Smitty meets with Gettleman today

[Guest Dark Knight]

For the love of!! Production has dipped....is it due to offensive scheme or Smitty? Maybe a bit of both, but in no way is it all on 89. I would still choose him in any clutch situation anywhere on that field everyday and 4 times on Sunday. It's Steve Smith. Steve freaking Smith. His heart and passion for this game is second to none. Still. Father Time may be creepin, but Smitty is still Smitty. Come on.

Jerry Rice was told to go away and kick rocks. What makes you think Steve is above being replaced? If guys like Rice, Manning, Emmitt, etc can be replaced then so can Steve. You people need to take off the 89 glasses. Seriously.

There are a dozen guys the team could replace him with via free agency or the draft and they would be a major upgrade over him.

Steve is the greatest Panther ever and still has a few years left, but he isn't irreplaceable. And if he refuses to take a pay cut or keeps getting all worked up over comments about him the end will come a lot sooner than people realize or will admit.

[MadHatter]

For the love of!! Production has dipped....is it due to offensive scheme or Smitty? Maybe a bit of both, but in no way is it all on 89. I would still choose him in any clutch situation anywhere on that field everyday and 4 times on Sunday. It's Steve Smith. Steve freaking Smith. His heart and passion for this game is second to none. Still. Father Time may be creepin, but Smitty is still Smitty. Come on.

 

Production dipped because he is a 35 yo player who has lost some of his burst.  Stop making excuses....he is NOT the WR that he used to be.  Age catches up to EVERY player...Steve is no different.

 

He is absolutely one of my top 3 players EVER for the Panthers.  Love his tenacity....love his heart....hope he is still on the team next season....but not at that price.

 

You (like many here) are looking at this as a fan....not as a GM or owner would and should.  And that is OK....because most on here do not have the business acumen to effectively run a lemondade stand in their driveway.

 

I am not saying that he does not have a few years left in the tank.....just that those years (based on recent performance) are not worth $7-9M per season.

[Guest Dark Knight]

Production dipped because he is a 35 yo player who has lost some of his burst. Stop making excuses....he is NOT the WR that he used to be. Age catches up to EVERY player...Steve is no different.

He is absolutely one of my top 3 players EVER for the Panthers. Love his tenacity....love his heart....hope he is still on the team next season....but not at that price.

I am not saying that he does not have a few years left in the tank.....just that those years (based on recent performance) are not worth $7-9M per season.

FUG YOU BRO GO WATCH 2005 HIGHLIGHTS 89 IS A BEAST HE IS THE GREATEST PANTHER EVER CHOKE ON A DICK DUDE

/huddle89logic

[SauceBoss]

If true, then you are a fan of a player and not the team.  Great teams like the Patriots make hard cuts and moves every year.  And their fanbase understands this is necessary to keep refueling the team and organization.

 

Agree on the different role for Smith....but with that comes a different cost.  His production does not warrant a $7m a season pricetag.

Ha, their fan base cares for nothing more than Brady. If Brady, the face of their franchise, ever got cut, they'd quit watching. You can be a fan of both, but more or less it leaves a bad taste in my mouth about Gettleman, not the team. 

[SauceBoss]

Not the whole fan base.  It would sting, but he's not going to be here forever.

Are you Gettleman?

[Guest Dark Knight]

Ha, their fan base cares for nothing more than Brady. If Brady, the face of their franchise, ever got cut, they'd quit watching. You can be a fan of both, but more or less it leaves a bad taste in my mouth about Gettleman, not the team.

If they stop watching after Brady it'll be because the team sucks. If they are winning Super Bowls once he's gone they'll still be cheering for NE & won't give 2 poos about Brady.

[MadHatter]

Ha, their fan base cares for nothing more than Brady. If Brady, the face of their franchise, ever got cut, they'd quit watching. You can be a fan of both, but more or less it leaves a bad taste in my mouth about Gettleman, not the team. 

 

No, they understand that aging players on huge contracts are the death of a team in a salary cap era.

 

As for Brady....he is still playing at an elite level.  If his production fell of dramatically (like Smith's has) that FO would let him walk in a heartbeat.

[Guest Dark Knight]

No, they understand that aging players on huge contracts are the death of a team in a salary cap era.

As for Brady....he is still playing at an elite level. If his production fell of dramatically (like Smith's has) that FO would let him walk in a heartbeat.

Or they'd do like SF/GB did with Montana/Favre & throw him out on his ass.

