We've been talking lately about whether Panthers WR Steve Smith will be back in Carolina next season. There have been reports that Smith demanded a trade from the Panthers but he tells Pro Football Weekly that no such demand has been made.
Would Panthers Be Better Served By Hanging Onto WR Steve Smith?
He did say, though, that he would like to be in a competitive situation, which suggests a future outside of Carolina, who is coming off of a two-win season, could be a possibility.
But do the Panthers have to trade Smith? Steve Wyche of NFL.com makes an interesting argument saying that the Panthers would be better served by keeping Smith in Carolina rather than picking up draft picks for him.
Smith still commands double teams and with him taking attention off the running game and tight end Jeremy Shockey, Newton could stand a better chance. All the way around, Smith, who has been with the Panthers since 2001, probably is more valuable to Carolina than anywhere else.
I’ve always thought that the long-term future of the team would be best served by trading Smith, who turns 32 years old this week. But Wyche makes a good point in that Newton’s progress, which is more important to the long-term health of the team at this point, may be better served by having Smith around. It makes a lot of sense, especially because the development of your quarterback is clearly the most important aspect of building your team.
So while talking about Smith and a possible exit from Carolina, remember that a trade may not be their best option.
Check out Cat Scratch Reader for more on Smith’s future in Carolina.
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