Aaron Smith to be released

Blast Furnace · Mar 1, 2012

shaner82 said:

Tomlin_Era said:

I liked Aaron but this one hurts less then Ward IMO. Mostly because he's missed so much of the last 2 seasons, was like he was already gone. If Aaron is true to his word, he will retire, Ward I think will play next season.
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I wouldn't blame either one if they played for another team next year. They are football players first and Steeler players second. I don't understand why so many on here would suddenly hate them if they played for another team. They have a passion for the game, that passion doesn't go away once the team gives up on them (they didn't give up on the team).

If the Steelers were to move to a different city or fold altogether, I wouldn't suddenly stop watching football. I'm a football fan just as much as I'm a Steelers fan.
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I wouldn't hate either one of them if they play for another team next year and never suggested I would. I was just referencing an article last year where Aaron said he would be one of those players that needs to be told to hang it up. He said it would take the Steelers telling him it's time before he would do it on his own.

punkneater · Mar 1, 2012

Seems like the end of another era for us.
I tip my hat to Aaron Smith. Sad to see him go. Same with Ward, Farior, Hoke and Kemo...life goes on, I suppose.

TheSteelHurtin2188 · Mar 1, 2012

Soon there will be no signs of the cowher era left well number 5 but player wise.

Ray D · Mar 1, 2012

This one I knew was coming for quite a while. Aaron's spirit was willing, but his body was no longer able. This is truly becoming the end of an era.

Good luck to you in your future endeavors, Aaron. Another all-time great Steeler rides off into the sunset.

HugeSnack · Mar 1, 2012

Much love Aaron!

SteelMojo · Mar 2, 2012

TheSteelHurtin2188 said:

Soon there will be no signs of the cowher era left well number 5 but player wise.
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number 7 and Troy prob his two biggest pieces!

Thigpen82 · Mar 2, 2012

Ray D said:

This one I knew was coming for quite a while. Aaron's spirit was willing, but his body was no longer able. This is truly becoming the end of an era.

Good luck to you in your future endeavors, Aaron. Another all-time great Steeler rides off into the sunset.
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BLACKnGOLDsince72 · Mar 2, 2012

TheWanderer said:

SteelerGlenn said:

TheWanderer said:

shaner82 said:

Not surprising, but I was hoping Smith would announce his retirement rather than the Steelers releasing him. Anyway, Adam Schefter is reporting that Smith is going to be released along with Ward.

Really sad day in Steeltown. 2 all time Steeler greats gone.
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good day in steeltown. we just opened up a hell of a lot of cap space to improve our football team by releasing some unproductive players that were past their prime.

but, yes, sad day as well. aaron smith will forever be one of my favorite steelers. one of the most underrated players in nfl history. perhaps the best 3-4 defensive end in league history. and, hines . . . no explanation necessary.
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Hines had a down year no doubt about that. I tend to think the concussion had alot to do with it as he was not the same after that. And you're right he is past his prime, but so are alot of players that are still productive. I guess my point is I trully believe Hines could have helped this team and would have loved to see him retire as only playing for the Steelers. It wasn't in the cards I guess and I will eventually get over it, but right now I'm mad and you rubbing it in every chance you get is not helping.
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oh, i'm not rubbing it in. just providing my opinion. be thankful our front office is doing all it can to make our team ultra-competitive. we've watched a lot of studs leave this team over the years while remaining the winningest team since the merger. hats off to them for cleaning house.

i think they just learned a valuable lesson thru aaron smith. when guys get to this age, it's a bigger gamble to pay them seven-figures for another year or two than let them go and replace them with younger guys. loyalty gets you little more than a broken-down player and a huge cap hit.

believe it or not, kemo is the guy i'm most disappointed to see go. we have no o-line depth and he was one of the best of the worst. we let flozell go and then were sent scrambling after max starks after some early injuries last year. i hope we have a solid plan in place for the o-line. that's my biggest area of concern right now.
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Boy I was gonna jump on you for that one until you followed it up with "he was one of the best of the worst" I'm with you about the line being the biggest concern. Everyobody seems to be all up in arms about the WR position and that's the least of my worries. If BB can't stay upright in the pocket it won't matter who's at the WR position :-(

traceman · Mar 2, 2012

Aaron Smith was a great player on the field and a great person off the field. I can't tell you how much that means to some of us. Thanks for the great years of stellar, unselfish play. You will be missed. God bless you and your family.

blackandgoldpatrol · Mar 3, 2012

smith and hines both are what the steelers are all about......... it will be hard to see them go, but the time had come..... i agree with smith saying that the position is left in good hands, and believe that both have left something in their replacements that will carry on the steeler tradition of greatness..............

btw, i have nothing but respect for smith after his parting statements..... nothing but class!!!!!!!!!!!
http://bleacherreport.com/tb/d6VaR

TheSteelHurtin2188 · Mar 3, 2012

SteelMojo said:

TheSteelHurtin2188 said:

Soon there will be no signs of the cowher era left well number 5 but player wise.
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number 7 and Troy prob his two biggest pieces!
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Yeah theres still ten or so

gpguy · Mar 3, 2012

Read this on KFFL.com...

"Steelers | Aaron Smith failed physical
Sat, 03 Mar 2012 11:11:28 -0800

Free agent DE Aaron Smith (neck, foot) failed his physical when the Pittsburgh Steelers decided to release him."

...wonder if theres any truth to it?

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Aaron Smith to be released

Blast Furnace Staff Member Mod Team

punkneater Well-Known Member

TheSteelHurtin2188 Well-Known Member

Ray D Staff Member Mod Team

HugeSnack Well-Known Member

SteelMojo Well-Known Member

Thigpen82 Bitter optimist TSF Supporter

BLACKnGOLDsince72 Well-Known Member

traceman Well-Known Member

blackandgoldpatrol Well-Known Member

TheSteelHurtin2188 Well-Known Member

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