Panthers Thinking about Trading Steve Smith (1 Viewer)

[simey]

Are these the same sources that have Peppers being traded and Favre coming to Charlotte? Ain't happening folks.

 

[simey]

Spartanburg SC - Steve Smith was contrite. Ken Lucas was forgiving.But both wanted nothing more on Monday than to move on -- working together toward long-term harmony in the wake of Friday morning's altercation that left Smith with a two-game suspension and Lucas with a broken nose.Smith shouldered the blame, steadfastly refusing to place any cause for the incident on Lucas' shoulders. His three-minute, 59-second statement -- made without the aid of notes or a script -- carried the tone and depth of a heartfelt apology."I'm not going to get into who's right and who's wrong. I'm completely wrong. (It was an) asinine decision," Smith said."I will not put myself in a position where I have to defend myself or state my side of the story. There is no 'side.' There is only one side, which is a lack of judgment on my part. That's really all I have to say. I have no excuse."Lucas, meanwhile, accepted Smith's apologies -- sentiments that the wide receiver also shared with the entire team -- and sought to extract a positive result from the incident."I feel like what happened was a blessing in disguise," Lucas said. "I think it's something that has brought this team closer together. You all may (think) I sound crazy for saying that, but I really think it's bigger than me and Steve."Steve (and I) had a talk -- man-to-man, one-on-one -- and we have some more talking to do as far as the discrepancies of the issues between us; we're going to handle it like men, but as far as this incident holding this team back, I feel like it's only going to make us better and bring us closer as a team and work toward that ultimate goal of winning the trophy this year."To that end, both were at practice Monday morning, albeit in different capacities. Smith returned to full-scale, on-field work, while Lucas watched from the sidelines in sweatpants and a practice jersey with no pads."I'm out there," Lucas said, "just continuing to try to stay in shape, lead my teammates and give them pointers on what I see out there."He expects to return to the field later in August."Probably in two or three weeks depending on the surgery," Lucas said. "We're still waiting on the doctors to give us the timetable on when we'll have this procedure done."While Lucas is sidelined, he still knows there's much he can accomplish -- starting by mending fences with Smith, someone he often faces on the practice field. It was their duels there which sparked Friday morning's incident, Lucas noted."He's ultra-competitive, I'm ultra-competitive and we both hate losing," Lucas said. "He expects to catch every ball, and I expect to defend every ball. When you have two of those types of individuals, then something has to give."Sometimes when it's 100 degrees out there, you're sweaty, you're tired, you're frustrated -- sometimes emotions get involved. Like I say, if he can do it (again), I'm sure he would have made a better decision. I don't fault him for that. There are times I may want to hit somebody. But I can control myself, and I tell some of my other teammates, 'You've got to learn to keep your composure,' because typically people do crazy things they regret when they're emotional, and I think he just got too emotional at the time."With heated tempers cooling, Lucas and Smith began stepping toward reconciliation. But even though Lucas forgave Smith, the receiver could not do the same for himself."I'll move forward -- better than I probably ever had to, because this is the first time in my life that I really haven't forgiven myself," he said. "That's what I'm going to work on.""Steve has to deal with that," Lucas said, "but as far as me forgiving him, I have forgiven him and moved forward. I shook his hand and looked him eye-to-eye today, and we have discussed some things."We still have some more discussions; we still have some more things to talk about as to what we can do to be able to go out there and co-exist on the same field and the same team and be productive and help this team win this year. Only two men can do that, and I feel like we have what it takes in order to do so."And with that, Smith hopes, he can regain the trust of those who follow him closely."All I have is the opportunity to gain the respect of my fans, gain the respect of my family, gain the respect of co-workers and gain the respect of the organization and also the peers that I play against as well," Smith said. "That's what I'm going to do, that's what I shall do and that's what I always do."I'm a fallen man, a man that made a mistake. I intend to mend the bridges that I have burned, and help rebuild the bridge -- all by myself, if I need to -- but not do it in a spiteful way."

 

[QUEZILLA]

Fox out Cowher in.

 

[simey]

Fox out Cowher in.

If the Panthers make it to the playoffs, Fox will be just fine. He is a good coach. The injury bug has plagued the Panthers during a few seasons under Fox, but that's the way it goes sometimes in such a physical contact sport. Even Bill Cowher had some down years with the Steelers. I don't think it's time to start writing off Fox due to Steve Smith missing two games. John Fox very much has the support of Jerry Richardson. Richardson has stated many times over that he has never even considered firing John Fox. The media are the ones that put Fox on the hotseat.

