OT: Talib Hangs 'em Up

[PatsBoy12]

I figured this is somewhat Pats related news. Mods, merge with a relevant thread if necessary.

Aqib Talib has decided to hang up the cleats.

Aqib Talib, former All-Pro CB, announces retirement after 12 seasons

Talib said while he would have liked another payday, the more he considered covering the likes of George Kittle, Travis Kelce, Darren Waller, etc. on the Pats' schedule, he realized it was time to retire. (Side note: Given the TEs the Pats face, one could see why Belichick might check in on Talib's willingness to return).

 

[BradytoMosstoGronk]

 

[Hammer of Thor]

I figured this is somewhat Pats related news. Mods, merge with a relevant thread if necessary.

Aqib Talib has decided to hang up the cleats.

Aqib Talib, former All-Pro CB, announces retirement after 12 seasons

Very interesting that BB reached out to him and that he considered it. Would have been fun to see. That said, he absolutely made the right choice if just wasn’t feeling it anymore.

Seeing guys that much younger than me hanging them up after a dozen years is really starting to make me feel old. At least Brady’s still there, I’m only 14 1/2 months older than him!

 

[Nehalem]

If he couldn't handle a little Wes Welker hit 7 years ago I can see why he wouldn't want to face a George Kittle hit now

 

[Kontradiction]

I’m wondering why he would have called Talib since he’s spent considerable resources in the last two years (Williams and Dugger) who seem to be aimed at that particular role.

 

[venecol]

This is a worrisome sign that BB considered bringing back Talib just to guard TEs. This is where I thought the Pats losing all the experience at LBs and Chung would hurt. Teams are going to go after them with passes to RBs and TEs, testing their rookie LBs and new Safeties.

 

[lancerman]

I’m wondering why he would have called Talib since he’s spent considerable resources in the last two years (Williams and Dugger) who seem to be aimed at that particular role.

Young guys at positions that traditionally have a wait period in development.

 

[Kontradiction]

Young guys at positions that traditionally have a wait period in development.

While they’re not fully developed, the team has a very documented history under BB of young guys coming in, particularly rookies, and immediately playing major roles. So I don’t think that’s it. If they can play, he will play them. I think it’s either something as innocuous as BB considering Williams and Dugger as deep safeties or something as sinister as him not liking what he’s seen of them against our TEs in camp. Or maybe Talib lied about the interest knowing BB wouldn’t correct him with the media.

 

[Triumph]

He was never that great here.

Definitely no Ty Law or Gilmore.

 

[sb1]

He was never that great here.

Definitely no Ty Law or Gilmore.

He was good here. I remember the game when he completely owned Julio Jones - not easy to do. Just injured at the worst possible times.

With that said Edelman took him to school in SBLIII

 

[PatsBoy12]

Apparently, BB personally called Talib and offered about 6 mil for him to come in and simply cover the big TE's on the schedule. He said he really considered it but ultimately just didn't feel he wanted to do it anymore. Sorry, no links. The info is from a soundbite on 98.5 Zo and Beetle.

 

[PatsBoy12]

Does this give any credence to those doubting Jo. Williams?

 

[FCB02062]

#s don't lie - the defense gave up (no, i didn't subtract opposing defensive or ST scores, if there were any). Before Talib - Pats give up 22.3 ppg, after Talib Pats give up 18.5 ppg. Talib instantly gave the Pats defense what it needed when Bill the GM acquired him. This was a great in season trade for Bill the GM. If Bill the Coach actually called Talib to get him to cover TEs....i guess that means the secondary isn't as good as the media's cracking it up to be. I said it awhile ago, I expect Gilmore to have an average season at best and the secondary to get torched fairly regularly. Mahomes, Goff, Murray, Wilson, Fitzmagic, Jimmy G, L Jackson, and Watson all have very good odds at busting up the Pats defense...
I'll be the first to admit I'm wrong, but when all is said and done I wouldn't be surprised if the 2020 Patriots defense gives up in the 3,800-4,200 yards in the air...the memory of that scrub special team bum safety Brooks getting burned on a massive third down in Baltimore and then getting toasted on a gotta have it third down in the playoffs vs Tennessee by a garbage TE with 14 catches....

MINDSET IS TO WIIIIN!!!!

 

[Hammer of Thor]

While they’re not fully developed, the team has a very documented history under BB of young guys coming in, particularly rookies, and immediately playing major roles. So I don’t think that’s it. If they can play, he will play them. I think it’s either something as innocuous as BB considering Williams and Dugger as deep safeties or something as sinister as him not liking what he’s seen of them against our TEs in camp. Or maybe Talib lied about the interest knowing BB wouldn’t correct him with the media.

Listening to the sound bite, there is too much specificity and, frankly, too much of Talib doubting himself for this to be BS, in my opinion.

