Steve Smith available?

by sam23 on Aug 5, 2008 5:55 PM PDT

EDITOR'S NOTE 6:25PM: So how about it folks? Should the 49ers make a play for Steve Smith? There are no rumors mentioning the 49ers, but it's still something interesting to consider. Smith is 29 and certainly as explosive a receiver as most anybody out there. He's had two ugly fights and now faces a team-imposed two game suspension. At the same time he would immediately upgrade the offense. No matter what you think about Alex Smith, Shaun Hill or J.T. O'Sullivan, any of them could get the ball to a guy like Smith. So would you do it and if so, what would you give up?

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http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/Are-the-Panthers-considering-trading-Steve-Smith?urn=nfl,98454

If the Panthers really are considering dealing Smith (doubtful) I would hope the Niners would be extremely involved in the discussions. Smith comes with considerable baggage and is likely approaching the downside of his career, but I cant think of many guys who would be a better fit for Martz's system or who could single handedly make the offense as dynamic as Smith would. Thoughts? Would it be worth a 1st round pick and Jason Hill perhaps?

Poll

Should the 49ers make a play for Steve Smith?

Yes - give up whatever it takes

86 votes

Yes - but only if it doesn't cost a first round pick

121 votes

No

53 votes

260 votes | Poll has closed

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors.

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I'm torn

he is a great wide receiver, and would be an upgrade over anyone on this team by an enormous amount, but he does have alot of baggage, an i’m reminded of terrell owens, antonio bryant, etc.

Also Vernon Davis seems to be a bit of a big headed guy, and can you really fit both of them on the team?

also what are the cap ramifications, I’m sure he makes alot of money. And is Hill + 1st rounder enough? they may want a 3rd rounder as well, and thats alot for one player

by Vote4Gore on Aug 5, 2008 6:06 PM PDT 0 recs

steve smith is one of the best..

it would be nice to see steve smith on the forty niners, problem is there is no one to throw the ball to him and im sure he knows that so it would be a long shot for him to even consider this team.

by youngbuckeroo on Aug 5, 2008 6:32 PM PDT 0 recs

Not going to happen

Carolina isn’t going to deal him. They think they’re a playoff contender and without him they’re definately not.

by methodrampage on Aug 5, 2008 6:49 PM PDT 0 recs

Hell yes

He’s one of the only players who can totally transform an offense. Defenses are forced to overcover him like very few players in the league, and if anyone can exploit that, Mike Martz can. Imagine Steve Smith crossing over the middle, Vernon Davis playing a post route, and Frank Gore running into the flat: Where the hell do the linebackers go?

That said, I don’t think it’s going to happen. Same reason methodrampage gives above.

by spenczar on Aug 5, 2008 10:03 PM PDT 0 recs

(Throat clearing)....

Definitely not! Two players most likely to fight each other are Vernon Davis and Steve Smith, not because a defensive player shoved one of Davis’ own offensive line player, but over game strategy plans or plays.

The last thing we need is a player who can disrupt team chemistry with his behavior. I don’t care how good he is. Chemistry goes longer ways than the volatile, idiotic behavior one can exhibit, one that goes too far on the sidelines.

The 49ers have good players they can groom under a high powered offensive coach Martz, and under Sullivan, an excellent receivers coach.

I don’t want Favre, a Packer product, and I don’t want Steve Smith, a Panther product.

What I want is a 49er product- Martz, now our offensive coordinator, is a 49er product, and the classiest, by-the-book, one with great work ethic Isaac Bruce, is also a 49er product.

You won’t see Bruce punching someone. He’ll be striding into the end zone smoothly.

The worse one will see in Bruce is that he’ll give you a dirty look if you tell him he ran the route wrong.

No punches, or pun intended.

"We Have a God who delights in impossibilities."

by 16to80endzone on Aug 5, 2008 10:43 PM PDT 0 recs

I dont care

how “smooth” Bruce looks striding around….if he’s moving slower than me and Steve Smith is flying into the endzone and giving the opposing coaching staffs bigger headaches than he’s giving our own I want HIM.

by sam23 on Aug 6, 2008 2:15 PM PDT up 0 recs

3 things

1. The Panthers aren’t trading Smith.

2. It would take multiple high draft picks to get him.

3. McNolan have made it pretty clear durring their reign that they aren’t interested in players with the baggage and attitude problems that Smith has.

by enut21 on Aug 5, 2008 11:03 PM PDT 0 recs

SIGH

It’s incredible to me that some of you guys wouldn’t want to bring in Smith. WR is an obvious need for this team (Isaac Bruce…read that…ISAAC BRUCE is the #1 WR!). It’s not like he’s done drugs or had a DUI, or gone on a samurai sword rampage (a shoutout there for any Fresno fans here). He fought with a teammate in a scrimmage, so what? It shows the guy actually cares. And who are we to say who initiated their ongoing issues? Maybe Lucas is the problem child here. Plus, comparing Smith to TO is ridiculous, Smith doesn’t call out his teammates/coaches publically and/or ridicule the team.

