56 replies to this topic

[jsinger121]

Per PFT sources.

http://profootballta...ht-will-retire/

[EddieYost]

Too bad. Great career with the Pats.

[Eck'sSneakyCheese]

Guess it was time. Sad to hear. Definitely a member of the Patriots Hall of Fame in the future.

[soxfan121]

Slow news day - this report simply re-hashes an issue we've all been aware of since Kraft's comments last month...or since Light himself refused to comment on it.

A "source"? Yeaaaaaah...sure.

EDIT: What the fuck people? Kraft's comments last month were more illuminating and no one started a memorial thread....I don't get it. This is not an official announcement and no official announcement is coming before July. Calm down.

Edited by soxfan121, 18 April 2012 - 04:06 PM.

[E5 Yaz]

I like that you ended the EDIT with "calm down"

[Dogman2]

I like that you ended the EDIT with "calm down"

STOP BEING NEGATIVE!

[ShaneTrot]

There have been too many leaks that he is retiring for it not to be true. Maybe they are waiting until after the draft for the announcement. I want to see peoples' heads explode if the Pats' first pick is an OT.

[mabrowndog]

CSNNE's report earlier tonight hinted that he's got a broadcasting gig lined up.

[ragnarok725]

Still waiting to see this happen conclusively, but man does this surprise me. How many guys end their careers after the calibre of season Light had, getting that close to a ring and falling short, having a chance to go back at it, and having a contract to pay him well to do it? If he retires it must be because the fire is really gone.

[Van Everyman]

Light is an articulate guy who plays one of the most devastating positions in all of professional sports. He's won 2 rings, played in 4 Super Bowls, protected the best QB of his era and played in the ProBowl. Oh and he's earned millions of dollars.

He has nothing left to prove -- and based on everything we are learning about the damage the game does to people in his line of work, a LOT to lose. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised to hear him say he still might be playing we're it not for everything we now know about brain damage, ALS, early dementia and the risks of playing on painkillers.

Good for him. More should follow his lead.

[collings94]

That leaves Brady as the only member of the first super bowl team.

[The Allented Mr Ripley]

Slow news day - this report simply re-hashes an issue we've all been aware of since Kraft's comments last month...or since Light himself refused to comment on it.

A "source"? Yeaaaaaah...sure.

EDIT: What the fuck people? Kraft's comments last month were more illuminating and no one started a memorial thread....I don't get it. This is not an official announcement and no official announcement is coming before July. Calm down.

What the fuck is wrong with you?

[Reverend]

Still waiting to see this happen conclusively, but man does this surprise me. How many guys end their careers after the calibre of season Light had, getting that close to a ring and falling short, having a chance to go back at it, and having a contract to pay him well to do it? If he retires it must be because the fire is really gone.

Light is an articulate guy who plays one of the most devastating positions in all of professional sports. He's won 2 rings, played in 4 Super Bowls, protected the best QB of his era and played in the ProBowl. Oh and he's earned millions of dollars.

He has nothing left to prove -- and based on everything we are learning about the damage the game does to people in his line of work, a LOT to lose. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised to hear him say he still might be playing we're it not for everything we now know about brain damage, ALS, early dementia and the risks of playing on painkillers.

Good for him. More should follow his lead.

hmmmmm.

[CaptainLaddie]

What the fuck is wrong with you?

He's a fucking idiot.

[jsinger121]

Light is an articulate guy who plays one of the most devastating positions in all of professional sports. He's won 2 rings, played in 4 Super Bowls, protected the best QB of his era and played in the ProBowl. Oh and he's earned millions of dollars.

He has nothing left to prove -- and based on everything we are learning about the damage the game does to people in his line of work, a LOT to lose. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised to hear him say he still might be playing we're it not for everything we now know about brain damage, ALS, early dementia and the risks of playing on painkillers.

Good for him. More should follow his lead.

He won 3 rings and played in 5 super bowls. 2001, 2003, 2004

[MarcSullivaFan]

Sad to see him go. A very, very solid LT. It would hardly be a surprise if they use a 1st or 2d on a tackle. Vollmer and Solder are more than adequate, but who knows whether Vollmer can stay on the field. I wonder if Cannon will be te third tackle--didn't he play some at RT last season?

[Hendu for Kutch]

I worked with Matt on his charity's website for a little bit. He's as good a guy in person as he seems on TV. Aside from the obvious excellent career he's had, he's the kind of athlete you love to have representing your team. I hope it's not true, he'd be a big loss, but you've got to respect a guy willing to walk away on his own terms.

He'd mentioned a couple of times he dreamed of having his own fishing or hunting show, maybe that's the direction he's heading.

