BY Cory Spiers
coryspiers@gmail.com
When the Panthers released wide receiver Steve Smith prior to the start of the 2014 season, it was easy to get the feeling he would be counting down the days until he got a shot at revenge against the only NFL team he ever knew.
Smith was drafted by the Panthers in the third round of the 2001 Draft and spent the next 13 seasons in Charlotte.
Smith stands as one of the best athletes and competitors the Panthers have employed. The 5-9 Los Angeles native had plenty of heart to make up for what he lacked in size.
After a quiet rookie season that saw him suit up in 15 games and record 10 catches for 154 yards, Smith started to make his name known to Panthers fans in 2002 with 54 catches for 872 yards and three touchdowns.
Smith recorded his first 1,000-yard receiving season in his third campaign in 2003. He racked up 1,000 or more receiving yards in six more seasons as a Panther.
Smith was at the height of his powers in 2005-- a season that saw him earn the league's receiving triple crown as the NFL leader in receptions (103), yards (1,563) and touchdowns (12).
Smith last played in Carolina in 2013. That season, he caught 64 passes for 745 yards and four touchdowns.
Rumors swirled after what would be his final season in Carolina that Smith was on the trading block.
New general manager Dave Gettleman had a reputation for being a no-nonsense guy and on a Thursday in March 2014, he made his loudest and most no-nonsense move and parted ways with Smith.
It didn't take long for Smith to get a job. The Ravens quickly emerged as the front-runners to sign Smith and made the news official just days after his release.
Smith finished his tenure in Carolina as the team's all-time leading receiver. On three occasions he got in physical altercations with teammates, but the good far outweighed the bad.
Smith never shied away from contact. In fact, he often initiated it.
More times than not, he'd bounce up after a big hit, usually screaming with excitement. A ball spin or a quick quip to an opposing corner back was also usually in order.
Smith told Panthers management when he was a rookie that he would be one of the greatest players to play in Charlotte.
He was right.
And it didn't take Smith long to get a shot at revenge. Carolina traveled to Baltimore for a Week 4 game in 2014-- a game that took place exactly three years ago today (Sept. 28).
After a couple early catches, Smith got on the scoreboard against his former team when tight end Owen Daniels tipped a pass that fell right into the hands of the sprinting Smith, who galloped the rest of the way into the end zone and bowed to the Ravens fans behind the end zone.
Smith got another chance to dance against the Panthers right before halftime. Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco mishandled the snap and dropped the ball but picked it back up and floated a pass down the left side of the field where Smith grabbed it in stride on his way to the end zone with corner back Melvin White draped over him like a towel.
White was called for pass interference and Smith continued to thrash Carolina.
Smith finished the game as Baltimore's leading receiver with seven catches for 139 yards and two touchdowns. The Panthers were out-gained 454-315 and were blown out of Baltimore, 38-10.
A fired up Smith didn't mince words after the rout of the Panthers.
"I'm 35 years old and I ran around them boys like they was schoolyard children."
Oh, Steve. How the Panthers missed your candor.
The Panthers finished that season 7-8-1 and beat a hapless Cardinals team in the first round of the playoffs before falling to the Seahawks in the divisional round.
Smith had his best year as a Raven in his first season with the team. He caught 79 passes for 1,065 yards with six touchdowns.
Smith was limited to just seven games due to injury in 2015 but still recorded 46 catches for 670 yards and three scores. His final season featured 70 catches for 799 yards and five touchdowns.
It was always exciting to wonder what Agent 89 would do next. And for many years, that possibility had Panthers fans perpetually on the edge of their seats.
But when he was on the other side, things weren't nearly as fun.
coryspiers@gmail.com
When the Panthers released wide receiver Steve Smith prior to the start of the 2014 season, it was easy to get the feeling he would be counting down the days until he got a shot at revenge against the only NFL team he ever knew.
Smith was drafted by the Panthers in the third round of the 2001 Draft and spent the next 13 seasons in Charlotte.
Smith stands as one of the best athletes and competitors the Panthers have employed. The 5-9 Los Angeles native had plenty of heart to make up for what he lacked in size.
After a quiet rookie season that saw him suit up in 15 games and record 10 catches for 154 yards, Smith started to make his name known to Panthers fans in 2002 with 54 catches for 872 yards and three touchdowns.
Smith recorded his first 1,000-yard receiving season in his third campaign in 2003. He racked up 1,000 or more receiving yards in six more seasons as a Panther.
Smith was at the height of his powers in 2005-- a season that saw him earn the league's receiving triple crown as the NFL leader in receptions (103), yards (1,563) and touchdowns (12).
Smith last played in Carolina in 2013. That season, he caught 64 passes for 745 yards and four touchdowns.
Rumors swirled after what would be his final season in Carolina that Smith was on the trading block.
New general manager Dave Gettleman had a reputation for being a no-nonsense guy and on a Thursday in March 2014, he made his loudest and most no-nonsense move and parted ways with Smith.
It didn't take long for Smith to get a job. The Ravens quickly emerged as the front-runners to sign Smith and made the news official just days after his release.
Smith finished his tenure in Carolina as the team's all-time leading receiver. On three occasions he got in physical altercations with teammates, but the good far outweighed the bad.
Smith never shied away from contact. In fact, he often initiated it.
More times than not, he'd bounce up after a big hit, usually screaming with excitement. A ball spin or a quick quip to an opposing corner back was also usually in order.
Smith told Panthers management when he was a rookie that he would be one of the greatest players to play in Charlotte.
He was right.
And it didn't take Smith long to get a shot at revenge. Carolina traveled to Baltimore for a Week 4 game in 2014-- a game that took place exactly three years ago today (Sept. 28).
After a couple early catches, Smith got on the scoreboard against his former team when tight end Owen Daniels tipped a pass that fell right into the hands of the sprinting Smith, who galloped the rest of the way into the end zone and bowed to the Ravens fans behind the end zone.
Smith got another chance to dance against the Panthers right before halftime. Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco mishandled the snap and dropped the ball but picked it back up and floated a pass down the left side of the field where Smith grabbed it in stride on his way to the end zone with corner back Melvin White draped over him like a towel.
White was called for pass interference and Smith continued to thrash Carolina.
Smith finished the game as Baltimore's leading receiver with seven catches for 139 yards and two touchdowns. The Panthers were out-gained 454-315 and were blown out of Baltimore, 38-10.
A fired up Smith didn't mince words after the rout of the Panthers.
"I'm 35 years old and I ran around them boys like they was schoolyard children."
Oh, Steve. How the Panthers missed your candor.
The Panthers finished that season 7-8-1 and beat a hapless Cardinals team in the first round of the playoffs before falling to the Seahawks in the divisional round.
Smith had his best year as a Raven in his first season with the team. He caught 79 passes for 1,065 yards with six touchdowns.
Smith was limited to just seven games due to injury in 2015 but still recorded 46 catches for 670 yards and three scores. His final season featured 70 catches for 799 yards and five touchdowns.
It was always exciting to wonder what Agent 89 would do next. And for many years, that possibility had Panthers fans perpetually on the edge of their seats.
But when he was on the other side, things weren't nearly as fun.
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