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Steve Smith News & Rumors

Panthers WR Steve Smith's goal: Four more years, staying on top
January 14
Charlotte Observer
 
"Panthers receiver Steve Smith gets a little annoyed when someone suggests Cam Newton's arrival energized him. It's nothing against Newton, who Smith believes is a great quarterback. But Smith believes there was something more fundamental in helping him earn a fifth Pro Bowl berth - namely, an offense that got him the ball. "You can't charge up a battery that's already charged," Smith said this week during a phone interview. "And that's what I feel like. I just think I was sitting around waiting to be used, to be utilized." Under first-year coach Ron Rivera and offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski, Smith said all of the Panthers' offensive play-makers were put in positions that allowed them"
Steve Smith, Ryan Kalil make Pro Bowl roster
December 28
Charlotte Observer
 
"Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith and center Ryan Kalil are going back to the Pro Bowl in Hawaii. And it's still possible quarterback Cam Newton could join them. Smith was named to the NFC Pro Bowl team for the fifth time while Kalil was named for the third straight year, the NFL announced Tuesday night. Newton, running back DeAngelo Williams and offensive tackle Jordan Gross were named alternates for the NFC team. A league source said Newton is the first alternate at quarterback and will likely make the trip to Hawaii. The three NFC quarterbacks selected ahead of him are Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers, New Orleans' Drew Brees and Eli Manning of the New York Giants. If either of the three"
Be happy Steve Smith, Cam Newton are Panthers
December 24
Charlotte Observer
 
"A year ago Steve Smith wanted out of town and fans wanted a new quarterback. The Panthers drafted Cam Newton first overall and didn't find much trade interest in Smith. Good thing. The two have led an offensive resurgence and have a chance make history Saturday. Newton needs 18 yards to break Peyton Manning's rookie passing record of 3,739 yards. With five catches, Smith will pass Mushin Muhammad (696) as the franchise's all-time leader. Smith overtook Muhammad as the leader in receiving yardage earlier this season."
Smith: Cam a better QB than Tebow
December 16
Charlotte Observer
 
"Count Panthers receiver Steve Smith among those who aren't fawning over Denver quarterback Tim Tebow. While acknowledging Tebow's run of fourth-quarter comebacks, Smith said Thursday he would still take Panthers rookie Cam Newton over Tebow any day. "You can't compare Cam to Tebow. I think Cam's a more complete player," Smith said. "Tebow has the wins. But everybody wants to crown Tebow. Yes, he has the will to win. I think Tebow is no different than any other professional. But Tebow has a great opportunity to play behind a great defense.""
Steve Smith credits Newton for Panthers' improvement
December 9
Charlotte Observer
 
"Quarterback Cam Newton's comments about trying to change the Panthers' losing mentality don't bother Steve Smith. The outspoken veteran receiver said the Panthers could use more of that type of attitude, and pointed to Newton as one of several new players who have helped begin to change the locker room climate. "It doesn't bother me at all. I'd rather have a guy who is upset that we lost, obviously handling it the right way, than a guy who is neither way, whichever way," Smith said. "I like a guy who has the desire not to win next year, but he wants to win immediately. I think we needed more of that.""
As Panthers' Smith climbs, Titans' Johnson keeps falling
November 9
Charlotte Observer
 columnist Scott Fowler
"Some interesting Panthers numbers as the team prepares to play 4-4 Tennessee Sunday in the final game of Carolina's three-game homestand: 1: Touchdown scored by Tennessee running back Chris Johnson, who has had a terrible year by his standards after getting a huge contract (3.0 rushing average, 366 yards - only 47 rushing yards more than Cam Newton). 3: NFL teams with fewer wins than the 2-6 Panthers (0-9 Indianapolis, 1-7 St. Louis and 1-7 Miami)"
Don't disrespect Steve Smith, ever
October 30
Charlotte Observer
 
