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CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- There were rumblings when the Carolina Panthers released wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. in 2014 that his strained relationship with quarterback Cam Newton played a role in the decision.Smith and Newton, as well as the organization, have shied away from that topic.But in the NFL Networks Steve Smith: A Football Life that airs Friday at 9 p.m., Carolinas all-time leading receiver and others give credence to the rumblings.We bumped heads for the obvious reason, Smith said in a preview of the show provided to media outlets. Hes the first overall pick and he was a star where he was. I was 31 years old. I had three kids. So we were two people in two different phases of their life.Former Carolina offensive tackle Jordan Gross, who was Smiths teammate with the Panthers and at the University of Utah, said Smiths lack of patience with the first pick of the 2011 draft was a factor in the teams decision to let him go.Really, I think the organization felt like for Cam to flourish they needed Steve to step down, Gross told the NFL Network. It wasnt an easy decision.Emotionally, it was hard for everybody because of what hes done for this organization, the impact hes had in the community, wide receivers coach Ricky Proehl said. Hes the best Panther to step foot in Bank of America Stadium, but I think everybody understood that he probably needed a change.It was probably good for everybody.Smith, now 37, signed a three-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens 24 hours later.Every team that called, I looked at their schedule, Smith said. I dont know what week but I knew the Panthers were on that schedule [for the Ravens].Smith told a local radio station it would be blood and guts when he faced his former team. In September of 2014, he had 139 yards receiving and two touchdowns as the Ravens beat Carolina 38-10.Most of Smiths anger was directed at new general manager Dave Gettleman, who ultimately made the decision to let the receiver go. That Smith had no idea the move was coming bothered him the most.He heard the news on WFNZ Radio in Charlotte.If youre going to let me go, just let me know, said Smith, who had 836 catches, 12,197 yards and 67 touchdowns with the Panthers. Dont announce it to someone else. Air Max 97 Obsidian .Y. - General manager Billy King says the Brooklyn Nets are looking to add a big man and confirmed the team worked out centre Jason Collins, who would become the first openly gay active NBA player if signed. Balenciaga x Nike Air Max 97 .B. - Sebastien Auger made 44 saves as the Saint John Sea Dogs edged the visiting Acadie-Bathurst Titan 2-1 on Saturday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. http://www.airmax97outlet.it/scontate-air-max-97-lx-throwback-future.html .Y. - New Orleans forward Anthony Davis was chosen Friday to replace the injured Kobe Bryant in the NBA All-Star game that will be played in his home city. Air Max 97 BW . Sgt. Eric ONeal says most of the arrests at Monday nights game were for public drunkenness, though one person was taken into custody on suspicion of trying to steal a seat from the stadium. Air Max 97 Ultra 17 Outlet . For the Wild it was their first win of the season and they now have a record of 1-1-2 while the Jets fall to 2-2. Jets start a six game home stand Friday with another divisional game, home to the Dallas Stars. SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Green Bay got physical with top-ranked Notre Dame and gave the Fighting Irish about all they could take.The Phoenix (2-1) rallied from 17 points down midway through the third quarter and narrowed the lead to five points three times in the final 4 minutes before finally falling 71-67 in a Preseason WNIT semifinal Thursday night.The Irish (3-0) shot just 33 percent in the second half and 36 percent for the game. Arike Ogunbowale led the Irish with 18 points but didnt hit another basket after making a 15-foot jumper to extend Notre Dames lead to 17 points.Jessica Lindstrom led the Phoenix with 20 points and 16 rebounds, hitting a 3-pointer to cut Notre Dames lead to 69-64 with 19 seconds left. But Marina Mabrey, who finished with 13 points, hit two free throws to give the Irish a seven-point lead with 16 seconds left.Notre Dame coach Muffet McGraw was disappointed with the Irish, saying they were ragged on offense and struggled defensively against Green Bays screens.Theyre so experienced. Theyre poised. Theyre well coached. Theyre disciplined. Offensively they were really hard to guard and defensively they made it really difficult to get the ball in the post, she said.The Irish, who normally dominate inside, had only a 28-24 advantage inside against the Phoenix and Green Bays reserves outscored Notre Dames bench 22-8.The Phoenix shot 64 percent in the second half and 45 percent for the game.We changed a little bit of the schematic and tried to put it so we could drive it and spread them out a little more, which helped us, Green Bay coach Kevin Borseth said. But we hit some shots, some big shots.Players on both sides described the game as physical.But I feel like thats just part of the game nowadays, Lindstrom said.McGraw believes having such a tough challenge will help the Irish.Hopeffully we learned a lot from it.dddddddddddd I thought we made some big plays in the end when we had to. But overall, just really disappointing, she said. We looked like the younger team on the floor, and I think we were. But I think we can play a lot smarter.BIG PICTUREGreen Bay: The Phoenix, the favorites to win the Horizon League, played their first game ever against a No. 1 ranked team and stayed within reach throughout the game as they gave the Irish all they could handle.Notre Dame: The Irish struggled offensively early against the Phoenix, who ranked ninth nationally in scoring defense last season at 52.2 points a game, but managed to pull out the victory despite being held to 36 percent shooting.POLL IMPLICATIONS:Green Bay: The Phoenix were already receiving votes and likely could well move into the rankings with an impressive showing on the road.Notre Dame: The Irish may be hard-pressed to keep the No. 1 ranking after struggling on its home court against an unranked opponent.TIP-INS: The Irish were 0 of 5 from 3-point range in the second half after going 5 of 8 in the first half. ... Green Bay was 6 of 9 from 3-point range in the third quarter. ... The Irish have players from 10 states on their roster. Every player on Green Bay is from Wisconsin. ... The Phoenix dropped to 1-2 all-time against the Irish, with the win coming in 1987.UP NEXTGreen Bay: The Phoenix are knocked out of the Preseason WNIT. Green Bay plays road games against Belmont, Chattanooga and Bradley before returning home to face Drake on Dec. 3.Notre Dame: The Irish will play No. 17 Washington in the Preseason WNIT final at South Bend on Sunday. The Irish then play at Louisiana-Lafayette on Tuesday. ' ' '