Steve Smith - Pro Football Rumors

Steve Smith Had Planned To Retire As Panther After 2014

June 5th, 2014 at 2:58pm CST by Luke Adams

Shortly after Carolina was eliminated from the postseason by the 49ers in January, wide receiver Steve Smith decided that 2014 would be his last season with the Panthers and as an NFL player, according to Don Banks of SI.com. Smith planned to play one more year, then retire as a Panther, the veteran confirmed.

“I finally decided and made the commitment to my family,” Smith said. “I told them, ‘I’m done. I don’t think I can do it much longer.’ My knee was sore and I knew all the work I had put into my career and what it would take. I came to terms with it, that this year was going to be my last year ever playing football.”

However, when he was released by the Panthers in the offseason, Smith received an unexpected jolt, and is now motivated to continue his career beyond the coming season. The 35-year-old signed a three-year pact with the Ravens and hopes to play out that contract before retiring.

“After this contract with the Baltimore Ravens, I am done,” Smith said. “I’m going to be stay-at-home dad, and I’m going to get on with the rest of my life’s work. I know sometimes there are people saying, ‘Oh, he needs to just let it go.’ Believe me, I will. I’m going to let it go. But I’m going to take a few people down with me. Not in spite, but just fun. I’m going to enjoy playing ball again. I’m going to have fun here.”

Of course, the modest $3.5MM signing bonus on Smith’s deal means that the Ravens could create cap savings by cutting ties with Smith in 2015 or 2016 if the new marriage doesn’t work out as well as anticipated. For now though, it appears a newly-motivated Smith is committed to playing multiple seasons before calling it a career.

Recent Signings Facing Former Teams In 2014

April 23rd, 2014 at 9:13pm CST by Rob DiRe

The 2014 NFL schedule has been released, and it gives us an interesting chance to see some players face their former teammates for the first time. Some of these players were traded or otherwise unwanted by their former teams, and others spurned their hometown fans for greener pastures elsewhere. In all cases, there are some fans or players who must be licking their chops to finally treat these players in their new colors as enemies for the first time.

The following players will get the chance to play against their former teams in 2014:

Matt Schaub will either get a chance to show up his replacement in Week 2, or possibly hope to avoid getting tormented by Jadeveon Clowney when the Texans visit the Raiders on September 14th (4:25 EST, CBS).
DeSean Jackson would love a chance to show the world the Eagles made a mistake, and he will return to Philadelphia for Week 3 on September 21st (1:00 EST, FOX). Jackson will get a second chance on Saturday, December 20th (4:30 EST, NFL Network/CBS).
Branden Albert got see Tamba Hali and Justin Houston in practice for years. He will get them in a game for the first time when the Dolphins host the Chiefs on September 21st (4:25 EST, CBS).
Julius Peppers can wreak some havoc in a new system in his former stadium when the Packers visit the Bears on September 28th (1:00 EST, FOX). Peppers will get a second chance in Green Bay on November 9th in primetime (8:30 EST, NBC).
Steve Smith told the fans to “Put your goggles on cause there’s going to be blood and guts everywhere,” when he signed with the Ravens. Well have your goggles ready for Week 4, when the Ravens host the Panthers on September 28th (1:00 EST, CBS).
Alex Smith didn’t get to see Jim Harbaugh last year, but will finally get his shot to go after his former coach when the Chiefs travel to face the 49ers on October 5th (1:00 EST, CBS).
Eric Decker will get to watch Peyton Manning and the Broncos’ offense churn on without him when the Broncos play the Jets at MetLife Stadium on October 12th (1:00 EST, CBS).
Brandon Spikes will have to be prepared for the Patriots after a contentious offseason, as Tom Brady and Bill Belichick have been known to pick on players before. The Bills host the Patriots on October 12th (1:00 EST, CBS) and travel to New England on December 28th (1:00 EST, CBS).
Darrelle Revis will get to feast on a passing offense that struggled in 2013, and will likely invite Eric Decker to Revis Island when the Patriots host the Jets on Thursday Night Football on October 16th (8:25 EST, CBS/NFL Network). Revis will then get to return to a stadium filled with jeering fans on December 21st (1:00 EST, CBS).
Jared Veldheer seemingly couldn’t leave Oakland quick enough, and the Raiders will host his Cardinals on October 19th (4:25 EST, FOX).
Jason Hatcher had a career season with the Cowboys in 2013, and now returns to a 3-4 defense hoping to build upon his great season against his former team when the Redskins head to Dallas for Monday Night Football on October 27th (8:30 EST, ESPN). His second meeting with the Cowboys will be in Week 17, when the Redskins host their rivals on December 28th (1:00 EST, FOX).
Aqib Talib took the money to switch from the AFC runner up to the AFC champion, and he will take part in his third Brady-Manning matchup, his first as a Bronco, on November 2nd (4:25 EST, CBS).
Hakeem Nicks looked like he hated playing with the Giants in 2013, and this is his chance at revenge after feeling mistreated by the Giants organization and fans when the Colts visit MetLife Stadium for Monday Night Football on November 3rd (8:30 EST, ESPN).
Jared Allen gets to tee off against the Vikings offensive line he has been practicing against for the past six years, and for the first time since 2007 will finally get to share the field with Adrian Peterson on November 16th when the Bears host the Vikings (1:00 EST, FOX). Allen will head back to Minnesota on December 28th (1:00, FOX).
Lovie Smith gets his shot to beat the team that fired him, and will bring former Bear Josh McCown with him to move the football against a no longer feared Bears defense on November 9th (1:00 EST, FOX).
Mike Pettine left the Bills to coach the Browns, and will have to return to Buffalo on November 30th (1:00 EST, CBS).
Michael Johnson left the Bengals to be the featured pass rusher for the Buccaneers, and he will get his chance to beat Andrew Whitworth and the Bengals offensive line to get a hit on Andy Dalton on November 30th (1:00 EST, CBS).
Rodger Saffold can show the Raiders exactly how healthy he is after the team signed him to a huge money deal and subsequently failed him on his physical, voiding the deal. The Rams host the Raiders on November 30th (1:00 EST, CBS).
Henry Melton got hurt after receiving the franchise tag by the Bears, and will get a chance to prove he is still an effective player when the Cowboys visit the Bears for Thursday Night Football on December 4th (8:25 EST, NFL Network).
Chris Johnson will get to face the Titans for the first time, as he tries to show the team he still has some miles left on his tires when the Jets go to Tennessee on December 14th (4:05 EST, CBS).