Regarding its implications, some of it depends on when the offer was made. If it was 2-3 weeks ago, it means more than if it was 6-8 weeks ago. There also the fact that he could consider Talib against those guys as pro-bowl caliber, at least for one year, while still thinking the other guys are good. Belichick never wanted to get rid of Milloy for example, he just felt he had to when he wouldn’t adjust his salary, and he thought Rodney was still elite. Which he was.

So who knows? But yeah, maybe he thinks Williams sucks and Duggar isn’t ready, which would suck of course.

 

[Nehalem]

Listening to the sound bite, there is too much specificity and, frankly, too much of Talib doubting himself for this to be BS, in my opinion.

Regarding its implications, some of it depends on when the offer was made. If it was 2-3 weeks ago, it means more than if it was 6-8 weeks ago. There also the fact that he could consider Talib against those guys as pro-bowl caliber, at least for one year, while still thinking the other guys are good. Belichick never wanted to get rid of Milloy for example, he just felt he had to when he wouldn’t adjust his salary, and he thought Rodney was still elite. Which he was.

So who knows? But yeah, maybe he thinks Williams sucks and Duggar isn’t ready, which would suck of course.

Could mean anything. Funny we had another thread that BB was giving up on 2020. Now he is apparently looking to pay $6m just to cover big TE.

Must mean that Cam Newton looks like superman, Gunner and Harry are ready to light it up, our 2 rookie TEs are the 2nd coming of Gronk/Hernandez. And he wanted to pick up someone to cover Gronk in the SB, so he could drink Tom Brady's tears out of the Lombardi Trophy!

 

[signbabybrady]

While they’re not fully developed, the team has a very documented history under BB of young guys coming in, particularly rookies, and immediately playing major roles. So I don’t think that’s it. If they can play, he will play them. I think it’s either something as innocuous as BB considering Williams and Dugger as deep safeties or something as sinister as him not liking what he’s seen of them against our TEs in camp. Or maybe Talib lied about the interest knowing BB wouldn’t correct him with the media.

Before covid defects we had Chung, Dugger, and Williams among others. Chung opting out could have been the catalyst rather than the performance of the younglings.

 

[Ross12]

Very interesting. I would not be too worried about the thought of Bill wanting to bring him in specifically to defend TEs as listed in the story. It wasn't a ton of money, Talib says "$5-6 million." It sounds like Bill trying to hedge his bets and cover for losing Chung, hoping on one hand that the young guys work out but also having a guy he knows can do the job decently well on the team available to do it if needed, and to mentor those young guys if not needed (or just cut if at $5-6 million is mostly in incentives).

Kinda sad it didn't work out. I really enjoyed Talib the year-ish he was here. He had a fun energy. The fact he refers to Bill as his "big homie" shows it.

 

[Vindicate]

Does it say when he even reached out to Talib? I mean, there's vague mentions of him getting the call "on the way out", but in reality, that's a phone call Bill could've made before/early in camp. Possible it's changed now - hard to read into it much.

Was a fan of Talib, but I gotta say - the main thing I remember in his career here is him getting played by Smith. Won't argue his immediate contribution to the team, though.

I do appreciate his authenticity, and thought-process, concerning the whole "As soon as I doubted myself, I knew it was time to hang 'em up".

 

[Hammer of Thor]

Does it say when he even reached out to Talib? I mean, there's vague mentions of him getting the call "on the way out", but in reality, that's a phone call Bill could've made before/early in camp. Possible it's changed now - hard to read into it much.

Was a fan of Talib, but I gotta say - the main thing I remember in his career here is him getting played by Smith. Won't argue his immediate contribution to the team, though.

I do appreciate his authenticity, and thought-process, concerning the whole "As soon as I doubted myself, I knew it was time to hang 'em up".

Talib was a star here, and ultimately he was the final lynchpin in the defensive rebuild from 2008-2012 that gave the team a good defense again. Funny how we always seem to remember the bad days/plays though. Gilmore‘s been the best CB in the NFL the last 2 seasons, but all some people seem to remember is his being schooled by Parker against Miami. The search for perfection, I guess. Belichick would appreciate that! I wonder how many times he showed Talib versus Smith during their film review sessions with the team.....

 

[Vindicate]

Talib was a star here, and ultimately he was the final lynchpin in the defensive rebuild from 2008-2012 that gave the team a good defense again. Funny how we always seem to remember the bad days/plays though. Gilmore‘s been the best CB in the NFL the last 2 seasons, but all some people seem to remember is his being schooled by Parker against Miami. The search for perfection, I guess. Belichick would appreciate that! I wonder how many times he showed Talib versus Smith during their film review sessions with the team.....

I'm fortunate enough to have not been able to watch that game, so I just remember his greatness haha. The pass breakup in the Jags playoff game is my go-to play haha. But you're right, especially to some downer fans, they really put a lot of stock in that Miami performance haha. Same with Welker in the SB - best slot receiver of all time, yet summed up for some by one play.