[lostjumper]

Good luck to Matt Light in his future endeavors. Would love to see him in a broadcasting gig somewhere. I thought he was cooked at the end of 2010, and he had one of his best years last year. Brady will certainly miss him. Not many guys get to go out with 3 rings and 5 superbowl appearances.

As for the Tackle position, I'm not as worried about it as others. Solder and Vollmer will be the starters, and last year they had Cannon playing tackle as well. Unless they don't think Vollmer can stay healthy, that position should be fairly solid. Unless someone high on their board drops to them, I'd hope they would go D instead.

[ragnarok725]

Light is an articulate guy who plays one of the most devastating positions in all of professional sports. He's won 2 rings, played in 4 Super Bowls, protected the best QB of his era and played in the ProBowl. Oh and he's earned millions of dollars.

He has nothing left to prove -- and based on everything we are learning about the damage the game does to people in his line of work, a LOT to lose. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised to hear him say he still might be playing we're it not for everything we now know about brain damage, ALS, early dementia and the risks of playing on painkillers.

Good for him. More should follow his lead.

I get what you're saying here, but I think there's a reason you don't see it happen that often. Light will have his whole life to broadcast. He has one or two years left in his life where he can play football. For guys who have made their life about playing football, and enjoy the camaraderie of the locker room... I imagine it's a really hard thing to give up, regardless of health consequences. Not many people have to say goodbye to their lifelong careers in their 30s, no matter how much they've accomplished. The recognition of aging isn't easy for anyone, especially people who get their egos systematically fed for years.

I'm not saying it's a bad move for Light. It may be best for him in the long run, especially if he can establish himself as a media personality or in the NFLPA leadership. But there's a reason you don't guys leave money and the possibility of championships on the table when they're inarguably still productive players. I don't think I'd want to if I were him. But then again I'm still in my aging-denying late 20s and have never reached the top of my profession like Light has.

Edited by ragnarok725, 19 April 2012 - 10:24 AM.

[dynomite]

He has one or two years left in his life where he can play football. For guys who have made their life about playing football, and enjoy the camaraderie of the locker room... I imagine it's a really hard thing to give up, regardless of health consequences

I think it's a question of marginal benefit. As others have said, he's won 3 Super Bowls, played in 5, and made a case for himself to the Hall of Fame.

At this point, continuing his career is playing Russian Roulette. Maybe nothing negative will come of it, maybe something will.

After an 11-year career as an offensive lineman in the NFL, Light's body has probably been ravaged by a staggering list of ailments, including broken bones, dislocated fingers and joints, and potentially concussions as well. I would assume every additional game he plays increases his risk for a variety of ailments and diseases big and small: from things that could kill him in his 50s (ALS, early-onset Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, etc.) to the quality of life problems that players like Matt Birk and Mark Schlereth have described (excruciatingly painful arthritic knees, nerve damage, etc.).

It's difficult to see Light go from a football perspective, but from a human perspective it makes complete sense that he's walking away.

[Cornboy14]

This sure doesn't seem like it's about money.... but maybe the Patriots can make it about money if they offer to restructure this year? With how good he was last year, I wouldn't mind if they gave him an extra $4 million or whatever. I know they're tight on the cap, but maybe something can get worked out. I guess if they're really high on Cannon it wouldn't be necessary.

[Kenny F'ing Powers]

I think it's a question of marginal benefit. As others have said, he's won 3 Super Bowls, played in 5, and made a case for himself to the Hall of Fame.

At this point, continuing his career is playing Russian Roulette. Maybe nothing negative will come of it, maybe something will.

After an 11-year career as an offensive lineman in the NFL, Light's body has probably been ravaged by a staggering list of ailments, including broken bones, dislocated fingers and joints, and potentially concussions as well. I would assume every additional game he plays increases his risk for a variety of ailments and diseases big and small: from things that could kill him in his 50s (ALS, early-onset Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, etc.) to the quality of life problems that players like Matt Birk and Mark Schlereth have described (excruciatingly painful arthritic knees, nerve damage, etc.).

It's difficult to see Light go from a football perspective, but from a human perspective it makes complete sense that he's walking away.

I know it wasn't the point of your post, but I have a hard time seeing him even getting a shot at the ballot. He was a steady, above average LT, but let's not go overboard. People might have overlooked his consistency, but he was no Zimmerman or Ogden. If any LT from the Patriots deserves a slot in Canton, Bruce Armstrong is head and shoulders above Light.

