Per PFT: Roaf may retire! (1 Viewer)

[GroveDiesel]

POSTED 8:55 a.m. EDT, July 28, 2006ROAF RETIRING?The Kansas City Star reports that the Chiefs have excused left tackle Willie Roaf from the start of training camp for personal reasons, days after coach Herm Edwards said that Roaf would be present.Though we've heard nothing specific regarding whether and when Roaf will be back, we're now willing to disclose that Roaf is the guy to whom we were referring several weeks back as the candidate for a surprise retirement. We were later told that he wasn't going to be retiring, so we never identified him by name.But now we're not so sure. We haven't heard anything specific along these lines, other than the rumors from earlier in the summer that he was thinking about packing it in notwithstanding a declaration from May that he would play.If Roaf calls it quits, the team would lose both of its starting tackles from 2005, raising the possibility that newcomer Kyle Turley would win a spot with the first team despite a lengthy absence from the game.So to all of those Chiefs fans who wanted us to adjust our Preseason Power Rankings to account for the arrival of Ty Law, the move would at least be balanced out by Roaf's retirement.Stay tuned.

This is huge news if Roaf actually retires. I think that LJ does have great natural ability, but Roaf is one of the best LTs in the game and whether his replacement would be Kyle Turley or someone else, it would certainly be a downgrade at LT.

 

[Sinrman]

Though we've heard nothing specific regarding whether and when Roaf will be back, we're now willing to disclose that Roaf is the guy to whom we were referring several weeks back as the candidate for a surprise retirement.  We were later told that he wasn't going to be retiring, so we never identified him by name.

Anywho... if it does turn out to be true, it would definitely affect LJ, just like the loss of Hutchinson will affect Alexander some...

 

[paulpogo]

Looks pretty damn official to me:

Roaf Done

 

[Colin Dowling]

Interesting development indeed.

Colin

 

[paulpogo]

Interesting development indeed.

Colin

O/U on pages for this one?

 

[Mungo Burrows]

Explains the Turley move. Interesting to see if he can get back into game shape.

 

[rascal]

According to the KC Star he has retired.

Per KC Star today, he has told them it's time to hang it up .......

Chiefs' Roaf retires

By ADAM TEICHER

The Kansas City Star

RIVER FALLS, Wis. | Tackle Willie Roaf, the foundation of one of the NFL’s best offensive lines, has retired.

Roaf wasn’t with the Chiefs when they reported for training camp on Thursday. Roaf told The Kansas City Star this morning by telephone that he had told president/general Carl Peterson and coach Herm Edwards of his plans weeks ago and even sent the Chiefs a letter declaring his intentions.

“I guess they want me to reconsider,’’ Roaf told The Star. “I’m solid on retiring and going back to school.’’

Roaf, 36, was emphatic in the spring that he would play this season. But today he said lingering hamstring and knee trouble led to his decision.

Roaf missed six games last season because of hamstring problems. He missed half of the 2001 season while playing for New Orleans after tearing knee ligaments.

Roaf joined the Chiefs in a trade from the Saints in 2002 and was a major factor in their offensive success. His retirement leaves a significant hole at left tackle.

Edwards said Thursday the Chiefs would use Jordan Black at left tackle and Kyle Turley at right tackle when practice begins this afternoon.

Roaf played 13 NFL seasons and made the Pro Bowl in all but two of them. Despite playing on only teams to reach the playoffs, Roaf will likely be selected for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

 

[menobrown]

Should also negatively affect Gonzalez. I recall last year when Roaf was out they held Gonzalez back on pass downs to help with the protection.

 

[Warpig]

OUCH!

Shhh...you hear that? That's LJ's #1 status plummeting!

 

[Banger]

Losing two starting tackles, Off coord, head coach, blocking FB....I didn't agree with taking LJ #1 before this news (but could understand it) but I definitely don't think he's the #1 pick now.

 

[Banger]

Interesting development indeed.

Colin

O/U on pages for this one?

3 pages at least....

 

[RageRhino]

does this move LJ down in the RB rankings? Will he no longer be the #1?

 

[Gold Plated Nails]

good for Roaf, going back to school.

 

[mbuehner]

 

[paulpogo]

Interesting development indeed.

Colin

O/U on pages for this one?

3 pages at least....

Went from 3 people viewing to 38 in two minutes.

 

[wraith5]

Interesting development indeed.

Colin

O/U on pages for this one?

3 pages at least....

I'm going with "6"

 

[Punchie]

 

[BigTex]

Another reason why fantasy drafts should be close to the regular season as possible, especially when money is involved.

