The Facts:
A day after Ravens HC John Harbaugh expressed confidence that Smith can still get open deep, Smith's former coach didn't sound so sure. "He doesn't have the top-end speed like he used to, but he still has good speed," Panthers HC Ron Rivera said Wednesday at the annual league meetings.
Reported by the Charlotte Observer
Fantasy Football Diehards Line:
Rivera spoke publicly for the first time about
the release of Smith, the franchise's all-time receiving leader who was cut March 13 following 13 seasons in Carolina. Smith, who turns 35 in May,
signed a three-year deal with the Ravens a day after the Panthers cut him. Rivera echoed general manager Dave Gettleman's comments from Tuesday when he said parting ways with Smith was a football decision. Smith saw his production fall off in 2013. In addition to mentioning Smith's decline in speed, Rivera also said several times he thinks Smith needs to tone down his approach to practice in order to get through a season healthy. "Steve will still find ways to make plays," Rivera said. "And as far as football decisions go, we have to move on eventually. This was an opportunity to do it. ..." We don't actually disagree with Rivera's assessment. But from a fantasy football perspective, that doesn't mean he can't be effective in a different (
more of a possession) role going forward. The best part? It gives Smith even more motivation to make it the "blood and guts" game he promised when his Ravens go up against the Panthers this season.
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