Kdo5

Give the Ghost #4. Then it would be perfect. All the newbies to New England take the guys numbers who left. ie. Seau has 55, Caldwell has 87, Ghost would have 4.

PromisedLand

Classless, just classless. And tacky to acknowlege to the media. Willie, you left for the money. Don't be expecting your old team to save your seat.

I contrast Willie's reaction to Ray Bourque's when the Bruins belatedly retired Phil Esposito's number 7. He took off his #7 jersey during Phil's retirement ceromony and handed it to Phil. Now that's class.

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Captain Cliche

This has all been discussed ad naseum. One article I read said Willie had a deal worked out with Romeo before the end of 2005. That seems realistic to me. Let's put it this way...if you knew you were getting laid off from work, would you wait for the axe to hit, or would you start looking for another job?

Anything the Pats offered (and they did...according to many sources) would have been lower than what the rebuilding Browns and Romeo were willing to pay for veteran leadership and Superbowl mojo. That's part of the inconvinience of winning Superbowls.

Rather than saying, "I went to play for an old friend for more money." Willlie said, "They never talked to me." BB did not respond because that is how he operates...thankfully.

The fact that he continues to go to the press appears to me that he may be feeling some regret for not giving a hometown discount to finish his career with the Pats....his choice.

Brady got it right. Many of the players that left for more money do not appear too happy with their new situations.

BelichickFan

LMAO, nice. Gostkowski would look good with #4 on his jersey . . .

JR4

I don't get it. Willie tells Junior it's ok then he moans about it to reporters?

I wouldn't be surpised if Junior just takes another number and when reporters
ask him why he changed numbers he tells them because Willie told
him it was ok ... but then he told reporters how he really felt and so not to
distress the man any further he decided to take another number .... no big deal ... I'm here to play football.

shmessy

Finally! I've been reading the first few posts on this thread and Zuma is the first to actually point out the hilarious hypocracy of Willie's rant!!!!!!!

NOT Willie McGinest's finest moment.

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Kdo5

ITS A FREAKING NUMBER!!!!!!!!!!!!! Willie thinks he is being disrespected. Well guess what Willie, I suspect BB is giving Seau the number to kick some dirt in your face for leaving. I dont disagree with that logic.

edzo44

Direct quote from the SI article:

. . . . "Before Seau took the number, he and Patriots coach Bill Belichick called to ask McGinest's permission. McGinest said he felt awkward but agreed. He said the Patriots' front office should have stepped in and handled what he felt was an uncomfortable situation.". . . .

This was NOT an uncomfortable situation, all that was required was a simple "yes" or "no". If he really didn't want his number worn all he had to do was say "No". BB and Seau would've been fine with that and Junior would have worn a different number.

Instead, Willie's man-sac shrivels up and he says "yes" and then goes out and whines about it to the press showing his total lack of stones. The Pats had the respect to ask him instead of just doing it and HE then proves he's got no guts. He was pretty quick to speak his mind when he bad mouthed some of his Pats teamates to the press but he's too scared to simply say he would appreciate it if they didn't give out his number?

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- - - Bill Belichick

PromisedLand

The reason he felt awkward when they asked him is he wanted to say no, but he knew he would be an ass if he did. And now he looks like an ass anyway.

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PatsWickedPissah

What a maroon! First he takes the money and runs, with no concern for the fans who emotionally invested in him for a decade and whose participation pays his salary. NOW, after leaving he he wants his number reserved. That was completely in his control had he stayed.

More likely to have made the HOF with a 4th Pats ring too, but the extra discretionary income meant more. Fine, but don't whine.