Urlacher Retirement: 2013 Off-Season has been the Season for Retiring Legends

Ray Lewis, Matt Birk, Ronde Barber. And now Brian Urlacher.

The long-time Chicago Bears middle linebacker joins the list of this era's living legends to retire from the game this off-season, announcing his official retirement on Wednesday. Urlacher played all 13 of his professional seasons in Chicago, and will retire as the third-best MLB in franchise history (behind Butkus and Singletary).

As a versatile player on the field, Urlacher played multiple positions while playing his college ball at the University of New Mexico, including linebacker, safety, wide receiver and return specialist. The All-American was drafted ninth overall by Chicago in the 2000 NFL draft and ended up winning the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year award following his Pro Bowl performance of 125 tackles, 8.0 sacks and two interceptions.

At 6'4"/250 pounds, the eight-time Pro Bowler 'backer was known as a great cover guy throughout his career but was also a feared tackler, chasing down ball-carriers from sideline-to-sideline.

Spread out over 180 career starts, Urlacher's numbers are some of the best you'll see from a middle linebacker during his era (not far behind Baltimore's Lewis), and are consistent across the board: 1,358 combined tackles, 41.5 sacks, 11 forced fumbles, 15 fumble recoveries, according to Pro-Footballreference.com.

Had Urlacher not missed two games during his rookie campaign, seven during the '04 season, 15 in '09 and four last season, who knows what these numbers could potentially look like. The four-time All Pro was the heart and soul of the Chicago defense during the 2000s––he was named on the league's All-Decade team––and provided veteran leadership to the young guys on the field.

Green Bay Packers All Pro quarterback Aaron Rodgers has already come out and said that Urlacher was his favorite opponent and that he'd miss clashing with #54, as well as the banter between the two on the field. I don't feel as though he'd miss being hit by him, however.

With Urlacher's retirement coming the same off-season as Lewis and Ronde Barber, it's very possible that we could end up seeing the three of them being enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame at the same time in 2018. Wouldn't that be something? Each of the three were the face of their respective franchise during the 2000s, and would be welcomed into Canton with open arms.

But the football field will most definitely be missing numbers 52, 20 and 54 once September rolls around.

Additional 2013 retirees:

Donovan McNabb, QB
David Garrard, QB
Matt Birk, C
Rolando McClain, LB
Scott Fujita, LB
Al Harris, CB
Nate Kaeding, K

Note: We do not own the above image. No copyright infringement intended.

Note: Stats according to Pro-footballreference.com

Tampa Bay Loses a Champion: 38-year old Ronde Barber Officially Announces Retirement

In Tampa earlier today, 16-year veteran defensive back Ronde Barber officially announced his retirement from the National Football League in a tear-ridden press conference.

The long-time Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback finished his final professional season in 2012 with a very productive 16 games. Barber, 38, made the switch to free safety after playing corner for his entire career and accumulated 91 combined tackles, 4 interceptions, 1 forced fumble, 1.0 sack and a defensive touchdown in his final go 'round.

The five-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion was never quite the shutdown corner that Charles Woodson or Deion Sanders were in the prime of their respective careers, but there's no doubt Barber has been the most consistent piece on the Bucs' defense over the past decade and a half. He hasn't missed a start since the 1999 season. That's dedication.

With over 1,200 combined tackles, 47 interceptions, 28.0 sacks in his 232 starts for the Bucs, Barber turned in a borderline Hall of Fame-caliber career. Ronde is Tampa's franchise leader in games (241), interceptions (47), interception yards (923), defensive TDs (12 INT/FR) and passes defensed (166) as well as top 6 in sacks (28.0), forced fumbles (15), fumbles recovered (12) and combined tackles (1,231).

His production was through the roof, and he made a couple of huge plays in the postseason as well. His 92-yard interception touchdown of a Donovan McNabb pass sealed a 27-10 NFC Championship victory over the Eagles on their way to a record-breaking Super Bowl XXXVII victory in 2002-03. His interception will forever be what the Bucs fan base remembers him for most. A play that put them into the Super Bowl for the first time ever. What made the play even sweeter was the fact that it came against the team that knocked them out of the postseason the previous two seasons, outscoring them 52-12 during those games.

