Stephen Neal retiring

[Calciumee]

Stephen Neal to retire.

Reiss saying it's in the process.

Filed to ESPNBoston.com: Patriots G Stephen Neal is listed as reserve/retired on league's personnel wire. This means Neal is retiring.

Twitter

 

[Sciz]

Crap, I lose. Merge

 

[JackBauer]

Makes sense. Best of luck to him in the future and many thanks for his contributions.

 

[patriotscpfc]

Expected this to happen, but mildly gutted by this.

If Light goes and Faulk possibly retires, am I right in saying there is only one 3 x Superbowl Winner left on the Roster as well as his coach?

 

[Bertil]

Hello Mike Pouncey

 

[Calciumee]

Hello Mike Pouncey

If he is still there, but yes, I can see this happening now!

 

[jmt57]

I wonder if this will alter what the Pats are prepared to pay Kaczur as well as Mankins at all. Also wonder if it will alter how much either of those two are willing to bend.

I would think from the Pats standpoint it shouldn't; I wasn't counting on Neal and I'm guessing they were not either.

If the draft ends up taking place before free agency, does this change the Pats board at all? Perhaps an offensive lineman will hold more value considering Neal won't be back, Kaczur most likely is gone, and the Pats would still need to work out contracts with Light and Mankins. It would seem Light and Mankins now have a bit more leverage in their contract negotiations now. It also seems like OL may be a bit more of a priority in the draft, in comparison to OLB and DE.

 

[the wrothbroughterer]

This isn't much of a surprise. After his comments about feeling like being in a car wreck after every game from the end of the 2009 season I was surprised he came back at all.

He was a good player and at this point he's probably just average. He can't stay on the field and continuity is just as important for an NFL line as talent is. The interior line just got a lot more important come draft day.

Thanks for everything, Steve. Time to start an MMA career and get back to busting up Brock Lesnar.

 

[Deus Irae]

I wish Mr. Neal all the best in his future endeavors.

 

[Patjew]

Another 2001 guy bites the dust, so to speak. Makes me melancholy.

I'm very appreciative of what Stephen brought to the team, and his story of wrestler to NFL is an amazing one. Good luck, sir.

 

[Dufflebagz]

I thank him for his contributions over the years and I believe he made the right choice for his health.

 

[Potstickas]

wonder if he is going back to wrestling now. i remember he wanted to goto the next olympics.

 

[Kontradiction]

Hello Mike Pouncey

I certainly hope so. This helps drive home the importance of getting business taken care of with Logan Mankins and Matt Light. Not sure about you guys, but I'd like to see Connolly back in his natural role next season: sitting on the bench and waiting to come in and back up a more capable starter should the starter go down with an injury.

 

[fumbrunner]

ugh, the O line has the potential to be fugly next year. Do people still want to see Matt Light walk??

 

[USCPatriot]

Neal, it's been a GREAT RIDE! I hope to see you getting involved around NE, making appearances at Pats games! Good luck with your post FB career.


So, Light is a Free Agent, the Mankins situation gets worse every day, Neal is gone, Kaczur is most likely gone, who's left? I couldn't of even imagined our O-Line going threw this many changes, this seriously screws up the draft. Brady claims he wants to play till he's 40, and I hope he does but we'll be lucky if he makes it past 38 if we let such a great O-Line diminish.

 

[Nikolai]

I wish him all the best. Hell of a player.

 

[JoeSixPat]

Neal was always one of my favorite players.

He had some raw power and athletic ability but really applied himself to learn the position, and through hard work, became a very well respected NFL lineman.

I'm glad he was one of our guys.

 

[Triumph]

Stephen Neal - Official New England Patriots Biography

 

[convertedpatsfan]

Thanks for all the great memories. It's too bad he was injured this past season. We'll miss him. The OL is looking pretty scary though.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Thanks for all the great memories. It's too bad he was injured this past season. We'll miss him. The OL is looking pretty scary though.

Scary good, bank on it. :rocker: