[July 29, 2011] 'I'm always going to be a Panther,' Steve Smith tells ESPN Tweet Jul 29, 2011 (The Charlotte Observer - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- The offseason chips seem to be falling in place for a Carolina Panthers team that suffered through an abysmal 2-14 finish in 2010. After locking up four of their core players during the first two days of free agency, the Panthers apparently will be keeping their top receiver. Pro Bowl wideout Steve Smith told ESPN's Adam Schefter today that he had met with Panthers general manager Marty Hurney and coach Ron Rivera and told them he plans to remain with the team this season -- and perhaps longer. "For me, I'm always going to be a Panther," Smith told Schefter. "They took a shot on me when I was coming from nowhere and now I'm going into my 11th year in the league. This will be where I retire, whether that's five years from now or one year from now." Smith, in response to an email query from the Observer, said he wasn't talking about his future any more today. "And don't expect much more to be said (Friday)," when the Panthers report to training camp at Wofford, Smith wrote in the email. Smith has two years and about $15 million remaining on his contract. But he met with owner Jerry Richardson at the end of last season and asked for a trade. The four-time Pro Bowler was non-committal throughout the spring and summer when asked about his plans. Smith is the lone veteran in a receiving corps that includes second-year players David Gettis, Brandon LaFell and Armanti Edwards and restricted free agent David Clowney. Rookie quarterback Cam Newton has said several times he hopes Smith remains in Charlotte. Smith's teammates seemed excited to hear the news that Smith is apparently staying put. "Sure glad Mr. Smith got everything worked out," tight end Jeremy Shockey tweeted. "What an amazing player and guy." Linebacker James Anderson said he was happy to hear Smith was staying. "He's a heck of a player, a great commodity to the team," Anderson said. "So I'm definitely looking at it (like) the Panthers are putting some things in place and making some good moves." To see more of The Charlotte Observer, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.charlotteobserver.com. Copyright (c) 2011, The Charlotte Observer, N.C. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For more information about the content services offered by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT), visit www.mctinfoservices.com. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]