PFR Originals: Smith, Rison, Simms

In case you missed it, here’s a look back at some of our recent originals:

• Years before Eli Manning‘s retirement, Giants fans bid farewell to longtime quarterback Phil Simms. Our own Sam Robinson took a look back at the end, which was actually a release. Simms says he could have continued his career with another team, but ultimately chose to call it quits.
• In 1997, the Chiefs were in the championship mix and needed a big splash to try and get over the hump. So, in July of that year, they added Andre Rison to their WR group. As Sam notes, Rison’s playmaking ability was sorely needed in KC. In ’97, he was the only Chiefs pass catcher topped 500 yards in 1997 as he reached 1,092 on 72 catches.
• Our Ben Levine looked back on the Panthers’ first contract with Steve Smith. At the time, it was just another third-round pick completing his paperwork. But, of course, Smith went on to set franchise records in receiving yards (12,197), receptions (836), and total touchdowns (67).
• The trade market tends to be quiet in June. But, ~seven years ago, the Texans and Falcons completed a noteworthy move by swapping quarterback T.J. Yates and linebacker Akeem Dent. And, in an interesting twist, both players became Texans coaches on the very same day in 2019.