ESPN NFL

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Steve Smith agreed to a five-year contract extension with the Carolina Panthers on Monday after leading the NFC champions in receiving last season.

	Smith

Contract details were not disclosed, but Smith's agent Derrick Fox said the deal includes a team option for a sixth season.

The Panthers also re-signed backup defensive end Al Wallace to a five-year contract.

The Panthers had made re-signing Smith a top priority after a 32-29 loss to the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl. He could have become a restricted free agent.

Smith wasn't always a priority.

He made the Pro Bowl as a return man as a rookie, but wouldn't settle for being pigeonholed in that role simply because at 5-foot-9 and 185 pounds he was considered too small to play receiver.

After lobbying for a shot at as a starter, he got it in 2002. But he had his problems off the field.

He beat up a teammate in a film session that season, leading to a one-game team suspension and a public outcry he should be released. Instead, Smith volunteered for anger management classes and spent time as a youth soccer coach, helping improve his image in the community.

Last season, he proved his value on the field.

Smith led the Panthers last season with 88 catches and 1,110 yards receiving, then had 19 receptions for 424 yards and three touchdowns in the playoffs. That included a game-winning 69-yard grab to defeat the St. Louis Rams in double overtime in the playoffs and a 39-yard touchdown catch against the Patriots in the Super Bowl.

"Steve came out and exploded in the second half of the season and became one of the top receivers in the league," Panthers general manager Marty Hurney said.

He also returned punts and worked part-time on kickoff returns last year.

Smith said his next goal is to make sure he lives up to his new contract.

"I want to be considered a productive player and not just a one-hit wonder," he said. "I think I've had three pretty good seasons here and I want to add on six more."

Wallace, who had 38 tackles, five sacks, nine quarterback pressures and two interceptions last season, was content to re-sign with Carolina instead of exploring the free agent market even though he will again back up Julius Peppers and Mike Rucker.

"At this stage in my career being somewhere where I'm wanted and appreciated is a big deal for me," Wallace said. "I feel like I fit in here."

Hurney said it appeared unlikely the team will be able to re-sign guard Jeno James, tight end Kris Mangum, cornerback Reggie Howard, safety Deon Grant and linebacker Greg Favors before they become unrestricted free agents Wednesday.

Hurney said the Panthers would look to extend quarterback Jake Delhomme's contract in the next couple of months after the free agent market calms down.

Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press