Post by EagleGene on Aug 17, 2006 20:00:08 GMT -5
Report: Seau to end retirement, sign with Patriots
August 17, 2006
SAN DIEGO (Ticker) - Junior Seau's emotional farewell speech apparently didn't mean much.
Three days after announcing his retirement, the perennial Pro Bowl linebacker is on the verge of signing with the New England Patriots, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported Thursday.
The best defensive player in the history of the San Diego Chargers, Seau announced his retirement Monday in an intense speech. At his news conference, Seau said he was graduating, rather than retiring.
"So please, understand when I say this. I'm not retiring. I am graduating," Seau said Monday. "Today is my graduation day. Retirement means that you'll just go ahead and live on your laurels and surf all day in Oceanside. It ain't going to happen."
Apparently, it didn't happen.
According to the report that cited two league sources, Seau will fly to New England on Thursday night and, if things go well, could sign with the Patriots by the end of the week.
"Junior left a message for Chargers President Dean Spanos today alerting him that he may sign a contract and play for the New England Patriots," the Chargers said in a statement. "If in fact he chooses to continue his playing career, we wish him good health and the best of luck this season. Junior's place in the Chargers' Hall of Fame awaits him when his career is over."
The Patriots' linebacking corps have been hit hard by injuries this summer. Starting middle linebacker Tedy Bruschi is sidelined with a wrist injury and inside linebackers Monty Beisel and Freddie Roach have been battling injuries as well.
The 12-time Pro Bowler played the first 13 years of his career with San Diego. He spent the last three seasons with the Miami Dolphins, who released him last March to save $2.1 million under the salary cap.
Last year, Seau, 37, played in just seven games before suffering an Achilles tendon injury in a 22-0 loss at Cleveland on November 24. He finished with 43 tackles, one sack and two passes defensed.
In 2004, Seau started eight games for Miami before suffering a torn pectoral muscle.
Seau was selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame All-Decade Team for the 1990s and was named to the Pro Bowl 12 straight years from 1992-2003.
After an All-American career at Southern California, Seau was selected by San Diego fifth overall in the 1990 draft.
Updated on Thursday, Aug 17, 2006 7:54 pm EDT
August 17, 2006
SAN DIEGO (Ticker) - Junior Seau's emotional farewell speech apparently didn't mean much.
Three days after announcing his retirement, the perennial Pro Bowl linebacker is on the verge of signing with the New England Patriots, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported Thursday.
The best defensive player in the history of the San Diego Chargers, Seau announced his retirement Monday in an intense speech. At his news conference, Seau said he was graduating, rather than retiring.
"So please, understand when I say this. I'm not retiring. I am graduating," Seau said Monday. "Today is my graduation day. Retirement means that you'll just go ahead and live on your laurels and surf all day in Oceanside. It ain't going to happen."
Apparently, it didn't happen.
According to the report that cited two league sources, Seau will fly to New England on Thursday night and, if things go well, could sign with the Patriots by the end of the week.
"Junior left a message for Chargers President Dean Spanos today alerting him that he may sign a contract and play for the New England Patriots," the Chargers said in a statement. "If in fact he chooses to continue his playing career, we wish him good health and the best of luck this season. Junior's place in the Chargers' Hall of Fame awaits him when his career is over."
The Patriots' linebacking corps have been hit hard by injuries this summer. Starting middle linebacker Tedy Bruschi is sidelined with a wrist injury and inside linebackers Monty Beisel and Freddie Roach have been battling injuries as well.
The 12-time Pro Bowler played the first 13 years of his career with San Diego. He spent the last three seasons with the Miami Dolphins, who released him last March to save $2.1 million under the salary cap.
Last year, Seau, 37, played in just seven games before suffering an Achilles tendon injury in a 22-0 loss at Cleveland on November 24. He finished with 43 tackles, one sack and two passes defensed.
In 2004, Seau started eight games for Miami before suffering a torn pectoral muscle.
Seau was selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame All-Decade Team for the 1990s and was named to the Pro Bowl 12 straight years from 1992-2003.
After an All-American career at Southern California, Seau was selected by San Diego fifth overall in the 1990 draft.
Updated on Thursday, Aug 17, 2006 7:54 pm EDT
