ZachEY Posted July 27, 2016 Share Posted July 27, 2016 2016 all-retirement team: 22-man roster of NFL players who retired Getty Images, Icon Sportswire 7:59 AM ET Jeremy FowlerESPN Staff Writer Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email print comment This old-timers' game is going to be epic. The amount of star talent retiring from the NFL this offseason has grown into a stellar 22-man roster that might still make the playoffs as the league's 33rd team in 2016. Hey, it's not too late. We put together the list. It's a heckuva squad. Loaded with playmakers. And there are a few battles at big positions. From Megatron to Manning, every position is filled by a capable player who decided to walk away. For some, the ability to compete at the highest level dissipated. Father time prevailed. Injuries mounted. Others, however, left good, productive years on the table because the grind became too much. Whether the raw volume is a symptom of the concussion era is still unclear, but what is clear: Most of these players made enough money to quit comfortably. And good for them. Here's our team, featuring players who account for nearly 70 Pro Bowl appearances. Quarterback: Peyton Manning Top five dead or alive. From beginning to end, Manning's quarterback career couldn't have been built better in a lab. Running back: Marshawn Lynch "Beast Mode" was instant production, leading the league in rushing touchdowns in 2013 and 2014. He probably had one more quality season left, but after nine years playing a bruising style, it's understandable why Lynch walked away. Wide receiver: Calvin Johnson This one is still the most shocking since Megatron was considered a top-five receiver when he retired in March after nine seasons in the NFL. He was simply fed up. Wide receiver: Greg Jennings Former Charger Malcom Floyd held this spot for a while, but Jennings was so darned good in Green Bay from 2008-10 that he instantly joined this roster after he announced his retirement earlier this week. Slot receiver: Percy Harvin Based on his immense talent, Harvin's career feels strange and incomplete. He overstayed his welcome in two cities and retired at age 28 with one Pro Bowl to his name. Tight end: Heath Miller Miller finished his 11-year career with 592 receptions, good enough for second in Steelers history. He also left with a ton of street cred in "Stiller Gang" folklore. Offensive tackle: D'Brickashaw Ferguson The former top-five pick never missed a game in 10 seasons and made three Pro Bowls. At 32, Ferguson walked away from at least one more serviceable season. Offensive line: Logan Mankins One of the pillars of Bill Belichick's championship teams in New England, Mankins was an All-Pro and a seven-time Pro Bowler. But it was time. Offensive line: Manny Ramirez Ramirez played 10 years and was a consistent, if unspectacular, performer. Offensive line: Phil Loadholt Loadholt started 89 games for the Vikings before suffering a torn Achilles last preseason. The former second-round pick was a solid run blocker. Offensive tackle: Eugene Monroe Monroe never played like a No. 8 overall pick, but he was a decent tackle over seven seasons before retiring last week. Defensive end: Jared Allen Allen sits ninth all-time in sacks with 136, plus he rode a horse during hisretirement video. One of the league's true characters will be missed. Defensive tackle: B.J. Raji Raji could return to the league in 2017, but for now he's semi-retired, and it wasn't that long ago the 30-year-old was shaking his hips in State Farm commercials. Defensive tackle: Darnell Dockett Dockett, who retired as a Cardinal this week, would split time with Jason Hatcher, who also put in 10 years on the defensive line. These two combined for 75 sacks. Defensive end: Justin Tuck Tuck was a key cog in the Giants' two Super Bowl teams and an exemplary leader in NFL locker rooms. He finished his career with 66.5 sacks in 11 seasons. Linebacker: Jon Beason Beason posted 706 tackles and made three Pro Bowls in 10 seasons, and then it was time to go. Linebacker: Jerod Mayo Injuries cut short what could have been a historic career as an anchor of New England's defense. Mayo got out after eight seasons. Linebacker: A.J. Tarpley After retiring at age 23, Tarpley didn't leave behind much of an NFL legacy. He has eight career tackles and one sack. But we needed another linebacker, so he makes the squad. Cornerback: Charles Tillman Tillman, who mans one corner for a deep all-retirement secondary, will always be known for the "Peanut Punch," which helped him log a ridiculous 44 forced fumbles over his career. He also had 38 interceptions. Cornerback: Rashean Mathis Mathis was one of the game's quality cover corners for years in Jacksonville, and he stayed healthy for most of his 13 NFL seasons. Safety: Charles Woodson Woodson was so good and so respected that his looming retirement in 2015 felt almost like a Kobe farewell. He will be wearing a Hall of Fame blazer soon. Safety: Husain Abdullah Abdullah and fellow retiree Walter Thurmond can split time at safety. Abdullah had more production over seven NFL seasons than Thurmond did in six. Both are solid safeties who walked away early. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Crusher Posted July 27, 2016 Share Posted July 27, 2016 No Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nyjunc Posted July 27, 2016 Share Posted July 27, 2016 we'd kill that team, their QB is worse than fitz or Geno at this point. A lot of great names on that list but very few playing at a high level when they retired. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greenwichjetfan Posted July 27, 2016 Share Posted July 27, 2016 As a fan of the entire league...wow that is some retiring class. Could we beat them as currently constituted? As a lifelong "homer" Jets fan, I'd still have to say no. Not because of any of our deficiencies, but more because that is a hell of a squad, and although they're old, quite a few of them still had a bunch to offer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joewilly12 Posted July 27, 2016 Share Posted July 27, 2016 This thread is DUMB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RutgersJetFan Posted July 27, 2016 Share Posted July 27, 2016 So we'd be watching Wilkerson try to tee off against Brick? That would be like having to watch Hogan and Ultimate Warrior go at it at Wrestlemania VI and I'm not sure I can take such a matchup twice in one lifetime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gas2No99 Posted July 27, 2016 Share Posted July 27, 2016 we'd get CRUSHED by that team Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saul Goodman Posted July 27, 2016 Share Posted July 27, 2016 If the all-retirement team had a training camp together prior to the game, for both conditioning and chemistry-building, no, they would beat us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetdawgg Posted July 27, 2016 Share Posted July 27, 2016 Glad to see DBrick getting his props. He deserved better here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZachEY Posted July 27, 2016 Author Share Posted July 27, 2016 2 minutes ago, Jetdawgg said: Glad to see DBrick getting his props. He deserved better here Being a 10 year starter, generally a fan favorite, a team leader, and making tens of millions of dollars? Wish I could get that kind of poor treatment at my job. On the other side, when his skills declined, asking him to take a pay cut to reflect his current value, and help the team as a whole, while heading into his 11th year, where he'd still be making millions? I'd still sign up... Quickly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Crusher Posted July 27, 2016 Share Posted July 27, 2016 32 minutes ago, joewilly12 said: This thread is DUMB No Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nyjunc Posted July 27, 2016 Share Posted July 27, 2016 you guys are looking at names and not level of play. in their primes obviously this team would be great but most of these guys were over the hill when they retired. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Crusher Posted July 27, 2016 Share Posted July 27, 2016 9 minutes ago, nyjunc said: you guys are looking at names and not level of play. in their primes obviously this team would be great but most of these guys were over the hill when they retired. Yes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZachEY Posted July 27, 2016 Author Share Posted July 27, 2016 20 minutes ago, nyjunc said: you guys are looking at names and not level of play. in their primes obviously this team would be great but most of these guys were over the hill when they retired. Manning, perhaps. But Lynch and C. Johnson would still be top players at their positions. And I think the defensive line would still be pretty effective. Their secondary could be a weakness due to decline, but otherwise, there's not glaring problems with that roster, and I still wouldn't bet against Manning in a one game situation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nyjunc Posted July 27, 2016 Share Posted July 27, 2016 11 minutes ago, gEYno said: Manning, perhaps. But Lynch and C. Johnson would still be top players at their positions. And I think the defensive line would still be pretty effective. Their secondary could be a weakness due to decline, but otherwise, there's not glaring problems with that roster, and I still wouldn't bet against Manning in a one game situation. Lynch and Johnson still great, the OL? mediocre. the QB? worse than mediocre last year. TE? blah, WR opposite Johnson? terrible. Defensively only Woodson was still a very good player. Always bet against Manning in 1 game if that game is a big game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bergen Jet Posted July 27, 2016 Share Posted July 27, 2016 The very rare horrible thread by EY? The whole angle about "could the jets beat" is pretty idiotic. We still love you EY... Impressive list of retirees though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZachEY Posted July 27, 2016 Author Share Posted July 27, 2016 20 minutes ago, Bergen Jet said: The very rare horrible thread by EY? The whole angle about "could the jets beat" is pretty idiotic. We still love you EY... Impressive list of retirees though! Plenty of replies within 1 hour. No ragets here. Probably could have added another thread where I offer my own personal Hot Take on Ryan Fitzpatrick! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Integrity28 Posted July 27, 2016 Share Posted July 27, 2016 33 minutes ago, Bergen Jet said: The very rare horrible thread by EY? The whole angle about "could the jets beat" is pretty idiotic. We still love you EY... Impressive list of retirees though! Thread is great. If for no other reason, a certain someone showed up to argue about it like it's a real thing... drawn to hypotheticals like a moth to a flame... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetdawgg Posted July 27, 2016 Share Posted July 27, 2016 1 hour ago, gEYno said: Being a 10 year starter, generally a fan favorite, a team leader, and making tens of millions of dollars? Wish I could get that kind of poor treatment at my job. On the other side, when his skills declined, asking him to take a pay cut to reflect his current value, and help the team as a whole, while heading into his 11th year, where he'd still be making millions? I'd still sign up... Quickly. No SB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleedin Green Posted July 27, 2016 Share Posted July 27, 2016 1 hour ago, gEYno said: Manning, perhaps. But Lynch and C. Johnson would still be top players at their positions. And I think the defensive line would still be pretty effective. Their secondary could be a weakness due to decline, but otherwise, there's not glaring problems with that roster, and I still wouldn't bet against Manning in a one game situation. Manning's no Geno. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joewilly12 Posted July 27, 2016 Share Posted July 27, 2016 So when are we cutting the entire current team and signing all the has beens? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Integrity28 Posted July 27, 2016 Share Posted July 27, 2016 1 minute ago, joewilly12 said: So when are we cutting the entire current team and signing all the has beens? in 40 years from now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nyjunc Posted July 27, 2016 Share Posted July 27, 2016 1 hour ago, Integrity28 said: Thread is great. If for no other reason, a certain someone showed up to argue about it like it's a real thing... drawn to hypotheticals like a moth to a flame... do you ever stop thinking of me? it's very creepy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Integrity28 Posted July 27, 2016 Share Posted July 27, 2016 Just now, nyjunc said: do you ever stop thinking of me? it's very creepy. i wasn't talking about you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZachEY Posted July 27, 2016 Author Share Posted July 27, 2016 1 hour ago, joewilly12 said: So when are we cutting the entire current team and signing all the has beens? Isn't that literally exactly what you advocate for every time a player becomes available who you've heard of before? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irish Jet Posted July 27, 2016 Share Posted July 27, 2016 Athletically we'd be pretty dominant, especially as they cycle off the stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joewilly12 Posted July 27, 2016 Share Posted July 27, 2016 1 minute ago, gEYno said: Isn't that literally exactly what you advocate for every time a player becomes available who you've heard of before? No I think the "retired team" thing is stupid we dont need any has beens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZachEY Posted July 27, 2016 Author Share Posted July 27, 2016 10 minutes ago, joewilly12 said: No I think the "retired team" thing is stupid we dont need any has beens. Yet, just a couple of days ago, you advocated signing Johnny Manziel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joewilly12 Posted July 27, 2016 Share Posted July 27, 2016 1 minute ago, gEYno said: Yet, just a couple of days ago, you advocated signing Johnny Manziel. Hes a retired old man? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZachEY Posted July 27, 2016 Author Share Posted July 27, 2016 1 minute ago, joewilly12 said: Hes a retired old man? He was never good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joewilly12 Posted July 27, 2016 Share Posted July 27, 2016 1 minute ago, gEYno said: He was never good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZachEY Posted July 27, 2016 Author Share Posted July 27, 2016 I'm not going to bother even googling pictures of Tebow or Vince Young with thier Heisman Trophies Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetscrazey Posted July 27, 2016 Share Posted July 27, 2016 for 1 game, that team would be straight up ridiculous. However, staying healthy over the course of a season is another story Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.