Strahan retiring? Thanks a lot, Michael!

by Ed Valentine on Jul 27, 2007 3:13 PM EDT in News Comment 11 comments

Forget that stuff I posted earlier about Michael Strahan wanting more money. According to the Star-Ledger, Strahan may retire.

GM Jerry Reese confirmed that to the Star-Ledger's Mike Garafolo.

"Last night, I talked to his agent (Tony Agnone) and his agent said to me -- this was about seven o'clock -- (Strahan) was contemplating retiring," Reese said. "That's all I know right now. We haven't spoken to him. We'll get more details about it. We'll put him on reserve/did not report to camp."

This is not good news. Thanks a lot, Michael, for making a decision at a time when the Giants are screwed now in terms of structuring their defense if you decide not to play.

I know Strahan is not the dominant force he used to be, but the Giants were/are still counting on No. 92 lining up at left end.

I'm sure Reese would have left Mathias Kiwanuka at defensive end and more aggressively pursued linebacker help if Strahan had given any indication this might be coming.

What options do the Giants have if Strahan does, indeed, hang 'em up? I only see a few.

1. Make no drastic moves and give the job to Justin Tuck. That would mean entrusting the backup spots to Adrian Awasom and rookie Jay Alford.

2. Move Kiwanuka back to defensive end and let Gerris Wilkinson start at linebacker. That might also open a spot for ex-Denver linebacker Al Wilson if he is ever declared physically able to play.

3. Call Simeon Rice's agent right now. Rice, recently released by Tampa Bay, has 121 career sacks. He's 33 and I'm not a big fan of his, but if Strahan isn't going to play it's a call the Giants might have to make.

Again, thanks a lot Michael! If you do retire, maybe you and Tiki Barber can get your own show. Call it "How to Really Screw Over Your Employer."

Your thoughts?

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Meh

It's a bargaining ploy. He still wants more money.

Bleeding Green Nation Philadelphia Eagles Blog

by JasonB on Jul 27, 2007 3:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

More $$$

He's a broken-down, 35-year-old part-time pass-rushing defensive end. Why would you give him more money? Tell him to go ask his ex-wife for an allowance if he wants more money, that's where all his cash has gone, anyway.

by Ed Valentine on Jul 27, 2007 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well... yeah

I can definitely see why they wouldn't want to give him more money, but he obviously wants it. I highly doubt he is seriously considering retirement. He wants a new deal or he wants to be released.

No way he leaves 4 million on the table though. He'll play this year.

Bleeding Green Nation Philadelphia Eagles Blog

by JasonB on Jul 27, 2007 7:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i agree

an eagles fan actually calming everyone down.
i appreciate it.

by SBakerTheTouchdownMaker on Jul 28, 2007 8:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanking the Eagles

Yikes! It comes to that. Anyway, that is probably right that Strahan is using this as a ploy for more $$$. Still, this kind of crap is the last thing Coughlin and the Giants need. Distractions caused by their star players have been dragging this team down, and this is more of the same selfish nonsense.

by Ed Valentine on Jul 28, 2007 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ugh

This is just further evidence of what a dysfunctional mess the Giants are right now. I know Strahan isn't what he once was, but his presence was sorely missed while he was hurt last season, and now the Giants will have to scramble to fill in the hole on the defensive line.

Sorry to make my first-ever post on this site such a gloomy one, but I'm worried about this season. I have visions of a 3-13 train wreck coming.

Not optimistic about the post-Tiki Giants...

by Greenpoint Ian on Jul 27, 2007 6:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Train Wreck

Well, welcome to Big Blue View! We're glad to have to have you. As for 3-13, I don't see it. This, though, doesn't help. We need fewer distractions, and some real leadership from Strahan instead of this garbage would have helped. He might just be angling for more money, but it's still crappy the way he is going about it.

by Ed Valentine on Jul 27, 2007 8:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Life

goes on. I wasn't sure how much he'd be able to contribute this year anyway. The positive side of this is that one of the main culprits responsible for the Giants dysfunction will be gone and it will force the team to rely even more on its youth movement. Call it magical thinkning, but I think we'll have a good year without him.

by george cronin on Jul 27, 2007 8:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

strahan

I think this is a money issue and its a very sly way for him to bargain for more money. Rather than threatening to holdout for more money, he says he's thinking of hanging it up and moving on with his life, now that he's up in years so It doesnt look like he's just being greedy. I guess with the threat of "retirememnt", he puts reese in a position where reese has to consider offering him more money to insure stah stays on another year and doesnt "retire" because it would huet the team. Stra has probably had some offers from a network and he would be paid pretty nicely for working with the media but I dont think they would pay him 4 million a year. So what will strah do? If its about money, the smart thing to do would be to play and make his 4 million this year.

"Control the clock, dont make dumb mistakes and penalties, and dont turn the ball over because you cant win without the ball."

by 3dsoul on Jul 28, 2007 4:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Strahan

I think this is more about avoiding training camp than money. Wasn't he one of the original complainers about Coughlins tough camps? Look for him to appear near the end of camp, missing most of the hard work. He knows he doen't have much leverage with the front office.

ETval...do you really think he is broken down? I think even at his reduced size he is still savvy enough to hold his own at end if he can stay healthy and is certainly missed when he doesn't play...witness last year's record without him.

by giant fan since 57 on Jul 28, 2007 6:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Broken down

That might have been an emotional reaction, but ... the point is, he is 35, has missed considerable time with injuries the past few seasons and, to me, can no longer be considered a great, every down defensive end. I want him in the lineup and on the field, there's just no way you give a guy at his age and w/his injury history a pay raise.

by Ed Valentine on Jul 28, 2007 10:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs