getting separation as you on a consistent bases to warrant him the label of still being the #1 WR with a huge contract.  i will sit back and watch tho. Allen caught 71 balls as a rookie, and Hopkins caught 52. both had more yards then him, and Terrence Williams almost had more yards then him with less catches (44).

 

its up to the fo to find the correct fit, but there are several WRs prospects that can come in and develop while contributing.

 

[TheRed]

Allen caught 71 balls as a rookie, and Hopkins caught 52. both had more yards then him, and Terrence Williams almost had more yards then him with less catches (44).

Two of those guys are only 21, and the other is 24. You are really comparing them to a 35 year old?

[MadHatter]

yes many are arguing he is washed up.I don't see it . it will happen but he ain't there yet.

No one is saying he is washed up. Just that he has lost a step and us not worth 7-8m a season at this stage if his career.

[heel31ok]

his ability to go up and climb the ladder is not there anymore. hell most high balls he will not even attempt to get, and their have been several times where he quit on routes (Falcons game before halftime) his skill level is not as high as it used to be. sad that he is the best WR on the team actually.

 so his ladder climbing ability just stopped? yeah right. of course his skill level is not as high. It is still at a high level though.

[heel31ok]

No one is saying he is washed up. Just that he has lost a step and us not worth 7-8m a season at this stage if his career.

What stage is that? When did he enter the current stage he is in? did this stage start this past season? if he picks it back up does that take him out of this stage or is this some mythical stage system?

 

8so you want to talk about what someone is worth? that is a big can of worms if you want to apply it fairly across the board but I suspect it s only a fair argument for certain players and not all. Nobody is worth what they are getting paid in this NFL except for those in Hardy's situation where they are playing through their rookie contracts. Can we get a comparable receiver for the money? i didn't see any on the FA list.

[heel31ok]

3 out 16. the Bucs, Jets and Falcons out physical him and it showed. plus he never went over 100 yards receiving, and he wasnt even the leading WR on the team. the #1 guy last season was a TE. no way in hell should he be making the kind of money he is signed for. if he wants to stay, he has to cut some of that money down.

  I would say money wise looking at the WR's in the nfl he is pretty much in the right ball park salary wise.

[DaCityKats]

I'll give you the Jets game, but he was second in receiving for both Tampa Bay games, and had 52 yards against Atlanta. He's not going to put up huge numbers every single game. I agree that his contract is high, but it comes down to who would you replace him with for cheaper.

 

It's not his fault that we are expecting him at 35 years old to still be our #1 receiver, and the focal point of our offense.

 

he was also beat up those 2 games vs younger CBs. i know he is not going to put up huge #s every week, but he didnt have 1 single game over 100 yards. and being that his price is above $5 mill, something has to give.

 

i agree, its not his fault the FO has yet to bring in some sort of help, or somebody to take over his spot. many of you know i have been shouting for a WR early for the last 3+ years because stevie wonder seen this coming

 

[DaCityKats]

 so his ladder climbing ability just stopped? yeah right. of course his skill level is not as high. It is still at a high level though.

he can not get up like he use to. his level of play is not even top 15 anymore.

[DaCityKats]

Two of those guys are only 21, and the other is 24. You are really comparing them to a 35 year old?

 

loads of people on this site claim no rookie can come in and contribute as much as #89, just proving that is bs.

[TheRed]

loads of people on this site claim no rookie can come in and contribute as much as #89, just proving that is bs.

I would love to see it, but those are different offenses. Nobody here had 1,000 yards receiving last year, it wasn't just Steve. If we don't get the OL shored up, and Shula doesn't turn things around, particularly in the red zone, it's not not gonna matter much who we bring in at receiver.

[heel31ok]

he can not get up like he use to. his level of play is not even top 15 anymore.

one season is "anymore"? Not getting up like he used to is a far cry from not having it in him. then we could say Cam Newton is not top ten anymore. That is ridiculous. So if he goes back to top 15 next season then what? it was a blip until it becomes a trend and right now there is no trend.

[Beast_3000]

If Gettleman cuts Smitty, this fanbase will be alienated, and support will completely drop off. Put him in a different role that should've been done 4 years ago.

Three years ago yeah I would completely agree, but Carolina has to many likable players now for any fan base alienation to take hold. He isn't the face of our franchise anymore and sometimes athletes have to come to grips with that.

Cam Newton, Luke Kueckly, Greg Hardy, CJ , Tolbert & Star make our fan base very optimistic about our future. Feelings would be hurt if Steve Smith were cut, including my own, but looking at his contract over the next three years the $$ money $$ is a bit worrisome.

I personally hope something is worked out at a reduced price. I hope he retires a Panther.