"The Panthers and Vikings play about every other year, aren't division rivals and don't have a huge history. But I vividly remember two plays from the teams' nine games. The first came in 2001. In the first game of his NFL career, about to touch the ball for the first time, a kick returner named Steve Smith was already angry. I know you're stunned. Smith told me long ago a Vikings special-teamer disrespected him before the game, referring to Smith's college in telling him: "This ain't Utah no more, son." "That was the wrong thing to say," Smith said. The first time he touched the ball in a real NFL game, he returned it 93 yards for a touchdown. Carolina won that day, then lost the next 15"
Atlanta keeps Steve Smith in check
October 17
Charlotte Observer
 columnist Scott Fowler
"Atlanta did a nice job trying to take Steve Smith away from the Panthers, bracketing him with two or three defenders on most pass plays. Smith ended up with five catches for 66 yards - a good day for most receivers, but very modest for him this season. Not coincidentally, the Panthers didn't have an offensive play of 30 yards or longer. Atlanta games draw more celebrities than Carolina games do. I rode up on an elevator in the Georgia Dome Sunday with Deion Sanders on my right and movie star Vince Vaughn ("Old School," "Wedding Crashers") on my left. Then I rode down after the game in another crowded elevator that included comedian Billy Crystal."
Secondary shuts down Newton-to-Smith tandem
October 17
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
 
"The Falcons secondary turned in a solid performance against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. The group held wide receiver Steve Smith to five catches for 66 yards (13.2 per catch) and to one play of 20-yards or more. Entering the game, which the Falcons won 31-17 at the Georgia Dome, Smith and rookie quarterback Cam Newton combined for 13 plays of 20 yards or more which was tied for tops in the league with New England's Tom Brady and Wes Welker. Smith also had four catches of 50-yards or more, which led the NFL before Sunday's action."
No apology needed for late hit
October 14
Charlotte Observer
 
"Steve Smith has this message for Saints safety Roman Harper: No apology is necessary. Harper said he does not plan to apologize to Smith for his late hit in last week's game that drew a $15,000 fine, according to ESPN. Harper blindsided Smith in the end zone after Smith's 54-yard touchdown catch in the first half. Harper told reporters he thought Smith was showboating when he slowed up short of the goal line. Smith claimed he was decelerating, and was unmoved by Harper's comments that there would not be an apology forthcoming. "You best believe I'm not looking for an apology. I'm not looking for one, don't think I deserve one," Smith said Thursday. "But if going up and catching a"
Panthers' Smith needs no apology from Saints' Harper for late hit
October 13
NFL.com
 
"Steve Smith's experiencing a revival this season behind the play of rookie Cam Newton, and the Panthers wideout isn't about to let some rough play get him down. Saints coach Sean Payton confirmed Thursday that safety Roman Harper was fined for his late hit on Smith after the wideout's first-quarter, 54-yard touchdown catch in the Panthers' 30-27 loss. Harper tagged Smith with force just after the receiver crossed the goal line, a hit that resulted in a tussle between the teams. ESPN reported Thursday that Harper's fine stands at $15,000. Harper isn't about to apologize, according to The Charlotte Observer, and Smith could care less."
Panthers WR Steve Smith gets fighting mad, but keeps his composure
October 10
Charlotte Observer
 
"When New Orleans safety Roman Harper leveled receiver Steve Smith in the end zone after the Panthers' first touchdown Sunday, it sparked a scuffle involving several players from both teams. Smith had pulled up after crossing the goal line when Harper ran in from behind him and laid Smith out. Smith popped back up and spun the ball in celebration after officials hit Harper with a 15-yard personal foul penalty. "(I) wasn't really expecting it," Smith said. "To say it was a cheap shot, I don't really understand the reason why. But that's just his game. That's his thing. I guess he wants to intimidate."
Panthers WR Steve Smith: A sample of opinion
October 9
Charlotte Observer
 
"Steve Smith has played 11 seasons in the NFL, each with the Carolina Panthers. He's curious and smart, 5-foot-9 and 32-years-old, and he's great with kids. He cares what people think about him because he often insists that he doesn't. He can be deep and caring and petulant, often at the same time. Last Sunday, Smith became Carolina's all-time leader in receiving yards, passing Muhsin Muhammad. I've written as many words about Smith as I've written about anybody. You've heard my voice. Here are some others you've heard and some you might not have:"
Meriweather fined $20,000 for hit on Smith
October 7
Chicago Tribune
 
"Chicago Bears safety Brandon Meriweather said he received a $20,000 fine for a helmet-to-helmet hit on receiver Steve Smith in last Sunday's win over Carolina. Meriweather was not flagged on the third-quarter play but did lead with his head. Smith absorbed the hit and kept running for a 22-yard gain."
Smith stands to take heat, but he produced
September 19
Charlotte Observer
 
