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ORLANDO, Fla. - The Carolina Panthers believe Steve Smith lost "top-end" speed, a big reason the franchise parted ways with its all-time leading receiver. Speaking publicly for the first time since cutting Smith two weeks ago, Panthers coach Ron Rivera said Wednesday they had to "move on eventually." "He didnt lose his speed," Rivera said at the NFLs annual meetings. "He lost his top end. Steve still fought and would still find ways to make plays. But as far as the football decision goes, we have to move on eventually. This was an opportunity to do it." Smith wasnt unemployed for very long. He signed a three-year contract with Baltimore about 24 hours after the Panthers released him. Rivera said the desire to give young receivers Marvin McNutt, Tavarres King, Brenton Bersin, Kealoha Pilares and Toney Clemons opportunities factored into the decision. "With Steve around, they may never get that chance to develop," Rivera said. Rivera also made it clear the Panthers intend to select a receiver in the NFL draft in May — and hopefully replace Smith. "The thing we have to all understand is that eventually its going to happen; its inevitable," Rivera said. "In this game, its inevitable. A lot of great ones have moved on and gone on and played a couple of more years somewhere else. For us (Rivera and GM Dave Gettleman), this is a very hard decision. I know Dave anguished over it for several days before the decision was made, and we had a lot of discussions about it. Its one of those things that you have to, at some point, make the move to go forward." The decision was not popular among Carolina fans. A third-round draft pick out of Utah in 2001, Smith made an immediate impact as a rookie, returning the opening kickoff of the season for a touchdown against Minnesota. He became the first Panthers rookie selected to the Pro Bowl, earning that honour as a return specialist. Known for his feisty behaviour on the field, Smith became a dominant receiver over the next 12 seasons. He ranks 19th in the NFL in career receptions. He caught 64 passes for 746 yards and four touchdowns in 2013. Smith is Carolinas leader in receptions (836), yards receiving (12,197) and touchdowns (67). As productive as Smith was, his fiery personality often rubbed people the wrong way, and some viewed him as a distraction in the locker room. Smith had run-ins with teammates on at least two occasions. He punched out fellow wide receiver Anthony Bright in a film room fight and later socked cornerback Ken Lucas on the field during a practice at training camp in Spartanburg, S.C. On both occasions, Smith was suspended by the team. Ravens coach John Harbaugh said they had few reservations about bringing in the 34-year-old Smith, even with his history and his age. "Chemistry is really important, and its something that I think every team should be working really hard to try it build," Harbaugh said in Orlando. "It starts with the type of person that you bring in as a coach and then as a player. But through our investigations, I guess you can call it, we came away feeling really good about the impact Steve is going to have on our team that way. "Hes a tough competitor. Hes a mature, grown man. Hes a family man. Hes a man of faith. I think the world of him." The Panthers signed veteran Jerricho Cotchery to a two-year contract, giving them some experience at the position after releasing Smith and seeing Brandon LaFell, Ted Ginn Jr. and Domenik Hixon leave in free agency. Rivera insisted the team will miss Smith, even though hes not the player he was in his prime. "Hes got a lot of football left," Rivera said. "Hes still explosive. ... He practices so hard. He competes so hard. I think hes at the point now where he has to manage himself and know that, Hey, I cant practice every day like that. "Steve has a lot to prove. Hes got that chip on his shoulder going forward. I know hes going to be 35, but I still know hes going to be a very competitive guy. Hes going to will himself to do some things. But I think as the season wears on, if he hasnt taken the time that hes needed off between the games, he might slow down. But he still has some gas in the tank." ___ Online: AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL Nick Nelson Jersey .com) - The Toronto Blue Jays will look to snap a three-game skid Friday night when they continue their road trip in the opener of a three-game set against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Oakland Raiders Jerseys .She struggled with a hacking cough, she was sick, and she twice celebrated too early, but she held her composure in a 6-3, 7-6 (5) victory on Saturday.On her third match point, she let her racket go before hearing a let call to what she thought was an ace. http://www.officialauthenticraidersstore.com/authentic-gareon-conley-jersey.html . The 90-plus minutes of play are about trends and approach. Brandon Parker Jersey .C. -- Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe is resigning after 13 seasons at the school. Kolton Miller Raiders Jersey .C. - Goodyear has warned teams that increased speeds at Charlotte Motor Speedway will put a heavy emphasis on the right front tires in Saturday nights race a€” a potentially key development for drivers trying to advance in the Chase for the Sprint Cup Championship.Although Semyon Varlamov hasnt played at the level he did for the Colorado Avalanche last season, the resurgent goaltender is starting to show signs of leading a potential playoff push. Coming off one of the best efforts in NHL history, Varlamov is likely to get another chance to continue his improved play as Colorado seeks its fourth win in five games tonight against the visiting Ottawa Senators. Viewers in the Senators region can watch the game on TSN5 at 8:30pm et/9:30pm at, or listen live on TSN Radio 1200 Ottawa. Ottawa also hopes to make a run at the playoffs, but its headed in the other direction after losing five of seven. The Senators have scuffled offensively on the road, scoring six goals while going 1-2-1 in their past four. Mike Hoffman had the teams only score on 42 shots in Tuesdays 2-1 shootout loss at Philadelphia to open a four-game trip. Its something that you have to start picking up two points, said center Kyle Turris, who has done his part with two goals and two assists over his past four games. Clarke MacArthur has two goals and four assists in his last four meetings with the Avs, including the go-ahead score in the third period of a 5-3 win Oct. 16 when the Senators faced Pickard and Berra. Varlamov was one of the main reasons the Avalanche cruised to the Central Division title in 2013-14, finishing with a franchise-record 41 victories to go along with a 2.41 goals-against average in being named a finalist for the Vezina Trophy. He struggled to continue that success in his first 15 starts this season, going 4-6-5 with a 3.21 GAA while attempting to play through a groin injury. However, hes made strides toward getting untracked by posting a 1.79 GAA in winning four of his last six outings. With 54 stops in Tuesdays 2-0 win at Chicago, Varlamov posted the second- most saves in franchise history behind Ron Tugnutts 70 with Quebec in 1991. He also became the third goalie in the expansion erra with a shutout of 54 or more saves.dddddddddddd Varlamov added the league mark for most stops in a regular-season shutout on the road since shots on goal became an official statistic in 1955-56. One things for sure, he could not lose his focus, coach Patrick Roy told the teams official website. He had plenty of work out there. Varly is one of our best players, and if we want a chance to get back in the playoff picture it is going to start from him. Roys squad, which won despite getting outshot by 30, will try to keep climbing out of the division cellar as it looks for its fifth win in eight home games. The Avs (16-16-8) have won three straight there over Ottawa (16-15-8). With Calvin Pickard demoted and Reto Berra not impressing, Varlamov is expected to get another start. He won both matchups with the Senators last season behind a 1.99 GAA. John Mitchell, who had a pair of assists against the Blackhawks, has scored in his last two versus Ottawa. Captain Gabriel Landeskog has two goals and five assists in his past four meetings, but he has one goal in his last 16 games overall. Craig Anderson, who is 4-1-2 with a 1.68 GAA in his last seven starts, is expected to get the nod for the Senators. He was 0-2-1 with a 6.35 GAA against Colorado before making 28 saves in October. Marc Methot will return to the Senators lineup for just the third time this season. It will be his 400th career game. Curtis Lazar, fresh off his gold medal at the World Juniors, will not play for Ottawa. 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