NFC Notes: Panthers, Allen, Rams, Bucs, Lions

March 26th, 2014 at 12:44pm CST by Luke Adams

Speaking to reporters today, including ESPN.com’s David Newton, head coach Ron Rivera attempted to clear the air when it came to the Panthers‘ decision to release Steve Smith. While there had been a belief that Smith was viewed as a locker-room distraction, that wasn’t the case, according to Rivera, who said the decision was purely a football one.

“This is not a fly-by-night decision,” Rivera said. “This was not a personal decision…. There was nothing personal about it. I’m a little disappointed that so many people reacted the way they did without truly understanding there was a lot of things that go into this. This was not a willy-nilly, fly-by-night vengeful thing. This was a very calculated [decision].”

Here’s more from around the NFC, with a focus on head coaches’ comments from Orlando….

Rivera also made it clear this morning that the Panthers will be drafting at least one receiver, tweets Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer.
Ed Werder of ESPN.com (Twitter link), who originally reported that Jared Allen was expected to sign with the Seahawks, hears from the defensive end that the Bears entered the mix for him at the last minute.
Rams head coach Jeff Fisher told reporters today, including Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal (Twitter link), that his team hasn’t had trade talks involving the No. 2 pick at this point. Of course, that’s not to say discussions won’t occur at some point.
The Rams will host Texas A&M offensive tackle Jake Matthews for a private workout, according to Fisher (Twitter link via Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch).
Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times (Twitter links) passes along a couple highlights from Lovie Smith‘s conversation with the media today. According to the Buccaneers head coach, the team feels good about Josh McCown and Mike Glennon but could add another quarterback in the draft. Smith also said that extending Gerald McCoy‘s contract is a priority: “We want him around for a long time.”
Before tight end Jim Dray signed with the Browns, Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians was very interested in bringing Dray back to the Cardinals, tweets Nate Ulrich.
Lions head coach Jim Caldwell said today that the club would like to add a pass-rushing outside linebacker, and are looking for “a little bit different flavor” rusher to pair with Ezekiel Ansah, tweets Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
Caldwell and Lions GM Martin Mayhew will both attend Texas A&M’s Pro Day tomorrow to check out wide receiver Mike Evans, according to Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com (via Twitter).

AFC Notes: Ravens, Pats, Chargers, Moreno

March 22nd, 2014 at 10:25am CST by Matt Feminis

The Ravens’ free agent activity has been characterized by value signings, writes ESPN.com’s Jamison Hensley. The team was able to sign four starters and their top kick returner without breaking the bank. Additionally, the Ravens will actually be paying Steve Smith less ($4.5MM) than the Panthers ($5MM) are on the hook for this season.

