Steve Smith Will Not Be In a Panthers Uniform Next Season

[Ruff]

Well, everyone complained about how terrible our receiving corp was last year.

The way some of us acted you woulf think that it couldn't be any worse than it was last season. Now we will see if they were right i guess.

As terrible as our receiving corps was, it wasn't smitty's fault. He did all he could. Plus, losing an emotional leader is a real thing. The offense just took a huge hit.

Cam is either happy now that it's his offense or horribly depressed because he's got nothing around him.

[Lilsmitty09]

As I've said all along....and it Sony because of money..

[Zaximus]

Not even asked to restructure?  Asshole move DG.

 

Dude, that is now the same as a paycut.   Restructures usually doesn't mean a player takes less, it's just moved around.  The guy flat out doesn't earn what he's paid.  I don't blame him for not taking a paycut but don't think it's the same thing.

[ickmule]

I used to love G-man. Now I just like him.

You won't hear me say this much, but

fug Dave Gettleman

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Yeah, he will have to do some solid work from here on out for me to think much of him. 

[Dunn]

We bitch now...and I hate it that smith is gone, but would you rather complain now about cutting him, or complain in 4 months when 'we have no WR's except smith!!!!' when its time?

[CarolinaNCSU]

Voth's thoughts tweeted at me...

 

Zach ‏@zgcampbe  1m

@billvoth this move have ANY implications due to future cap hit...or solely wanting him gone to give Cam the full reigns?

 

Bill Voth ‏@billvoth  45s

@zgcampbe mostly the second, but not just Cam.

[0115]

Coach is a players coach and DG is the antithesis. Intresting how this is working out.

[therealmjl]

Anyone remember how I was insulting those who were saying "fug Gettleman"?

I am really considering taking that back right now FWIW.

I just don't understand not even approaching the man about a restructure...clueless.

[Way Truth Life]

Not less money... He got crazy guaranteed money that was paid upfront...

The deal includes $16.8 million in guaranteed money. Smith received a $10 million signing bonus and comes out way ahead on what he’ll earn in 2012. In addition to the signing bonus, he’ll also earn $1 million in base salary. Smith had been scheduled to earn $7.75 million in the final year of his contract. The new deal gives Smith more money, but he also frees up significant salary-cap room for the Panthers, who had less than $500,000 available before this deal. 

Smith had been scheduled to count $10.7 million against the cap this year, but the new deal drops that figure to $5.96 million. 

In 2013, Smith’s base salary will rise to $3.75 million and that’s guaranteed. Smith also will earn a guaranteed $4 million in base salary in 2014. That’s also the year he can collect a $3 million bonus if the Panthers elect to pick up his option for 2016. 

In 2015, Smith is scheduled to make $7 million in base salary. If he gets to the option year, his base salary will rise to $9 million.

 

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcsouth/post/_/id/33633/breaking-down-steve-smiths-deal-2

[Mage]

It is clear to me some (not all, as seen by the point who actually point it out) have no idea what a restructure exactly accomplishes.

[jdpanther5]

Smith not being asked to take a paycut is the defining proof that this isn't about money. This is Gettleman trying to make a statement.

Not so sure... they said he wasn't asked to RESTRUCTURE, not whether he'd take a pay cut. $7m this year really isn't that bad, it's the next two years of $10m and $12m when Cam and Luke are due extensions.

Seems a lot of our restructures involve reducing the base salary to $1m while spreading out the remainder via signing bonus, maybe add a dummy year. That's a $3m signing bonus, Steve is guaranteed that much anyway so I'm sure he'd have no problem collecting it up front.

Problem is, that'd add on $1m to each of the contract years, maybe less if we add a dummy year. If we cut him we also take a hit, whether this year or next. With a trade, however, we'd save only about $1m this year but he'd be off the books after that.

All that to say...I'm sure it's mostly money related, just not this year's money.

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[Argus Plexus]

Well this changes everything. Now I'm starting to question Gett Dawg. Why not ask him to restructure before cutting losses? This is turning into a travesty.

[teeray]

As terrible as our receiving corps was, it wasn't smitty's fault. He did all he could. Plus, losing an emotional leader is a real thing. The offense just took a huge hit.

Cam is either happy now that it's his offense or horribly depressed because he's got nothing around him.

Smitty had a couple of plays that were all heart last year. He also had some crucial drops, couldn't get open, and was no longer a real vertical threat.

I will miss his passion. It will be weird seeing him somewhere else, but all good things mist come to an end.

[bleys]

it would be interesting to know the other side of the story as far as asking for a pay cut.  if he wouldn't take a pay cut, then restructuring would be the last thing you want to impose on our cap and naturally he wouldn't be asked.

 

If he wasn't asked to take a pay cut then this is a shrewd business move.  at least ask the guy since he seems glad to retire in Charlotte.  Of course, if he denied a pay cut then that's on Smitty too...