Steve Smith Cut. Sign him now

[Brady6]

Disagree, Smith's strong point has always been yards after catch, not speed. His ability to escape and get separation and make guys miss, or stiff arm them and get loose has been his strength. He's never really been THAT speedy. Quick off the line, strong, with excellent route running and does have the ability to go up and get it. EXACTLY what we need actually.

Which is exactly what the Ravens don't do, and has me scratching my head. He's not wanting to stretch the field. He wants slot. Maybe they plan a change on O but I don't see Flucco as that QB that can pull it off.

Steve Smith had 184 yards after the catch last season so whatever rare talent he “had” is no longer. The Panthers no receivers on their roster, if Smith was still Smith they would not be cutting him and leaving Newton with Kealoha Pilares as his #1 target.

 

[ATippett56]

Disagree, Smith's strong point has always been yards after catch, not speed. His ability to escape and get separation and make guys miss, or stiff arm them and get loose has been his strength. He's never really been THAT speedy. Quick off the line, strong, with excellent route running and does have the ability to go up and get it. EXACTLY what we need actually.

Not speedy, huh?

Steve Smith | Utah, WR : 2001 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile

 

[PatriotSeven]

Better all-around player, Edelman can play inside or outside, is a solid run blocker, returns punts, can play special teams, and even cornerback if needed.

Smith is a 34-year-old 5’9 receiver who no longer has the speed he once possessed. He only caught 58% of his targets last season, and 52% in 2012, his yards per catch average dropped almost 5 full yards last season.

In addition, this is not the Broncos forum, we are not in a win now mode at all, nothing we have done this offseason would indicate that. Revis is 28 years old.

As I said above, Steve's never been about speed. Quickness and technique along with impeccable route running. There's no contest in blocking either. He's extremely good at it. Loves to take guys out.

I think it's worth keeping in mind who has been throwing him the ball. Put Edelman with Newton, and he's not putting up those numbers. Smiths' played with average or sub-average QB's his entire career. Edelman grew up with Tom Brady.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

Panthers would be a good fit for Nicks. They really have 0 WRs now. Most likely why they are talking for Lafell again

 

[PatriotSeven]

Steve Smith had 184 yards after the catch last season so whatever rare talent he “had” is no longer. The Panthers no receivers on their roster, if Smith was still Smith they would not be cutting him and leaving Newton with Kealoha Pilares as his #1 target.

Has little to do with Smith no longer being Smith. His numbers has to do with them reigning back Cam, changing the offense and offensive coordinator. His departure has everything to do with Cam not being able to take over the team with Smith being on the Panthers. He was still Newton's top target last year and Newton's production dropped significantly.

I'm willing to bet, wherever he goes he'll put up some numbers this year. You saw it with your own eyes what he did against one of the top corners in the league last year, Talib.

 

[PatriotSeven]

Not speedy, huh?

Steve Smith*|*Utah,*WR*:*2001 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile

I never said he wasn't speedy, I said his game has never been about speed. He's ability to get open has never been about pure speed, but about technique and ability to outplay cornerbacks. The way he comes off the line, changing direction, his quickness, his stiff arm, his feel for them on the field. Everything else that makes for a good receiver.

Basically everything guys like Welker and Edelman had to do to be so good, only at a higher level, tougher, and in the case of Edelman, with much more experience.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

Joe Person @josephperson

As reported elsewhere, Steve Smith in Baltimore tonight meeting with Ravens. Planning to take other visits next week, per league source.

Sounds now like he will weigh all of his options

 

[PatriotSeven]

Sounds now like he will weigh all of his options

Now that's great news. I hope that's the case.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

Now that's great news. I hope that's the case.

If Balt signed Smith right away..it would have been better news on the Edelman front.

Maybe they still offer him a good contract he can't pass up

 

[Kdo5]

Sounds now like he will weigh all of his options

I just want one of Smith/Edelman/Sanders. None might happen but I'd be quite satisfied whichever we choose. Preferably one of the latter but a year of Steve Smith is perfectly good too.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

Now that's great news. I hope that's the case.

not necessarily. he could sign with denver. i would rather him sign with the ravens who aren't going to do anything next year anyway.

 

[PatriotSeven]

If Balt signed Smith right away..it would have been better news on the Edelman front.

Maybe they still offer him a good contract he can't pass up

I would be happy with at least getting Edelman back. Heck I'd rather have both, as I don't believe Edelman, Amendoal and rookies alone are a Superbowl caliber group to go along Gronk.

Either way, we would still need more help. Don't you think?

