The Facts:
If the Panthers are trying to decide what to do with Smith, he wishes they’d have asked him first. The veteran wideout spoke with WBT-AM Tuesday about recent remarks made by GM Dave Gettleman, who said
he was “evaluating” Smith’s role going forward. “To be honest, I’m not really sure what to make of it,” Smith said. “That’s the first time I heard that being said. I wish I would have been afforded an opportunity to be given a heads up from our GM. The unfortunate part is, I had to hear it second hand. No one spoke to me face to face. It’s a little discouraging. I guess as they say it’s part of the business.”
Reported by Profootballtalk.com
Fantasy Football Diehards Line:
As PFT's Darin Gantt suggests, the Panthers are walking a fine line with Smith, who has played his entire career in Charlotte and has indicated he plans to retire there. He has a $3 million roster bonus due this year, along with a $4 million base salary. The 34-year-old wideout caught 64 passes for 745 yards and four touchdowns last season. It’s well off his old pace, and they’d probably like to try to get his compensation back in line with his role. Both Gettleman and HC Ron Rivera said Smith's status is being evaluated. As Gantt summed up, "leaving a prideful player like Smith hanging is an awkward way to be doing business, for a team with plenty of other issues to attend to."
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