CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Steve Smith says the competition at the Panthers wide receiver position this year is "cut throat," and the 13-year veteran receiver plans to stick around to see how it shakes out.
Smith, 33, told The Associated Press on Thursday he wants "to play 15 or 16 years" in the NFL, which would take him through the 2015 or 2016 seasons. Smith says he's drawn inspiration from former Buccaneers cornerback Ronde Barber, who played 16 seasons.
Panthers coach Ron Rivera doesn't doubt Smith can do it.
He says Smith is still at the top of his game and considers him the team's "pacesetter" each day at practice.
Smith says he likes the competition at the receiver, saying it's tougher than it has ever been during his previous 12 seasons in Carolina.
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