Steve Smith Will Not Be In a Panthers Uniform Next Season

[Guest Dark Knight]

@DeAngeloRB: Well.,. What's the offseason bringing everyone? I'm not even going to tell you my thoughts! I just want to hear yours!

If I had a tweeter...

"don't worry bro, you're next"

[TruthVsComfort]

I thought there was no financial benefit to releasing Smith? Is this wrong? What kind of cap savings justify this move?

Sent from my SCH-I545 using CarolinaHuddle mobile app

[teeray]

12-4

 

Re-sign Lafell and don't upgrade OL.  12-4. 

[Sloth]

Oddly enough I want him to go to New England if the FO won't keep him around. With Brady and that system he could really put up some numbers.

 

Only reason I think NO is that dome. Fast track and boosted stats for half the season. NE and Denver would be neat to see as well. 

 

Edit: Plus NO has one of the best HC/OC in the game. Big big step up from here.

[Delhomeboy]

The offense doesn't stop people from making plays.  Do you not think the offense as a whole suffered because the talent on the offense (including smith) was lacking?

 

It's really too far into the realm of speculation to say--however, considering the personnel in 2013 was comparable to 2012, I can't help but focus more on offensive style than individual players.

 

Plus all of this is inextricable. Slower offense precludes rhythm and stalls drives, keeps players from getting into the flow of the game, enhances drops, plus we're utilizing tight ends more...who knows. It's like a quantum physics puzzle getting answers in this sport.

[Montsta]

I agree that he isn't worth 7 million a year, but he is still a top 30 WR. I just wish that he would take a paycut and be our slot receiver for next season. Losing Smitty is just rough... it's like going through a breakup with a girl you've been with for years. I don't suggest you watch any Smitty highlight videos on YT that go through his entire career :/

Antonio Brown, Dez Bryant, Jordy Nelson, Anquan Boldin...these are all good receivers that do a lot for their team, and are all in the $2-$4MM range. IMO this is where Smitty should be at this point. If he is unwilling, then you need to move on. We can't pay him like he is Julio Jones or AJ Green anymore because he simply isn't that player.

[teeray]

I thought there was no financial benefit to releasing Smith? Is this wrong? What kind of cap savings justify this move?

Sent from my SCH-I545 using CarolinaHuddle mobile app

 

A couple of people have noted that it saves a bunch the next two years.  When Cam and Luke will be likely getting extensions

[Johnny Rockets]

I don't know what kind of juiced up Hamster Zod has running this place but how the Huddle hasn't crashed by now is highly impressive.

[Guest Dark Knight]

Brett Jensen @Brett_Jensen

There's lots of inside talk of letting Smith go because of his constant yelling at Cam and how he needs to leave for Cam to grow as leader

Water is wet...

[frash.exe]

So Cam doesn't have to balls to stand up and lead?

Awesome.

If he does stand up and speak his mind then people will probably call him arrogant and egotistical

[Way Truth Life]

Antonio Brown, Dez Bryant, Jordy Nelson, Anquan Boldin...these are all good receivers that do a lot for their team, and are all in the $2-$4MM range. IMO this is where Smitty should be at this point. If he is unwilling, then you need to move on. We can't pay him like he is Julio Jones or AJ Green anymore because he simply isn't that player.

Boldin is doing exactly what SS did for the Panthers in 2012 only Boldin is setting himself up for a 2015 release date.

Signing Bonus: $4,545,000

2014 Base: $955,000

2014 Game-day roster bonuses: $500,000 (total)

2014 Cap figure: $3,727,500

2015 Base: $5,500,000

2015 Game-day roster bonuses: $500,000 (total)

2015 Cap figure: $8,727,500

[Jackofalltrades]

If he does stand up and speak his mind then people will probably call him arrogant and egotistical

Seriously doubt that, he's the franchise QB coming into his fourth season. Delhomme didn't seem to have any problem with Smith. I will develop some serious concerns about Cam if this is the case.

[TN05]

Did they?  They had two WRs that had over 800 yards and 3 that had as many or more TDs than Steve Smith.

 

Their #2 receiver:  855 yards and 8 TDs. 

 

Yep, their #2 >> than our #1.

 

Nice try. Their number one, Anquan Boldin, played 15 games and finished with 921 yards and 4 TDs. Per your criteria (number one receiver must have 800+ yards and 5 TDs to be productive), he wasn't productive. Their number two, Torrey Smith, finished with 855 yards and 8 TDs - pretty similar to how our de facto number two, Greg Olsen, finished with 816 yards and 6 TDs.

[332nd]

So Cam doesn't have to balls to stand up and lead?

Awesome.

 

Or every time Cam stood up to lead, he had to argue with Smitty to do it...

Or Smitty was in Cam's ear after every drive trying to explain why he should've gotten the ball...

Or this is the classic "I got noting so I'll make something up & attribute it to 'inside sources' " that reporters are want to do...