If this team is going to only have character guys that never get heated up or bent out of shape once in a while, we are in for some major disappointment as fans for a long time.

Proud pappa of....STEVE HOLM!!

by UnleashTheGore on Aug 6, 2008 9:12 AM PDT 0 recs

One time fight would be a different story

He’s done this before. And Smith has been critical of teammates, especially some of the young wideouts. Granted pretty much all of their young wideouts are terrible. But is that because of lack of mentoring / teaching or just really terrible scouting before drafting them? Either way, Smith has shown that he is a serious hothead.

by lacrosse_cat on Aug 6, 2008 9:30 AM PDT up 0 recs

Who says he has to be a mentor?

Do you think Randy Moss is much of a mentor? Wouldn’t you be happy to have him on the 49ers? Just out of curiosity, could you please describe the specific events where he’s “shown that he is a serious hothead”? I honestly can’t remember them, and would like to hear them.

Proud pappa of....STEVE HOLM!!

by UnleashTheGore on Aug 6, 2008 10:03 AM PDT up 0 recs

Moss

He was warned and neutered when he showed up in New England last season. Almost nobody wanted anthing to do with him after his antics in Minny and Oakland. McNolan has made it clear they want nothing to do with these type of personalties.

by enut21 on Aug 6, 2008 11:57 AM PDT up 0 recs

You pretty much proved my point

Even someone as outspoken as Moss can be controlled, and in this case, I’d say it benefitted the Patriots just a little bit. Nolan’s hatred for anything controversial is partially responsible for this team’s mediocrity.

STEVE HOLM: Better than Alfonso? Why yes, of course.

by UnleashTheGore on Aug 6, 2008 1:29 PM PDT up 0 recs

+1

I prefer high character guys too, but I’d rather win some games. You have to draw the line somewhere but I dont think the whold team has to be squeaky clean. And like UnleashTheGore said Smith hasnt really been in much trouble off the field. Knowing how little we actually know about the dude I wouldnt say he’s anything more than ultra competitive.

by sam23 on Aug 6, 2008 2:19 PM PDT up 0 recs

Well...

... the difference between the Moss situation and the 49ers would be that the Patriots are (1) a winning team (and winning cures a lot of issues) and (2) they have A LOT of high character veterans that lead the locker room. A guy like Smith would probably instantly become the team star, and as a result, could carry a big head (which is something he has) around the locker room, bad attitude and all.

Moss probably wasn’t able to do that in New England because (1) no other teams really wanted him and (2) someone else in the locker room probably would have just told him to sit down and shut up.

by sfgfan on Aug 7, 2008 9:00 AM PDT up 0 recs

... the difference between the Moss situation and the 49ers would be that the Patriots are (1) a winning team (and winning cures a lot of issues)

Good point. That being said, I think if the team had taken a chance on Favre and Smith, they would have a winning team, and Favre could have kept Smith in line theoretically.

New England was probably the perfect fit for Moss: head coach that won’t take his crap, and a good QB that will constantly feed him the ball.

STEVE HOLM: Better than Alfonso? Why yes, of course.

by UnleashTheGore on Aug 7, 2008 10:33 AM PDT up 0 recs

huh?

Favre was never ever coming here, and Smith isn’t getting traded. You are acting like the 9ers dropped the ball by not getting these guys. It’s like complaining that the 49ers didn’t draft Tom Brady.

by enut21 on Aug 7, 2008 10:40 AM PDT up 0 recs

Favre was never ever coming here, and Smith isn’t getting traded

And you know this…how? Even if no interest was shown, I would think that it’s the responsibility of the 49ers for not inquiring. And I definitely think Carolina would be willing to consider offers for Smith.

STEVE HOLM: Better than Alfonso? Why yes, of course.

by UnleashTheGore on Aug 7, 2008 11:30 AM PDT up 0 recs

well

Favre wanted to go to Minny and the Packers countered with Tampa and NYJ as his only options. They didn’t want him in the NFC, they traded him to a team who probably won’t make the playoffs in the AFC. The Panthers aren’t trading Smith, he is their only explosive option on offense. That would be like us trading Gore for draft picks.

by enut21 on Aug 7, 2008 11:47 AM PDT up 0 recs

The Panthers aren’t trading Smith, he is their only explosive option on offense. That would be like us trading Gore for draft picks.

Or maybe the 49ers trading Antonio Bryant even though he was the only explosive WR?

