APCam Newton probably won’t have Steve Smith to throw to.
We’ve been passing along various rumors related to Smith’s future in Carolina and the general thinking now is that Smith will indeed be dealt before the season starts.
Pat Yasinskas of ESPN.com, one of the most plugged-in reporters covering the Panthers, says he expects Smith to be traded soon after the lockout ends. It’s only an opinion, but it’s a well-informed one based on a lot of information.
One issue that Yasinskas raises is whether a new team will have to give Smith a new contract if they acquire him. We’d guess they won’t bother.
Smith is due $14.5 million over the next two years, which is fair compensation for someone with his track record. He shouldn’t need to take a pay cut, but it doesn’t make sense to give Smith “new money” either.
If Smith does land with a new team, they can re-visit his contract after he shows how he fits in with his new squad for a year.
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My money is on the Jets or the Skins
“they can re-visit his contract after he shows how he fits in with his new squad for a year”
As in, see if he punches someone in the face or not??
Please come to Buffalo, we are way under the cap & are willing to pay you that same money for 2 years.
You mean after he shows how he fits in with his new squad for 8 to 12 games during the year.
And that’s assuming no lost games.
I’d consider $14,500,000 to be excessive for an older receiver who has rapidly declined in production. His recent track record is not that great.
Steve Smith is the problem-NOT the contract.
BRING HIM TO DETROIT!
calvin and steve on the outsides with nate and titus in the slots? UNSTOPPABLE
F Steve Smith. We don’t need him
I wonder if drafting Newton changes anything in Smith’s mind.
Yards over the last three years:
1421
982
554
Fourteen million over the next two years? No thanks.
i am just confused about one thing…when exactly does the season start?
Tennessee, Washington, Miami, Jax, Houston… lots of teams could use him.
@ profootballwalk:
With what QB’s throwing him the ball? It’s not his fault – he still has 2-3+ years left in the tank. He’s a competitor, he’s just had ZERO talent around him.
NOBODY will sign him for that much money, unless he stays in Carolina! 110 receptions, 9TDs and 3 fumbles in the last 2 years does not $14.5M make.
He’ll finish his career as someone’s slot receiver(hopefully KC), but he won’t be making that much money. He’s not worth it anymore.
btw, @pftareraiderhaters.
EVERYONE hates the Raiders. Especially me!
chapnastier says:
May 9, 2011 1:09 PM
My money is on the Jets or the Skins
————————————————
Steve smith said he will only play for a team in CALIFORNIA.
He was on sirius radio yesterday and said he would love to play for the raiders.
Why wouldnt he?
Raiders are the best team in Cali and the best team in the west(killed everybody in their divison last year)
And raiders are defintly goin to the playoffs and probley the superbowl.
Be realistic.. seriously whos going to beat the raiders? If the raiders didnt get screwed last year they would of won the superbowl.. If you beath everybody in your Division TWICE and sweep your whole Divison I believe that makes u Dvivison Champs
“profootballwalk says: May 9, 2011 1:54 PM
Yards over the last three years:
1421
982
554
Fourteen million over the next two years? No thanks.”
2008 The panthers were 12-4 and then Jake had his meltdown and they had no QB worth a darn since
2009 8-8 Jakes performance still down hill
2010 2-14 Still no QB
Now lets look at his yardage again. You give this man a QB and he will put up numbers
Ted Thompson is right, reporters really dont know what they are talking about. If Steve Smith gets to keep the same contract, I will be stunned. His production is dropping, he has lost speed and doesnt have the height to be a possession receiver. In fact, I am not sure anyone will want to trade for him. My money is on Steve Smith getting straight cut.
Yards over the last three years:
1421
982
554
Fourteen million over the next two years? No thanks.
____________________________________
Quarterbacks over the last three years
Delhomme (pre-mental breakdown)
Delhomme (post mental breakdown)/Matt Moore
Matt Moore/Jimmy Claussen
I think he deserves a pass for the past 2 years and I’d take a chance on him with that contract… Include in that fact, that he was the one who basically made Delhomme even look servicable.. all the while never truly having a # 2 receiver to take the pressure off of him… btw.. he has said that Oak and SD are teams of interest to him, as well as Baltimore is a possibility. Personally, he lives in Cali, and I think he’d just like to finish his career close to home….
@huejackson
the only reason Smith mentioned the Raiders is because he knows they are the ONLY team dumb enough to pay him that much!
Not if they can find some stupid who will pay the price.
Snyder anyone?
Steve Smith has not had a QB to throw to him, nor fellow receivers since Mushin Mohammed to draw even the most modest of coverages away from him.
For those questioning his statistical decline here are 2 notes:
QB’s over the past 3 years.
Jimmy Clausen, Matt Moore, and post Tommy John surgery Jake Delhomme.
#2 receivers to take pressure off Smith past 3 years:
An old Mushin Muhammad, Dwayne Jarett, rookie David Gettis, and tight ends Dante Rosario and Jeff King.
If he does go to a team like SD, having Antonio Gates, possibly a Vincent Jackson could be a sort of rebirth. Though he doesn’t have the same top end speed, I’m confident that he can tool his game to be successful.
Commenters here seem to think that their favorite athletes never get old. There’s always an excuse, and you should always keep paying the guy until he drops dead of old age.
Big contract for such a small guy.
huejackson says:
May 9, 2011 2:08 PM
chapnastier says:
May 9, 2011 1:09 PM
My money is on the Jets or the Skins
————————————————
Steve smith said he will only play for a team in CALIFORNIA.
He was on sirius radio yesterday and said he would love to play for the raiders.
Why wouldnt he?
Raiders are the best team in Cali and the best team in the west(killed everybody in their divison last year)
And raiders are defintly goin to the playoffs and probley the superbowl.
Be realistic.. seriously whos going to beat the raiders? If the raiders didnt get screwed last year they would of won the superbowl.. If you beath everybody in your Division TWICE and sweep your whole Divison I believe that makes u Dvivison Champs
The Raiders got screwed and should have made the Superbowl? They lost 8 games there Genius.
My money is on Denver
“Commenters here seem to think that their favorite athletes never get old. ”
Smith still has a handful of good years left. As far as his recent numbers go, he’s been playing in a run first, run second offense with crappy qb’s. His career has been wasted in Carolina.
radrhatr says: May 9, 2011 2:23 PM
@huejackson
the only reason Smith mentioned the Raiders is because he knows they are the ONLY team dumb enough to pay him that much!
============================
yet the ONLY team smart enough to sweep the AFC West…as with Jerry Rice, yet another re-surrected career stop – keep hating
RAIDER NATION!!!!!!!!!!!
He’s still elite…stats don’t show it. He hasn’t had anyone to throw him the ball or anyone else to threaten the passing game. They only try forcing the ball to him which creates the INT’s. I’m a panthers fan, I’ve been saying it for years…
He’ll go to Atlanta and win the Super Bowl there instead. Who’d want to catch passes from tweedle-dee and tweedle-dum *cough* Newton and Clausen *cough* anyway?