OT - Olin Kreutz walks away from the Saints

[Snake Eyes]

NFL.com news: Kreutz walks away from Saints citing lack of passion

I think this is an absolutely classless and dishonorable thing to do but it bodes well for our 1st round Saints pick next draft!

 

[BritPat]

Not necessarily - I've seen the Saints three times this season, and they've conceded a lot of pressure up the middle. Kreutz has been a fair old liability from what I've seen - and they have the former Draft forum binky Matt Tennant lined up in reserve.

 

[DaBruinz]

I don't think it's classless at all. To call it quits if you feel you aren't performing up to your normal standards..

 

[Pujo]

What's classless about it? He didn't say the Saints lacked passion, he said he did. Classless would have been collecting a paycheck when he knew his heart wasn't in it.

 

[PatRiot]

I don't think it's classless at all...

+1

Go Pats :rocker::rocker::rocker:

 

[Patstopia]

Would it be 'classless' if the Saints cut him for his 'lack of passion'?

 

[BradyFTW!]

If his head wasn't in it, then he shouldn't be playing- he did the right thing. And he wasn't very good anyways, so I doubt the team will be too negatively impacted.

 

[shmessy]

Maybe we can pick him up, whip him into shape a la Hyanesworth and have him ready for the playoffs.

The New England Patriots are the 1-800 Kars for Kids of the NFL!

 

[BradyManny]

I don't think it's classless at all. To call it quits if you feel you aren't performing up to your normal standards..

Agree completely. It's the opposite of classless. Classless is mailing it in and still raking in millions in the process.

If a guy has the means to retire and wants to call it quits, maybe spend more time with his family, and not put his body through punishment anymore, how could you ever call any of those things classless??

 

[VJCPatriot]

Tough decision to turn away those millions but he has already banked a lot of money and I can respect it. I doubt this affects the Pats draft pick from the Saints that much. They'll plug in someone else, and Brees is still a top tier QB.

 

[Snake Eyes]

Agree completely. It's the opposite of classless. Classless is mailing it in and still raking in millions in the process.

If a guy has the means to retire and wants to call it quits, maybe spend more time with his family, and not put his body through punishment anymore, how could you ever call any of those things classless??

This might come as a surprise to some of you but there actually have been people in history who have dug within themselves and honored their commitments even though they 'no longer had passion' for it, it's called 'having integrity'.

If he's not playing well the Saints have the option of lowering him on the depth chart or of letting him go, if he wants to spend time with him fammily the peoper time to leave is after the season is over, if you do that you're not screwing over your teammates who are relying on you to do what you agreed to do.

 

[patchick]

This might come as a surprise to some of you but there actually have been people in history who have dug within themselves and honored their commitments even though they 'no longer had passion' for it, it's called 'having integrity'.

If he's not playing well the Saints have the option of lowering him on the depth chart or of letting him go

...and if they cut him, they'd still owe him his full $2 million salary. He chose to give that up, instead of just playing crappy and taking home his guaranteed paycheck.

After 14 years in the league, he realized he just couldn't do it any more. I'd think hard about what that man has put his body through before saying he has no integrity.

 

[BradyManny]

This might come as a surprise to some of you but there actually have been people in history who have dug within themselves and honored their commitments even though they 'no longer had passion' for it, it's called 'having integrity'.

A) We're talking about playing a game, here. Not anything that has any overwhelming value to society, so I think you're being a touch melodramatic.
B) The aforementioned game often leaves one's body destroyed at the conclusion of one's career, so I don't think any of us who haven't played a decade+ in the NFL are in a position to question whether a 14 year vet should suck it up or not.
C) His level of play is not irreplaceable, he is doing no huge disservice to his team.

By the logic in your argument, no player that plays at anything approaching mediocre levels should be allowed to retire from a team while under contract, ever. I'm not sure if you want to make that argument.

 

[Mainefan]

When a man can no longer do something, it isn't classless to say so and act accordingly. It is honest.