"The post-mortem of the Panthers' 30-23 loss to Green Bay Sunday will reveal a variety of elements that led to the eventual outcome, but wide receiver Steve Smith looked at only one thing. Himself. The Panthers were trailing 17-13 in the third quarter when Smith went rocketing down the sideline in front of the Carolina bench, having hauled in another Cam Newton pass for a 25-yard gain into Green Bay territory. Smith made the mistake of holding the football away from his body as he strained for more yardage, only to have it slapped loose by Green Bay's Morgan Burnett and recovered by the Packers' do-everything cornerback Charles Woodson at the 32. "The fumble was a momentum shifter. A mo"
Panthers WR Steve Smith back to his old, dynamic self
September 12
Charlotte Observer
 
"After catching eight passes for 178 yards and two touchdowns in the Panthers' season-opening 28-21 loss at Arizona Sunday afternoon, wide receiver Steve Smith added to the message his play had already sent. "Nobody wants to actually admit it but there were a lot of articles being written that I've lost a step. That I'm 32. People say I'm just bringing out the air," Smith said. "If you Google it, it's out there. I'm disgruntled. I'm this, I'm that. Today displayed what I was saying all of camp and all of the lockout. I want to have fun and wherever I go, wherever I am, I'm going to have fun. "So haters need to get a new hobby because I'm not on that list anymore. I'm just going to have fun"
Smith forever young, and also forever open
September 8
Charlotte Observer
 
"The oldest position player on the Carolina Panthers roster moves left and then right, with simple and precise moves, and then moves right again and he's open near the sideline and the ball is in his hands. Steve Smith, 32, always thinks he's open. On Wednesday, he is. Cornerback Captain Munnerlyn comes back once, reacting quickly, and slaps the ball out of Smith's hands. Otherwise, at least early in practice, the part that's open to the media as opposed to cloaked in darkness and mystery, nobody can stay with Smith. Did you know Smith is open? Says Carolina quarterback Cam Newton talking about his conversations with Smith: "One man on him, 'I'm open.' Two men, 'Give me a chance.' Three men"
Bond between Panthers' Smith, Graves endures
August 28
Charlotte Observer
 
"Fred Graves, now the wide receivers coach for the Carolina Panthers, remembers going on a recruiting trip to Santa Monica (Ca.) Junior College in 1998 to watch Chad Johnson, hoping to bring him to Utah where he was on Ron McBride's coaching staff. The more Graves watched Johnson (now Ochocinco), the more he noticed Steve Smith, a 5-foot, 9-inch bundle of fire and muscle. As a receiver, Smith was raw but he had a knack for making plays and his competitiveness drew Graves to him. During a visit to Santa Monica, Graves asked Smith what he was doing that evening. Smith told him he had to work at Taco Bell, an after classes job that required him to ride the bus there and back. "It told you this"
Panthers' secondary receivers relish Smith's return
August 24
Charlotte Observer
 
"The Panthers are confident that getting their No. 1 receiver back will make things easier for the wideouts vying for the No. 2 spot. Steve Smith sat out the Panthers' first two preseason games recovering from a laceration on his left hand. In his absence, the two players competing for the second spot - Brandon LaFell and Legedu Naanee - have combined for two catches for 35 yards. But Smith is scheduled to play Thursday at Cincinnati, where the Panthers hope to bounce back from a dismal offensive performance in last week's 20-10 loss at Miami. "It's really going to open things up," LaFell said of Smith's return to the lineup. "He's been doing this for a long time, and he's still got the"
Panthers' Smith playing catch-up after practice
August 23
Charlotte Observer
 
"Practice had ended Monday afternoon, but Panthers receiver Steve Smith remained. Along with Wallace Wright and Legedu Naanee, Smith stayed after the workout to catch passes from rookie quarterback Cam Newton. They ran short routes. They ran longer routes. They ran toward the Panthers' Thursday night exhibition in Cincinnati and beyond. For Smith, the Bengals game will be his first action of the preseason after hurting his left hand two weeks ago. He had the stitches removed last weekend from the torn area between two fingers and will wear a protective pad inside his receiving glove to help prevent a recurrence of the injury. Initially, Smith said, he was told he had a compound fracture in"
Smith Says He's Ready To Play Thursday Night
August 22
Charlotte Observer
 
