Have fans considered the "Perfect Season" Exodus effect?

[JoeSixPat]

Since folks are now opening discussing the prospect of a Perfect Season, I'm surprised no one's yet raised this issue... looking over the FA LB thread it seemed there were a lot of folks expecting guys like Bruschi to return.

Yet Bruschi we're told was seriously considering retirement LAST season... I find it tough to believe he'd choose not to end his career on the high note of a perfect season and walk away with his health.

Seems to me there's a pretty good list of other guys who would seriously consider retiring at the pinnacle of their football career having finished the greatest season ever, as the greatest team ever should we win the Super Bowl.

Heck - some of them might consider it even if we don't win the Super Bowl, calling it a career after an incredible last run.

So what do you think the "worst case scenario" of a Perfect Season Exodus?

Here's some guys I could imagine seriously contemplating retirement - many are at or near the end of their contracts, and even if they left a few million on the table I don't rule them out of considering retirement. Many have already earned tens of millions of dollars - a few million more risking a serious injury might not be their cup of tea:

Bruschi
Harrison
Seau
Izzo
Brady (Kyle that is - but then again what the hell else would Tom have to prove?)

Vrabel and Faulk both have 2 more years so I'd say they are less likely but I'm not so sure I'd rule them out with so many seasons under their belts. There's likely a good amount of money to be made in endorsements following a perfect season that isn't as high risk as ramming heads with opposing teams.

Add to that the fact that we expect to say "bu-bye" to Asante, and that the prospects of Colvin being cut if he won't take a salary cut are likely and all of a sudden you've got a lot of openings on this team.

Just throwing it out there - didn't seem like anyone was seriously considering the scenario of guys ending their careers on a high note.

 

[loosebearing]

Well - If your just throwing it out there- you missed the big one

BB

 

[BelichickFan]

Well - If your just throwing it out there- you missed the big one

BB

Belichick's not leaving.

I really don't care about the Exodus, give me 19-0 and I'll worry about it later. In fact if you offered me a deal where we go 19-0 and the whole team retires, I'd take the deal :rocker:

 

[mgteich]

I do expect to see retirees. Bruschi decided to finish out his contract. I think it likely that Bruschi, Seau, Brown and Izzo will all retire.

I see no particular reason for Kyle Brady to retire, unless his injuries are more severe than they seem. I do not expect that Harrison will leave. He is in fine shape, and is having a lot of fun.

Of course, Samuel is likely to be gone.

================================

For me, the biggest issues are Gay and Harrison. If they come back, we have a normal turnover year. Wilson could theoretically be a replacement. We will have needs at ILB and CB. Isn't this a pretty normal set of needs?

 

[richpats]

Oh yeah, definitely. That's why winning it all is so important this year. Bruschi, Brown and Seau are done after '07. Harrison will stick around, so will Izzo. I'd love to keep Kyle Brady around.

 

[patsfan209]

I've been thinking the same thing since the start of the season.

Bruschi, Seau, Harrison, K.Brady, and Troy Brown are strong possibilities. Seau especially since the reason he stayed this year is for the ring.

Izzo? I can't see it... he's still young.

 

[loosebearing]

Belichick's not leaving.

:rocker:

You missed the concept of throw it out there - it means HYPOTHETICALLY

Any concept is hypothetically correct

 

[Fencer]

Bruschi keeps talking about checking egos at the door. He loves to play the game. He hasn't made THAT much money.

He surely will want to keep playing.

Except for the factor of wives saying "Enough is enough!", I'm not too concerned. These guys love to play football.

 

[amazinPats]

You must also consider the pool of good players around the league who might be anxious to join such an eminent club. They might be like Moss and Corey Dillon and Adalius who are willng to take pay cuts in exchange for a decent shot at a ring. I'm sure there are as many of these players out there as there are currently players who might call it quits.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Bruschi keeps talking about checking egos at the door. He loves to play the game. He hasn't made THAT much money.

He surely will want to keep playing.

Except for the factor of wives saying "Enough is enough!", I'm not too concerned. These guys love to play football.