STEVE HOLM: Better than Alfonso? Why yes, of course.

by UnleashTheGore on Aug 7, 2008 11:57 AM PDT up 0 recs

We didn’t trade bryant, we released him. What does that have to do with Smith? Bryant was under suspension for failing a drug test and got a DUI that offseason.

by enut21 on Aug 7, 2008 12:22 PM PDT up 0 recs

Trade or release, doesn't really matter

It shows the 49ers’ desire for only guys with good character on the team, even if that person is the best at his position on the team.

My point was this: Just because someone is a team’s best player, if they cause enough pain to the organization they will be willing to part with that player. Smith could be expendable to Carolina as Bryant was to the 49ers.

STEVE HOLM: Better than Alfonso? Why yes, of course.

by UnleashTheGore on Aug 7, 2008 12:46 PM PDT up 0 recs

Were you upset when they got rid of Bryant? He had 2 good games. Bryant wasn’t even close to the best player on the team, and he wasn’t half the Wideout that Smith is. Has Bryant even played in the league since they got rid of him? Smith isn’t expendable to the Panthers.

by enut21 on Aug 7, 2008 1:09 PM PDT up 0 recs

I was a little uneasy, not peeved

Getting rid of your best wideout isn’t always a great idea. Not to say it was a bad idea, it just makes you uneasy when you lose the best player you have at a certain position. Statistically speaking, yeah, he didn’t have a lot of great games. However, much of that was because he never had a good QB to throw him the ball. (I’m more of the opinion that a WR is pretty much made by his QB, but that’s a whole different discussion).

I think I picked the wrong choice of words. Smith isn’t really “expendable” per se. Their WR corps isn’t really deep either. However, if a player is a big enough pain, a team will reach the point where it’s not worth it to keep them. If you want to use an analogy that is closer to Smith : Carolina, how about TO on the Niners? It sure would be nice to have a guy with his talent, but he was just too much to handle. I could easily see the same thing happening with Smith, whether it be via trade, cutting, or just not renewing a contract.

STEVE HOLM: Better than Alfonso? Why yes, of course.

by UnleashTheGore on Aug 7, 2008 1:46 PM PDT up 0 recs

Nobody wanted Bryant

That’s why he was completely out of football in ‘07. Don’t act like the Niners made some hardcore move my releasing him.

by methodrampage on Aug 7, 2008 2:18 PM PDT up 0 recs

Well the 49ers still could have benefitted from his talents

It’s a much bigger impact for them than on the rest of the league, yes. But, it’s still a big impact on any team when you lose your best WR.

STEVE HOLM: Better than Alfonso? Why yes, of course.

by UnleashTheGore on Aug 7, 2008 2:49 PM PDT up 0 recs

"Well the 49ers still could have benefitted from his talents"

That’s debatable. The 49ers didn’t think so, the rest of the NFL didn’t think they’d benefit from his talents. So who are you to say that they would of?

by methodrampage on Aug 7, 2008 3:45 PM PDT up 0 recs

Obviously everbody thought that his on field production wasn’t worth the headache of having to deal with his bullshit antics.

by methodrampage on Aug 7, 2008 3:46 PM PDT up 0 recs

Well just because they made a decision

Doesn’t mean it was the right one. Of course, that applies to me as well, but this is just my opinion that I’m arguing here. If your most talented WR leaves when the rest of your WRs stink, I think it’s pretty safe to say that they could still use his talent, especially if it was without his attitude/off-the-field crap. I don’t think it was a matter of how talented he was, but rather Nolan wanting to run a tight ship.

STEVE HOLM: Better than Alfonso? Why yes, of course.

by UnleashTheGore on Aug 7, 2008 4:15 PM PDT up 0 recs

Carefull

Smith doesn’t call out his teammates/coaches publically and/or ridicule the team.

I think breaking a team mate’s nose is pretty damn comperable. Word is that the players on Carolina are upset with Smith and said that they’d punish him on their own if management didn’t and that’s how this Carolina trading Smith rumor got starter.

I wouldn’t have a problem with the Niners grabbing him but Carolina is not going to trade him.

by methodrampage on Aug 6, 2008 10:42 AM PDT up 0 recs

From Rotoworld via ESPN

There is reportedly feeling that Smith has become “divisive,” and some team members vowed to discipline him themselves if the club didn’t.

by methodrampage on Aug 6, 2008 10:45 AM PDT up 0 recs

Agreed

But I still think aquiring a talent like him would overshadow the personal problems he’s had with his teammates in the past. Especially since the Niners need a WR so bad.

Proud pappa of....STEVE HOLM!!

by UnleashTheGore on Aug 6, 2008 10:58 AM PDT up 0 recs

Stevie Smith

isn’t coming here period. The Pathers won’t trade him unless it’s Chad Johnson. Hell, if we need a crazy talks too much WR mind as well bring in Chad Johnson. He be our new TO.haha

by warriorfan4life on Aug 11, 2008 7:25 PM PDT 0 recs