Jerry Rice To Retire

[Cujo]

It looks like Jeerry Rice might call it quits finally, no longer tarnishing his legendary career.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-b...ov=ap&type=lgns

[NJTank]

He should hes old he done hes the best ever but now hes Willie Mays falling on the warning track every week.

[See Red]

I never liked how pepople want a legend to retire simply because he's only a shell of his former legandary self, which is definetely the case with Rice.

Who cares if he "tarnishes his image"? It's his image to tarnish if he does choose to do so. Is he no longer the greatest WR ever, and possibly the greatest player ever, because he spent a couple of years with the Broncos and Seahawks? The guy can still contribute, and he loves to play the game -- so why should he stop?

[quantum]

I never liked how pepople want a legend to retire simply because he's only a shell of his former legandary self, which is definetely the case with Rice.

Who cares if he "tarnishes his image"? It's his image to tarnish if he does choose to do so. Is he no longer the greatest WR ever, and possibly the greatest player ever, because he spent a couple of years with the Broncos and Seahawks? The guy can still contribute, and he loves to play the game -- so why should he stop?

If it wasn't for his legendary achievements, he wouldn't even be on a team right now. He would have been dumped in favor of a youth movement. If the fans perception didn't matter and he was playing just for the love of the game, he could have quit years ago and signed on to a neighborhood flag football team. The fact is it does matter. People strive for a sense of immortality. Legends have that. Right or wrong, he's hurting himself by dragging this out. Personally, I think it's more a case of being afraid of what to do next than it is a case of loving the game.

Rice at least isn't the worst case scenario. Ricky Henderson has become downright pathetic. Rice should get into coaching and/or personal training. I think he would be ideal for that at this point in his life.

[STL FANATIC]

I never liked how pepople want a legend to retire simply because he's only a shell of his former legandary self, which is definetely the case with Rice.

Who cares if he "tarnishes his image"? It's his image to tarnish if he does choose to do so. Is he no longer the greatest WR ever, and possibly the greatest player ever, because he spent a couple of years with the Broncos and Seahawks? The guy can still contribute, and he loves to play the game -- so why should he stop?

It's a rarity ITE, but you and me agree on this one.

The guy CAN contribute regardless of whether a younger guy can contribute just as much. He is playing for the love of the game, and he wants to play it at the highest level possible, and if someone is willing to let him do that, why should he say "No, I'll just go play some flag football instead"?

[Redlands, CA]

Good point STL

I still feel he would be better than a lot of 4th WR and maybe some 3rd's. You don't forget how to catch a ball but you do get slower.

[fiasco!]

Good point STL

I still feel he would be better than a lot of 4th WR and maybe some 3rd's. You don't forget how to catch a ball but you do get slower.

you may have a point there, notorious, but wouldn't you want someone younger, with the capability of getting better, not worse, as your 3rd or 4th receiver.

[Jigga]

Quantumfreak, you're dead on!

If a wide receiver can't get open, does it matter what the name on the back of the jersey is? Seriously, who cares if it's Jerry Rice, and whether he's the greatest receiver/football player ever. It happens. He legacy isn't any less great because he held on too long, but he is showing how much of an ego he has and how selfish he is. If he really "loved the game" he would realize he just isn't good enough anymore to get the job done. He's been putting himself ahead of the game for a while now.

[Redlands, CA]

Quantumfreak, you're dead on!

If a wide receiver can't get open, does it matter what the name on the back of the jersey is? Seriously, who cares if it's Jerry Rice, and whether he's the greatest receiver/football player ever. It happens. He legacy isn't any less great because he held on too long, but he is showing how much of an ego he has and how selfish he is. If he really "loved the game" he would realize he just isn't good enough anymore to get the job done. He's been putting himself ahead of the game for a while now.

He could do a lot of coaching? LOL

[Redlands, CA]

Good point STL

I still feel he would be better than a lot of 4th WR and maybe some 3rd's. You don't forget how to catch a ball but you do get slower.

you may have a point there, notorious, but wouldn't you want someone younger, with the capability of getting better, not worse, as your 3rd or 4th receiver.

Good point about the 3rd and 4th, ya you might want someone cheaper and younger. I don't understand what you mean by other comments though.