[CaptainLaddie]

I know it wasn't the point of your post, but I have a hard time seeing him even getting a shot at the ballot. He was a steady, above average LT, but let's not go overboard. People might have overlooked his consistency, but he was no Zimmerman or Ogden. If any LT from the Patriots deserves a slot in Canton, Bruce Armstrong is head and shoulders above Light.

I think this is fair. To make a baseball analogy, he's Dale Murphy. He's in the Hall of Very Good. Unspectacular and very good at his job, rarely a mismatch (except, you know, Jason Taylor) and almost always a complete contributor.

[dynomite]

I know it wasn't the point of your post, but I have a hard time seeing him even getting a shot at the ballot. He was a steady, above average LT, but let's not go overboard. People might have overlooked his consistency, but he was no Zimmerman or Ogden. If any LT from the Patriots deserves a slot in Canton, Bruce Armstrong is head and shoulders above Light.

Sorry, I guess what I mean is that he's made his case: it's unlikely that another year or two would change his resume considerably. This isn't Craig Biggio going for 3,000 hits, for example.

(And I agree, he's not a Hall of Famer, whereas Bruce Armstrong might be the best pound-for-pound offensive lineman I've ever watched in the NFL)

Edited by dynomite, 19 April 2012 - 11:56 AM.

[Reverend]

They let offensive linemen in the hall of fame?

[Reverend]

They let offensive linemen in the hall of fame?

[Kenny F'ing Powers]

Yes, but people usually have to ask twice.

[dbn]

That leaves Brady as the only member of the first super bowl team.

Brady wasn't on the 1985 team. You are probably thinking of Steve Grogan. \smilyface

Unless you meant the first Superbowl winning team (and unless Kevin Faulk in re-signed.)

[Van Everyman]

He won 3 rings and played in 5 super bowls. 2001, 2003, 2004

Yes, I'd forgotten he was on the 2001 team. Has any other OL spent as long on a single team? Seems like an eternity in the Toridol era.

[ichirob4ichiro]

[quint]

Yes, I'd forgotten he was on the 2001 team. Has any other OL spent as long on a single team? Seems like an eternity in the Toridol era.

Nope. Especially not guys like Bruce Armstrong, or John Hannah.

[Van Everyman]

I meant in the current era, but yes.

[Freddy Linn]

Jackie Slater.

For current guys, the Lions have two OLs from Light's draft class still on the team, Backus and Raiola.

[quint]

I meant in the current era, but yes.

Like Jonathan Ogden?

[RedOctober3829]

Report: #Patriots place Matt Light on reserve/retired list #weei #NFL

https://twitter.com/...903147007852544

Matt Light is out of town. Expect a formal retirement announcement when he returns #patriots #wbz

https://twitter.com/#!/RochieWBZ/status/194908620750729217


Is it OK to say nice things about Light now, soxfan121?

Edited by RedOctober3829, 24 April 2012 - 05:02 PM.

[soxfan121]

Great Patriot. Really didn't think this announcement would be made before July.

Go to town, RedOctober. Thanks for asking, though.

[jsinger121]

New England Patriots ‏ @Patriots
Patriots will hold a press conference Monday @TheHall to officially announce Matt Light's retirement

[shoosh77]

Is there any doubt that Bill will give the greatest HOF speech ever?

http://espn.go.com/b...ghts-retirement

[Mystic Merlin]

Apparently Light has Crohn's disease

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- When members of the New England Patriots gathered at owner Robert Kraft's home to receive their Super Bowl rings in the summer of 2004, offensive lineman Matt Light couldn't make it. It wasn't by choice.

Light was fighting to stay alive, in the middle of a 30-day hospital stay.

"It was one of the darkest periods in my life," he recalled Monday.

Had things unfolded according to plan, Light would have had 13 inches of his intestine removed, the intestine would have grown back, there would have been no complications and he would have been back on the field for the start of 2004 training camp.

But that's not the way it happened.

Instead, there were post-surgery complications. Light didn't eat for a month. His weight dropped from 315 pounds to 260, as his under-the-radar battle with Crohn's disease -- a bowel disease that causes inflammation of the lining of the digestive system -- was attacking him with force.

[SeoulSoxFan]

Isn't this the ideal retirement for any NFL player? Going out (almost) on top, with multiple rings, health large intact, and on his own terms.

I keep thinking the "brevity" BB mentions is not as much of a big deal, but as we all know keeping things loose in the locker room always seems to be that extra ingredient in a championship team.

Can they bring Ohrnberger back?

[Shelterdog]

Isn't this the ideal retirement for any NFL player? Going out (almost) on top, with multiple rings, health large intact, and on his own terms.

I keep thinking the "brevity" BB mentions is not as much of a big deal, but as we all know keeping things loose in the locker room always seems to be that extra ingredient in a championship team.