"Wide receiver Steve Smith said today that he will be in the lineup Thursday when the Panthers play their third preseason game at Cincinnati, his first action of the preseason that was interrupted by a hand injury two weeks ago. Smith said the stitches were removed from his left hand last weekend and he will wear a small pad under his glove to protect the injured area. The veteran wide receiver spent extra time after practice with Legedu Naanee and Wallace Wright catching passes from quarterback Cam Newton and sounded happy about the progress. "I thought today was our best practice. We were going on all cylinders," Smith said."
Panthers' Steve Smith injures finger at practice
August 10
Charlotte Observer
 
"Panthers receiver Steve Smith is sidelined with a finger injury he sustained Tuesday morning while catching a pass, coach Ron Rivera said. Smith needed stitches after splitting the webbing between the middle and ring fingers on his left hand. Rivera did not give a timetable for Smith's return. "Once he's comfortable with it and starts the healing process, he'll get an opportunity to get back out," Rivera said."
Panthers WR Smith carted off field after injuring finger
August 9
NFL.com
 
"Steve Smith was carted off the field on Tuesday after injuring his finger during practice with the Carolina Panthers, the Gaston Gazette reported, citing a team source. The source said Smith's hand was cut, but there are no broken bones. The Gazette reported the injury occurred late in Carolina's three-hour padded practice. Smith was shaken up by a collision earlier in the practice, but he later returned before sustaining the finger injury. "I'm not sure if it was dislocated or sprained or whatever," Panthers coach Ron Rivera said after practice. "But they wanted to check it out and may get an x-ray. They just told me they had to take him up (to the locker room) so I'm assuming it might"
Steve Smith visits Giants' training camp
August 9
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Free agent wide receiver Steve Smith visited the Giants' training facility today, part of the process of the team evaluating his physical condition in their decision to re-sign the 26-year-old wide receiver who set a franchise record with 107 catches in 2009. Smith will be examined by team doctors in New York on Tuesday, according to someone familiar with the situation who cannot speak publicly because of the ongoing negotiations. It's not known whether he will return to the team facility Tuesday. Smith underwent microfracture surgery in December, and it's unclear what his time frame is for returning to the field. "We're going to see where he is in the process," Smith's agent, Ben Dogra,"
Giants free agent Steve Smith to visit team early this week
August 8
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"All has been quiet on the Steve Smith free-agency front so far. Given his injury situation after suffering cartilage damage in his knee late last year, the wide receiver hasn't signed or gone on any visits. Until now. And the first stop will be a familiar one. Smith is scheduled to fly to Jersey from California and meet with the Giants early this week. He will catch up with the front office and the coaching staff, get a sense of where everything stands financially and perhaps provide anon his medical situation. "We're going to see where he is in the process," Smith's agent, Ben Dogra, said by phone this evening. "The good news is we have time. If Steve goes back to the Giants, he knows the"
Steve Smith to visit this week
August 8
Bergen Record
 
"Free agent WR Steve Smith will visit with the Giants within a few days. Smith, still recovering from microfracture surgery on his left knee, wrote on his Facebook page that "I WILL be in NJ to meet with the Giants this week ... we'll see what happens from there." Smith has been missed. Mario Manningham (ankle) returned to practice Sunday, but the health report on the other receivers wasn't good. Devin Thomas, who dislocated a pinky finger Friday, will be out "a while," head coach Tom Coughlin said."
Panthers WR Steve Smith happy with new look
August 7
Charlotte Observer
 
"Steve Smith spent most of 2010 with a scowl on his face, and talked to Panthers owner Jerry Richardson late in the season about a possible trade. But Smith is a happy receiver these days. Smith, in his 11th season with the Panthers, said the offensive philosophy of the new coaching staff has been a refreshing change following the worst season of his career. Smith said offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski is using him in innovative ways that John Fox's staff would talk about, but never implement. "I respect coach Fox and I respect the offensive coordinators that have been here. But at the same time I'm a wide receiver. Run blocking is not my forte," Smith said Saturday following the"
Panthers WR Steve Smith goes really deep
July 30
Charlotte Observer
 columnist Scott Fowler
"Steve Smith showed up Friday for the Carolina Panthers' training camp. This was not a surprise - Smith had declared already to Panthers officials this week that he wants to stay in Charlotte, scotching all of the trade rumors that had surrounded him for months. What he said? Now that was something of a surprise. Smith has a reflective side, but it can be overshadowed by both the exhilarating plays he makes and the temper tantrums he has occasionally thrown for 10 years in a Panthers jersey. But the reflective side was on full display Friday, as Smith said he wanted Panthers fans to view him in a new way as he saddles up for the final years of his career. "You have to admit that pretty much"
It would be nice to see Steve Smith start having fun again
July 29
Gaston Gazette
 columnist Steve Reed
"Don't you miss seeing Steve Smith racing into the end zone, running over to the goal post, jumping on it and descending like he's sliding down a fire pole? Don't you miss him dropping to the ground and pretending to row a boat after a brilliant play? Don't you miss him pretending the football's a baby and rocking it to sleep or changing its diapers? Those were good times. Fans cheered and laughed and they enjoyed watching Smith because Smith was having fun. When he smiles, they smile. He's never been shy about showing his inner child and that – as well as his incredible playmaking ability on the field – is what has made him so popular in the Carolinas for the last decade."
'I'm always going to be a Panther,' Steve Smith tells ESPN
July 29
Charlotte Observer
 