Contracts are made and signed with the best intentions of both parties. But sometimes, life interferes with honoring them to the end.

In my opinion, admitting weakness is a sign of strength. It's only the weak who need to pretend they are strong when they're not.

 

[Snake Eyes]

...and if they cut him, they'd still owe him his full $2 million salary. He chose to give that up, instead of just playing crappy and taking home his guaranteed paycheck.

After 14 years in the league, he realized he just couldn't do it any more. I'd think hard about what that man has put his body through before saying he has no integrity.

Umm, there's a difference between 'not having a passion' for something and 'realizing you can't do something anymore. I've done PLENTY of things I didnt have a passion for, some were out of necessity, others from commitment, which is very different from being physically unable to do something.

Also, I didn't say 'he has no integrity' only that that action lacks integrity.

I'm thinking that most people would think an employee classless if they upped and quit their job other people they work with are then compromised as a result, but if well known athlete does it then we measure them differently.

 

[Pujo]

This might come as a surprise to some of you but there actually have been people in history who have dug within themselves and honored their commitments even though they 'no longer had passion' for it, it's called 'having integrity'.

It's a game, not the army, and someone's situation or outlook can change during the course of a long season.

 

[Snake Eyes]

A) We're talking about playing a game, here. Not anything that has any overwhelming value to society, so I think you're being a touch melodramatic.
B) The aforementioned game often leaves one's body destroyed at the conclusion of one's career, so I don't think any of us who haven't played a decade+ in the NFL are in a position to question whether a 14 year vet should suck it up or not.
C) His level of play is not irreplaceable, he is doing no huge disservice to his team.

By the logic in your argument, no player that plays at anything approaching mediocre levels should be allowed to retire from a team while under contract, ever. I'm not sure if you want to make that argument.

- His teammates might not think of it as just a game, this kind of stuff impacts careers and lives and I don't think it should be simply dismissed. Also, in what parts of society should actually honoring your word be expected and in what areas should we not expect it?

- He never claimed that his body was wreaked and he wanted to further limit damage as the reason for his decision, he said it was a lack of passion. Please don't impose your own ideas on his words, his words should be able to stand on their own.

 

[DaBruinz]

This might come as a surprise to some of you but there actually have been people in history who have dug within themselves and honored their commitments even though they 'no longer had passion' for it, it's called 'having integrity'.

If he's not playing well the Saints have the option of lowering him on the depth chart or of letting him go, if he wants to spend time with him fammily the peoper time to leave is after the season is over, if you do that you're not screwing over your teammates who are relying on you to do what you agreed to do.

Hmm.. First you claim he was classless. Now you are claiming he lacks integrity because he'f rather not sit on the bench and just collect a paycheck. Money that could be used for someone else.

Contrary to your very narrow view, I find that Kreutz has a ton of integrity for going to Payton and laying it out that. That he doesn't feel that he's helping the Saints and would rather not be around than be a distraction.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Would you rather he do this?

Kyle Brady had problems fitting in all season long, playing in 14 games and catching just nine passes. Regarded as one of the more intellectual ones in the locker room, Brady was thoroughly challenged by his position coach early in the season, who in the process questioned his "mental toughness" after a series of gaffes. (Not only was there the collective belief that he was a less than adequate blocker, he regularly ran the wrong routes in games and in practices.)

Brady's response was to leave the team unannounced during the season. The team managed to quietly coax him into returning.

While the team may have gotten it right with a Brady in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL draft, Kyle proves they don't always get it right.

INSIDE THE PATRIOTS: Bryant won't take anything for granted | SouthCoastToday.com

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

If only Adalius Thomas and Moss would have let us know their hearts weren't in it anymore...it might have helped.

I bet there is an Olin Kreutz hiding in denial on just about every NFL team roster....but few with the guts to do what Olin did and few to admit that they are earning money but not really wanting to play for it anymore and knowing that his feelings might hurt the team down the road.

I say Kudos to Olin for a selfishness admission and best of luck in his post career endeavors.