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Bledsoe Retires (1 Viewer)

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Footballguy
I saw this at PFT but there is no article to go with it. I can't find any other source either so take it for what it's worth.

"BLEDSOE CALLS IT QUITS

LAST UPDATED 10:22 p.m. EDT, April 11, 2007"

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Article now

Quarterback Drew Bledsoe announced his retirement on Wednesday, in a press release issued by Athletes First.

"I feel so fortunate, so honored, to have played this game that I love for so long, with so many great players, and in front of so many wonderful fans," Bledsoe said. "I fulfilled a childhood dream the first time I stepped on an NFL field, and the league did not let me down one time. I retire with a smile on my face, in good health, and ready to spend autumns at my kids' games instead of my own. I'm excited to start the next chapter of my life."

Bledsoe was the first overall pick in the 1993 draft. He spent nine seasons with the Patriots, three with the Bills, and two with the Cowboys. His tenure in New England came to a premature end after an internal injury following a sideline hit from Jets linebacker Mo Lewis opened the door for Tom Brady.

Bledsoe last appeared for the Pats in the 2001 AFC title game, helping to lead the team to an upset win after Brady injured a knee. Bledsoe won his only Super Bowl from the bench, and was traded to the Bills in the offseason.

He finishes his career seventh in all-time passing yards (44,611), thirteenth in all-time touchdown passes (251), and fifth in all-time completions (3,839). He started in 193 games.

Bledsoe's career ended as a backup for the Cowboys, where he was benched by Bill Parcells, the same guy who made him the No. 1 pick fourteen years ago.

 
A very good player early in his career who looked like he was headed for a special career who was never the same player once Tuna left Foxboro. Bledsoe chafed under Parcells and wasn't sad to see him go but it was probably the worst thing to happen to him. Tuna prodded Bledsoe and got the most out of him. Post-Tuna he got very stale under Carroll and never really improved. He got into some bad habits and never really got out of them. The rest of his career was filled with some ups and downs and he was nothing more than a solid QB.

Overall I'll always remember him as a guy that played a huge role in saving the Patriot franchise. This team was very close to moving to St. Louis but the trio of Bledsoe-Tuna-Kraft saved them and put them on the road to being one of the top organizations in all of sports. Those first five years he was a legit gunslinger who was as big a star as the Pats had ever had up to that point. The guy had a big time arm and provided some real exciting moments.

I've always felt that Bledsoe was a QB built for another era. Once defenses became faster and more complex his effectiveness really waned. His footwork was awful and it never improved and he became a sitting duck who just couldn't help himself in the pocket. As the game got faster his decision-making became pretty dicey as well. That being said he's also one of the toughest SOBs I've ever seen at QB as he took some horrific hits over his career (Brady says the Mo Lewis hit is the hardest he has ever seen) and almost always bounced right back up. His toughness can never be questioned.

A good guy who had a good career (who made a ton of money) who's getting out at the right time. He said he didn't want to end his career as a backup and he's sticking to it and I'm sure he's very comfortable with it as well...as he should be.

 
ESPN/AP article:

Bledsoe retires, ends 15-year careerAssociated Press

Drew Bledsoe retired Wednesday, ending a 15-year career in which he made two Super Bowls.

Bledsoe

The top overall pick by New England in the 1993 draft out of Washington State, the four-time Pro Bowl quarterback played for the Patriots, Buffalo Bills and Dallas Cowboys. He was a starter for all three teams, but ended up as a backup with the Cowboys.

Bledsoe threw for 44,611 yards and 251 touchdown passes in his career.

"I feel so fortunate, so honored, to have played this game that I love for so long, with so many great players, and in front of so many wonderful fans," he said. "I fulfilled a childhood dream the first time I stepped on an NFL field, and the league did not let me down one time. I retire with a smile on my face, in good health, and ready to spend autumns at my kids' games instead of my own. I'm excited to start the next chapter of my life."

The 35-year-old Bledsoe lost his starting job to Tom Brady in New England and Tony Romo in Dallas.

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

 
Boston said:
A good guy who had a good career (who made a ton of money) who's getting out at the right time.
Click to expand...
:wall: You can say what you want about him, but he always conducted himself with class. And, unlike many "backup" QB's, he was a major factor in helping the Patriots get to the Super Bowl in 2001. Wear that ring with pride Drew, you earned it.
 
I'm hoping he signs a one-day deal with the Patriots and gets a hero's sendoff. Despite the tools you hear calling into Boston sports radio and ragging on Drew, he still holds a special place in the heart of many hardcore Pats fans in New England. A "Drew Bledsoe Day" during halftime of one of the home games would go over huge!

A bit surprised he didn't try to head home to Washington to play for the Seahawks, but he should enjoy his well-deserved retirement.

 
Fitting that Bledsoe ended his career with Parcells as his last head coach.

Solid professional who got the most out of his talent. Kudos to Drew. :goodposting:

 
As much fun as I had picking on him for be statue and being Mr. INT, he really was a good QB for many years and did pull the Pats out of the pits.

