The Carolina Panthers gave wide receiver Steve Smith a three-year contract extension on Tuesday. Smith, one of the most dynamic receivers in the NFL, will remain in Carolina through 2012, barring a significant injury or release.
Good for the Panthers, because on most occasions in years past, Smith was their offense. How many simple bubble screens has Smith taken for big gains or scores? He’s made quarterback Jake Delhomme look better than he really is.
In other NFL news, the Cincinnati Bengals re-signed defensive end Justin Smith to a one-year, $8.644 million contract. Smith was the Bengals’ franchise player, meaning he will get the average salaries of the NFL’s top five defensive ends. The team wants to sign him long term, but after seeing what Patrick Kerney got from the Seahawks ($39.5 million over six years) this offseason, nobody can blame Cincy for taking its time in working out a deal. Especially considering Smith hasn’t totaled even 10 sacks in any given year and has no Pro Bowl appearances despite being the fourth overall pick in the 2001 NFL Draft.
Not that Pro Bowls and sacks should be the only judgment regarding defensive ends, but Smith needs better overall production to merit what Kerney got.
