Justin I'm curious if you've ever had conversations with players after they've retired. I know by and large you no longer have access to them in any meaningful way, so I imagine probably not.
Are there any players you've covered in your years that you think would be interesting to follow up with, either in a personal or professional way?
Further to Al’s comment, it’s never seemed to me that a lot of retired athletes have long term serious issues of great magnitude. So for example, I too broke my leg about the same time Hutch did, but mine was far worse. It was a knarly mess, and it’s never gonna be quite the same, but two years later I’m still really active, easily run 4 miles, stuff like that. And I’m 68. It in no ways alters my family life or ADLs, since my wife decided not to kill me. Never been, never gonna be an elite or even decent athlete, and I’ve had more fractures and breaks than all but the most unlucky of these guys. So how bad is the post career injury issue in the main?
Accepting the end of a career can be difficult for many people especially if they love what they do. Leaving the familiar and entering the new is a big step. Make the decision to leave when you are in control and not when you are not.
I’ve been a fan of Decker for some time. The guys that line up across from him are beasts but he’s played his heart out healthy or hurt. I would love to see the Lions get to the S.B. so he can go out on top. Nothing would make me happier.
Elated he’s back. It’s so hard to win championships with rookies at the tackle spot, and the FA and trade crop is moderately to significantly deeper at center than tackle. They can really manage him knowing this is all but a guarantee to be his final season, and he’s still a guy who has started 14 or more games in 8 of 10 seasons. If he can provide borderline top 10 LT play, that’s a win. Dan and Brad owe to him to get a Super Bowl caliber o-line and team around him, if Decker is gonna give it one last push, let’s maximize every second of it.
Justin I'm curious if you've ever had conversations with players after they've retired. I know by and large you no longer have access to them in any meaningful way, so I imagine probably not.
Are there any players you've covered in your years that you think would be interesting to follow up with, either in a personal or professional way?
Further to Al’s comment, it’s never seemed to me that a lot of retired athletes have long term serious issues of great magnitude. So for example, I too broke my leg about the same time Hutch did, but mine was far worse. It was a knarly mess, and it’s never gonna be quite the same, but two years later I’m still really active, easily run 4 miles, stuff like that. And I’m 68. It in no ways alters my family life or ADLs, since my wife decided not to kill me. Never been, never gonna be an elite or even decent athlete, and I’ve had more fractures and breaks than all but the most unlucky of these guys. So how bad is the post career injury issue in the main?
Accepting the end of a career can be difficult for many people especially if they love what they do. Leaving the familiar and entering the new is a big step. Make the decision to leave when you are in control and not when you are not.
I’ve been a fan of Decker for some time. The guys that line up across from him are beasts but he’s played his heart out healthy or hurt. I would love to see the Lions get to the S.B. so he can go out on top. Nothing would make me happier.
Love the enthusiasm. Also, respect for the deeper cut Bible verse. Don’t see that one used all the time. Very apt.
Elated he’s back. It’s so hard to win championships with rookies at the tackle spot, and the FA and trade crop is moderately to significantly deeper at center than tackle. They can really manage him knowing this is all but a guarantee to be his final season, and he’s still a guy who has started 14 or more games in 8 of 10 seasons. If he can provide borderline top 10 LT play, that’s a win. Dan and Brad owe to him to get a Super Bowl caliber o-line and team around him, if Decker is gonna give it one last push, let’s maximize every second of it.
They might not need to find a day 1 starter, but the chances that he makes through an entire season healthy are low. It's still a need.
I hope and pray that this is the right decision for him.
Love the guy, but I hope he's not a hinderance.
I guess Manu isn’t the guy.
This has nothing to do with Manu.
Campbell said they need to find a guy.
You still need to find a guy. This announcement just gives some breathing room and flexibility in the draft.
Skipper retired, Holmes said Manu won't be handed a job, so I think you need to add depth and competition, regardless.
Hell yes.