Panthers coach Ron Rivera said the Panthers had no serious conversations with any team about trading running back DeAngelo Williams or wide receiver Steve Smith before Thursday's trade deadline. Rivera said he actually told the players amid media reports of trade possibilities that the public speculation was off-base and that they would remain with the team. "I told them we're not doing anything and that we aren't the ones putting any of that information out there," Rivera said in a phone interview. "They were both professional. They came to work and worked hard every day. They practiced hard every day. They practiced like they always do on Thursday. "All these rumors, especially the one with Steve Smith, was as far-fetched as it gets. That one was crazy and unfair. Nobody (from the media) called us to confirm or even ask if we were fielding calls. We did get a text regarding Steve but it wasn't even someone making an offer or even asking what it would take." Rivera said he thinks a lot of the speculation stemmed from general manager Marty Hurney being fired recently and the team being 1-6. There could have been a presumption by some people on the outside that the Panthers were holding a fire sale, Rivera said. But even though the players were told they weren't being traded, that still didn't quell their concerns. "They have a TV in the player lounge and they see all the stuff about trades but their approach was whatever happens, happens," Rivera said. Source: NFL.com
if they weren't going to trade some pieces away (especially deangelo who is not helping their team at all) if another team was willing to pay a high price or even a fair price, then this organization is even more dysfunctional than we thought.
They've taken a step in the right direction by firing Hurney. Next step will be the coaching staff and I like Rivera. The problem is, how much money do you have committed to the backfield between Newton, Williams, Stewart, Tolbert, yet the team does NOT commit to running the football...?!? 2 of those 3 backs should be shipped out come 2013 and a back up RB should be signed that is more affordable than any of these 3. That money should be used to strengthen the o line and finally find a legitimate receiver to go with Smith. They aren't a terrible team, they just have money spent in the wrong places IMO...unless they are going to "hardcore" commit to the run game.
yes, i agree hurney should have been fired years ago and any team that focuses most of their attention and resources to the LB and RB positions, 2 of the most meaningless positions in today's game, is going to fail. and if they in fact weren't even considering trading deangelo, then they obviously have not figured out their problem yet.
No they haven't. It gonna take a new GM to come in and start cleaning house. The only two safe, IMO are Newton and Ryan Kalil. Build from the core out.
Maybe keep Stewart, LaFell, Johnson, Anderson, Beason, and Gamble. Smith only has 2-4 years left, in the league. We need to get Polian, as our next GM.