"The offseason chips seem to be falling in place for a Carolina Panthers team that suffered through an abysmal 2-14 finish in 2010. After locking up four of their core players during the first two days of free agency, the Panthers apparently will be keeping their top receiver. Pro Bowl wideout Steve Smith told ESPN's Adam Schefter today that he had met with Panthers general manager Marty Hurney and coach Ron Rivera and told them he plans to remain with the team this season - and perhaps longer. "For me, I'm always going to be a Panther," Smith told Schefter. "They took a shot on me when I was coming from nowhere and now I'm going into my 11th year in the league. This will be where I retire,"
Steve Smith: Panther for life?
July 28
ESPN.com
 
"Throughout the offseason, speculation swirled about the future of Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith. Yet one day after meeting with general manager Marty Hurney and coach Ron Rivera, Smith repeated what he told his bosses: He plans to remain with Carolina this season and beyond. "For me I'm always going to be a Panther," Smith said Thursday from Charlotte. "They took a shot on me when I was coming from nowhere and now I'm going into my 11th year in the league. This will be where I retire, whether that's five years from now or one year from now." Smith did have lengthy discussions with his wife about what they wanted to do in the future and where they wanted to be. But in the end,"
Steve Smith reportedly wants to play like a Raven this season
July 19
Baltimore Sun
 
"The Ravens addressed the wide receiver position in April's draft with the selection of Torrey Smith and Tandon Doss, adding those two to a group that includes Anquan Boldin, Derrick Mason and second-year receiver David Reed. They also learned last year that you can, in fact, have too many aging, outspoken wideouts. But there is a Pro Bowl receiver who falls into that category who reportedly yearns to join the Ravens. Steve Smith, who has caught 620 passes for 8,884 yards and 52 touchdowns in 10 seasons with the Panthers, wants out of Charlotte, according to Tom Sorensen of The Charlotte Observer. And Sorensen reported that a source told him that Baltimore is one of Smith's two destinations"
Carolina's Steve Smith teams of choice: Baltimore, San Diego
July 17
Pro Football Talk
 
"Late last season, Carolina's Steve Smith went to Panthers owner Jerry Richardson's house and asked to be traded. Tom Sorensen of the Charlotte Observer confirms this with multiple sources, and we've seen it elsewhere. Before the lockout started, the Panthers reportedly started to shop Smith around quietly. While Smith has mostly stayed quiet on the issue this offseason, his desire to leave the team seems pretty obvious. And the Panthers seem open to the idea."
Smith's best moves still include elusiveness
July 16
Charlotte Observer
 
"I don't know if Steve Smith will be a Carolina Panther next season. I do know that he went to the house of Panthers owner Jerry Richardson late last season and asked to be traded. Multiple sources confirm it. Smith is still capable of being an elite receiver. But he was not elite, as a receiver or as a teammate, last season. At 32, he will not be elite much longer. A Panther since he was drafted in 2001, Smith was entitled to ask for a trade. A source - singular this time - says his teams of choice are San Diego and Baltimore. Although Smith, and not Julius Peppers, is the best player in Carolina history, the Panthers aren't obligated to trade him. It's not as if there's a lifetime"
It's early, but Newton, Smith already connect
June 18
Charlotte Observer
 columnist Scott Fowler
"Can an NFL rookie quarterback help persuade a mercurial 10-year veteran who is thinking about leaving his team to stick around instead? That's what new Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is trying to do with wide receiver Steve Smith. Newton openly lobbied for Smith to stay with the team Friday at Smith's football camp at Ardrey Kell High in Charlotte, which Newton showed up to work at Smith's request. During a question-and-answer session with approximately 260 campers, Newton was asked which team he had wanted to be drafted by in April. Newton said he wanted to be the No.1 draft pick, so he had hoped Carolina would take him. Then he volunteered: "And I wanted to have someone great"
Cam Newton lobbies Smith to stay a Panther
June 18
Charlotte Observer
 
