Tag: Retire

Is Alabama waiting to make Steve Sarkisian the next Head Coach of the Crimson Tide?

The Alabama Crimson Tide have done hat they could to keep Steve Sarkisian from going elsewhere, despite being considered for the Auburn H…

Alabama is known for winning championships. There are two men responsible for a majority of the national titles won by the Crimson Tide: the late Paul ‘Bear’ Bryant, and Nick Saban.

Since becoming the Alabama head coach, Saban has won nine SEC West titles, seven SEC Championships and five National Championships.

It’s hard to deny Nick Saban is the greatest football coach of modern times, and a strong case for ‘greatest of all time’ status.

However, all good things must come to an end. No, Alabama fans, don’t worry, I’m not saying the dynasty is coming to an end; but at some point the Crimson Tide will need to look to the future.

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At 69, Nick Saban is still going strong. He is still the same coach on the sidelines that will let a player or fellow coach hear it if he’s not happy.

There’s no specific age that Saban sees himself retiring. When asked about his inevitable retirement during media availability prior to the SEC Championship, he mentioned wanting to coach for as long as he can.

“If I thought that my presence here was not something that was a positive for the University of Alabama or with the program, with the players, then I’d say it would be time not to do it anymore,” said Saban.

For years, people have been trying to predict who the replacement would be to one of the most powerful jobs in all of American sports.

Dabo Swinney? A former assistant? Every candidate on the hypothetical list got shot down, due to not being nearly as perfect as Nick Lou Saban.

Well, without any ounce of knowledge beind knowing when Saban’s time will end in Tuscaloosa, moves toward securing the next coach of the Crimson Tide may have been made.

After a few days of consistent reporting on Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian’s interview for the Auburn head coaching job, he is no longer seen as a candidate, after declining the interview opportunity.

Alabama certainly knows Sarkisian’s value, and is willing to pay him to keep him in Tuscaloosa. He’s currently tied with Auburn’s defensive coordinator Kevin Steele as the highest paid assistant coach in college football.

Mickey Welsh/The Montgomery Advertiser via USA TODAY Sports

Sarkisian is no stranger to being a head coach on some of college football’s biggest stages. After making some stops in Washington and USC, Sark found his way as an NFL offensive coordinator, and then returned to college football with his current position as the offensive coordinator to one of the most lethal offenses in the nation.

Actually, Sarkisian even got a taste of what it’s like to be at the helm of the Alabama program during one of the most important weeks of the season. When Saban tested positive for COVID-19, and could not coach against Auburn in the 2020 Iron Bowl, Sarkisian stepped up to act as interim coach.

Alabama won the Iron Bowl in a blowout fashion with a final score of 42-13.

There’s no known reason as to why Sarkisian turned down the opportunity to be considered for the Auburn coaching job. It would be his first time as the head coach of a program since 2015 at USC.

Did Alabama offer him a new, bigger and potentially longer contract? Is he just too into the in-state rivalry and couldn’t bring himself to coach a rival school?

This is all speculation, but it’s difficult to believe he turned it down because he felt like it. There’s no way to tell what’s going on behind closed doors in the Alabama program, but signs point to something brewing.

Retired Saints FB Zach Line still dressing out for game days — from his couch

Zach Line rose to prominence as the New Orleans Saints fullback in recent years, but now he is enjoying retirement with his family.

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Retirement is hard 😉 #geauxsaints @saints

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They say you don’t have to get ready if you stay ready. That’s a message retired New Orleans Saints fullback Zach Line has taken to heart, even if he’s watching games on the couch — in his old Saints jersey and helmet with a football in hand, surrounded by his young children in matching kits.

“Retirement is hard,” Line joked in a post from his official Instagram account after the Saints won their season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Line retired after 80 games and seven years in the NFL, spending his first four seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. He signed with New Orleans in 2017 and went on to make a name for himself as the lead blocker for Alvin Kamara, Mark Ingram, and occasionally Taysom Hill, while also developing into a sure-handed option in the passing game (catching four touchdown passes).

But he was content to walk away from the game on his own terms as a free agent in 2020, opting to retire before his 30th birthday so he could spend more time with his family. And he’s clearly enjoying himself.

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Saints, Tom Brady had mutual interest if Drew Brees had retired

The New Orleans Saints may have signed Tom Brady from the Patriots if Drew Brees had retired, but Brady will face them with the Buccaneers.

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If things had gone a little differently, the New Orleans Saints might have swapped one Hall of Fame-bound quarterback for another earlier this summer. ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Jeff Darlington reported that Tom Brady was the Saints’ backup plan if Drew Brees had hung up his cleats, while Jeff Duncan reported for the Athletic that interest was mutual — if not for Brees returning, New Orleans was Brady’s preferred destination. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport also said the same.

It makes sense. From Brady’s perspective, the Saints were ready-built to prop up a talented but aging passer, with a stronger supporting cast than he’d enjoyed with the New England Patriots in recent years. For New Orleans, taking a shot on a washed-up veteran was nothing new: Adrian Peterson, Champ Bailey, Olin Kreutz, James Laurinaitis, and Brandon Marshall are just a few big names they’ve teamed up with before. Maybe Brady would have had more success than them, though.

But it didn’t work out that way. Brady is visiting the Mercedes-Benz Superdome while wearing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ colors for the first time, while Brees is waiting on the other sideline to prove he has what it takes to win a second Super Bowl. If he’s going to pull off that feat, he’ll have to start with a statement win over Brady’s Buccaneers.

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Jamal Adams’ long-term plan is to retire as a Seattle Seahawk

Newly-acquired safety Jamal Adams was thrilled to be traded to Seattle, calling them “a first-class organization.”

Star safety Jamal Adams could barely contain his enthusiasm during his first media press conference as a Seattle Seahawk.

“When I got the call, I broke down into tears of joy,” he said, of learning that he had been traded to the Seahawks. “I’m really overwhelmed, but at the same time it’s so surreal to be around a great organization like Seattle and to be coached by legendary coaches, Hall of Fame coaches, and to play with Hall of Famers.”

Adams spoke to local media on Thursday over video chat from his hotel room, a precautionary measure due to current COVID-19-related regulations.

“I would be lying if I said it’s not tough, not being in the building and being around the guys,” he admitted. “But in the end, we have to do what’s right . . . we’ve got to stay safe, take the right precautions so we can play and have a season. Everybody’s been doing a great job of going to get the tests, staying quarantined, being respectful of others’ space.”

Once the team gets on the field, though, Adams is ready to get to work. Although he is universally acknowledged as one of the league’s best defensive backs, he held firm on Thursday that he was not guaranteed a starting spot with his new team.

“I have to earn it,” he said. “There’s a ton of talent out here, a ton of guys out there fighting for those positions. At the end of the day, no one has a starting position yet.”

It is difficult to imagine Adams not earning a starting spot, considering what the Seahawks gave up for him in two first-round picks and safety Bradley McDougald. He and Seattle agreed that he would play under his rookie contract in 2020, with negotiations for an extension beginning in 2021.

“These things take care of themselves,” he said. “That’s not something that I’m really focused on. I’m here to play ball.”

Nevertheless, he added: “The plan is to retire here.”

That should bode well for the Seahawks’ future.

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Ex-Broncos DB Mike Adams retires after 16 seasons

Former Broncos safety Mike Adams has retired from the NFL.

Mike Adams, who played safety for the Broncos from 2012-2013, has retired after 16 seasons in the NFL.

“I’m officially retiring from the NFL today after 16 years!!” Adams wrote on his Twitter page on Wednesday. “I Want to thank all my friends, family and fans that supported me throughout my years playing… Ariana, you are officially retired as well.”