 

[PatsChamp88]

not speedy, huh?

steve smith*|*utah,*wr*:*2001 nfl draft scout player profile

2001=2014?

 

[PatriotSeven]

not necessarily. he could sign with denver. i would rather him sign with the ravens who aren't going to do anything next year anyway.

I could be wrong but I just don't see Steve playing second fiddle to Welker who is clearly entrenched there. But here, even with Edelman back, I think he believes he could beat him outright for the job. Same goes for Amendola.

But yeah, if I had to pick, I'd rather see him in Baltimore than playing with Goober. They have enough weapons.

 

[Kdo5]

I would be happy with at least getting Edelman back. Heck I'd rather have both, as I don't believe Edelman, Amendoal and rookies alone are a Superbowl caliber group to go along Gronk.

Either way, we would still need more help. Don't you think?

They aren't rookies anymore. A lot of rookie WR's make a significant jump in their second year. AD should be one of them. And if Boyce can give us some production, it will go a long way. Don't assume that the Dobson of last year will be Dobson the rookie.

 

[PatriotSeven]

They aren't rookies anymore. A lot of rookie WR's make a significant jump in their second year. AD should be one of them. And if Boyce can give us some production, it will go a long way. Don't assume that the Dobson of last year will be Dobson the rookie.

I'm with you but did you honestly see enough flashes out of them to make you believe that though? I was a big proponent of the experiment and going with them, but I have to admit, I saw a big bleep mid-season, and things were moving in the right direction, and then really flattened out by the end. They still looked lost, and then got injured. I just wanted to see more urgency and fight. I saw a lot of caution.

Just not confident enough in them year 2, if we're talking Superbowl run. And I didn't see 1 of them really separate from the rest. I'm still as up in the air about them now after watching them play for a year as I was before the season started as far as who could truly end up that guy.

 

[old 55]

Unfortunately, Dobson ' s foot won't allow him to work out early in the off season. Hopefully, the others will learn that it pays to work out with Brady before the season.

 

[Kdo5]

I'm with you but did you honestly see enough flashes out of them to make you believe that though? I was a big proponent of the experiment and going with them, but I have to admit, I saw a big bleep mid-season, and things were moving in the right direction, and then really flattened out by the end. They still looked lost, and then got injured. I just wanted to see more urgency and fight. I saw a lot of caution.

Just not confident enough in them year 2, if we're talking Superbowl run. And I didn't see 1 of them really separate from the rest. I'm still as up in the air about them now after watching them play for a year as I was before the season started as far as who could truly end up that guy.

Absolutely I do in Dobson's case. I know some disagree about it but there was a stretch of games mid-season where Dobson emerged. The drops stopped, he and Brady finally started connecting on the back shoulder throw and he can make deep plays. Granted only one connected for a 80yard TD but there was more than one occasion when he wound up open deep however it just didn't connect.

Also in that couple stretch of games, TB was targeting and hitting Dobson more than Edelman. Unfortunately that progression halted w/the lingering foot injury. I think it is totally unfair to judge his lesser production in the few games he played with the injury. IMO his upside is more than some seem to think. Would not be surprised if he is our leading WR next year, especially if Edelman walks. Dobson improved very significantly from Week 2 to his injury versus the Donks.

 

[old 55]

Dobson was able to get open a lot, but struggled with catching the ball early in the season. The foot really hurt his later games.

 

[PatriotSeven]

Absolutely I do in Dobson's case. I know some disagree about it but there was a stretch of games mid-season where Dobson emerged. The drops stopped, he and Brady finally started connecting on the back shoulder throw and he can make deep plays. Granted only one connected for a 80yard TD but there was more than one occasion when he wound up open deep however it just didn't connect.

Also in that couple stretch of games, TB was targeting and hitting Dobson more than Edelman. Unfortunately that progression halted w/the lingering foot injury. I think it is totally unfair to judge his lesser production in the few games he played with the injury. IMO his upside is more than some seem to think. Would not be surprised if he is our leading WR next year, especially if Edelman walks. Dobson improved very significantly from Week 2 to his injury versus the Donks.

Don't get me wrong, I still have hopes that at least one of those guys will turn out to be a long term player for us. I just don't know about this year, and don't know which one. I would have liked to see one of the three separate themselves and I didn't.

You seem to be bigger on Dobson. A lot of other guys feel KT has more upside. And that's kind of the issue with me in that it's very muddy.

If it was up to me, I would do whatever the hell it took, grab either Smith, Edelman or whatever cheap vet I could get this year, and make whatever moves necessary to spring for a Mike Evans or Sammy Watkins in the draft, which I believe is what Tom really deserves.

But I see hell freezing over before something like that happening.