"Cam Newton openly lobbied for Panther wide receiver Steve Smith to stay with the team Friday at Smith's football camp at Ardrey Kell High in Charlotte. Newton, the rookie quarterback from Auburn whom the Panthers picked No.1 in April, worked the camp for Smith. During a Q and A with the approximately 260 campers, Newton was asked both if he would be a better quarterback than Jake Delhomme -- "Time will tell," he said -- and what team he wanted to be drafted by in April. Newton said the Panthers, since they had the No.1 pick and he wanted to go first. Then he added, "And I wanted to have someone great to throw it to and I knew Steve Smith was here, right?" I told Newton later during his"
Carolina's Steve Smith briefly considered retirement when wife was ill
June 17
Pro Football Talk
 
"Steve Smith of the Panthers has had a lot on his mind this offseason that is completely unrelated to trade rumors. Speaking at his football camp Friday, Smith said that he briefly considered retirement when his wife was ill this offseason, according to Steve Reed of the Gaston Gazette. Smith said it was a "scary time" and they believed his wife had Lupus, but she is fine now and he plans to play in 2011. Cam Newton is in attendance at the camp lending a hand. A camper asked him if he'll be better than Jake Delhomme."
Players on the trading block?
June 15
ESPN.com
 
"The NFL lockout has prevented trades this offseason. But there's talk of progress toward a labor agreement and that could open the door for some trades. Let's take a look at some NFC South players who could be on the trading block. Carolina wide receiver Steve Smith. There have been reports Smith cleaned out his locker and the game-day suite his family uses before the lockout started. There also have been reports Smith has asked for a trade. He has said that hasn't happened, but has been non-committal about his future."
Smith did attend practices; Davis, Connor look good during conditioning drills
June 10
Gaston Gazette
 
"Wide receiver Steve Smith was nowhere to be found Thursday as players gathered for the final day of informal workouts at Charlotte Christian, but teammate Cam Newton said Smith did participate in drills earlier this week which certainly qualifies as news. Newton said he had a chance to speak to Smith and throw some passes to the four-time Pro Bowler. He also said he saw what many Carolina fans have known for years -- that Smith is a "bona fide playmaker." He praised Smith, saying he plays at "a different level" than a lot of guys he's been around. "You hear a lot of stories about he's going to do this, or he doesn't miss any passes, and I learned it first hand," Newton said. "You"
Fun a big part of Smith's game plan
June 10
Charlotte Observer
 
"Steve Smith took his three children to Dollywood this week. He wanted to give his wife a break after a recent health scare. But he also wanted to ride the roller coasters and watch his kids splash down the water slides at Dolly Parton's theme park in the Smoky Mountains. Smith, a Carolina Panthers receiver, likes having fun. He expects to enjoy his fourth annual football camp at Ardrey Kell High next week as much as the campers. But last season was no fun for Smith, who had his worst statistical season for a team that went 2-14 and had the NFL's lowest-ranked offense. Catching passes is fun. Winning is better. As he considers his post-lockout future, Smith, 32, wants to play for a team"
Is Steve Smith a Possibility for Ravens?
June 8
Baltimore Sun
 
"In a post on the Baltimore Sun's Ravens Insider blog, Edward Lee speculated about the possibility of Carolina Panther WR Steve Smith becoming a Raven. The speculation stems from a report back in May in which Smith, who is likely done with the Panthers, expressed his desire to play in either Oakland, San Diego, or Baltimore. It is an odd time to consider the possibility of Smith becoming a Raven, but an NFL writer has to write about something during the lock-out. It is also hard to know whether or not Smith would make financial sense for the Ravens. He is owed $15 million over the final 2 years of his deal, which is a hefty price tag for an aging receiver on a team with other aging"
Steve Smith praises Panthers' coach, top pick
June 7
Charlotte Observer
 
