Willie wants to retire a Patriot!!!

[patsfan55]

When I saw this roll across the bottom of the TV during the Bruins postgame I literally lept out of my seat. PLEASE Bill, I beg of you, grant Willie's wish! For those of you that know me, you know how much I admired the guy. A TRUE Patriot. This would be a great end to a great career. I think a lot of Pats fans that didn't quite know what he meant to the team have realized in the years that he has been gone. And, he meant just as much in the locker room. Bill, please see it in your heart to bring Willie back for a day!

Willie McGinest Not Returning to NFL, But Would Sign One-Day Contract to Retire as a Patriot - New England Patriots - NESN.com

 

[Bertil]

I thought that he already did...he just forgot to tell the Cleveland Browns.

 

[VJCPatriot]

It's a no-brainer. And I see no reason for this not to happen. The 1 day signing for Willie's retirement as a Pat sounds like the right thing to do. He's done so much for us during the Superbowl years.

 

[PATSNUTme]

So let it be written, so let it be done.:rocker:
He has a good shot at the HOF, as a Patriot.

 

[DarrylS]

As much as I agree about Willie being a Pats HOF'er, may never happen because in a couple of years there will be a huge bottleneck of players from the glory years becoming eligible..

 

[Rob0729]

The only surprise here is that Willie hasn't signed his one day contract and retired already. It is pretty common that a player who has been in the league for a decade or longer and made a significant impact on a team for most of his career but ends his career on another team to sign an one day contract with his original team to retire.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Considering the lack of much to talk about it's funny that things like this go days before they end up as a thread here.

I'm sure this will not be a problem. Last season Willie was still talking about wanting to play. Now that he is ready to embrace retirement I'm sure any differences that cropped up over his decision to chase those last couple of dollars to Cleveland in his twilight will be forgotten and forgiven. But issues did crop up so let's not engage in selective memory or total denial here... I'm pretty sure had he chosen to Willie could have retired a lifelong Patriot a few years ago...

While they could get a waiver to do a one day deal, there is no rush so I'm sure they will just wait until the labor business is settled and then make arrangements to do the deed and schedule a McGinest day.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

So let it be written, so let it be done.:rocker:
He has a good shot at the HOF, as a Patriot.

I hope you mean the Patriots HOF 'cause he has no real shot at Canton. Two pro bowls and never an all pro in a 15 year career. And there will be a long list of intriguing players from the Belichick NE era to be considered by the veterans committee well down the road and even guys like Law and Vinatieri and Seymour won't waltz in and perhaps Wilfork and Mankins and Mayo may yet emerge as potential candidates. Guys like Rodney and even Bruschi have an outside eventual shot and I'd lump Willie in with them - but only so many of those guys will get the nod. Willie was a larger than life presence here, but some of that was locker room player fueled smoke and mirror's perception. Bill could have kept him or taken him back after Cleveland and he showed zero interest. He should have been a HOF player but he ended up being more of a HOTVG player here.

 

[Fencer]

OBVIOUSLY it should and will happen.

As for the HOF -- I agree. His postseason career sacks record is hardly enough to get him into Canton, and otherwise I don't know why he'd even be considered.

 

[PATSNUTme]

No, I didn't mean Canton.









unless he make it there and then I did mean Canton

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Players can have an indelible impact on their team and their fan base and still not be candidates for the HOF in Canton...even moreso in this fantasy football stats driven era. Which is why it's good more and more teams are focusing attention locally on their own rings of honor or halls of fame.

 

[BradyFTW!]

Considering the lack of much to talk about it's funny that things like this go days before they end up as a thread here.

I'm sure this will not be a problem. Last season Willie was still talking about wanting to play. Now that he is ready to embrace retirement I'm sure any differences that cropped up over his decision to chase those last couple of dollars to Cleveland in his twilight will be forgotten and forgiven. But issues did crop up so let's not engage in selective memory or total denial here... I'm pretty sure had he chosen to Willie could have retired a lifelong Patriot a few years ago...

While they could get a waiver to do a one day deal, there is no rush so I'm sure they will just wait until the labor business is settled and then make arrangements to do the deed and schedule a McGinest day.

The Patriots cut him. What do they have to forgive? That his production slipped as he aged?

 

[zoostation]

always loved willie... i spoke with him after their bus arrived at gillette after the eagle supere bowl. class act all the way!

 

[MoLewisrocks]

The Patriots cut him. What do they have to forgive? That his production slipped as he aged?

Willie was openly discussing his unwillingness to take a haircut to remain here as his production slipped so they didn't even bother asking... He had a little bit of Lawyer Malloy mentality in him, as did Seymour. Willie and RAC reportedly had a deal in place before he was cut. That stuff doesn't resonate here as the prototype patriot.

 

[OhExaulted1]

The only surprise here is that Willie hasn't signed his one day contract and retired already. It is pretty common that a player who has been in the league for a decade or longer and made a significant impact on a team for most of his career but ends his career on another team to sign an one day contract with his original team to retire.

Unfortunately he can't with this stupid lockout still ongoing. After that Bill will take care of his priorties first and Willie's day will most assuredly come down the road a little. I'm sure Kraft will make sure it happens.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Willie was openly discussing his unwillingness to take a haircut to remain here as his production slipped so they didn't even bother asking... He had a little bit of Lawyer Malloy mentality in him, as did Seymour. Willie and RAC reportedly had a deal in place before he was cut. That stuff doesn't resonate here as the prototype patriot.

If I were Willie, I would also object to taking a haircut. Leave the hair alone man! LOL.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

When Kraft and Belichick check with me on whether I agree with this move, I'll certainly tell them I think it's a good idea.

 

[SanAngeloState]

What difference does it make who he "retires with" if it's just a formality? "sign him" then "cut him" to make it "official"? Sounds like stupidity to me. "Please sign Willie!"...what is he your crush? Do you have his picture underneath your pillow?".

 

[FCB02062]

McGinest has been gone for how many years and the Pats are STILL looking for a guy to play that "elephant" position that Belichick loves to utilize so much. Willie McGinest is one of the biggest IMPACT players this team has had. You can't begin to count the BIG PLAYS he made in BIG GAMES. Always came to play, always made the play. If the Pats had McGinest they don't loose to the NYJ last January in the playoffs. McGinest would have made a play, or at least would have woken up the rest of the team so SOMEONE could have made a play to win the game.
At any rate, sign me up for retiring #55 FOREVER...

 

[IcyPatriot]

It's a no-brainer. And I see no reason for this not to happen. The 1 day signing for Willie's retirement as a Pat sounds like the right thing to do. He's done so much for us during the Superbowl years.

What VJC said ... Willie was my favorite player from his rookie year on ...