With all of his accomplishments, including the ultimate goal of capturing a Vince Lombardi trophy, the decision seemed simple for Barber to hang up his cleats. He was forced into switching to free safety prior to last season, and with a revamped secondary for 2013 he likely would have seen less of the field. The Bucs clearly want to get younger and bring in youth to build from the bottom up, and Barber realized this. In his press conference (which I've included a link to at the bottom of this article), Barber mentions that he made the decision a month ago and that he believes it's the correct decision.

Barber's done all he can in this game, and he's already cemented his legacy with the franchise. He'll sit among Hall of Fame-bound defensive tackle Warren Sapp as one of the best Bucs players in history: Sapp, Derrick Brooks, Barber, John Lynch. That's how the list looks at this moment in time, all four are defensive players, too. Barber's announcement makes him the final player from the core of the 2002 record-setting Buccaneers defensive unit to retire from the game.

Sapp was selected to be enshrined in to the Hall of Fame this coming August and Lynch was among the 27 semi-finalists for the honor back in November. One day, Barber will join the list of potential Hall of Famers, though there's a chance he may not make it over the hump and into the Hall.

He's had one hell of a career as a lifelong Buccaneer, and was certainly the most consistent defensive back of his time, but I'm not completely sold on his HOF status. He was never a flashy guy, and seemed to fly under the radar at times, especially when playing behind Sapp and Brooks and next to Lynch. His lack of flash and vocal leadership could hurt him when it comes time to vote, but lets set the record straight: he's one hell of a football player and one of the best the Bucs franchise has ever seen.

Here's his retirement press conference.

Note: We do not own the above images and video. No copyright infringement intended.

Legendary Tomlinson to Officially Retire a Charger

It was announced earlier this morning that the soon-to-be 33-year old running back LaDainian Tomlinson will retire as a San Diego Charger. He will hold a press conference to make the official announcement on Monday.

Tomlinson, a.k.a. "LT," was drafted fifth overall by San Diego in the 2001 NFL draft after rushing for over 5,000 yards and 54 touchdowns in four seasons at Texas Christian University. The TCU Horned Frogs eventually retired his No. 5 jersey after his stellar career which included 2,158 yards and 22 TDs on the ground as a senior in 2000.

Tomlinson didn't win Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2001 (Anthony Thomas of the Bears was the winner), but he did, however, put up 1,200 yards and 10 TDs on the ground and left his mark on the league as a young 22-year old.

Over the next eight seasons with the Chargers, Tomlinson was the definition of a workhorse and every down back. He rarely missed a game (missed just three regular season starts while in SD) and posted at least 1,100 yards and 10 touchdowns in each of his nine seasons with the team.

Reaching five Pro Bowls and being named to four First Team All Pros solidified LaDainian as his era's most dangerous back. Using his combination of speed and agility, Tomlinson shredded opposing defenses similarly to the way Barry Sanders and Walter "Sweetness" Payton did throughout their respective Hall of Fame careers.

His signature TD celebration became a widespread phenomena as fellow players and fans alike attempted to emulate it.

He retires as the league’s fifth-leading rusher in history with 13,684 yards and third on the all-time touchdowns list (145 rushing, 17 receiving) behind only Jerry Rice (208 total) and Emmitt Smith (175 total).

The NFL MVP (2006) and two-time rushing leader ('06 and '07) also still holds the single-season record for total touchdowns, with 31 back in 2006 (28 rushing, three receiving). It’s a record that may not be broken again, in my opinion.

If there's any doubt that LT isn't a first ballot HOFer, then clearly you need to begin to do a little extra research.

The only thing Hall of Fame voters may hold against Tomlinson is his lack of postseason success and Super Bowl ring. In 10 playoff games, Tomlinson has just one 100-yard game and seven career TDs and a record of 5-5.

Fortunately for LaDainian, running backs are not judged by Super Bowl championships and postseason records. That's more of a career-maker (or breaker) for quarterbacks. As for Tomlinson's career lackluster 3.6 yards/carry average on 131 postseason rushing attempts, that wont slow him down either.