Can they bring Ohrnberger back?

I think Gronk has bigtime potential on this front.

[lexrageorge]

It's amazing, nee astounding, that Light was able to play at such a high level for so long while battling what appears to be a very serious case of Crohn's Disease. LT was one position we haven't had to worry about during the Brady years (one excepting being 2005 when Light was hurt), and that is something that is too easy to take for granted, until you have to worry about it. Hat's off to a great career.

[SoxVindaloo]

Isn't this the ideal retirement for any NFL player? Going out (almost) on top, with multiple rings, health large intact, and on his own terms.

I keep thinking the "brevity" BB mentions is not as much of a big deal, but as we all know keeping things loose in the locker room always seems to be that extra ingredient in a championship team.

Can they bring Ohrnberger back?

Seems like a smart, great guy to boot. I wonder if he has a future role in the coaching staff? He might be a little too jovial for Dante.

[DegenerateSoxFan]

It's been delighted in many times, but allow me quote this gem from Ron Borges following the '01 Draft for old times' sake:

"On a day when they could have had impact players David Terrell or Koren Robinson or the second-best tackle in the draft in Kenyatta Walker, they took Georgia defensive tackle Richard Seymour, who had 1 sack last season in the pass-happy SEC and is too tall to play tackle at 6-6 and too slow to play defensive end. This genius move was followed by trading out of a spot where they could have gotten the last decent receiver in Robert Ferguson and settled for tackle Matt Light, who will not help any time soon."

Best wishes to Light, who not only anchored the Pats' O-line for over a decade, but from all accounts is a genuinely decent dude who has done quite a bit of good work in the community. The fan in me wants him back for one more shot, especially now that Belichick seems to have finally shifted into "win-now-while-Brady's-still-a-top-3-QB" mode. But I can see why he's making the call to save his body and smell the roses. Five Superbowl appearance, 3 Superbowl wins, 11 years as a starter for the most successful franchise of the 21st century.

Good for him.

[jsinger121]

It's been delighted in many times, but allow me quote this gem from Ron Borges following the '01 Draft for old times' sake:

"On a day when they could have had impact players David Terrell or Koren Robinson or the second-best tackle in the draft in Kenyatta Walker, they took Georgia defensive tackle Richard Seymour, who had 1 sack last season in the pass-happy SEC and is too tall to play tackle at 6-6 and too slow to play defensive end. This genius move was followed by trading out of a spot where they could have gotten the last decent receiver in Robert Ferguson and settled for tackle Matt Light, who will not help any time soon."

Best wishes to Light, who not only anchored the Pats' O-line for over a decade, but from all accounts is a genuinely decent dude who has done quite a bit of good work in the community. The fan in me wants him back for one more shot, especially now that Belichick seems to have finally shifted into "win-now-while-Brady's-still-a-top-3-QB" mode. But I can see why he's making the call to save his body and smell the roses. Five Superbowl appearance, 3 Superbowl wins, 11 years as a starter for the most successful franchise of the 21st century.

Good for him.

Great quote. They not only got the best DT in Richard Seymour in that draft but the best offensive lineman as well in Light. Both Kenyatta Walker and Leonard Davis were busts.

[Mystic Merlin]

I wouldn't call Leonard Davis a bust, but, yeah, Borges really had a poor year in 2001.

Anyways, to answer an earlier post, I don't see Light entering coaching, as his talents seem to be tailored perfectly to TV or radio. To the extent he's in the public eye, I predict it will be as an analyst in some capacity. He could have a lifetime gig trolling around Boston sports stations, eventually replacing the likes of DeOssie and Smerlas.

[SoxVindaloo]

I wouldn't call Leonard Davis a bust, but, yeah, Borges really had a poor year in 2001.

replacing the likes of DeOssie and Smerlas.

Yes Please!

[Hendu's Gait]

I wouldn't call Leonard Davis a bust, but, yeah, Borges really had a poor year in 2001.

Anyways, to answer an earlier post, I don't see Light entering coaching, as his talents seem to be tailored perfectly to TV or radio. To the extent he's in the public eye, I predict it will be as an analyst in some capacity. He could have a lifetime gig trolling around Boston sports stations, eventually replacing the likes of DeOssie and Smerlas.

I vote for 2012.

[jsinger121]

With Zo likely kicking up to the booth to replace Gino, I'd love for Light to take Zo's place as the sideline analyst.

[Shelterdog]

I'm all for Light being a media voice of reason but I get the feeling he's more into being an outdoorsman than a football talking head--if he does media I could see him hosting his own kickass hunting show or something like that.