Steve Smith has spoken but the veteran wide receiver has once again avoided commenting on his future and whether or not he wants to return to the Carolina Panthers.
There has been widespread speculation that Smith has sought a trade and would like out of Carolina.
But as Steve Reed of the Gaston Gazette reports, the Panthers have done everything they can to convince Smith to stay – and be happy. The Panthers have hired Fred Graves, Smith’s position coach in college, to coach wide receivers. They have an offensive coordinator in Rob Chudzinski who will be more aggressive than his predecessors. And the franchise invested the No. 1 pick in a quarterback.
Smith met Cam Newton last week at a kickball tournament.
“In college he was a different type of quarterback, but in this league there is no such thing as a different type of quarterback. You are either a playmaker or you’re not at quarterback,” Smith said. “And in our conference there are some playmakers, and whether you can run, throw or back-flip, it’s about points. If you’re not the team with the most points at the end of the game, it’s not going to work out for you. You can be the first overall pick or Tom Brady, it’s about winning.”
Smith said he is frustrated – like all other players by the lockout – and seemingly cast blame on both parties. Asked about his future by Reed, he sidestepped the issue.
“It’s on hold because we’re not even allowed to presume there will be football,” Smith said. “That privilege, and I emphasize privilege, has been taken away. There has been some mud-slinging going on, and people have had a chance to see the business aspect of football.”
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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune