Uh-oh. NOW I'm a little worried Tedy might retire.

[wistahpatsfan]

As great a linebacker as he is, he probably doesn't break into the all time Patriot starting line-up. Tippet rules in terms as the greatest. I think Tedy is probably the most revered and popular in Patriot history. Why would he continue playing after this year? There will be a number of open positions on the roster next year, two LB's, and one receiver, at the very least.

Unfortunately we will never know how Andre would have come up and made huge plays in huge games. He probably would have been great, even today, but we can't know. We can be sure that Bruschi answers the call and produces, not to mention his leadership skills and his inspiration factor. His on-field play has been immense throughout his career. Most teams would have killed to have him on their team for many reasons. Bruschi is a first-ballot HOFer.

 

[sieglo]

Bruschi should be in the HOF, but he won't be. That's the way the cookie crumbles.

He WILL be back next year, though. He's still out there making plays, he leads the team in tackles, and the Chargers game was his best of the season. He's only 34!

Most importantly, he loves the game of football too much to leave it when there's still plenty of gas in the tank.

He'll be with the Pats 2-3 more years IMHO.

 

[patchick]

One thing these guys -- Bruschi, Seau, Brown & Harrison -- all have in common is that they're great media guys. They're all well-spoken, charismatic and not hard to look at. Seau in particular is a colorful character ("graduation," anyone?) with a very high profile and a future slot in the HOF. I'd think he'd be a strong candidate for a network gig.

 

[upstater1]

i could not imagine that tedy, rodney, junior, or troy would come back after a perfect season... why would they? to be less successful than this year (a near certainty)? they will all retire as pats legends.

Rodney for the $$$.

He has never hit a big payday.

 

[DonBlackmon55]

One thing these guys -- Bruschi, Seau, Brown & Harrison -- all have in common is that they're great media guys. They're all well-spoken, charismatic and not hard to look at. Seau in particular is a colorful character ("graduation," anyone?) with a very high profile and a future slot in the HOF. I'd think he'd be a strong candidate for a network gig.

I would agree on Bru, Rodney, and Seau - any and all 3 could easily be on local or national shows. Troy is a good guy but not really a media savy or crisp talker. He's just a hard working lunch pale guy.

If we win SB, then Troy, Seau, and Brus retire. Rodney will be back for 1 more. Bru retires more because of health reasons and to walk away with 4 SB and 19-0. How much better can it get. He will be the NE legend for years to come.....you listening ADAM V !

 

[JR4]

IMO, it's great to go out at the top of your game.
Sort of like the movies, the hero rides off into the sunset after
saving the day. Hi Ho Silver. Away! .....

 

[patchick]

I would agree on Bru, Rodney, and Seau - any and all 3 could easily be on local or national shows. Troy is a good guy but not really a media savy or crisp talker. He's just a hard working lunch pale guy.

True enough. Troy is very articulate, but understated -- not a yuk-it-up pregame type. Bruschi is a natural to stay in this market and become a fixture in the local media landscape. Rodney I could actually picture doing game telecasts, while Junior could be a network studio guy (oh please, let him take over from wooden Dan Marino!)

 

[Pats726]

I agree 19-0 means a mass exodus to retirement... and Who can blame them.

MAYBE NOT...I think the players have a bigger pic look than that...I think Brown and Seau will and maybe Bruschi..but MASS retirement?? Not ata ll..

 

[letekro]

Rodney will be back. He has another year on his contract and his new role as nickel LB/pass rush specialist will help prolong his career.

Seau. Thanks for the memories. Done.

Tedy. Ditto.

 

[rookBoston]

Um. I love the guy, and wear his jersey, but Bruschi wont make the HOF. He can barely make the probowl any given year.

Seau, tho, is probably a HOFer-- more for what he was before he joined the Pats than this season. This is just icing for his career.

 

[Wildo7]

Unfortunately we will never know how Andre would have come up and made huge plays in huge games. He probably would have been great, even today, but we can't know. We can be sure that Bruschi answers the call and produces, not to mention his leadership skills and his inspiration factor. His on-field play has been immense throughout his career. Most teams would have killed to have him on their team for many reasons. Bruschi is a first-ballot HOFer.

Do you mean Patriots place hall of fame or Canton? There's no way he gets into the Pro-Football Hall of Fame. Though he probably should.

 

[Watson's IQ]

I think he should actually. I don't want to see a punch drunk Bruschi who gradually deteriorates year after year, and this would be a great ending for him o transition into Pats LB coach

Couldn't agree more. As much as we all love Tedy (and have come to love Junior), we can all acknowledge they've seen better days. I still think both are productive players (and have performed well after being thrust into a more every-down role by the Colvin injury), but if they retire after this year, then good for them.

Assuming Colvin isn't a cap casualty, the Vrabel-AT-Colvin tandem should be good enough, considering the team will likely bring in a veteran linebacker from somewhere (and maybe look to the draft).

If Tedy (or any of our old favorites) wants to retire, I will applaud them without a hint of regret for walking away on top, and wish them well.

 

[Wildo7]

I think Troy might stay another year though, it's hard to believe he worked so hard to come back this year only to take a kick off to the face and then retire.

 

[patsfan209]

However, the stroke changes everything.

Absolutely, and thats a fact a lot of people who think he'll come back and play for a few more years is ignoring. Its a health issue that would play in his decision.

If I'm not mistaken, like Seau, Bruschi is also at the end of his contract, so he may not even bother re-upping it. Which is why I'm leaning on the view that if the Pats win the SB, Tedy's retiring.

I think Troy might stay another year though, it's hard to believe he worked so hard to come back this year only to take a kick off to the face and then retire.

If Troy wants to play next year, good luck on finding any NFL team that would want him at this stage of his career. I see him as a 99% lock to retire.

 

[Gumby]

Troy and Junior are locks to retire.

I would agree with the Tedy and Rodney being 50-50; but in Rodney's case remember that he has already laid the groundwork for his follow-on career as a referee. So he could think about jumping straight to that and not miss the NFL but get away from the pounding / injuries.

Either way; BB is going to have to look hard to find another vet MLB he can steal from somewhere. With the proliferation of 3-4s they are getting hard and harder to find (at least at a cheap price); and with the health of these guys the last 2 years he really needs 2 even if Tedy comes back.

Is it finally time to turn to a LB from the draft?

 

[fnordcircle]

Do you mean Patriots place hall of fame or Canton? There's no way he gets into the Pro-Football Hall of Fame. Though he probably should.

Yeah, exactly. Steve Nelson, Andre Tippett (fingers crossed) and Vincent Brown, just off the top of my head, are all LBs I would start over Tedy but only one of them has got a chance at the hall and he isn't a first ballot guy.

I love Tedy's heart and all he's done for this team and the fanbase, I really do, but he won't get into the NFL Hall which is waaay more selective than the MLB version. The only guaranteed Hall of Famers on this team are Brady, Belichick and Seau. Moss is almost guaranteed to be a first ballot Hall of Famer thanks to this season but after him I don't see anyone else making it unless Welker plays like this for the next 10 years.

 

[Terry Glenn is a cowgirl]

I think he should actually. I don't want to see a punch drunk Bruschi who gradually deteriorates year after year, and this would be a great ending for him o transition into Pats LB coach

He is my favorite Patriot.

I agree with this statement.

It is the PERFECT way out of a very respectable career for a few players mentioned above.

If you're going to go out, you go out on a high note.