Corey Dillon maybe won’t retire, but is for hire
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We uncover the secret to Corey Dillon’s leaping ability
First it looked like Corey Dillon would retire. That was big news, in and of itself. He just came off a great year.
The Patriots looked poised for another strong run to the Super Bowl.
If only they could just keep the core group and maybe add a receiver or two.
“I think more of my health, how I envision myself 5-10 years down the road,” Dillon said via cellphone from California. “I don’t want to be broken down, not able to play with my kids. I’ve been blessed and fortunate enough to play 10 years. I can get up and walk around and be comfortable. That’s one of the big determining factors.” source
It looked like… another Tiki Barber story. Great back goes out his own way after a pretty good season.
The 32-year-old Dillon believes he has nothing more to prove. In 10 seasons with the Bengals (1997-2003) and Patriots (2004-06), he totaled 11,241 rushing yards, 14th on the NFL’s all-time list. In 2004, he won the Super Bowl ring he coveted.
“There comes a time in your football career when you come to a conclusion and I’m at mine,” he said. “I don’t need to play.” source
Now it looks like the Pats will give him his release and he will seek to sell his services to the highest bidder.
Dillon’s agent, Steve Feldman, told The Associated Press on Friday that his client will ask the Patriots for his release and that the team is likely to grant it by March 2, the start of free agency.
Dillon told The Boston Globe that he would probably retire, but Feldman, while acknowledging that retirement is a possibility, said it is unlikely. source
NFL Football Corey Dillon factoid Corey is the NFL’s top active runner with 11,241 yards.
Corey could see the handwriting on the wall. This year he went from being the feature back to being the short yardage back. Lawrence Maroney was being groomed for the feature back of the future.
It is too bad the Pat’s can’t convince him to stay. Most of the top teams employ a two back rotating system now a days. Look around, the Saints, Bears, and Colts did it. Usually you want the backs to be different, like one a power back and one a speed back.
So, maybe your humble author is going to end up being dead wrong. After predicting how the Patriots seem to handle off season with grace and reload for another title run. We have Dillon leaving and Brady spawning. What is next?
NFL Football Fan Question Can your team use a man of Dillon’s talents?
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POSTED IN: Free agency, Indianapolis Colts, NFL Football, NFL Playoffs, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, Tom Brady
6 opinions for Corey Dillon maybe won’t retire, but is for hire
Ron B Free
Feb 26, 2007 at 7:46 am
It’s hard to be humble when for so many years you’ve been “The Man”. Corey should rethink this move. Playing for a good team (The Pats) in tandem with a good young back would be the smart thing to do at his age. It would prolong an already long career, get him into the playoffs again and allow himself to eventually retire with some glory. Then again he played for the Bungles for so many years where he was the best player on a horrible team. Maybe he just misses that.
James
Feb 27, 2007 at 12:50 am
He has his rings. He feels he can be the Man!
Rockwell
Mar 3, 2007 at 8:33 pm
What I love is how the reporters covering football got this wrong all last year.
So many times I heard on TV that Dillon was happy and content with the sharing. Underneath he was seething.
But it is obvious if you watch him run that he is no longer the main back. He can step up still and have a great game or two, but not a season. The Pats know what they are doing. But the Pats also need to add a few more pieces to the puzzle, because by going cheap on receivers (among others) this year, they cost themselves another shot at the Super Bowl.
James
Mar 4, 2007 at 9:26 pm
Rock, how bad can you feel? you just got A. Thomas.
Rockwell
Mar 5, 2007 at 12:46 am
Oh, but James… that assumes I always cheer for the Pats. I’m very post-modern now. No loyalties. I just follow them all with great interest.
Actually, I’m closer in proximity to the Washington and Baltimore teams… so actually, we just lost Mr. Thomas to the Pats. (Who apparently think Bruschi is getting a bit old… and think they would have shut the Colts down if he was back in his younger form.) The defense for the Pats always starts with the linebackers.
The Pats are going to need better receivers still and that deal they want to make with Miami is still not going to do it.
James
Mar 6, 2007 at 1:27 am
Rock, forgive me, Lion’s fans are never anything but Lion’s fans, even after they die and are reborn.
Only the wheel of Karma can free a Lion’s fan from their misery. (which pretty much means you have to be axe murdered!)
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