Steve Smith

>>It doesn't mean a whole lot in of by itself other than it brings a lot of doubt to my mind as to whether he can be a good backup tackle. I haven't seen Todd or Jordan get pushed down like that.

I've never seen him or any Panther lineman get bowled over. Have I seen any of them lose balance? Sure. Doesn't forego them from being good linemen.
Still, you're suggesting that one play makes what you think of him. And obviously one play does not make a player. Making judgements based on one play is very, very suspect. His preseason work at left tackle was flawless.

 

My negativity comes from the idea that signing Smith is critical - it is - but that apparently it's just not that big a focus for the others to be signed even though they're critical themselves.

Overall, no. $12 mil doesn't get us a ton. If we come away with a new contract for Smith and Delhomme; re-sign Grant and Jeno, and have a good RG under contract, and add Vincent, we're doing well.

We could come up with $3-4 mil easily, without cutting starters.

 

Damn Mags, you`re the human harddrive.
I remember that play and it was of the few times in 98 that I yelled(in my living room) watching a game.

 

yeah, I really liked the play before that...whoever ran down Phifer who'd picked the ball off. Maybe it was a couple plays before that. But those two plays don't make Mark Carrier a corner nor Raybon a safety.

 

re-watched the Dallas game last nite. didn't see him other than extra points and FG unit. he did okay. but hard to judge anything that requires him to move his feet or drive based on that. did see burton lined up at TE at the goal and he did reasonably well. hmmm ... maybe burton could backup our tackles in a pinch.

i will try to dig out a preseason game if i have any left ... but judging him based on him playing against 2nd and 3rd stringers might be a tad suspect too. seems like i remember you reminding us of that often back then ... and i must tip my hat to you on this point.

 

Back to signing Smitty

I am really curious to know what is the highest dollar value that you would place on Smith to keep him here. Three, four, five, SIX million . . . MORE??? At what point would we have to slap a tag on him, or tender him for one more year?
What is everyone’s MAX amount to sign Smitty to a long-term contract (in laymen’s terms), any escalators, incentives, and gibbityjoo withstanding? Just a maximum amount counting against the ever-loving sonofabitchin’ cap.

 

Only when you can use it against me, certainly. Seems like playing tackle in a regular offense would tell you about feet, against any competition. Seems like making a career judgement on one play would be a little more risky than how someone plays against backups. It's cannonizing backups for play against backups that is risky, not evaluating them for competentcy.

The player in question isn't some first year weakling who you'll compare to Kris Jenkins. He's a vested veteran who has played for year after year. It's not that every team in the league that he's played for has been oblivious to your theory that he's a cripple playing line, and that they just weren't able to notice that in all those drills and snaps.

 

No tag. He's RFA, that offers all the protection we need. You're looking for an average?
$4.5 mil, maybe 5% more.

 

>> Only when you can use it against me, certainly.

?? what's up with this? i stated an opinion and was discussing the merits and lack thereof.

>> Seems like making a career judgement on one play would be a little more risky than how someone plays against backups.

I've conceded the point already. Was hoping you could point me at some games/plays to take a further look to gain some confidence in the guy.

>> It's cannonizing backups for play against backups that is risky, not evaluating them for competentcy.

agree and disagree. if a guy is not winning handily against backups then i think it suspect he can win against the 1st string. if he's having his way against backups then yes, as you scolded us, we still have to keep our optimism in check 'till we see how he does against the big boys. I was one of the guilty in thinking that Young would have at least some impact this year.

>> The player in question isn't some first year weakling who you'll compare to Kris Jenkins.

I've already conceded that point too ... and I'm not about to compare Willig in any shape or form to Jenks so you needn't worry there. but, I'll even venture to guess that the weakling will be around a lot longer than the player in question.

>> He's a vested veteran who has played for year after year. It's not that every team in the league that he's played for has been oblivious to your theory that he's a cripple playing line, and that they just weren't able to notice that in all those drills and snaps.

and he would be the first vet we brought in from somewhere else that wasn't all that hot? and your making fun of my arguments? don't know his history ... just have my doubts based on what I saw ... but like I said, I'll try to look further.