Other AFC news and notes:

In a mailbag piece, Hensley also says 2014 will be an important season for Lardarius Webb, whose cap hit jumps from $5.39MM to $10.5MM. Meanwhile, 2013 third-rounder Brandon Williams figures to have an increased role on the defensive line following the departure of Arthur Jones.
In the past, Bill Belichick has built his defenses inside out, but Boston.com’s Erik Frenz wonders if the signings of cornerbacks Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner “point to a change in that philosophy — or, at the very least, a golden opportunity to make the switch.”
Free agent Knowshon Moreno visited the Dolphins on Friday, but departed without a contract, writes the Palm Beach Post’s Andrew Abramson, who compares Moreno to Miami’s current running backs.
Chargers personnel has been getting in-person looks at edge pass rush prospects, including UCLA’s Anthony Barr, Boise State’s DeMarcus Lawrence and BYU’s Kyle Van Noy, according to Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune. The team’s projected outside linebacker starters, Dwight Freeney and Jarret Johnson, will be 34 and 33, respectively, this season, while disappointing 2009 first-rounder Larry English is a free agent at season’s end.

AFC East Notes: Edelman, Sanchez, Cooks

March 15th, 2014 at 10:59am CST by Matt Feminis

As of last night, the Patriots and free agent receiver Julian Edelman were talking about a contract that would keep Tom Brady‘s most productive receiver in New England. Edelman visited the 49ers Friday, but CBS’ Jason La Canfora believes a deal with the Pats remains the most likely scenario (via Twitter).

Other Pats and Jets news and notes:

The Patriots were supposed to meet with Steve Smith, but they never got the chance, writes Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com.
In a detailed explanation, Jason Fitzgerald of overthecap.com writes the Jets are playing a game of poker with the Mark Sanchez situation.
The Jets have been “all over” Oregon State receiver Brandin Cooks in pre-draft preparation, according to ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini (via Twitter). That news could be telling, especially remembering back to last year when the team was reportedly fixated on Tavon Austin before the Rams swooped in. While not as versatile, productive or hyped as Austin, Cooks is also a smallish, playmaking receiver who brings an explosive element, something the Jets 31st ranked passing offense sorely needs, even with the signing of Eric Decker. Cooks, who is capable of working inside or outside, blazed 40-yard dash times in the low 4.3s at the Combine. He’s expected to go in the second round, where the Jets hold the 18th pick.

AFC Contract Details: Jones, Smith, Davis

March 14th, 2014 at 8:10pm CST by Rob DiRe

Jacoby Jones has re-signed with the Ravens, on a modest four-year deal worth up to $12MM, reports Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). The deal includes a $3.5MM signing bonus, with no other money guaranteed.

Here are more details on contracts signed for players by AFC teams this week:

Details on Steve Smith‘s deal with the Ravens were released earlier, but Wilson adds that his base salary for 2014 will only be $1MM, and will increase to $3MM for 2015 and 2016 (via Twitter).
While Vontae Davis‘ contract with the Colts was originally reported as including $20MM guaranteed, according to OverTheCap.com only $15MM is fully guaranteed, with an additional $5MM partially guaranteed.
Jason Babin‘s contract with the Jaguars will be a three-year deal worth $8.275MM, reports Tom Pelissero of USA Today Sports (via Twitter). The contract is very incentive based (via Twitter).
Brandon Ghee signed a two-year deal with the Chargers, worth $1.65MM, reports Wilson (via Twitter). The deal includes a $230,000 signing bonus.
Richard Marshall‘s deal to re-sign with the Chargers is a one-year deal worth $855,000, reports Pelissero (via Twitter). The deal contains no guaranteed money.
Husain Abdullah‘s new deal with the Chiefs contains a $750,000 signing bonus, according to Terez Paylor of the Kansas City Star (via Twitter).

FA Rumors: Weeden, Browner, DRC, Clark

March 14th, 2014 at 5:25pm CST by Luke Adams

Count the Cowboys among the teams with interest in Brandon Weeden following the signal-caller’s release from the Browns, writes Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com. According to Archer, even though the Cowboys believe Kyle Orton will return next season to back up Tony Romo rather than opting to retire, the team could carry three quarterbacks on its 53-man roster. Here’s more on a few free agents who either remain on the market or recently agreed to deals:

Albert Breer and Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network hear from Redskins sources that Brandon Browner hadn’t arrived at Redskins Park for his free agent visit as of close of business today (Twitter link). Meanwhile, Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald (Twitter link) hears that Browner remains in New England, attempting to hammer out a deal with the Patriots. We recapped the odd back-and-forth developments in the Browner story in an earlier post.
Following Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie‘s visit with the Jets, the cornerback will meet with the Giants, assuming he doesn’t yet have a deal in place, reports Conor Orr of The Star-Ledger.
The Panthers have showed interest in free agent safety Ryan Clark, according to Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer (via Twitter).
Wide receiver Steve Smith said on a conference call today that before he agreed to sign with the Ravens, the Chargers made him an offer and the Redskins and Seahawks also expressed interest (Twitter link via Joseph Person).
B.J. Raji received interest from the Raiders and Chiefs before he agreed to re-sign with the Packers, tweets Ian Rapoport. I imagine it’s no coincidence that the general managers in both Oakland and Kansas City have roots in Green Bay.

