So, lets see what Smith has to say (via David Newton)

[JawnyBlaze]

Good report.

I don't understand why Smith didn't say this publicly while he was still a Panther. Why did he choose to wedge the divide further in the press here in Charlotte? Why did he decide to serve as a catalyst to try and turn the fans on the Panther FO?

I respected him despite the fact that he was a dick to people, but after this I've lost respect for Smith for wearing two different hats...one to us....and one for the Ravens.

If this would have been his tune the whole time he'd still be a Panther. It's obvious to me that he's just trying to say the right things to glorify his actions as almost being Paladin and paint himself as a poor victim.

The fact is....he wanted that back-end money a new signing bonus of 3.5 mil, and the same base salary he would have gotten here. I've said before it's about money to Smith. He's going to make about 12 mill this year. That's a huge increase in pay. This guy has just been using real politik to get the money not caring what's in his wake. He's gone from one of my most favorite Panthers of all time to my most hated. He did it so well that most fans are unaware of what his intentions were. What a Benedict Arnold.

Steve Smith....bitch up son...bitch up.

I'm glad this fugger is gone, and I can't wait to see TD lay the smack on him.

What douche. Glad he's gone.

You obviously haven't been paying attention because he didn't say anything with the Ravens he didn't say here. He's said for years he wants them to bring in a new #1. He didn't drive any wedge anywhere. He certainly didn't do anything to just get more money from another team on top of his guaranteed money from us. All those statements were completely and utterly ridiculous.

[X-Clown]

One thing I wish you guys would really stop doing is questioning how long someone has been a fan. Yes I believe that because of the "Smitty Effect". You don't realize the impact it can have on us bringing in talent. If we can't bring in talent for Cam then you waste the most talented player that the NFL has ever seen. Put Cam Newton on some other organizations and they win Super Bowls.

Does that make you emotional? I bet it does.

[Anybodyhome]

You dont have a problem then because Steve was a #1 in name only.  He was beat by our own TE and almost by our number 2 that everyone doesnt care about.  

 

And your point is?.....

 

It doesn't matter if he was the #1, #2 or #3 or "in name only" because the Panthers have none of the above at this point.

[FirstRoundPick]

And your point is?.....

 

It doesn't matter if he was the #1, #2 or #3 or "in name only" because the Panthers have none of the above at this point.

 

Which is how big of a loss.  I think your making mountains out of moles hills.  I dont care that our wide receiving core is gone, our receiving core sucked, and now we can have some focus developing one  If August gets here and it really is much worse off than yeah what a screw up because it would be hard to be worse.  

[TheMaulClaw]

You obviously haven't been paying attention because he didn't say anything with the Ravens he didn't say here. He's said for years he wants them to bring in a new #1. He didn't drive any wedge anywhere. He certainly didn't do anything to just get more money from another team on top of his guaranteed money from us. All those statements were completely and utterly ridiculous.

 

This year is different.  There was a lot of money to be made by being released.  Do the numbers man....look at how much more he's making when you factor in  the 5 mill we still owe him, a 4 million dollar a year contract by the Ravens, and a two and a half million signing bonus, and the potential dead money the Ravens would owe him if they part ways prior to 3 years.  Smith's base salary was 4 million here.   That's triple and a half.  If you don't think a tripled increase in salary would motivate a professional football player.....I would just say it's naive.

 

I know it goes against Smitty legend, but the Panther's built that image too.

[TheMaulClaw]

 Steve has publically said before he would be happy to play slot for us.

 

Hard to play number 2 behind a WR we never drafted or picked up

 

I'll make a brief mention of what I replied to Jawnyblaze.

 

Steve stood to gain a tripled increase in salary by getting released from Carolina.  5 mil we owe him still. 2.5 million signing bonus, 4 million dollar a year salary (what he was making here), and potential dead money owed by the Ravens if they release Smith before the conclusion of his contract in 3 years.  

 

That would motivate a lot of people.  I know a lot of you believe that Smitty is pure of heart.  But it's a business, and that was his last chance to get a big payday before he's done.

 

I'm not intimately aware of what Smith's true intentions are....I'm just going off the evidence.  It's all conjecture.....but it's a lot easier to connect the dots when you look at the money situation.