 

[Ripleys]

swap him for James Thrash.

 

[mt-wabo]

If Carolina let him go unless they got something of good value in return you could almost say they would be about as good as Atlanta in the NFC south. But I don't think he is going anywhere that would be the dumbest thing ever, he got in a fight isnt football suppose to be aggressive were not talking about tennis or golf here...

 

[Tau837]

Fox out Cowher in.

If the Panthers make it to the playoffs, Fox will be just fine. He is a good coach. The injury bug has plagued the Panthers during a few seasons under Fox, but that's the way it goes sometimes in such a physical contact sport. Even Bill Cowher had some down years with the Steelers. I don't think it's time to start writing off Fox due to Steve Smith missing two games. John Fox very much has the support of Jerry Richardson. Richardson has stated many times over that he has never even considered firing John Fox. The media are the ones that put Fox on the hotseat.

And what if they don't make the playoffs? Suppose they are 8-8 and miss the playoffs. Do you expect Fox back? I don't.After 2005, he looked good. He had been coach for 4 seasons, during which they went 7-9, 11-5 (lost in Super Bowl), 7-9, and 11-5 (lost in NFC championship). They were 1-15 the season before he took over, so his first 7-9 was a nice improvement. So, really, he had 3 of 4 good results at that point, and 2004, the only bad year, was the year Steve Smith was lost for the season in game 1.But what has happened since 2005? 7-9 and 8-8 in the past 2 years. Obviously, he lost Delhomme last year, but the team was woefully unprepared at backup QB. Maybe it was the front office and not Fox who signed Carr, but still, he is accountable for the results on the field.If they miss the playoffs again this year, that means he will have made the playoffs in only 2 of 7 seasons. That's just not acceptable IMO. And let's not pretend that the possibility of bringing Cowher in won't raise the bar on Fox a bit.ETA: So IMO he is on the hot seat, and not just because the media says so.

 

[puckalicious]

Erm, try being a Lions fan. 2 of 7 would be awesome.

 

[simey]

But what has happened since 2005? 7-9 and 8-8 in the past 2 years. Obviously, he lost Delhomme last year

They lost Jake for 3 games in 2006, when he injured his throwing thumb. Anyway, Fox is a good coach, he has just had some bad luck with injuries, and Jerry Richardson (who used to play in the NFL) is aware of that. If they don't make the playoffs this year, sure Fox might be let go, but I think that would be more due to PSL owners wanting him out, versus Jerry Richardson wanting him out.

 

[Joe Bryant]

I guess anything can happen but if the team made a list of all the players they would NOT trade, Smith is going to be close to the top. He's not going anywhere. And with the way he's handled himself this being so apologetic and accepting his punishment like a man, he's even more secure.

J

 

[sholditch]

my pants just tightened up at the purely hypothetical and speculative thought of steve smith getting traded to the jaguars.

back away from the screen...

 

[Irish]

On a side not, I'm thinking about sleeping with Jessica Alba.

 

[puckalicious]

On a side not, I'm thinking about sleeping with Jessica Alba.

Talk about things that will tighten the pants...

 

[Sinrman]

Trade off Smith, and the Panther offense will be lucky to score more than two touchdowns a game...

 

[tombonneau]

I guess anything can happen but if the team made a list of all the players they would NOT trade, Smith is going to be close to the top. He's not going anywhere. And with the way he's handled himself this being so apologetic and accepting his punishment like a man, he's even more secure. J

Nail on the head with the apology. I was blown away when I was reading it in the Daily Update. I don't recall every reading such a genuinely contrite apology from a player in any sport. Not sure if there is video of it, but I'm sure SS came across as truly sincere. I'd be very surprised if he acts out in this way again with a teammate.

 

[sholditch]

I guess anything can happen but if the team made a list of all the players they would NOT trade, Smith is going to be close to the top. He's not going anywhere. And with the way he's handled himself this being so apologetic and accepting his punishment like a man, he's even more secure. J

Nail on the head with the apology. I was blown away when I was reading it in the Daily Update. I don't recall every reading such a genuinely contrite apology from a player in any sport. Not sure if there is video of it, but I'm sure SS came across as truly sincere. I'd be very surprised if he acts out in this way again with a teammate.