Ravens Sign Steve Smith To Three-Year Deal

March 14th, 2014 at 4:27pm CST by Luke Adams

4:27pm: La Canfora clarifies (via Twitter) that the deal, which has been confirmed by the team, can reach a max value of $11MM if an option bonus is exercised down the road.

4:16pm: Smith’s three-year contract is worth $10.5MM, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com, who adds that the deal includes a $3.5MM signing bonus (Twitter links).

4:09pm: The Ravens have agreed to sign wide receiver Steve Smith, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). The longtime Panther was released by Carolina earlier this week, and will ink a three-year contract with the Ravens, Schefter adds in a second tweet.

Even before he was officially cut by the Panthers, Smith was heavily linked to the Ravens, with multiple reports suggesting there was mutual interest between the two sides. The Buccaneers and Raiders were also mentioned as likely suitors, and the Cowboys, Patriots, and Chargers were reportedly among Smith’s preferred trade destinations when Carolina was trying to move him.

More recently, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter), the Seahawks were also in the mix to sign Smith, along with the Pats. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link) hears from a source that the veteran receiver actually had a visit lined up with New England, but canceled his flight to remain in Baltimore.

Smith, who turns 35 in May, is 19th all-time in NFL history in receiving yards (12,197) and 25th in receptions (836). While he’s not the same explosive playmaker he was in his prime, he should still be a capable target for Joe Flacco alongside Torrey Smith and Dennis Pitta in Baltimore. Last season, Smith grabbed 64 balls for 745 yards and four touchdowns.

Signing with Baltimore will also give Smith a chance to face his old team next season, as the Ravens are set to host the Panthers in 2014. In Smith’s words: “Put your goggles on cause there’s going to be blood and guts everywhere.”

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Extra Points: Smith, Munnerlyn, Neal

March 13th, 2014 at 10:36pm CST by Zachary Links

Cornerback Captain Munnerlyn told reporters, including Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press (on Twitter), that he wanted a three-year deal with the Vikings rather than four years so that he could get another contract before he turns 30. He added (link) that it was very tough for him to say goodbye to the Panthers, but Carolina couldn’t afford to give him the same contract. More from around the NFL..

Steve Smith‘s visit with the Ravens is going well so far, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
The Steelers were eyeing Mike Neal in free agency before he re-signed with Green Bay, tweets Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The linebacker got a two-year, $8MM deal from the Packers with a $2.5MM signing bonus.
Charlie Whitehurst had the same offer from the Chargers before he picked the Titans, tweets Paul Kuharsky of ESPN. The quarterback inked a two-year deal with a $4MM base with another $4MM in incentives and $2MM guaranteed.
New 49ers addition Jonathan Martin told reporters, including Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle (on Twitter), that he never considered retirement.
Former Bucs left tackle Donald Penn is flying to Oakland tonight to visit the Raiders, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Penn has been heavily linked to the Raiders since his release.
The 49ers don’t have much salary cap space and it’s hard to see them signing both a cornerback and a wide receiver, tweets Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee.
Larry Holder of The Times-Picayune (on Twitter) expects the market for Saints free agent center Brian de la Puente to heat up now that the first wave of free agency has come and gone.
Henry Melton‘s possible legal trouble won’t prevent the Bears from re-signing him, but they could use it as ammunition as they try to knock his price down, writes Michael C. Wright of ESPNChicago.com.

Steve Smith Rumors: Thursday

March 13th, 2014 at 6:37pm CST by Luke Adams

6:37pm: Smith is scheduled to fly to Baltimore tonight in order to meet with the Ravens tomorrow, a source tells ESPN’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter).

5:32pm: The Smith market is starting to heat up now that he’s officially a free agent. According to Eric Edholm of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter), the Ravens, Patriots, Chargers, Redskins, and Seahawks have all reached out so far. Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com reports (via Twitter) that Baltimore expects to schedule a visit with Smith soon, but Ian Rapoport of NFL.com hears from a source that no deal is imminent tonight (Twitter link).

12:26pm: Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link) clarifies that the Ravens haven’t reached out to Smith yet, and will do so later this afternoon when he’s officially off the Panthers’ roster.

11:00am: The Panthers officially announced today that Steve Smith has been released, and the Ravens have already inquired on the veteran wide receiver, according to ESPN.com’s David Newton (via Twitter). Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports (via Twitter) that Baltimore has emerged as the early favorite to land Smith.

The Ravens’ interest in Smith was first reported earlier this week, well before Carolina decided to release him, by Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. The Buccaneers and Raiders were also mentioned yesterday as likely suitors, and the Cowboys, Patriots, and Chargers were among Smith’s preferred trade destinations when Carolina was trying to move him, according to Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer.