89 gets extension

Steve Smith is the most dynamic receiver in football, and when he's in good health, I believe he is the best. He can run every route, has great hands (despite some unfortunate moments last year), can use brute strength to outmuscle DB's, rarely loses 1-on-1 battles, blocks, has great speed and can change direction better than any WR in football.

 

I think Colbert got extensions too.

 

Here's a blurb with Smitty's old numbers:

WR Smith signs extension with Carolina

NFL.com wire reports



CHARLOTTE, N.C. (May 8, 2007) -- Receiver Steve Smith agreed to a three-year contract extension with the Carolina Panthers on Tuesday in a deal that will keep him with the team through the 2012 season.

His agent, Derrick Fox, said he wasn't authorized to release exact figures, but said Smith's new deal makes him among the five highest-paid receivers in the NFL.

"Steve wanted to complete his career with the Panthers and bring Carolina a Super Bowl," Fox said. "This gives him peace of mind."

The 28-year-old Smith had three years left on a six-year, $27 million contract. He was scheduled to make $3.l, $3.6 and $4.2 million over the next three seasons, but now will make significantly more.

Smith had been hoping to get a new deal for some time and the Panthers had made a long-term deal one of their top priorities after they released veteran receiver Keyshawn Johnson last week.

Smith, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, led the NFL with 103 catches for 1,563 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2005. Fox said negotiations with general manager Marty Hurney began after that season.

"When he had the Triple Crown season, Marty came to us and said he had outplayed his contract," Fox said. "But it was a hard process, because he was just two years in (to a six-year contract)."

Smith's numbers declined last season. He missed the first two games with a hamstring injury, and finished with 20 fewer catches, 400 fewer receiving yards and four fewer touchdowns and Carolina finished a disappointing 8-8.

Offensive coordinator Dan Henning was fired, and Smith said at last weekend's minicamp that he was pleased with new coordinator Jeff Davidson's offense. Davidson had said he wanted to find new ways to get Smith the ball.

Smith was Carolina's third-round pick in 2001. Used primarily as a kick returner as a rookie, Smith became Carolina's go-to receiver in their Super Bowl season in 2003.

 

yeah there was.

When CJ gets his new deal? there would be a bump in the market. Ginn, too. UFA has been light on receivers of his caliber, so the market is low.

Add in that Smith's now the undeniable #1 receiver on a team that currently doesn't have a decision on who's #2, Smith's numbers were only going to go up. hell, I wrote all these thoughts Friday, with absolutely no reason to believe it was coming this soon.

Peppers, however, has to deal with the deals Freeney and others will get this year, which is an immediate bump in the market, a market that Peppers will eclipse.

 

Smitty was on the radio this morning and obviously in a great mood. Hopefully, he can know feed his family.

He also said that he was offered an extension at the beginning of last year and he turned it down. Interesting. I'm happy with the money he got. I bet he'd have gotten more on the open market and I'm glad to see he wasn't as ass about being the hightest paid guy in the league, not that I don't think he deserves it.

 

they really really really need to get his deal done before Freeney get his.

 

good lord

 

I'm fully expecting that Freeney won't get a long term deal until after some of the others sign, which bumps the market. Freeney signs, that's a bump. Then Peppers. I know Gantt wrote that Peppers says he won't wait, and I hope he doesn't, but I expect it.

 

Do you think Peppers will sign something during training camp?

 

I could see him signing closer to camp, or waiting to next year. 50/50. Right now I'd guess that he's in the $8 mil range easily.