[Car123]

If you didn't find yourself during this past season saying, "Steve catches that last year!", on several occasions then you are in denial! I love Smitty as much as the next Panther fan, but time has come and gone! At best he has one more year at slot and I would like to see it here. As you and I both know, hitting mid 30's doesn't mean you can't, just means your body won't heal fast enough to let you at 100%. All warriors must give way to youth at some point

You don't lose your catching ability as you age.

[lola]

Production dipped because he is a 35 yo player who has lost some of his burst. Stop making excuses....he is NOT the WR that he used to be. Age catches up to EVERY player...Steve is no different.

He is absolutely one of my top 3 players EVER for the Panthers. Love his tenacity....love his heart....hope he is still on the team next season....but not at that price.

You (like many here) are looking at this as a fan....not as a GM or owner would and should. And that is OK....because most on here do not have the business acumen to effectively run a lemondade stand in their driveway.

I am not saying that he does not have a few years left in the tank.....just that those years (based on recent performance) are not worth $7-9M per season.

No kidding! I agree with you. I'm not denying that some of his stats are because of a natural decline. I'm not stupid. What I am saying is that he should not be unceremoniously dumped. What he has meant for this team and what he still has to offer at a different position in the slot, should count for something. Something. No, he's not worth his current salary if he's not the #1. I know that. I hope he does take a cut to continue this quest for a ring and stay with one team, I really do. He's my favorite of all time. Forgive me if I am slightly sentimental. Partial, I am. Stupid, I am not.

[Car123]

Last year on WFNZ, around mid season, Steve was asked several things, such as his contract, how long he wants to play, if he'd play elsewhere, etc.

Steve said his #1 goal right now is chasing career numbers, whether here or elsewhere. He wants 1,000 Rec & 15,000 Yd. Said he's older & right now it's all about numbers. When she if he's okay with not getting the ball if it means winning he said no. He wants the ball & will complain or demand it when he doesn't get his touches. He wants to reach milestones.

When asked if he'd restructure to help the team he laughed & said absolutely not, that he is under contract thru 2016 & he won't take anything less. Said his contract is non negotiable & he will play it out of go elsewhere.

Then he said he'd go elsewhere if they didn't want him because he's just chasing numbers. Those are his goals right now.

Sorry, didn't mean to interject reality into the SS89 suckfest. As you were...

Don't think he said that but did you forget when he said Carolina is going to the playoffs and will meet Seattle? Someone who doesn't care won't say that.

[Car123]

No, they understand that aging players on huge contracts are the death of a team in a salary cap era.

 

As for Brady....he is still playing at an elite level.  If his production fell of dramatically (like Smith's has) that FO would let him walk in a heartbeat.

 

Smith is only 1 year removed from 1174 yards (one of his best statistical seasons). He had 745 yards last year despite missing two games. Did you watch the playoff game vs SF? He dominated the 1st half against a great defense because the offense wasn't playing conservative. He beat a good corner for a td.

 

He'll become the best free agent on the market if he gets cut. No point in cutting someone if there isn't someone better available. 

[BIGH2001]

Whatever the reason for lack of production he's not worth 9 million at 35 years old. It's either restructure now or he's gone by June. If the panthers have to commit to paying him that kind of salary you can either say bye to cam or luke ( not going to happen) or enjoy an old smith, travares king, mcnutt and a 5th round draft pick comprising the receiving corps for the next couple years.

[PantherPhann89]

Let me start by saying this...I love Steve smith and I appreciate everything that he has done for the panthers. Now...the TRUTH...he is an absolute diva, he is ultra sensitive to any comment about him that has any perceived negative tone - even constructive criticism, he is a proven bully even in his own locker room. He is set to make 7 million dollars this year: he had 750 yards and 4 touchdowns. Yes, it is time to say goodbye to steve smith the drama queen. It is time for other leaders (cam & luke) to take control of this the locker room without having to worry about pissing Steve smith off. Every dog has his day...Steve has had his. He needs to ride off in the sunset without causing a big damn scene. Dave gettleman's comments were spot on. He said smith would be evaluated right? Just like every player. Steve smith took offense to these comments like he's above evaluation...no he isn't. And we now have a GM that gets it. At the end of the day steve smith is 1 of 53 players on our ball team....nothing more, nothing less. If he thinks he's above being evaluated as a player...goodbye!

I don't think that Smith thinks that he's above being evaluated and being evaluated is not what I think he took offense to. I think he took offense to is Gettleman not speaking to him prior to giving the media the impression that there's a real possibility that he may not be with the Panthers much longer. Smith deserves the same level of respect from Gettleman that Gettleman gave Gross and Hardy.