Until someone accidentally steps on his shoelace and trips him

 

[cacksman]

I would love for the Seahawks to trade for him.......unfortunately they only take guys w/out issues

ya, like Jeremy Stevens...

What an ignorant and dumb statement. Other posters have already said why.

 

[Bl Deep]

I would love for the Seahawks to trade for him.......unfortunately they only take guys w/out issues

cough cough Koren Robinson

 

[mbuehner]

How has this thread gone this far without Oakland being brought up? And it actually would be a great move if they could pull it off, and i hate the Raiders with the fire of a thousand suns.

 

[Rig24]

I don't think it will happen at all. But lets just say it does. His two game suspension was imposed by the team, not the league. He would be available for week 1 right?

 

[BassNBrew]

How has this thread gone this far without Oakland being brought up? And it actually would be a great move if they could pull it off, and i hate the Raiders with the fire of a thousand suns.

Probably because it's a silly topic who's premise has no merit in reality.

 

[Anthony Borbely]

I would love for the Seahawks to trade for him.......unfortunately they only take guys w/out issues

ya, like Jeremy Stevens...

What an ignorant and dumb statement. Other posters have already said why.

Please refrain from comments like this. They add nothing to the thread. Thanks.

 

[mbuehner]

How has this thread gone this far without Oakland being brought up? And it actually would be a great move if they could pull it off, and i hate the Raiders with the fire of a thousand suns.

Probably because it's a silly topic who's premise has no merit in reality.

And that precludes it from coming up on the boards? I'd say it almost guarantees it.

 

[tombonneau]

How has this thread gone this far without Oakland being brought up? And it actually would be a great move if they could pull it off, and i hate the Raiders with the fire of a thousand suns.

Probably because it's a silly topic who's premise has no merit in reality.

And that precludes it from coming up on the boards? I'd say it almost guarantees it.

for post but for sig.

 

[Andy Herron]

I don't think it will happen at all. But lets just say it does. His two game suspension was imposed by the team, not the league. He would be available for week 1 right?

Good point Rig24, and I really don't feel that the league (Goodell) would feel inclined to impose anything considering Smith leaving the team (presumably) would essentially resolve the issue.

 

[Andy Herron]

This could be nothing, but I'm curious.

With all of the Favre hoopla going on, among other things, what would bring Chris Mortensen to Cowboys training camp?

That's where he's at right now.

There's no great amount of news to be covered there...is there???

 

[massraider]

This could be nothing, but I'm curious.With all of the Favre hoopla going on, among other things, what would bring Chris Mortensen to Cowboys training camp?That's where he's at right now.There's no great amount of news to be covered there...is there???

When any receiver get mentioned with the word "trade", ESPN must have a breathless information man at Cowboys camp, to report that there is nothing to report, but he wouldn't put it past the Cowboys to inquire, and Jerry Jones Looooves to make a splash, and basically repeat everything we have already heard about Larry Fitzgerald. And Chad Johnson. And Anquan Boldin. The next segment will involve Sal Paolopaloozaantonio with the news bulletin that some jerky on Philly radio is speculating that the Eagles would like to send Lito Sheppard and a draft pick to Carolina.Rinse, repeat.

 

[Bri]

How has this thread gone this far without Oakland being brought up? And it actually would be a great move if they could pull it off, and i hate the Raiders with the fire of a thousand suns.

Probably because it's a silly topic who's premise has no merit in reality.

And that precludes it from coming up on the boards? I'd say it almost guarantees it.

for post but for sig.

 

[mbuehner]

How has this thread gone this far without Oakland being brought up? And it actually would be a great move if they could pull it off, and i hate the Raiders with the fire of a thousand suns.

Probably because it's a silly topic who's premise has no merit in reality.

And that precludes it from coming up on the boards? I'd say it almost guarantees it.

for post but for sig.

Thanks fellas, a line needs to be drawn. Well i dont know anything about your scoring, competition level, or even how many teams in your league- but you got LT AND Manning?! Keep me posted, ive got your champaign on ice!!!

Dont be that guy.

 

[Lash]

"There is no way this happens, but its insane to think of a receiving corp of Smith and Crayton on the outside, TO in the slot, Witten at TE and Felix Jones coming out of the backfield to catch a few. How do you defend that? "

knock the QB on his derrier