Should Steve Smith and Panthers accept each other?

[Messiah]

So there is a lot of talk going on right now that the Panthers and Smith should reunite. A lot of articles have been made and Stephen Smith said the Panthers should 'apologize' to Smith and orchestrate a trade.

The reason this is interesting is because both sides could fix each other's issue. Panthers need a legitimate wide receiver and Smith could fix that and he knows the system and has chemistry with Cam. Smith is playing on a team in a lost season and has never won a championship. If Smith came to Carolina, Panthers suddenly become maybe the favorites in the NFC.

However, there are a lot of issues as well. Smith said a lot of stuff about the Panthers front office on the way out and said he felt disrespected by Rivera by how everything went down. He basically trashed them. Smith feels wronged because of how Gettleman questioned Smith's future on the team without talking to him first, which led to Smith requesting a release. A large part of why Smith was let go is because they felt he was a distraction and was too disruptive and wanted this to be Cam's team. So there is a lot of personal animosity between both sides.

But if you are Steve Smith, this is your last chance at a Super Bowl and an opportunity to come back home and play to have one last chance at one. If you are the Panthers, you are in the midst of an excellent season with only one missing piece that really puts you over the top. Do you think both sides should forgive, forget, and try to work something out?

Smith said he isn't interested in a trade and would retire if it happened, but it feels odd to me that someone would be that adamant against one last chance to win a Super Bowl, especially someone as competitive as him. Meanwhile, while the Panthers shouldn't treat this like this is their last opportunity, this seems like a great chance to get even better. I would love to see it happen personally, but I know it won't.

[The Legend]

Anybody can forgive and forget, especially in sports where pretty much all business arrangements are about two sides using each other to get to whatever goal they are in pursuit of. That to me shouldn't be and wouldn't be an issue per se.

Now, there are two very real issues at play. First, I would think since they have a signed contract the Baltimore Ravens would get to have some form of say in this reunion. What exactly would they be looking for in compensation for a trade and how much interest do they have in a trade to begin with?

Second, you call the Panthers Smith's last chance to play for a Super Bowl. Carolina is a really good team and having a really good year. There's no doubt about that, but the question can be raised, does Smith actually view them as a Super Bowl contender and real threat in that conference? I'm not sure I think the Panthers are a true Super Bowl contender so I can't answer that question honestly for Smith either.

I realize my second point won't be received well and it's not intended to be mean spirited or to start an argument, just an honest evaluation that has me wondering if they can really survive the NFC playoffs.

[Messiah]

I mean, if at this point you don't think they aren't a real threat in the conference, I don't know what more to tell or show you. Just gotta wait and see (for both of us), I guess.

IMO, if they aren't a real threat, then it's basically just the Packers then. Just my opinion though, but the Packers are the only team in the NFC that has proven themselves as better. I mean, maybe the Cardinals and a healthy Cowboys team but I don't think the Cowboys will hang on long enough to make it.

[The Legend]

I mean, if at this point you don't think they aren't a real threat in the conference, I don't know what more to tell or show you. Just gotta wait and see (for both of us), I guess.

IMO, if they aren't a real threat, then it's basically just the Packers then. Just my opinion though, but the Packers are the only team in the NFC that has proven themselves as better. I mean, maybe the Cardinals and a healthy Cowboys team but I don't think the Cowboys will hang on long enough to make it.

You are right that you can't really convince me right now. I have to see how they contend with the Packers in a couple weeks before I'll buy in completely or not. Right now I'm hard pressed to believe it won't be Packers vs Cardinals for the right to go to the Super Bowl.

[Everlong]

Steve Smith can fuck off and retire a bitter old man on a shit team as far as I'm concerned.

[The Legend]

Smith tore his Achilles today. His season and maybe career is over.