Day: July 27, 2007

For the second time in two years, the New York Giants might enter the season with one of their prominent players talking retirement. According to Newark Star Ledger, defensive end Michael Strahan is considering calling it a career not after the season, but possibly before it even starts.

The Pro Bowl defensive end did not show up in Albany for the 1 p.m. conditioning drills that all players were required to participate in. And later this afternoon, Strahan plans on speaking to coach Tom Coughlin about the possibility of his retiring before his 15th NFL season begins, according to someone who speaks with Giants management on a regular basis.

Tiki Barber’s retirement talk was a semi-distraction last year for the Giants, but more so because the New York media blew it up. Either way, the team is probably quietly hoping the situation is ironed out before the season starts. Rotoworld.com brings up a good point in that this just might be a negotiating ploy by Strahan and his agent, but how much power does a 35 year old defensive end really have?

Update: Apparently the sneaky bastard is just bluffing about retiring.

As expected, the Rams and quarterback Marc Bulger were able to come to an agreement on an extension and avoided a potential holdout. Bulger signed a six-year, $65 million contract according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

It was highly doubtful that Bulger would have held out, but why wait? He’s only 30, has been very productive over the past four years and is in an offense that fits him. Every year several teams have quarterback issues heading into the season and it usually burns them by Week 4 or sooner. This was an excellent job by the St. Louis front office and now Bulger, barring a serious injury or major drop in performance, will likely retire a Ram.