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

[TheNewStandard]

Looking at his salaries and signing bonuses over the years, it appears that Smiity made 89 million dollars as a Panther. That's 8.5 million per season. Hardly underpaid at any point in his career and he never had to sacrifice anything for his teammates. So please quit painting Smitty as this starving and tortured artist.

Sounds like it's about his cash, his numbers and his ego...fitting.

[top dawg]

Smitty was cut by Gettleman, not the other way around.  Don't hate. Steve is gonna take that money and run...all the way to the end zone.  He's going to do for the Ravens everything that he could have done for us had the pieces been put in place. It's not his fault that the Ravens made him an offer that basically says that "We appreciate what you bring to the table, and we believe you've still got game."  

[Cyberjag]

It's one thing to cut a 35 year old receiver.  It's another thing entirely to start the conversation in public, decide not to offer a restructured contract (which presumably would have taken care of 2015 and 2016), and cut him like a third string kicker.  This is especially true when it's obvious that, to paraphras, "The answer is NOT on the roster."

 

There are so many ways the organization could have handled it better that it's hard not to think there was a message being sent somewhere.  Although, it could just be that the current front office is kind of tone-deaf about how to treat star players. 

 

Last year Gettleman basically told Jordan Gross that he had to restructure, and cut his pay in half (less than that actually).  Gross decided to retire rather than come back and play another year, and from his play last year he has another year or two left in him.  GMan took forever to answer a simple question, "Is Cam Newton the kind of player you build around?"  And when he did, he was quick to throw in a caveat about it being time to win.  He did the same cap stuff that other GMs around the league do every year, and we cheered him for it because all we've heard about is how horrible our contract situation is.  He had what looks like a great draft.  He did a good job bringing in talent and depth, and let's hope that becomes a trademark skill of his because he seems to have let most of it go already, but that's another topic.

 

So basically, he's doing a good job with the money, the draft, and patching holes.  But now we've got one of the biggest holes on the team we've ever seen, and our GM hasn't really shown a ton of people skills with players we have come to love over the years.

 

No wonder people are upset.

[AceBoogie]

It's one thing to cut a 35 year old receiver. It's another thing entirely to start the conversation in public, decide not to offer a restructured contract (which presumably would have taken care of 2015 and 2016), and cut him like a third string kicker. This is especially true when it's obvious that, to paraphras, "The answer is NOT on the roster."

There are so many ways the organization could have handled it better that it's hard not to think there was a message being sent somewhere. Although, it could just be that the current front office is kind of tone-deaf about how to treat star players.

Last year Gettleman basically told Jordan Gross that he had to restructure, and cut his pay in half (less than that actually). Gross decided to retire rather than come back and play another year, and from his play last year he has another year or two left in him. GMan took forever to answer a simple question, "Is Cam Newton the kind of player you build around?" And when he did, he was quick to throw in a caveat about it being time to win. He did the same cap stuff that other GMs around the league do every year, and we cheered him for it because all we've heard about is how horrible our contract situation is. He had what looks like a great draft. He did a good job bringing in talent and depth, and let's hope that becomes a trademark skill of his because he seems to have let most of it go already, but that's another topic.

So basically, he's doing a good job with the money, the draft, and patching holes. But now we've got one of the biggest holes on the team we've ever seen, and our GM hasn't really shown a ton of people skills with players we have come to love over the years.

No wonder people are upset.

You hit the nail on the head my friend

[TheMaulClaw]

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?

So he's not making A LOT more money with Ravens?

 

If he wasn't the opinion would be baseless.

 

Troll.

[top dawg]

You hit the nail on the head my friend

 

I concur.

[Anybodyhome]

So... all this being said, the Panthers have virtually no WRs on the roster and the General Manager is on the record as saying the time to win is now. 

 

Do the diametrically opposed actions of turning loose all 3 starting WRs and making that statement seem a little odd?

 

I'll go on the record right now and state that Cam Newton will hold out and take a job with another team when the General Manager tries to lay a poor 2014 season at Cam's feet.

[top dawg]

So... all this being said, the Panthers have virtually no WRs on the roster and the General Manager is on the record as saying the time to win is now. 

 

Do the diametrically opposed actions of turning loose all 3 starting WRs and making that statement seem a little odd?

 

I'll go on the record right now and state that Cam Newton will hold out and take a job with another team when the General Manager tries to lay a poor 2014 season at Cam's feet.

 

That is a possibility, though no one wants to admit it.  G-man is gonna have to do a lot of smooth talking (which I believe that he can) to make Cam feel sincerely secure.  Will Cam be able to resist that huge pay day with the team that he loves? That's part of the equation.  

 

I don't know that the fans would stand blaming a drop off at Cam's feet. Sure there would probably be some---the same ones that will continue the tired old theme that Cam can't be a leader, or that he's not an accurate passer, blah blah blah. Provided that an imperfect Cam does not turn into Josh Freeman, I believe that most mature and sophisticated fans will be able to peel back the bullshit.

[Oldmanrivera]

So he's not making A LOT more money with Ravens?

 

If he wasn't the opinion would be baseless.

 

Troll.

 

How are you this dense.

 

 

You have no facts or evidence to support your claim against steve's character or integrity. Your assumption of his signing with the ravens because of more money is also not enough to carry your claim.

 

Panthers let him walk, did not ask for him to restructure, and shat all over what all panthers fan assumed would be a sad but proud end of his career as a panther. 

 

 

How about prove your point with facts or quotes, and nothing drenched in your opinion before you admit defeat and claim others as troll.

[FirstRoundPick]

Steve is gonna take that money and run...all the way to the end zone.  

 

 

Did someone say Steve Smith run?

 

 

Still got it

[carolinarolls]

I'm convinced that we will look at this move years from now as the biggest mistake in Carolina Panther history.

 

 

not even close

 

 

it fails in comparison to any of the following debacles

 

Moose-pay him

Witherspoon-pay him

Draft-pay him

Morgan-cut him

Delhomme-cut him

Peppers-trade him..or get a real QB that he feels won't give the game away every week and just resign him

 

these are without even thinking

 

dropping a 5'9" attention-seeking troublemaker who has lost more than a step along with developing a case of the dropsies when you owe him more than one million for the upcoming season is textbook NFL management.  

 

It isn't even a question.

[TheMaulClaw]

How are you this dense.

 

 

You have no facts or evidence to support your claim against steve's character or integrity. Your assumption of his signing with the ravens because of more money is also not enough to carry your claim.

 

Panthers let him walk, did not ask for him to restructure, and shat all over what all panthers fan assumed would be a sad but proud end of his career as a panther. 

 

 

How about prove your point with facts or quotes, and nothing drenched in your opinion before you admit defeat and claim others as troll.

 

Fact: There are reports that there were issues between Cam, Smith, and the coaching staff late in the season.

Fact:  Steve Smith publicly advocated against DG while still on the roster.

Fact:  Steve Smth is making a lot more money now then a week ago.

[MadHatter]

The issue was not whether smith could or would move to the slot...he would.

However, there is no way that Smitty's ego and personality could take a backseat. He is what he is...and that was deemed to be an issue here.

[MadHatter]

How are you this dense.

You have no facts or evidence to support your claim against steve's character or integrity. Your assumption of his signing with the ravens because of more money is also not enough to carry your claim.

Panthers let him walk, did not ask for him to restructure, and shat all over what all panthers fan assumed would be a sad but proud end of his career as a panther.

How about prove your point with facts or quotes, and nothing drenched in your opinion before you admit defeat and claim others as troll.

You can find the Midol on aisle 4.