Neal after game: "I'm not sure if I'll keep playing"

[pats1]

Neal uncertain about future - Extra Points - Boston.com

“I’m not sure,” Neal said when asked if he’d come back next season. “I’m not sure how my body is going to feel. I’m not sure if I’ll keep playing, keep getting in them car accidents each week. We’ll have to find out, talk to the family, see what options are available.”

 

[tanked_as_usual]

he's breaking down........sometimes it is better to get out when you have all your parts still working

 

[TriplecHamp]

Jeezus christ when players are thinking about retiring and are uncertain about their future with the team hours after a loss its really not good.

 

[Garbanza]

This team has zero heart, guts and balls. Serioulsly. ****ified statements. STFU.

 

[Brono]

Neal is one of the last dynasty players, and he has meant so much to this team over the years. I wish him well, whatever his decision.

 

[Rob0729]

Neal isn't the player he was and he has struggled a lot at the end of this season. Sorry to see him go, but he doesn't seem to have much left. RG was a need for upgrade no matter if he retires or not.

 

[klinefan]

My prediction: massive retirements. Who wants to continue playing at 30+ years old during a rebuilding year.

Moss
Neal
Light
Burgess
Green (good riddance)
Springs
Taylor
Morris
Bodden (FA)


maybe belichick himself.

this is his payback for not developing young players and insisting on playing old beaten down vets.

 

[Patriot_in_NY]

Neal has earned his retirement. I wish him well. He should no longer start for us though.

 

[pats1]

Neal isn't the player he was and he has struggled a lot at the end of this season. Sorry to see him go, but he doesn't seem to have much left. RG was a need for upgrade no matter if he retires or not.

Funny, I've heard differing opinions on him this season. Some said he's the best Patriots OL, and whenever he was inactive fans would say the Pats would suffer from it. ProFootballFocus.com agrees. However, I'm not convinced.

 

[Rob0729]

My prediction: massive retirements. Who wants to continue playing at 30+ years old during a rebuilding year.

Moss
Neal
Light
Burgess
Green (good riddance)
Springs
Taylor
Morris
Bodden (FA)


maybe belichick himself.

this is his payback for not developing young players and insisting on playing old beaten down vets.

LOL! You are too funny.

The Pats went 10-6 this year. It won't be a massive rebuilding year this year. They will have plenty of cap room and/or money if there is no cap. The Pats will be in the hunt for the Super Bowl next year unless there are a lot of injuries. They may or may not be an elite team, but they have the potential of being a much better team than they were this year which was good enough to win the AFC East.

 

[Rob0729]

Funny, I've heard differing opinions on him this season. Some said he's the best Patriots OL, and whenever he was inactive fans would say the Pats would suffer from it. ProFootballFocus.com agrees. However, I'm not convinced.

I think early in the season, that was the case. But down the stretch, he has been mediocre especially today.

 

[klinefan]

LOL! You are too funny.

The Pats went 10-6 this year. It won't be a massive rebuilding year this year. They will have plenty of cap room and/or money if there is no cap. The Pats will be in the hunt for the Super Bowl next year unless there are a lot of injuries. They may or may not be an elite team, but they have the potential of being a much better team than they were this year which was good enough to win the AFC East.

All those guys will retire. That will mean a pretty massive rebuilding.

It better be massive rebuilding, starting with the coaching staff. Otherwise it's just another wasted year of predictable offense, boring no pass rush defense, one and one in the playoffs. That's what you WANT?

 

[BradyFTW!]

I don't think anyone would begrudge Neal the decision to retire. The guy's a warrior, but his body's clearly breaking down. He'll definitely be missed if he goes, though; hell of a player, and consistently underrated.

 

[ATippett56]

My prediction: massive retirements. Who wants to continue playing at 30+ years old during a rebuilding year.

Moss
Neal
Light
Burgess
Green (good riddance)
Springs
Taylor
Morris
Bodden (FA)


maybe belichick himself.

this is his payback for not developing young players and insisting on playing old beaten down vets.

Moss - One more year on his contract
Neal - UFA
Light - One more year on his contract
Burgess - UFA
Green - UFA
Springs - Overrated and overpaid
Taylor - One more year on his contract
Morris - One more year on his contract
Bodden - UFA

http://www.patscap.com/futureyears.html

 

[Rob0729]

All those guys will retire. That will mean a pretty massive rebuilding.

It better be massive rebuilding, starting with the coaching staff. Otherwise it's just another wasted year of predictable offense, boring no pass rush defense, one and one in the playoffs. That's what you WANT?

Why would Moss, Light, Bodden, and Green retire? Moss was a top WR in the NFL.

It better not be a massive rebuilding. The Pats do have a lot of talent on this team. There are holes that need to be filled (and sa few big ones), but it isn't the case of a massive rebuild.

We also don't know if some of the coaching problems are due to some of the holes I am talking about. Without a pass rush, it limits what the Pats can do on passing downs.

 

[ausbacker]

My prediction: massive retirements. Who wants to continue playing at 30+ years old during a rebuilding year.

Moss
Neal
Light
Burgess
Green (good riddance)
Springs
Taylor
Morris
Bodden (FA)


maybe belichick himself.

this is his payback for not developing young players and insisting on playing old beaten down vets.

There is a degree of truth to this. The Patriots haven't really developed many studs on either side of the ball in a homegrown fashion.

 

[WhoaDirty]

My prediction: massive retirements. Who wants to continue playing at 30+ years old during a rebuilding year.

Moss
Neal
Light
Burgess
Green (good riddance)
Springs
Taylor
Morris
Bodden (FA)


maybe belichick himself.

this is his payback for not developing young players and insisting on playing old beaten down vets.

Didn't the Patriots win three Super Bowls "playing old beaten down vets"?

 

[condon84]

It's a good thing we drafted Ohrnberger. Nice to see him developing throughout the year........











Oh wait..............

 

[Garbanza]

My prediction: massive retirements. Who wants to continue playing at 30+ years old during a rebuilding year.

Moss
Neal
Light
Burgess
Green (good riddance)
Springs
Taylor
Morris
Bodden (FA)


maybe belichick himself.

this is his payback for not developing young players and insisting on playing old beaten down vets.

with the exceptiom of Moss, would you miss any of these players? I won't.

 

[The_Riddler]

We've needed an interior upgrade on the OL for a while even with a healthy Neal. Koppen and Neal are so overrated it's not funny. These two haven't open up interior lanes for a long time now, it's time to upgrade both and I would start with a serious offer to UFA Kevin Mawae. He would bring some great leadership and toughness inside where a major upgrade is needed.