The Broncos’ official Twitter page tweeted a congratulations message to Adams and noted that the team went 28-8 record in games he played. Cornerback Chris Harris, who was teammates with Adams for two seasons, also tweeted a message of congratulations.

Adams played for the 49ers and Browns before arriving in Denver. After leaving the team in 2014, he went on to spend time with the Colts, Panthers and Texans. Adams totaled 930 tackles, six sacks and 30 interceptions during his career.

Adams started all 16 games for the Broncos in 2012 and totaled a career-high 80 tackles. He also recorded a sack, forced two fumbles and a safety.

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Hau’oli Kikaha clarifies why he stepped away from XFL, says he isn’t finished yet

Ex-New Orleans Saints draft pick Hau’oli Kikaha retired from the XFL despite a great start with the Dallas Renegades, but he has good reason

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Former New Orleans Saints starting linebacker Hau’oli Kikaha made a surprising decision on Tuesday, when the XFL’s Dallas Renegades announced that he was cutting his season short and entering retirement. But Kikaha later explained from his official Instagram account that he isn’t viewing his decision to part from football as the final chapter; he says that, “I have some very personal family issues that need my attention right now,” which draws higher importance than continuing his playing career. Still, he’s optimistic that he’ll get another opportunity to sack quarterbacks someday.

And that makes more sense for Kikaha than suddenly calling it quits after just three games. He worked hard to try out for NFL teams before taking a crack at the upstart XFL, and was an integral piece of the Renegades defense — in just the last two weeks, Kikaha made highlight reel-worthy plays with a stripped fumble and a big sack in back-to-back wins.

He’s a big-time player (who still ranks first in the Washington Huskies record books with 36 career sacks) that the Saints once drafted in the second round, and who the Renegades also picked highly. It’s just a shame that a series of injuries (including three torn ACL’s) cut down his career on football’s biggest stage. Here’s hoping everything levels out for Kikaha personally, and that he’ll be able to get back to what he does best.

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Ex-Saints draft pick Hau’oli Kikaha retires from the XFL

Hau’oli Kikaha made his mark on the Washington Huskies and the Saints, but ended his career with the XFL’s Dallas Renegades on his own terms

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Things haven’t gone well for former New Orleans Saints players in the XFL, the upstart spring football league, with Super Bowl 44-winning Saints kicker Garrett Hartley suddenly medically disqualified after having signed a contract and finished his first practice with the Seattle Dragons. Now, he’s joined on the list of former XFL players by Hau’oli Kikaha, New Orleans’ 2015 second-round draft pick.

Kikaha was drafted highly by the XFL’s Dallas Renegades, along with former Saints teammate Tommyle Lewis (Lewis declined the opportunity to compete in the XFL, eventually returning to the Saints on a reserve/futures contract offer for 2020). The Washington Huskies product saw his NFL career undone by a third ACL tear, following two such injuries suffered in college. The Renegades announced Kikaha’s decision to retire on Tuesday, which was something of a surprise; he’d already notched six tackles (one for a loss of yards) as well as a sack and a forced fumble in their first three games. He was making a positive impact.

It’s disappointing to see Kikaha’s playing career flame out like this, but he has to do what’s best for his future. And given his extensive injury history (which included a season-ending high-ankle sprain in 2017), it might make more sense for him to put his playing days behind him. Kikaha was always a technically-sound pass rusher, so maybe coaching lies in his future. Whatever the case, here’s our best to one of the best names (and hairstyles) in Saints history.

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Sean Payton thinks another team could try to sign RFA Taysom Hill

The New Orleans Saints have tough decisions to make with all of their quarterbacks, and Sean Payton is concerned Taysom Hill may not return.

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What’s to be done with Taysom Hill? The New Orleans Saints restricted free agent endeared himself to fans by making plays in just about any role asked of him, lining up all over the field. It’s enough for Saints coach Sean Payton to tell anyone who will listen that Hill is his quarterback of the future.