The best running back in NFL history (in my opinion) Barry Sanders has just a 4.2 Y/C average, 1 TD and a 1-5 record in six postseason starts with Detroit. The fact that his respective team has struggled in the postseason, along with Tomlinson's, doesn't take away from his accomplishments that got the team there.

Because, lets face it, Sanders is the sole reason Detroit made it that far. And much like him, Tomlinson was the main reason San Diego made five playoff appearances throughout his career.

Tomlinson's stellar career was slowed by a rocky finish in New York, as he spent two sub-par seasons with the Jets after showing signs of age with San Diego in 2009 (ran for under 1,000 yards in his career while missing two starts).

In New York, Tomlinson combined for 1,194 yards and 7 TDs in 14 starts. In the postseason, Tomlinson contributed 141 yards and two TDs on the Jets' way to an AFC Championship loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2010.

If it weren't for Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith's outlandish careers, Tomlinson would be the league's TD king. Especially considering in addition to his 162 combined rushing/receiving TDs, he also threw for seven, yes seven, TDs in his 11 seasons.

Tomlinson's rare combination of speed, agility and elusiveness will allow him to go down as a top-5 running back in league history. In fact, here is my list of top running backs (in order): 1) Barry Sanders, 2) Walter Payton, 3) Jim Brown, 4) Emmitt Smith, 5) LaDainian Tomlinson.

That's right, another legend will officially retire tomorrow, and he will be dearly missed by the league. Maybe not by opposing defenses and D-Coordinators, but undoubtedly by everyone else.

Note: I do not own any of the above images. No copyright infringement intended.

Of course you know I had to include a highlight video, too (below)..

Off-season Tracker: Signings, Franchise Taggings, Releases, etc.

The 2012 off-season is officially in full-swing, with players agreeing to new contracts and teams placing their franchise tags left and right.

To make things slightly easier to keep track of, I will be listing the off-season moves in one post.

Contract Signings

Stanford Routt, three-year deal w/ KC

Arian Foster, re-signed w/ HOU

Stevie Johnson, re-signed w/ BUF (pictured)

Marshawn Lynch, re-signed w/ SEA

Ahmad Brooks, re-signed w/ SF

D'Qwell Jackson, re-signed w/ CLE

Will Montgomery, re-signed w/ WAS

Jermichael Finley, re-signed w/ GB

Trent Edwards, one-year deal w/ PHI

Lavelle Hawkins, multi-year deal w/ TEN

Rian Lindell, re-signed w/ BUF

Domenik Hixon, re-signed w/ NYG
Mark Sanchez, signs contract extension w/ NYJ
Rashean Mathis, re-signs w/ JAC
Lofa Tatupu, signs w/ ATL

Franchise Tags (Deadline: March 5, 4 PM ET)

Arizona--Calais Campbell, DT

Atlanta--Brent Grimes, CB

Baltimore--Ray Rice, RB

Chicago--Matt Forte, RB

Cincinnati--Mike Nugent, K

Cleveland--Phil Dawson, K
Dallas--Anthony Spencer, LB

Denver--Matt Prater, K

Detroit--Cliff Avril, DE
Indianapolis--Robert Mathis, DE

Jacksonville--Josh Scobee, K
Kansas City--Dwayne Bowe, WR
New England--Wes Welker, WR

New Orleans--Drew Brees, QB
New York Giants--Steve Weatherford, P

Oakland--Tyvon Branch, SS

Philadelphia--DeSean Jackson, WR

San Francisco--Dashon Goldson, FS
Tampa Bay--Connor Barth, K

Tennessee--Michael Griffin, FS

Washington--Fred Davis, TE

Releases

Hines Ward

James Farrior

Aaron Smith

Albert Haynesworth

Lee Evans

Chris Carr

Chris Kemoeatu

Anthony Adams
Dallas Clark
Gary Brackett
Joseph Addai
Peyton Manning
Melvin Bullitt
Brandon Jacobs
Marcus Trufant
Cedric Griffin
Anthony Herrera
Steve Hutchinson

Retirements

Ricky Williams, BAL RB

Kris Dielman, SD G

Bill Muir, KC offensive coor.

Chris Hoke, PIT NT

Note: I will be adding on to this list as the transactions happen). Last updated on Saturday March 10.

