Giants DE Strahan retires after 15 years, seven Pro Bowls

[blitzfiftysix]

Monday, June 9, 2008
Giants DE Strahan to retire after 15 years, seven Pro Bowls
By John Clayton
ESPN.com

Michael Strahan has decided to retire from the NFL after 15 seasons.

The defensive end's agent, Tony Agnone, confirmed the decision, which was firmed up over the weekend. Strahan had planned on notifying the New York Giants on Monday, but most of the Giants' front-office officials were attending a golfing event, so Strahan left a message before announcing his decision.

"It was important that my teammates knew which way I was going before they got on the field to start the work to defend our title," Strahan told FoxSports.com, which first reported his retirement plans. "It's time. I'm done."

Strahan leaves the NFL on top.

He came back from a possible retirement last summer and helped the Giants win the Super Bowl. He had nine sacks in 16 games last year and helped to accelerate the pass rush during the Giants' furious rush to the Super Bowl during the playoffs.

During his 15-year career, Strahan had 141½ sacks and made seven trips to the Pro Bowl.

In five years, Strahan will be eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame and he will make a convincing case to go in on the first ballot. He set an NFL record in 2001 when he had 22½ sacks. He was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year that season.

The Giants had been talking to him about a possible upgrade to his contract, but the numbers apparently didn't work. Strahan was scheduled to make $4 million this season. The team, according to a source, offered to increase the base salary by $1 million if he reached a certain sack level -- possibly six. Strahan was hoping to get a base salary increase close to the $8.1 million Jason Taylor of the Dolphins is scheduled to make this fall.

The 36-year-old Strahan was a second-round choice of the Giants in 1993. It took him until 1994 to become a full-time starter. By 1997, Strahan became a star, annually rating among the NFL sack leaders.

Numerous broadcasting opportunities are awaiting Strahan. He's been involved with Fox and the NFL Network. He has radio opportunities.

Though he could have waited until the start of camp, Strahan decided this was the time to make his decision public. Though many of the Giants' players expected Strahan to retire, they will have to start adjusting to a locker room without him starting this week at their minicamp, which starts Wednesday.

"It's a tough decision but I wanted to be fair to the Giants and fair to my teammates," Strahan said, according to FoxSports.com.

John Clayton is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.

[ldysknzfn]

I just want to say...Hallelujah!  Thank God in greyhound he's gone!  YES!  I'm so glad ..not that I didn't like him or anything (yeah right!  lmao!)  Later gator!  Asta lavista baby! Maybe we won't have to watch that stupid commercial w/him this season talking about "some eggs" or something...yay!

Can you tell I'm glad!  Good luck Mike...so you don't have to come back, I hope everything works out for you!..lol

[Mike Bass]

Strahan had a great career....I am glad that he decided to go out on top

[Yellow31]

If he gets into the HOF he can thank Bret Farve.

[Simone]

I never had anything against Strahan (only when he played against us).  I am glad he is retiring on top of his career.

[Mike Bass]

If he gets into the HOF he can thank Bret Farve.

Why Y-41 for that one sack?...I'll have to disagree with that my friend. I think that he had a stellar career and IMO a HoF career.

Before Favre gave him that sack he had earned 21.5 of them that year which was a pretty good feat in itself.


I would think that these would be HoF type numbers:

6x All-Pro selection (1997, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005)
7x Pro Bowl selection (1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005)
NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2001)
2x NFC Defensive Player of the Year (2001, 2003)
Most sacks in single season (22.5)
Super Bowl XLII champion

[Yellow31]

If he gets into the HOF he can thank Bret Farve.

Why Y-41 for that one sack?...I'll have to disagree with that my friend. I think that he had a stellar career and possibly a HoF career.

Before Favre gave him that sack he had earned 21.5 of them that year which was a pretty good feat in itself.

Didn't say he owed him all the thanks just a mention some where along the line.

[Mike Bass]

If he gets into the HOF he can thank Bret Farve.

Why Y-41 for that one sack?...I'll have to disagree with that my friend. I think that he had a stellar career and possibly a HoF career.

Before Favre gave him that sack he had earned 21.5 of them that year which was a pretty good feat in itself.

Didn't say he owed him all the thanks just a mention some where along the line.

LOL....oh okay, I can get with that

[LuvDaSkins]

ldysknzfn your post is too funny!...Thanks

[BigMike21]

Strahan is a surefire unanimous first round HOFer in my opinion.........but it doesn't mean I have to like the guy!!!