 

[wraith5]

Should also negatively affect Gonzalez. I recall last year when Roaf was out they held Gonzalez back on pass downs to help with the protection.

Wondering how Roaf's absence in the six games last year effected FPs for everyone.

 

[Gold Plated Nails]

Another reason why fantasy drafts should be close to the regular season as possible, especially when money is involved.

Fully agree with this one.

 

[IndyHavoc]

I have a really hard time believing that Turley will be able to hold up. Anyone got time today to look up some information about his back and the problems he had with it? I have it in my head that it was a very serious problem (compacted discs), something that w/o very risky surgery (he didn't want to do) he'd always have a problem??

Maybe I'm confusing his problems with someone else, but this really sticks out from when he was signed and played a few seasons with the Rams.

 

[ATC1]

Does this also has an affect on Gonzo's value? Will he be asked to sdtay in and block more. Also with E. Kenison holding out this could be trouble.

 

[Q-Bert]

Should also negatively affect Gonzalez. I recall last year when Roaf was out they held Gonzalez back on pass downs to help with the protection.

Wondering how Roaf's absence in the six games last year effected FPs for everyone.

I tried looking into this earlier in the offseason but was unable to find a reliable source for which games Roaf did miss. It would certainly be helpful to know which games he was out for last season.

 

[mightyeskimo]

Should also negatively affect Gonzalez. I recall last year when Roaf was out they held Gonzalez back on pass downs to help with the protection.

Wondering how Roaf's absence in the six games last year effected FPs for everyone.

Which six games did he miss? And who filled in for him? And, lastly, what were LJ's numbers in those games? This is certainly a hit, but depending on the answers to those three questions, it may not be as big of a hit as some are expecting.

 

[sholditch]

Should also negatively affect Gonzalez. I recall last year when Roaf was out they held Gonzalez back on pass downs to help with the protection.

need Gonzo to have a better year. O/U shou;d be 7 pages. I'll take under.

 

[Warpig]

Does this also has an affect on Gonzo's value? Will he be asked to sdtay in and block more. Also with E. Kenison holding out this could be trouble.

Yeah. Looks like the KC offense is in shambles. O-line falling apart, no good depth at tackle, Kennison whining and threatening to hold out, no other respectable WR's. I wonder if Ty Law regrets signing with this "winner"?Guess we'll have to wait and see what chumps become waiver fodder and see if the Chiefs can get anyone decent.

 

[wraith5]

Should also negatively affect Gonzalez. I recall last year when Roaf was out they held Gonzalez back on pass downs to help with the protection.

Wondering how Roaf's absence in the six games last year effected FPs for everyone.

Which six games did he miss? And who filled in for him? And, lastly, what were LJ's numbers in those games? This is certainly a hit, but depending on the answers to those three questions, it may not be as big of a hit as some are expecting.

The NFL.com pages won't load - I'm guessing there are a lot of FBG's on the site researching the same thing...

 

[(HULK)]

My revised top 5 RBs:

1) Portis

2) Alexander

3) LJ

4) Tomlinson

5) SJax

 

[rascal]

Looked it up on the KC official site. His bio says that he missed:

NYJ (left after first quarter)

Oak

Denver

Philly

Then again later against:

Oak

Buffalo

Houston

Glancing at the stats though I can't notice any significant difference in LJ/Holmes, Gonzo, Kennison, or Green's numbers.

http://subscribers.footballguys.com/teams/teampage-kan-4.php

 

[menobrown]

Should also negatively affect Gonzalez. I recall last year when Roaf was out they held Gonzalez back on pass downs to help with the protection.

Wondering how Roaf's absence in the six games last year effected FPs for everyone.

I tried looking into this earlier in the offseason but was unable to find a reliable source for which games Roaf did miss. It would certainly be helpful to know which games he was out for last season.

I just looked this up and the games Roaf missed the running game did just fine.Roaf missed games 2,3, and 4 while LJ and Priest were splitting carries and here are the results:

Game 2: Priest and LJ combined for 27 carries for 116 yards and a one TD

Game 3: Priest and LJ combined for 22 carries for 74 yards and no TD's.

Game 4: Priest and LJ combined for 25 carries for 118 yards and one TD

Those are decent numbers but when it was just LJ the numbers shot up in games Roaf missed:

Game 9- LJ 27 carries for 132 yards.

Game 10-LJ 36 carries for 211 yards and 2 TD's.

Game 11- LJ 31 carries for 119 yards and 1 TD.

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

wow. Bump LJ down slightly and bump gonzo down a LOT.

 

[mightyeskimo]

Should also negatively affect Gonzalez. I recall last year when Roaf was out they held Gonzalez back on pass downs to help with the protection.

Wondering how Roaf's absence in the six games last year effected FPs for everyone.

I tried looking into this earlier in the offseason but was unable to find a reliable source for which games Roaf did miss. It would certainly be helpful to know which games he was out for last season.

I just looked this up and the games Roaf missed the running game did just fine.Roaf missed games 2,3, and 4 while LJ and Priest were splitting carries and here are the results:

Game 2: Priest and LJ combined for 27 carries for 116 yards and a one TD

Game 3: Priest and LJ combined for 22 carries for 74 yards and no TD's.

Game 4: Priest and LJ combined for 25 carries for 118 yards and one TD

Those are decent numbers but when it was just LJ the numbers shot up in games Roaf missed:

Game 9- LJ 27 carries for 132 yards.

Game 10-LJ 36 carries for 211 yards and 2 TD's.

Game 11- LJ 31 carries for 119 yards and 1 TD.

And to answer the last question, it was Jordan Black who filled in for Roaf and seemed to do very well.Jordan Black KC Player Page

Depending on the health of Turley, I could see Welbourn and Black starting while Kyle gets back into game shape.

 

[sholditch]

wow. Bump LJ down slightly and bump gonzo down a LOT.

Gonzo did pretty weel in the second stretch Roaf missed, but the first was abysmal. Games:

2: 5 for 44

3: 5 for 29

4: 2 for 5 :X

9: 5 for 70

10: 8 for 81

11: 9 for 98

 

[GroveDiesel]

I seem to remember that Black was the replacement for Roaf last season when Roaf was out and did a pretty decent job. As others have shown, LJ's numbers were still pretty good. But losing Roaf is definitely a pretty big loss and should have an impact, whether it's Gonzo having to block more or the running game suffering remains to be seen.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

Wow, sitting at the #3 spot just got a little more interesting

 

[BigRed]

My guess is most people will still want to believe in LJ's sky's-the-limit potential so much that they will rationalize how this really doesn't matter much, doing stuff like pointing to the stats above. And they're all well and fine but but a small sampling. IMO this matters more than a little and maybe more than many care to admit. In fact losing the other OL mattered more than most realize IMO, as most seemed to disregard that too.

Yeah I know SA and LT have their ? marks too but for now at least LJ is no better than 1.03 on my list.

 

[Colin Dowling]

My guess is most people will still want to believe in LJ's sky's-the-limit potential so much that they will rationalize how this really doesn't matter much, doing stuff like pointing to the stats above. And they're all well and fine but but a small sampling. IMO this matters more than a little and maybe more than many care to admit. In fact losing the other OL mattered more than most realize IMO, as most seemed to disregard that too.

Yeah I know SA and LT have their ? marks too but for now at least LJ is no better than 1.03 on my list.

How much of a dropoff do you think this will have in his numbers? Based on some of the silly-ness from last season, he could see a SUBSTANTIAL drop in production and still be worth the #1 pick.Colin

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

wow. Bump LJ down slightly and bump gonzo down a LOT.

Gonzo did pretty weel in the second stretch Roaf missed, but the first was abysmal. Games:

2: 5 for 44

3: 5 for 29

4: 2 for 5 :X

9: 5 for 70

10: 8 for 81

11: 9 for 98

Maybe concidence, maybe not, but he had only 2 TDs all year. Far and away his lowest total since he became an elite TE. He'd avergaed 8.33 in the 6 years prior. Was that because of Roaf's injuries? I don't know. It's enough to make me really consider where I want to draft him though.

 

[rascal]

I seem to remember that Black was the replacement for Roaf last season when Roaf was out and did a pretty decent job. As others have shown, LJ's numbers were still pretty good. But losing Roaf is definitely a pretty big loss and should have an impact, whether it's Gonzo having to block more or the running game suffering remains to be seen.

uh???Black sucked last year and they had to keep a TE next to him all the time so Green wouldn't get killed.

8th grader against an all-collegiant player is how I remember it.

Sampson will probably start at RT till Turley is ready (he was slotted to start last year before his illness/injury freak thing), and with their new found money I'm guessing they will go to Welbourne begging him to come back for one more year.

 

[sholditch]

wow.  Bump LJ down slightly and bump gonzo down a LOT.

Gonzo did pretty weel in the second stretch Roaf missed, but the first was abysmal. Games:

2: 5 for 44

3: 5 for 29

4: 2 for 5 :X

9: 5 for 70

10: 8 for 81

11: 9 for 98

Maybe concidence, maybe not, but he had only 2 TDs all year. Far and away his lowest total since he became an elite TE. He'd avergaed 8.33 in the 6 years prior. Was that because of Roaf's injuries? I don't know. It's enough to make me really consider where I want to draft him though.

As an owner I'm concerned and wondering if I shouldn't try to deal him now. I got him as a 6th-round pick, 5th TE off the board, so likely still good yardage for that spot, but also, if Kennsion demands a trade or cut, wouldn't he have to be used more in the passing game?

 

[Z-Dog]

Maybe I'm crazy, but the numbers I'm bumping down aren't LJ's, they're Trent Green's.

I don't think that LT is the premiere run-blocking position - actually, it may be the LEAST important run-blocking position. Second, the O-line still looks above average to me.

I'm more concerned that Trent Green will ahve less time, and will get hit a bit mroe often. For a QB of his age, that can spell disaster.

 

[SproutDaddy]

5) SJax

 

[mightyeskimo]

Maybe I'm crazy, but the numbers I'm bumping down aren't LJ's, they're Trent Green's.

I don't think that LT is the premiere run-blocking position - actually, it may be the LEAST important run-blocking position. Second, the O-line still looks above average to me.

I'm more concerned that Trent Green will ahve less time, and will get hit a bit mroe often. For a QB of his age, that can spell disaster.

For the Chiefs, the LT position is the premier run blocking position. And has been for quite some time! That's the reason Roaf is such a great player! The Chiefs run to the left!! Just like the Cowboys with Adams and Allen. Both left side guys and that was the way the predominately ran!

 

[KnowledgeReignsSupreme]

Another reason why fantasy drafts should be close to the regular season as possible, especially when money is involved.

This should've been factored into your rankings.

 

[GroveDiesel]

This may not be the right time or place, but I just have to give some props to PFT. I used to hate them and believed them to be wrong more often than they were right, and maybe that was even true in the past. But they seem to have gotten themselves quite a few insider contacts because they've been breaking stories left and right lately...and they've been right on the money as well.

Just in the last week they've broken:

The $14K per day fine for holdouts

Roaf retiring

Poston's suspension

Details of Ty Law's deal

And there's quite a few more stories that they've run that we're all waiting to see if they are confirmed or not. If nothing else it keeps the message boards hopping.

 

[BigRed]

Maybe I'm crazy, but the numbers I'm bumping down aren't LJ's, they're Trent Green's.

All KC players get knocked down a notch for me and yeah maybe Green moreso than LJ even. Too bad, I really liked Green as a bargain backup QB (OK I still might if I wait too long to get one).

 

[BigRed]

How much of a dropoff do you think this will have in his numbers? Based on some of the silly-ness from last season, he could see a SUBSTANTIAL drop in production and still be worth the #1 pick.

Not sure and that's true. Not saying he should be knocked way way down. I foresee a lot of knee-jerk reactions based on what he does in pre-season.

 

[Gold Plated Nails]

This may not be the right time or place, but I just have to give some props to PFT. I used to hate them and believed them to be wrong more often than they were right, and maybe that was even true in the past. But they seem to have gotten themselves quite a few insider contacts because they've been breaking stories left and right lately...and they've been right on the money as well.

Just in the last week they've broken:

The $14K per day fine for holdouts

Roaf retiring

Poston's suspension

Details of Ty Law's deal

And there's quite a few more stories that they've run that we're all waiting to see if they are confirmed or not. If nothing else it keeps the message boards hopping.

PFT has been great for quite a bit longer then most admit. People who slam them as just a gossip rag enjoy the haterade. For me, PFT is the first stop on the morning internet stroll.

 

[TinHat]

Roaf was one of the best.

One question I have to ask is:

Did Roaf's injuries affect his play last year? Was he playing hurt? Is a healthy Vern Black a huge dropoff from a hobbled 35 yr old Roaf?

jus' askin'

 

[mightyeskimo]

This may not be the right time or place, but I just have to give some props to PFT.  I used to hate them and believed them to be wrong more often than they were right, and maybe that was even true in the past.  But they seem to have gotten themselves quite a few insider contacts because they've been breaking stories left and right lately...and they've been right on the money as well. 

Just in the last week they've broken:

The $14K per day fine for holdouts

Roaf retiring

Poston's suspension

Details of Ty Law's deal

And there's quite a few more stories that they've run that we're all waiting to see if they are confirmed or not.  If nothing else it keeps the message boards hopping.

PFT has been great for quite a bit longer then most admit. People who slam them as just a gossip rag enjoy the haterade. For me, PFT is the first stop on the morning internet stroll.

I admit I haven't used that site at all and just bookmarked it. Should be interesting to see if I can put any of that info to use this season! Although, Cowher leaving Pit for Was seems a bit far-fetched to me.