Photo credit

Steve Johnson: Rick Stewart/Getty Images

Randy Moss Retirement: The Rice/Moss Debate Continues..

Yesterday's announcement of four-time First Team All Pro wideout Randy Moss was seemingly shocking to the entire NFL world.

The 34-year old Moss spent the 2010 season on three different teams (New England, Minnesota and Tennessee), setting career-lows in receptions (28) and yards (393) with five touchdown catches. It was just the third time in his 13-year professional career that The Freak failed to reach 1,000 receiving yards in a single season.

While many still believe his "retirement" from the game will be brief and that he will get the urge to return to the field with a contender and work towards earning that coveted Super Bowl championship, I am set to believe that Moss will never step foot on a field again.

Throughout his career, the supernatural talent of Moss has drawn comparisons to Hall of Fame receiver Jerry Rice, who is without a doubt the best wide receiver in NFL history–possibly even the best player in NFL history.

The Rice/Moss comparisons have surely been abundant amongst fans and "experts." And although a majority say Rice wins in a landslide, there's plenty of evidence that Moss isn't as far behind Rice as we think.

First off, let's take a look at what the Hall of Fame voters will be looking at first and foremost: career numbers..

Note: all-time rank in parenthesis

Rice–SF, OAK, SEA: 1,549 receptions (1), 22,895 yards (1), 197 TDs (1), 14.8 YPC, 10 rushing TDs in 21 seasons

Moss–MIN, OAK, NE, TEN: 954 receptions (t-8), 14,858 yards (5), 153 TDs (t-2), 15.6 YPC in 13 seasons

It's obvious Rice's numbers trump Moss's by a longshot, and that his numbers are clearly the best of any other receiver to step foot on an NFL field. But what people don't understand is that Rice played for over two decades. Of course his career stats are going to stack up extremely well against the rest of the competition, he played for a long time.

The other top receivers in history? Cris Carter (Moss' teammates in Minnesota), Tim Brown, Terrell Owens, Marvin Harrison, Isaac Bruce, Art Monk, Steve Largent, Rod Smith, James Lofton. NONE, and I mean none of the receivers named in the previous sentence played for as long as Rice did.

That's what made Rice so great, though, is that he was able to stay in shape and was even a huge asset to the Oakland Raiders' AFC Champion squad in 2002. At age 40, Rice's stateline was a Pro Bowl-worthy 92 receptions 1,211 yards and seven touchdowns for Rich Gannon's offense.

Rice's prime produced him three Super Bowl championships under Hall of Fame quarterbacks Joe Montana and Steve Young in San Francisco. Rice's approach to the game–calm, collective and very non-diva-like–paved the way for the receiving position. In his day, circus catches were the norm, and crying and complaining about his team were not.

Rice gave 110% in every game, and was a total team player.

Moss? Not quite so much. In fact, he usually just "did him," as hip-hop artists in today's society often like to call it. Meaning he did what he wanted, when he wanted, and didn't really care about anyone else. If he didn't like the situation he was in, he would throw a hissy fit and sometimes even not make a full attempt while on the football field.

This attitude gave Moss a bad rep, and may hurt his chances at reaching the Hall of Fame on first ballot. Which is a silly claim to make.

His bad attitude should not hurt his chances, because whether fans like it or not, Moss's production–and circus catches–are up to par with Rice's.

Before you try and call B.S. on me, take a gander at Rice and Moss's season averages (Note: Rice made 284 starts in 21 seasons while Moss made 191 starts in 13 seasons)..

Rice: 73.8 Rec., 1,090 yards, 9.4 TD in 14 starts

Moss: 73.4 Rec., 1,142 yards, 11.8 TD in 15 starts

It's a pretty tough comparison. Moss did more with his receptions, meaning he had a much better YPC average, yet Rice was thrown to more often. Let's just say, Moss played along side future HOF wideout Cris Carter part of his career and played with future HOF quarterback (Tom Brady) for another part of it. While Rice played with two Hall of Fame signal callers in Montana and Young.

They both received assistance in putting up astounding career numbers, both made numerous highlight-reel circus catches on the norm, and both changed the way defensive coordinators went about in weekly game-planning.