I wonder if he'll have more time to blog this season? :bowtie:

 
One of my favorite players and a really good guy so it sucks to see him go. I have a feeling someone might be calling him during the season so it might not be the end for him (Jeff George??).

 
cstu said:
One of my favorite players and a really good guy so it sucks to see him go. I have a feeling someone might be calling him during the season so it might not be the end for him (Jeff George??).
Click to expand...
I was thinking the same thing. May be a bit premature to cut him from my dynasty teams yet.
 
Boston said:
A very good player early in his career who looked like he was headed for a special career who was never the same player once Tuna left Foxboro. Bledsoe chafed under Parcells and wasn't sad to see him go but it was probably the worst thing to happen to him. Tuna prodded Bledsoe and got the most out of him. Post-Tuna he got very stale under Carroll and never really improved. He got into some bad habits and never really got out of them. The rest of his career was filled with some ups and downs and he was nothing more than a solid QB.Overall I'll always remember him as a guy that played a huge role in saving the Patriot franchise. This team was very close to moving to St. Louis but the trio of Bledsoe-Tuna-Kraft saved them and put them on the road to being one of the top organizations in all of sports. Those first five years he was a legit gunslinger who was as big a star as the Pats had ever had up to that point. The guy had a big time arm and provided some real exciting moments.I've always felt that Bledsoe was a QB built for another era. Once defenses became faster and more complex his effectiveness really waned. His footwork was awful and it never improved and he became a sitting duck who just couldn't help himself in the pocket. As the game got faster his decision-making became pretty dicey as well. That being said he's also one of the toughest SOBs I've ever seen at QB as he took some horrific hits over his career (Brady says the Mo Lewis hit is the hardest he has ever seen) and almost always bounced right back up. His toughness can never be questioned. A good guy who had a good career (who made a ton of money) who's getting out at the right time. He said he didn't want to end his career as a backup and he's sticking to it and I'm sure he's very comfortable with it as well...as he should be.
Click to expand...
nice post, well said
 
Drew was a great guy. I was living in Rhode Isalnd at the time when he was drafted. One of my friend's dad brought us to summer camp to see him workout. I was able to get is autograph. Being a kid in junior high at the time it was huge to be able to accomplish that. He has class because you never heard any conflicts each time he was sent to do backup duties.

 
i just bought a pack of 9 Drew Bledsoe rookie cards from E-Bay for like $2. I bet this morning it SKY-ROCKETED to over $2.50.

SELL! SELL! SELL!

Bledsoe was a transcendant player earlier in his career, and he helped turn the Patriot franchise around. I'll never forget the broken finger game. He was always a class act, even though he got pushed over by a younger quarterback in three different cities. He took out a full page add in the Globe when he left and left a very sincere goodbye letter to the fans - I met him a couple times in grocery stores and a Coconuts one time - gave me autographs both times, was very polite.

I'm glad he got out rather than see him stay on as a backup.

 
Always glad to see a guy leave on his own terms, with his head and his health. You should get some kind of bonus(they probably do) for surviving 15 years in the NFL.

 
Boston said:
A very good player early in his career who looked like he was headed for a special career who was never the same player once Tuna left Foxboro. Bledsoe chafed under Parcells and wasn't sad to see him go but it was probably the worst thing to happen to him. Tuna prodded Bledsoe and got the most out of him. Post-Tuna he got very stale under Carroll and never really improved. He got into some bad habits and never really got out of them. The rest of his career was filled with some ups and downs and he was nothing more than a solid QB.Overall I'll always remember him as a guy that played a huge role in saving the Patriot franchise. This team was very close to moving to St. Louis but the trio of Bledsoe-Tuna-Kraft saved them and put them on the road to being one of the top organizations in all of sports. Those first five years he was a legit gunslinger who was as big a star as the Pats had ever had up to that point. The guy had a big time arm and provided some real exciting moments.I've always felt that Bledsoe was a QB built for another era. Once defenses became faster and more complex his effectiveness really waned. His footwork was awful and it never improved and he became a sitting duck who just couldn't help himself in the pocket. As the game got faster his decision-making became pretty dicey as well. That being said he's also one of the toughest SOBs I've ever seen at QB as he took some horrific hits over his career (Brady says the Mo Lewis hit is the hardest he has ever seen) and almost always bounced right back up. His toughness can never be questioned. A good guy who had a good career (who made a ton of money) who's getting out at the right time. He said he didn't want to end his career as a backup and he's sticking to it and I'm sure he's very comfortable with it as well...as he should be.
Click to expand...
:lmao: See ya Drew.We had some fun years in New England.enjoy retirement. :rolleyes:
 
A great guy who will never get the credit he deserves in New England.

Thanks for everything, Drew.

 
Here I got jokin' about the Bucs and it turns out my Bengals were actually lookin' at him. Basically Bledsoe doesn't want to end his career as a backup. Whether that means that he'll jump in the saddle if somebody gets injured in camp, I do not know.

-QG

 
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