8 players who belong in the Carolina Panthers Hall of Shame
By Dean Jones
Chuck Smith – Former Carolina Panthers DE
- 2000
Chuck Smith is remembered quite fondly by fans of the Atlanta Falcons. And with good reason.
The defensive end was a tremendous force coming off the edge over eight seasons, generating 58.5 sacks over that time and proving to be a real menace for opposing protection schemes.
This didn’t go unnoticed by the Carolina Panthers, who felt they made a shrewd bit of business by signing Smith in free agency on a five-year, $21 million deal. A huge financial commitment at the time.
Smith’s time in Carolina didn’t go as smoothly. The former second-round pick turned out in just two games due to injury in 2000 and even when he was on the field, his level of production left a lot to be desired.
It might be a little harsh to put Smith on this list. Injuries are part of the game unfortunately, but the Panthers were expecting much more than just a one-year arrangement when they picked up a solid performer from one of their NFC South rivals.
Smith could never get over these injury problems after his release and slipped away quietly from the league knowing he couldn’t have given much more.
Atlanta got the best of Smith and Carolina weren’t as lucky. Something that came at substantial cost.