Rob Ninkovich announces his retirement

[AtomicDawg]

If Belichick had any sense with this he'd sign Dwight Freeney to replace him this year.

How's that dark cloud you're sitting next to?

 

[doesntmatter1]

Great career, but it was time. I bet he stays with us in some capacity though. May it be as a coach or member of the shadow roster if injuries occur.

 

[AtomicDawg]

 

[Bombdog]

Thank you Rob for a great career and always playing hard and holding up the Patriot Way.

 

[PatsBoy12]

Great career, but it was time. I bet he stays with us in some capacity though. May it be as a coach or member of the shadow roster if injuries occur.

Someone else raised the possibility of Ninko being on the shadow roster, and I think that it's valid. I could totally see a situation where if the production on the edge just isn't there or a string of injuries strike, they pick up the phone and ask if he can give it a go. Whether or not he accepts is a different story. While I do believe we saw a big decline in his play last season, I do also believe he has a bit more left in the tank. I think this was one of those things where a player prefers to walk away from the game while he still has health and vitality, as opposed to trying to hang on until the last drop. Better to walk away a bit early than too late.

 

[jimnance]

Total class act. Great football iq. One of my all-time favorite Patriots.
Hope he can avoid cte and other brain related bad stuff. He's earned his retirement.

 

[ViperGTS]

Guess Amendola needed a Gronk Uber. Look at that smile!

 

[shmessy]

The defense just got a little faster and dumber.

I agree.

And THIS is the year for that to happen if it had to, with the loaded Secondary to ease the transition at LB/DE.

 

[zydecochris]

Thank you Rob for a great career and always playing hard and holding up the Patriot Way.

My favorite Patriot not named Tom Brady, despite limited physical tools he excelled through toughness, professionalism, and intelligence.

 

[fnordcircle]

How lucky are we as football fans that one of our most reliable players retires and we don't have to panic. Not just because there is depth on our DL but because this team has given us so many great seasons that we don't have to stress over how this next season might go.

 

[Tony2046]

From Chatham.

 

[aluminum seats]

Probably time. I think he might have been traded last year were it not for the suspension.

Good dude, good player.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

Gunna miss seeing those FF....next phase of life for Ninko

 

[chris_in_sunnyvale]

Clicking "like" or "agree" to other posts here doesn't do Nink justice for all he's brought to this team and our enjoyment of it, so I'll also add what others have said:

Thank you, Rob, for these past 8 years. I'm going to miss you.

Regards,
Chris

 

[AtomicDawg]

 

[AtomicDawg]

For those who missed it, the entire Nink press conference.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Grass pollen was high today and must have peaked when Nink was paying respects to Blackbeard and BB.

Mrs RW asked if I needed to pull over and take a Claritan.

I told her I was ok.

 

[libra957]

Rob was just a playmaker.

 

[TheFlyingWedge]

Time to dust off the old clone machine again.

Seriously though he went from who is this guy that looks exactly like Vrabel to a man with a great Patriot legacy of his own.

Everything down to the way their shirts fit was similar. He will be missed! Any prospects for Vrabel 3.0 out there?

 

[Wheelman]

From Chatham.

I actually mentioned this in the recent SB 51 observation thread.

If Ninko didn't do his part, Matt Ryan likely throws it to Julio for a 1st down before Trey Flowers can get to him.