Exactly. Bru could use another million or so. He'd be worth it.
Guys are forgetting that BB picks players who LOVE football. It's hard to walk away from something you love. And don't tell me that BB doesn't make 'special' training camp arrangements for the oldest vets to spare their bodies.

 

[Patsfanin Philly]

You must also consider the pool of good players around the league who might be anxious to join such an eminent club. They might be like Moss and Corey Dillon and Adalius who are willng to take pay cuts in exchange for a decent shot at a ring. I'm sure there are as many of these players out there as there are currently players who might call it quits.

I had the same thought especially after reading that KC newspaper article about Tony Gonzalez getting chewed out by BB for not blocking in the Pro Bowl and respecting him for it. While he's not a FA, I'm sure there are more than a few guys in cities like KC, Det, Minn or SF who would love to play in NE and have a chance at a ring instead of making golf reservations in January

 

[PYPER]

You guys need to remember Belichick & Pioli's goal. It's not to simply win a few championships and move on. Their goal from the very beginning was to build a team to achieve a prolonged period of excellence. Their goal is to win more championships than anyone else ever has.

A perfect season would be great but that would still "only" be championship #4. These guys are aiming much higher than that. Five, six, seven.... You get the picture.

As far as Bruchi, Harrison, and Seau are concerned...I see Seau walking away. He's hanging around to win a title and this would be the perfect time for him to move on.

I don't think Harrison is ready to hang them up. He's playing pretty well and this team is still poised to compete for a few more Lombardi's.

Bruschi might debate it but I'm betting the idea of getting "one for the thumb" would be enough to sway him to come back. At the very least, he might do what Troy Brown did this year. Go on the PUP list and join the team in week ten or if/when we we need him.

 

[PatsSteve1]

I don't know who'll retire or not. But it's the natural order of the NFL to lose a player or 3 or 4 every year whether the retire or leave in FA. Usually BBioli try to 'get rid of' players before they start thier decline. That may help these players make a retirement decision, too.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

I don't see many players leaving..... heck we're talking

DYNASTY PART 2

 

[alamo]

I always find it curious that Bruschi and Harrison are often mentioned as possible retirees, as if they are both likely to retire (and more or less equally so). I see no way Bruschi returns, but I see Harrison as 90% likely to return.

 

[Ootball]

"You guys need to remember Belichick & Pioli's goal. It's not to simply win a few championships and move on. Their goal from the very beginning was to build a team to achieve a prolonged period of excellence."

Yeah - good thing most organizations have a goal of just trying not to get blown out, and maybe be competitive & lucky enough for a year or 2 to make the playoffs, maybe even make the Superbowl, and then disappear into obscurity.

 

[Lansdowne]

Oh yeah, definitely. That's why winning it all is so important this year. Bruschi, Brown and Seau are done after '07. Harrison will stick around, so will Izzo. I'd love to keep Kyle Brady around.

Ditto. (10 char)

 

[hwc]

Belichick's not leaving.

I really don't care about the Exodus, give me 19-0 and I'll worry about it later. In fact if you offered me a deal where we go 19-0 and the whole team retires, I'd take the deal :rocker:

Seriously.

I can't believe all the handwringing over next year...

 

[MoLewisrocks]

What strikes me as most curious is that the fan base of a team that never gets ahead of itself and takes it one game at a time cannot ever live remotely in the moment. The playoffs haven't started yet in the wake of a previously incomprehensible perfect regular season. And we're debating an exodus or the April draft or a cap crisis come 2010....

There is really something wrong with some of you people...:scared:

 

[JoeSixPat]

Seriously.

I can't believe all the handwringing over next year...

No one's hand wringing - you might have heard there's 2 weeks until the next game. It's perfectly natural to look to the future.

Folks are talking about who is available to replace Bruschi in free agency and its worth pointing out that's the only need.

Given that many and most of these players are smart guys who have saved for their future and money is no longer an issue or concern, I don't discount that there are more than a few guys who take their bow and hang up their cleats after climbing the Mount Everest of Football accomplishments.

I expect you'll be refraining from any talk of anything aside from the upcoming game on January 12th. Have fun with that.