Overall, I do agree with the masses in that Rice will still go down as the best receiver the game has ever seen, but there's no doubt that Moss is right behind him. One of the league's first divas, Moss did more with less in Minnesota, while Rice was pampered in San Francisco's west coast offense with Walsh and Montana.

After all of this back-and-forth debating of the two's careers, I really don't think it's fair for Rice and Moss to be compared. Rice revolutionized the passing game with his big plays and clutch Super Bowl performances, not to mention his continual burning of opposing defensive backs. But at the same time Moss shouldn't be punished for his attitude towards his teammates.

Football is the ultimate team game, and a better attitude from Mr. Moss would have, no doubt, helped his career out quite a bit. But nevertheless his production was there, and it was up to the same level as Rice. 

Well, except for all those accolades Rice earned in his two decades as a player: 13 Pro Bowl selections, 12 First Team All Pro selections, three Super Bowl championships, Super Bowl MVP, Pro Bowl MVP, PFWA MVP, two-time AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year, NFL 75th Anniversary All-time Team, 1980s All-Decade Team, 1990s All-Decade Team, Pro Football Hall of Fame. His #80 jersey is retired in San Francisco and, of course, he still holds several NFL receiving records.

Gotta love Rice's love and approach to the game, and he trumps Moss in personal accolades. But Moss is a close No. 2 to Jerry.

**Photos found on Google, no copyright infringement intended**

Kerry Collins Hangs up Cleats after 16 Seasons

Throughout his NFL career, Collins, 38, the long-time journeyman quarterback, battled both injury and controversy.

His career isn't what one would call consistent, either. One season he may post an 83.1 QB rating and lead his team to the Super Bowl (in 2000 while quarterbacking the New York Giants), and the next he could lead the league in interceptions (21) and put up a 3-10 record as the team's starter (2004 while in Oakland).

The fifth overall selection of the Carolina Panthers in the 1995 draft, Collins so-called "quit" the team as then-head coach Dom Capers put it. After starting 0-4 as Carolina's starter in 1998, Collins asked the team to be traded, but was instead placed on waivers. New Orleans picked him up during the season, but was gone by the end after going 2-5 as the starter.

His most impressive tenure, perhaps, was with the Giants. In five seasons, Collins put up a 35-33 record and led the G-Men to two playoff appearances, included a remarkable Super Bowl run that ended in an embarrassing 34-7 defeat to perhaps the stingiest defense in league history.

Two unsuccessful seasons with the Oakland Raiders in 2004 and 2005 led to Collins being cut for the second time in his career. He managed to revive his rocky career in Tennessee, however, signing a one-year contract in August of 2006.

Collins was brought in primarily as a mentor for the rookie Vince Young as the Titans went 1-3 in Collins' four starts in '06 and '07.

A Young injury early in the 2008 campaign led to Collins' rebirth as a starting quarterback, leading Tennessee to a 13-3 record and a playoff berth. Thanks to a strong ground attack and stingy No. 2 overall defense, Tennessee captured a first-round bye, but faltered in a round two matchup with Baltimore.

That season Collins, in what was his fourth-most productive season in terms of QB Rating (80.2), made his second and final trip to Honolulu, Hawaii for the Pro Bowl.

In regards to the 2011 season, what sort of impact does Collins retirement have on the Tennessee Titans organization? Well, that one's easy. It opens up an opportunity for rookie Jake Locker to take over the reins.

The idea of Locker starting for Tennessee come week one is a pretty scary thought, especially considering he wasn't the most accurate quarterback in his glory college days at Washington. Personally, I don't agree with the Titans selecting Locker with the No. 8 overall pick, especially when Blaine Gabbert was still on the board.

It's risky enough as it is starting a rookie quarterback right off the bat, let alone a questionable talent such as Locker (at best).

But, with a Vince Young release highly likely once the lockout is lifted, it's appearing more and more as though Locker will be Tennessee's guy in 2011. Nevertheless, this is a good time to pay tribute to Collins' career.

His 40,000 career passing yards (11th-most in league history) unfortunately will not be enough for him to get a call from Canton, but he will surely be remembered by New York fans as the guy who almost got them a Championship.

Photo credit

1. profootballhof.com

2. nydailynews.com