But actions speak louder than words — more than half of Hill’s 2019 snaps were taken on special teams, and he spent significantly more time at receiver or tight end than at quarterback. If Payton is telling the truth about envisioning the Hill’s future (which includes his 30th birthday later this year) at quarterback, he’s telling us something different in how Hill is actually playing.

And it’s worth noting that we’re about a month removed from Payton admitting that he lied about not being interested in free agent wide receiver Antonio Brown. The offseason is lying season in the NFL.

That said: Payton isn’t just concerned another team could poach Hill — he’s expecting an attempt. The Saints coach made an appearance on The Peter King Podcast and gave his take on what could lie ahead in Hill’s restricted free agency.

“Yeah, I think someone is going to make him an offer. But the first thing the fan has to understand is,” Payton said, “if we tender Taysom as a one [a first-round tag], the team that makes the offer on him and signs him to an offer understands they’re going to give up a first-round pick if we don’t match. That’s easier to do if you’re pick 22, 23, 24, 25. We might very well see it if it’s a team in the second half of the [first round].”

So, it’s early in the process. It’s unclear which rookie quarterbacks will be available in the first round beyond the top tier of Joe Burrow, Tua Tagovailoa, and Justin Herbert. But Payton seems to be suggesting that other teams could go after Hill if they’re not confident that better options will be on the table in the latter half of the first round.

And that’s where the Saints must make some tough decisions. What’s more valuable? Taking a chance that Hill is more than a flash in the pan, and could thrive despite his age and lengthy injury history (four of his five years at BYU ended on injured reserve) might not be worth it on a starting quarterback’s salary at $15 million or more per year.

When the possibility is there to recoup a first-round pick and the talents that are available (meaning a top receiver prospect like LSU’s Justin Jefferson or Clemson’s Tee Higgins), as well as the five years of rookie contract control that come with it, the Saints have to be tempted if another team makes a significant offer.

And maybe that’s Payton’s grand plan, even if it requires some serious overthinking to suss it out. The Saints won five games with their backup quarterback last season and have a clear succession plan in place, but it doesn’t involve Hill. Teddy Bridgewater proved to be someone they can ride with. The smart move could be getting another team to swap a high draft pick for Hill and surround Bridgewater, the proven commodity, with more weapons.

But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. It all hinges on whether Drew Brees chooses to return for one more run at a Super Bowl or begin what looks like a busy retirement. And until he makes his decision, this is just speculation from all involved, including Payton himself.

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Phillies will retire Roy Halladay’s No. 34 on 10-year anniversary of perfect game

The Philadelphia Phillies announced on Tuesday that this May, on the 10-year anniversary of Roy Halladay’s perfect game, the Phillies will retire Halladay’s No. 34.

The Philadelphia Phillies announced on Tuesday that this May, on the 10-year anniversary of Roy Halladay’s perfect game, the Phillies will retire Halladay’s No. 34.

Bobby Wagner reacts to linebacker Luke Kuechly’s early retirement

Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner posted a heartfelt tweet to Carolina’s Luke Kuechly, who announced his retirement on Twitter.

Since joining the league together in 2012, linebackers Bobby Wagner and Luke Kuechly have been compared to each other – and it’s not hard to see why.

Kuechly joined the Panthers as the ninth overall pick and immediately went to work as an elite middle linebacker, ultimately making seven Pro Bowls and five All-Pro nods in his illustrious career, which came to an end on Tuesday when he announced in an emotional Twitter video that he was retiring.

Kuechly was widely considered among the top two linebackers in the NFL during his career, often alongside Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner, who has made six Pro Bowl appearances and is a five-time All-Pro, beginning his career the same season after getting selected by Seattle 38 picks later in the 2012 NFL Draft.

Wagner delivered a heartfelt message on Twitter to Kuechly, saying “The game is losing a great one.”

While fans may be happy no more Kuechly vs. Wagner debates can rage on in future seasons, the league is losing one of it’s finest middle linebackers, and it’s another reminder how much of a physical, and mental, toll this game takes on these players.

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