"Steve Smith has yet to attend a Panthers workout. But the disgruntled wideout took his family out to the ballpark Monday to take batting practice with seven of his teammates before the Charlotte Knights' minor-league baseball game against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. Smith, who has indicated he wants to be traded after the lockout, said a health issue involving his wife, Angie, has prevented him from taking part in the informal workouts attended by as many as 50 players at Charlotte Christian the past two weeks. "Right now there's a lot of things on my plate with my wife and her health. My family needs me at home, and that's the most important thing," said Smith, whose wife and three"
Could Panthers' Smith land with Ravens?
June 7
Baltimore Sun
 
"Under usual circumstances, I would refrain from citing a month-old report, but considering the author and the subject, it seemed newsworthy. Kevin Acee, the well-respected San Diego Chargers beat writer for the San Diego Union-Tribune, wrote on May 6 that the Chargers have been monitoring the relationship between wide receiver Steve Smith and the Carolina Panthers. What does this have to do with the Ravens? According to Acee, Smith has expressed a desire to land with either the Chargers, the Oakland Raiders or the Ravens. Although he is owed almost $15 million over the final two years of his contract, Smith's relationship with the Panthers can be described as frosty. He reportedly cleaned"
Steve Smith talks about skipping workouts
June 7
Charlotte Observer
 
"Steve Smith has not attended any of the Panthers players' workouts this week or last. But the disgruntled wideout showed up Monday to take batting practice with seven of his teammates before the Charlotte Knights' game against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. Smith, who has indicated he wants to be traded after the lockout, said a health issue involving his wife, Angie, has prevented him from taking part in the informal workouts. "Right now there's a lot of things on my plate with my wife and her health. My family needs me at home, and that's the most important thing," said Smith, whose wife and three children accompanied him to the Knights' game. "Football right now is the last thing on my"
Steve Smith a no-show at Panthers workout?
June 1
Charlotte Observer
 (scroll down)
"Cam Newton, the No. 1 pick in April's draft, was among the quarterbacks who participated in the workout. Matt Moore, Jimmy Clausen, Tony Pike and Keith Null also were there. Moore, last year's Week 1 starter, could be a free agent under a new collective bargaining agreement and is not expected back. Gross would not say whether wideout Steve Smith was at the workout. But a source said the disgruntled veteran was not there."
Panthers' Steve Smith wants trade: on his home
May 29
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"When Carolina wide receiver Steve Smith put his home up for sale a few months ago, the conventional wisdom was that it was a sign he wants to be traded. He has danced around the question of whether he wants to be traded, saying he wants to be in a "competitive situation." That doesn't describe the Panthers, who were 2-14 last year. He then told Pro Football Weekly, "I think it's important that people realize I am not packing my bags." He then gave a surprising reason for wanting to sell his house. He said he built one that is too big. "We built this huge house and we just didn't have any business living in it. It seemed like a great idea, and then we moved into this big house. We started"
Panthers' Smith addresses trade talk, future in Carolina
May 11
Pro Football Weekly
 
"Panthers WR Steve Smith returned home from a family vacation to England back in April to read a report in Pro Football Weekly that he had cleaned out his locker and luxury suite. Many people connected the dots from there, and several other reports followed, assuming that Smith no longer wanted to play for the only professional team he has known as his own since entering the NFL in 2001. Smith remained quiet, refusing several media advances along the way, amid reports surfacing that the Panthers would be willing to grant his wish of a trade — most notably to the Raiders or Chargers, with other teams such as the Patriots and Ravens mentioned as well. He read about things he said have not"
Steve Smith addresses rumors
May 11
ESPN.com
 
"Receiver Steve Smith says he hasn't demanded a trade but has asked the Carolina Panthers to be "in a competitive situation." Smith contacted Pro Football Weekly on Tuesday so he could clear up reports that he wanted out of Carolina. "These people that keep writing these articles, none of them have even spoken to me. What I want to do is be classy and not tip my cards, be respectful to the [Panthers] organization," he told the publication."
There's a chance Steve Smith could end up being a Bolt
May 7
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Chargers general manager A.J. Smith's oft-cited commitment to the value of character does not rule out the team pursuing wide receiver Steve Smith. The Carolina Panthers star is reportedly unhappy in Carolina -- even to the point of cleaning out his locker, putting his house on the market and letting it be known that he would like a trade to the Chargers, Oakland Raiders or Baltimore Ravens. The Panther are known to want to part ways with the receiver, who has three times been named an All-Pro but was also suspended two games by Carolina for a training camp altercation with a teammate in 2008. The Chargers' interest, according to people with knowledge of the situation, can be characterized"