Maller: Bledsoe Undecided On Retirement

[KingTuna]

Cowboys QB Drew Bledsoe said he is undecided on whether he will retire after the season. Bledsoe returns to his native Washington as a frustrated backup after losing his starting job to Tony Romo in the seventh game of the year. "It's hard going back home and not playing," Bledsoe said. "I will have a ton of people at the game."

Posted January 04, by Ben Maller
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I think if he REALLY wanted to retire he would not keep it a secret. I suspect he is going to wait until the season is over, field the offers he gets from teams and then decide if he wants to play for one of those teams or not.

Oakland/Minnesota/Tampa Bay/Houston/Cleavland/Detriot

All are possible suitors and there may be more.

I predict we will know by March what Bledsoe's plans are.

 

[Maikeru-sama]

I dont think he retires, I bet he could probably compete or be an outright starter for some teams.

But obviously the list of teams interested would probably tripple if he were to accept being a backup.

 

[joseephuss]

He will retire once he realizes that teams won't be interested in just giving him a starting gig. If he does accept the fact that he is a back up at this point of his career, then he may stick around. I just think he doesn't see himself in that role.

 

[eduncan22]

Would Dan Marino want to be a backup?

 

[silver]

he won't retire. he's not that old, only 34 or so. he's just beat up. or was up until they benched him. he might feel pretty good now after riding the pine for 2 and half months. me thinks he plays elsewhere next year. but i doubt he starts.

 

[joseephuss]

Would Dan Marino want to be a backup?

No and I have no problem with that. Same with Aikman late in his career. If Bledsoe wants to be a starter, that is fine. I just don't think there will be any starting gigs available for him. Some guys do accept back up roles and some don't. I think most QBs that have been starters for most of their careers are least likely to accept becoming back ups. That is just the way they are wired. It is what got them a starting job in the NFL to begin with. I admire that.

 

[Eddie]

Nothing wrong with putting aside the ego and taking a backup role.

There aren't enough quality QB's out there to fill rosters and almost every team can use an experienced backup. Just ask the Eagles. 35 year old Jeff Garcia saved their season.

Bledsoe would also need to accept a pay cut, but at least he's still in the game. Backup QB is probably the easiest gig in town.

Once he retires, he'll never be able to come back as a player. He'll wish he played one or two more years.

I wish him well. He'll be remembered (or forgotten) as part of the long line of QB's who have passed through here between Troy and the next Cowboy franchise QB.

 

[DLCassidy]

I bet he retires.

 

[Hostile]

I bet he retires.

Me too. He's lost the starting gig 3 times to younger QBs deemed the future. A 4th would be too much to live down. Why risk that?

 

[Dale]

Children, wives, countrymen and KingTuna will be heard weeping the day Bledsoe hangs 'em up.

In all seriousness, he can still play in some capacity in this league. He just has to decide if he's Ok with playing the Kurt Warner role, where he signs on with a team that has a young quarterback but can "compete" for the starting role until the young guy is ready. Bledsoe might be a touch too proud to settle for that. Not sure he's the sort that wants to go through the grueling schedule to not even play on Sundays.

 

[Cochese]

This guy is still on the team?

 

[Zaxor]

Children, wives, countrymen and KingTuna will be heard weeping the day Bledsoe hangs 'em up.

In all seriousness, he can still play in some capacity in this league. He just has to decide if he's Ok with playing the Kurt Warner role, where he signs on with a team that has a young quarterback but can "compete" for the starting role until the young guy is ready. Bledsoe might be a touch too proud to settle for that. Not sure he's the sort that wants to go through the grueling schedule to not even play on Sundays.

I agree 100%....

he could be the goal post for example or maybe a pylon or a down and distance marker

 

[the kid 05]

Whos Drew Bledsoe?

 

[Apollo Creed]

Does every player run a 40 at training camp? I'm curious to see exactly how slow this guy really is.

 

[silver]

Does every player run a 40 at training camp? I'm curious to see exactly how slow this guy really is.

not much slower than say... Marcus Spears?

 

[Apollo Creed]

not much slower than say... Marcus Spears?

I'd seriously bet on Spears in that race.

 

[DLCassidy]

I'd seriously bet on Spears in that race.

Acccording to Matt Mosely Bledsoe ran a 4.7 40 coming out of college. Spears ran a 5.03. Bledsoe's older now so it might be a good race. See if you can set it up. I'll take Bledsoe for 10.:laugh2:

 

[Yeagermeister]

I doubt he retires but he'll be wearing a different uniform.

 

[Apollo Creed]

Acccording to Matt Mosely Bledsoe ran a 4.7 40 coming out of college. Spears ran a 5.03. Bledsoe's older now so it might be a good race. See if you can set it up. I'll take Bledsoe for 10.:laugh2:

After watching Spears' fumble recovery against the Chiefs last year I think I got an easy 10.

 

[LaTunaNostra]

It would be mega interesting to see Drew go into a camp actually battling for a starting job.

That has never happened in his career. He came in an heir apparent, was traded from NE w/o ever having to earn his spot in a summer camp (nor was he given the chance once Brady won out), left Buffalo in a huff, and came to Dallas under the condition he be the starter. This summer, we now know he was in more than nominal comp. with Tony, but it was his job to lose, not Tony's to win.

I'd love to see the guy actually WIN a starting spot in a REAL honest, admitted competition, or at least agree to lower himself to a summer QB duel out. But I suspect he would retire rather than enter the fray.

No more noblesse oblige for Bledsoe in the NFL, still trading on his 1993 pedigree.