[Oldmanrivera]

I'll make a brief mention of what I replied to Jawnyblaze.

 

Steve stood to gain a tripled increase in salary by getting released from Carolina.  5 mil we owe him still. 2.5 million signing bonus, 4 million dollar a year salary (what he was making here), and potential dead money owed by the Ravens if they release Smith before the conclusion of his contract in 3 years.  

 

That would motivate a lot of people.  I know a lot of you believe that Smitty is pure of heart.  But it's a business, and that was his last chance to get a big payday before he's done.

 

I'm not intimately aware of what Smith's true intentions are....I'm just going off the evidence.  It's all conjecture.....but it's a lot easier to connect the dots when you look at the money situation.

 

...not intimately aware...just going of the evidence...(all of which is subjected by your opinion)... it is all conjecture... 

 

So you have just openly said that you have no reason to believe any of the tripe you have spouted, but will choose to do so because you under stand the 'money situation'.

 

Don't ever represent anyone in the court of law please.

[TheMaulClaw]

...not intimately aware...just going of the evidence...(all of which is subjected by your opinion)... it is all conjecture... 

 

So you have just openly said that you have no reason to believe any of the tripe you have spouted, but will choose to do so because you under stand the 'money situation'.

 

Don't ever represent anyone in the court of law please.

 

So you would rather on focus on demeaning me then have to admit that Smith will indeed make A LOT more money with the Ravens next year?

[Oldmanrivera]

So you would rather on focus on demeaning me then have to admit that Smith will indeed make A LOT more money with the Ravens next year?

 

 

The point of the argument you are trying to have is not 'Smith will make more with the ravens', 

You are trying to argue that Steve Smith is a scoundrel and an asshole, but you admittedly have nothing to base that on other than your "in depth look" at money.

[KendrickPanther]

.

Tanking the 2010 season and then the big contracts that followed

 

Thats about 12 mistakes.

 

The single biggest mistake was signing Sean Gilbert and giving up 2 first round picks to do it. It's not even close. I'm not hating, just telling the truth.

 

[heel31ok]

Steve and his agent saw one last opportunity for a big payday. This is all this comes down too.  Just look at the difference in what he's going to make when you factor in the money we still have to pay him and his signing bonus.

 

Anyone who thinks this has to do with anything other then money is naive.

then call me naive because that is bullcrap. SS played the game paid his dues and got his deal. The Panthers needed help from him to reduce the cap and he obliged.They didn't even offer this time so moving on was the thing to do.

[TheMaulClaw]

The point of the argument you are trying to have is not 'Smith will make more with the ravens', 

You are trying to argue that Steve Smith is a scoundrel and an asshole, but you admittedly have nothing to base that on other than your "in depth look" at money.

 

I never called him a scoundrel.  I don't think he's spending all night at strip clubs, buying weapons, or anything like that,. I don't think he beats his wife, and I think he loves his kids.  But he also appears to take what he wants.  He is a documented asshole based on accounts and from what I've experienced. 

 

All I know is if a competing company wanted me to come work for them and found a way to triple my salary it would be hard not to listen.

[JawnyBlaze]

He's also had no history of being a hardass when it comes to money. Money isn't everyone's primary motivation and Smitty has never given any indication that it is for him. Yea, he's had solid contracts but I fully believe that the reason he asked for more than a mediocre contract is the hit to his ego of getting less money than guys he considers himself superior to. This is just as much conjecture as anything else, but I bet if WR weren't one of the higher paid positions, if the top WRs we're making $3-4 mil per year, he'd have been happy playing for that and played as hard as he did making $7mil per.

[Oldmanrivera]

I never called him a scoundrel.  I don't think he's spending all night at strip clubs, buying weapons, or anything like that,. I don't think he beats his wife, and I think he loves his kids.  But he also appears to take what he wants.  He is a documented asshole based on accounts and from what I've experienced. 

 

All I know is if a competing company wanted me to come work for them and found a way to triple my salary it would be hard not to listen.

 

ok, cool, thanks for finalizing my initial thoughts.

 

Everything you said is based on your interpretation on everything that has happened.

 

So how the fug is everyone else naive for not believing your baseless opinions?