GIANTS' STRAHAN BIDS TEAM FAREWELL

Quotable:"At some point you have to realize that you've done all that you can do, all you need to do. It's Over!" Michael Strahan, New York Giants

What is in the water nowadays? Many speculate it's a myriad of things from growth hormones to steroids to good ole yellow no. 5 (a common dye found in most food and beverage products). Personally my theory is that it's a brand of irony that is "forcing" the greats of the sports and entertainment industries into a questionable retirement. Considering ten years ago retirement meant you took the fruits of your 401k and or IRA kicked back and put up your feet, now the announcement of retirement is more of a bargaining chip to up your stock.

First there's Brett Favre in his teary-eyed farewell in an emotional leave from the world's game stepchild, American football. Then Floyd Mayweather Jr. (that's "Money" Mayweather to you) bids ado to the rapidly declining world of boxing and now Michael Strahan (New York Giants defensive end) beaming his signature gap toothed smile declares "it's over!" With a Super Bowl win, seven Pro Bowl appearances and the record for fifth most sacks in NFL history under his belt, Strahan is certainly having it "his way", on his own terms. To his fellow teammates and his agent, his announcement about retiring came as a no surprise. In fact prior to the Giants unprecedented Super Bowl victory, he contemplated retirement after 14 seasons accomplishing every achievement imaginable to an NFL star just shy of a Super Bowl ring.

"Money was never the issue. Really I thought he was going to retire before last season. I'm happy he stayed around." Strahan's agent, Tony Agnone reported to the Associated Press.

Not even an offer by the front office to up the ante in his salary by an additional undisclosed amount on top of his $4 million dollar contract could change his mind. As the 36 year old Super bowl champion revealed, physically he still has plenty of life in him. His actions on the field and accolades by Giants coach, Tom Coughlin and opponents as well as friends speak for themselves. The "consummate" Giant as he is affectionately and jokingly nicknamed by Coughlin, started 15 of 16 times in the regular season while managing to rack up 46 tackles and nine sacks. Strahan is the Giant's career sacks leader in case you didn't know and at one point he set a single season NFL mark of 22.5 sacks back in 2001 as a Packer. Not bad for a second round draft pick from a small time Texas Southern University. Justifiably the underrated defensive end was instrumental in leading underdog to a championship victory. John Mara adamantly claims that the Giants' couldn't have done it without him and the sentiment around the league is unanimous in what the future holds for Strahan – Hall of Famer.

"Michael is not only one of the great Giants of all time but also one of the great defensive players in the NFL history. It was an honor to spend my entire career as his teammate." Former teammate, Tiki Barber notes.

I recall a pre Super Bowl prediction by fellow teammate Plaxico Burress that Patriots' fans and analysts unfairly labeled bold. While the Patriots certainly brought an offensive prowess and a defensive pressure cooker unmatched by many, the Giants will to win and team synergy managed to lock down the Pats power ranking defense 17-14 over New England in Super Bowl XLII. Simply put the Giants brought their A game. Even in the midst of anti-Patriots sentiment, Michael rallied for the Giants from the locker room to the sidelines as well as in the press in the good old fashioned "Ask not what your team can do for you, but what you can do for your team" mantra from taking young Giants' defensive ends under his wing to creating a humorous little jig he good naturedly called the "Strahan Stomp" to commensurate the Giants rise to Super Bowl champions.

Perhaps good friend Jon Runyan of the Philadelphia Eagles said it best. "You think that a situation where the guy exits winning a Super Bowl – going out on top – and if you could write a book, that's the way you'd want to end it."

"Icing on the cake." No small feat for a great guy whose tremendous career was far from on the decline.

END OF AN ERA: FAVRE RETIRES

In an emotional annoucement, a teary eyed Brett Favre revealed his retirement during a press conference, after 17 seasons as one of the NFL's most record setting quarterbacks of all time. "I promised I wouldn't get emotional," he choked between an ebb of tears. "I've watched hundreds of players retire and you wonder what that would be like and you think you're prepared ...It wasn't about the money or fame or records. I hear people talk about your accomplishments and things. It was never my accomplishments, it was our accomplishments." The 38 year old "gunslinger" from Missisippi first stunned his agent, Bus Cook and Packers coach Mike McCarthy with his intentions on Monday, March 3rd.

Favre had always been admired and acknowledged for the passion in which he played the game."His accomplishments are legendary," General manager, Ted Thompson said. "And it's the passion with which he played that made everyone a Brett Favre fan." His killer arm, competitive spirit and insatiable thirst to play the game, recently shattered former Miami Dolphins quarterback great and NFL Hall of Famer Dan Marino's record of most touchdown passes and most yards passing as well as John Elway's record for most career victories.

With only a month before the draft in April and June looming on the horizon it would seem that an announcement of retirement has come prematurely. Many in the league such as NFL analyst Troy Aikman, question whether Favre will actually stay retired. Walking away when the smell of turf and the screams of thousands of fans are ripe in the air would fill the average sports fan with a sense of nostalgia. For a legendary quarterback, it would call to him like the familiar embrace of a past lover.


The career stats he leaves behind are remarkable to say the least; a Superbowl win, 5,377 career completions in 8,758 attempts for 61,655 yards, 442 touchdowns and 253 starts (including the playoffs, 275 starts), the most of any quarterback. If I failed to mention another record he holds for 288 interceptions,forgive me for not wanting to relive an ill fated 2005 season where the Packers went 4-12. Under normal circumstances, I would cling to this stat laughing in maniacal glee at any Packers misfortune, but I happen to respect the NFL's only three-time MVP. Despite all his achievements, the 23-20 loss that catapulted the New York Giants to a 2008 Superbowl win as a result of an interception during overtime of the NFC Championship game , had to have delivered a confidence shaking blow.

Who are we to not believe Favre's sudden bout with mental fatigue and lack of desire for the game? Can you very well blame the man? In this dog eat dog world, it's often all or nothing. Even after news spread like wildfire across the internet and newswires everywhere, analysts contemplated Favre’s return and critics weighed in on Favre’s status as one of the best quarterbacks ever.

"I have way too much pride," Favre commented. "I expect a lot out of myself. And if I cannot do those things 100 percent, then I can't play." The only thing that would make the game worth playing would be another Superbowl win. With a virtuoso of talented wide receivers to tap into, this may very well be possible even without the acquisition of Randy Moss (although Favre downplayed the Packers lack of iniative in cementing a deal with Moss, Favre’s disappointment was apparent and has been widely speculated as a major reason for his “sudden” retirement).

I’d rather go out at the top of my game than to stay in and suffer another failure to clinch the ultimate game. Favre just might be on to something there.

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