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CHARLOTTE, N. Cheap Jerseys From China .C. -- The agent for wide receiver Steve Smith says the five-time Pro Bowl selection has played his final snap for the Carolina Panthers. Smiths longtime representative Derrick Fox told The Associated Press on Wednesday that Smith "is not going to play for the Panthers next year, I know that. I just dont know when that transaction is going to take place." Fox said the Panthers have been trying to trade Smith, but expects he will ultimately be released. He said the Panthers have not asked Smith to restructure his current contract which calls for him to make $7 million under this years salary cap. Regardless of whether the Panthers cut Smith or keep him, the club will have to pay him $3 million this season as part of the three-year contract extension he signed in 2012. Smiths current contract runs through 2016. Smith took to Twitter on Wednesday afternoon, writing "God has a plan... sometimes it just hurts (to) find out what it is." "I will always be a Carolina panther No contract can ever change that CLT is my home and will always be my home... I love you .panthernation." Smith also wrote: "But I still have a lil bit of football left in me.... .agent89 Out." Fox said Smith, a 13-year NFL veteran, would have preferred to finish his career with Carolina, the team that drafted him in the third round in 2001. Fox said the 34-year-old Smith was "disappointed and surprised" when Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman talked about the receivers future in uncertain terms at the NFL Scouting Combines last month. "Where we are disappointed is the fact he signed an extension to stay loyal to the club and complete his career as a Panther," Fox said. "That is why we did the long-term team deal. Now we are at a crossroads where the Panthers dont want him anymore." Gettleman did not return phone calls seeking comment. Shortly after the Scouting Combine, Smith met with Gettleman at Panthers headquarters, but Fox said the receiver left without a clear, defined role in terms of his future with the team. Fox said Smith diligently rehabbed an injured knee leading up to the teams divisional play game against the San Francisco 49ers with loyalty to the team in mind, thinking his long-term future was in Carolina. Smith had four catches for 74 yards and a touchdown in Carolinas 23-10 loss. "He spent 12 hours a day working with (trainer) Ryan Vermillion to get ready for that game," Fox said. "His goal has always been to stay a Panther." Smith is Carolinas all-time leading receiver with 836 receptions for 12,197 yards and 67 touchdowns receiving. Smith is 19th all-time in NFL history in yards receiving and 25th in receptions. Smith had 64 receptions for 746 yards and four touchdowns last season helping the Panthers go 12-4 in the regular season and capture the NFC South championship. Fox said Smith plans to continue his playing career in the NFL when the Panthers cut ties. "At 34, they could have kept him and run him in the slot," Fox said. "Steve wants to play in the slot. But he cant play the slot with the current roster, and he hasnt been able to play in the slot with the rosters in the past." Fox said hes not sure why the Panthers havent released Smith. He said he will be ready when that time arrives. "Its my responsibility to find the best place for him to utilize his skills and passion for the game," Fox said. If the Panthers release Smith he will count $5 million under this years cap. The Panthers could designate him for a June 1 release which would allow them to split that money over the next two seasons. NOTES: Panthers restricted free agent cornerback James Dockery announced on Twitter he has re-signed with the team. "Blessed! Cant be happier to be signing back with the (at)Panthers cant wait to get back with our team," Dockery said. The team has yet to announce the move. Cheap Jerseys . Kyrie Irving scored 22 points and the Cavaliers won their sixth straight game, 101-93 over the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night. Wholesale NFL Jerseys . In fact, cranky would best describe the Celtics mood as they packed for a trip home to play Milwaukee on Wednesday. "It was a win, thats all it was for us," Boston coach Doc Rivers said.DENVER -- Anze Kopitars first goal helped the Los Angeles Kings get back in the game. His second stood up for the winner. Kopitar had two goals and an assist, knocking in the decisive score in the final period, and the Kings rallied to beat the Colorado Avalanche 6-4 on Wednesday night. "Those two quick (goals) at the end of the second were huge and we carried that momentum into the third," Kopitar said. "Its nice to start off the third with a power play." The Kings had the man advantage when Jeff Carter, in the middle of a scramble in front of the net, swung at a loose puck, sending it straight up in the air. When the puck hit the ice, Kopitar got his stick on it and sent it into the net past Jean-Sebastian Giguere at 3:13 of the third. Justin Williams added an empty-net goal with 11 seconds left to cap the scoring as both teams returned to action after the Olympic break. "At the end of the day, we got the two points. It wasnt the easiest two points, but well take it," Kopitar said. Avalanche coach Patrick Roy said for the most part, he liked the way his squad competed in the first game back off the break, despite blowing a two-goal lead. "No one is perfect after two weeks off," Roy said. "But weve been working hard and you dont want to let a game like this affect you, especially because I think there are a lot of positives. I think we need to come back on Friday (against Phoenix) with the same attitude that we had today." Jamie McGinn snapped a 2-2 tie when he scored on the power play at 8:57 of the second period off a centring pass from Ryan OReilly, who scored the Avalanches first goal earlier. It was McGinns 15th goal of the season. Colorado went up 4-2 later in the second on Andre Benoits third goal of the season. He knocked in a rebound on the power play, CColorados third score with the man advantage. Cheap NFL Jerseys. Nathan MacKinnon helped set up the score with a shot that was stopped by Martin Jones, but the puck trickled out and Benoit punched it with his stick into the net. The Kings re-tied it at 4 with a pair of goals little more than two minutes apart. Kopitar back-handed a shot into the net at 16:49 and Carter put in an equalizer at 18:53 of the second, redirecting Mike Richards shot past Giguere. "Great play by Kopi, just stick it out there," Kings defenceman Matt Greene said. "When you get down by two, youve got to answer, and we got that pretty quickly." Los Angeles opened the scoring on Robyn Regehers first-period goal and pulled even at 2-all when Jarret Stoll knocked the puck past Giguere 24 seconds into the second period. P.A. Parenteau gave the Avs a short-lived 2-1 lead at 16:32 of the first. Matt Duchene sent a pass across the slot and Parenteau slapped it into the right corner of the net before Kings goalie Martin Jones could slide over to block it. NOTES: Avalanche D Erik Johnson served the first of his two-game suspension for his slash on New York Islanders C Frans Nielsen on Feb. 8. Nielsen was placed on injured reserve with a fractured left hand. ... Avs C Maxime Talbot was a late scratch, leaving the team to be with his fiancee after she went into labour. ... Avs D Andre Benoit is one shy of his 100th career NHL game. ... The Kings Dustin Brown played in his 700th NHL game. ... C Jordan Nolan of the Kings was shaken up when he lost his balance and barrelled into the boards early in the second period. A trainer assisted him off the ice and he was taken to the locker room for treatment. ... The Kings allowed more than three goals in a game for only the 10th time in 60 games this season. wholesale jerseys cheap jerseys ' ' ' |