[EagleFan344]

Id sure be pissed if I bought his Broncos jersey

[FiddySicks]

Id sure be pissed if I bought his Broncos jersey

collectors item

[Jigga]

Id sure be pissed if I bought his Broncos jersey

collectors item

if by collector's item you mean worthless piece of junk, sure...

[oakland ehs]

not really, because in 20 years it will be in one of those threads of "players in weird jerseys" threads.

as for him retiring, i really don't think it tarnishes his image. to me a guy only tarnishes his image when they're playing just to break a record.

like rickey henderson - the guy just loves playing baseball and that's why he's playing in some 3rd rate league. he doesn't care about money or getting another 2809374 stolen bases in the majors some day, he just loves to play.

and i'm sure he's gotten calls from major league teams to be on the 40-man roster and just pinch run late in a game, but he'd rather stick with his team so he can PLAY.

nothing wrong with having fun and doing what you love. people who do wood carvings for their entire life don't have to stop when their work isn't as good anymore because their hands aren't as steady.

[FiddySicks]

not really, because in 20 years it will be in one of those threads of "players in weird jerseys" threads.

as for him retiring, i really don't think it tarnishes his image. to me a guy only tarnishes his image when they're playing just to break a record.

like rickey henderson - the guy just loves playing baseball and that's why he's playing in some 3rd rate league. he doesn't care about money or getting another 2809374 stolen bases in the majors some day, he just loves to play.

and i'm sure he's gotten calls from major league teams to be on the 40-man roster and just pinch run late in a game, but he'd rather stick with his team so he can PLAY.

nothing wrong with having fun and doing what you love. people who do wood carvings for their entire life don't have to stop when their work isn't as good anymore because their hands aren't as steady.

good point. Plus, any time you can play for a team called the Surf Dawgs your A O.K!!!

[Jigga]

nothing wrong with having fun and doing what you love. people who do wood carvings for their entire life don't have to stop when their work isn't as good anymore because their hands aren't as steady.

You're right, but just because Jerry Rice has fun and loves playing football doesn't mean someone has to employ him, especially when there are others that are just better AT THIS POINT than he is.

[oakland ehs]

not at all, but it seems like people are attacking him because he keeps trying to hang on, and not saying "why the fluff do teams sign him still?"

[Jigga]

not at all, but it seems like people are attacking him because he keeps trying to hang on, and not saying "why the fluff do teams sign him still?"

There's a lot of both, honestly. I think we've all seen that Mike Shanahan knows little about personnel, and Rice is delusional if he thinks he can still play. He's the best player I've ever seen, and even if he sticks around (which I don't think he will) as the 5th receiver in Denver, I'll still feel that way.

[See Red]

30 catches... 21 first downs. You guys make it sound like he doesn't contribute at all. Those numbers sound better than most 3rd or 4th WR's.

Besides, what do you lose by keeping him on the team? A special teams player? A RB, who, outside of injury, won't touch the field and is playing a position where any mid-season free agent pickup they take is capable of being successful in their system?

Is Rice really worse than Darius Watts, who drops countless passes thrown right to his hands?

Is their no benefit towards having one of the hardest working players ever on your team when you have another WR, Ashley Lelie, who has all the talent in the world but once admitted that he tried getting by doing the bare minimum?

Quantum, who are you to say he's tarnishing his legacy? Will he not be remembered as the best ever because he decided to keep playing? He loves to play the game and feels he can contribute... who are you to say he's wrong for continuing to play?

[Redlands, CA]

30 catches... 21 first downs. You guys make it sound like he doesn't contribute at all. Those numbers sound better than most 3rd or 4th WR's.

Besides, what do you lose by keeping him on the team? A special teams player? A RB, who, outside of injury, won't touch the field and is playing a position where any mid-season free agent pickup they take is capable of being successful in their system?

Is Rice really worse than Darius Watts, who drops countless passes thrown right to his hands?

Is their no benefit towards having one of the hardest working players ever on your team when you have another WR, Ashley Lelie, who has all the talent in the world but once admitted that he tried getting by doing the bare minimum?

Quantum, who are you to say he's tarnishing his legacy? Will he not be remembered as the best ever because he decided to keep playing? He loves to play the game and feels he can contribute... who are you to say he's wrong for continuing to play?

He's not going to sell tickets or break any more records. He can still score and catch the ball. He won't be a top level wr or 1 or 2 guy but he will contribute. Good point inthend