|
Post by steelers54 on Apr 6, 2013 5:09:39 GMT -5
Oh the life of kickers, what a shame let go of a good kicker because of a little $$ and bring in Akers who almost got cut by the 49ers. As stated in the other thread will be interesting to see what they pay him (Akers).
|
|
|
Post by Divebitch on Apr 6, 2013 6:52:03 GMT -5
With all due respect to Hanson, Barry Sanders did not quit on the Lions, he quit on football. He didn't go play for anyone else, and surely he could have. But I was bit shocked to learn he played for a very solid 10 years, missing like a handful of games. But to hear some Lions fans talk, you'd think he walked away from the game after just 5 or 6 years. Hats off to Jason Hanson, a great Lion indeed. But the beating a RB takes is incomparable to a kicker, who is pretty much untouchable. He probably had another year or 2 left in the tank, but not everyone wants to go out that way. Over 300 carries a year in addition to avg 35 receptions, they all but drove him into the ground. www.nfl.com/player/barrysanders/2502817/profile Take a good look at that, especially the last 5 years with his production closer to 325 carries and 40 catches. And while 4.3 ypc is certainly nothing to be ashamed of, he had to feel was at least slowing down. Just watched an excited Tony Gonzo in NFL Network brimming over with enthusiasm about his great team in his hopes and expectations of another great season. Then you begin to understand how Sanders probably didn't share those types of feelings for another grueling season with no chance of a payoff. I totally empathize with the sadness and frustration Lions fans must be feeling over the past few decades. But I feel the anger towards Barry Sanders is really misdirected. He was like a ray of hope, and a pure joy to watch (living in Chicago, we got a lot of Lions games) - and that was taken away. But it wasn't his duty to play until his wheels fell off like Turner - who had like half Sanders production and mileage. www.nfl.com/player/michaelturner/2506014/profile Surprising, isn't it. Did next to nothing in his 1st 4 years with the Chargers. Four more years of decent production. Look again at Sanders last 5 years of his 10 solid-as-a-rock years, never missing a game - 1500+ yds per year just rushing alone. Jim Brown retired at 29 after 9 seasons, back when they only played 12 & then 14 games. OJ Simpson, 11 years 14 games a year. Sanders was 30 & 1/2 when he retired, but people forget that he was just 20 when he was drafted, turning 21 in training camp. Even LT www.nfl.com/player/ladainiantomlinson/2504778/profile trailed off dramatically the last 4 years of his just 11 year career. He hardly played that last year. To me, Sanders was like a once in a lifetime phenom who did his time. No one ever talks about anyone else ever retiring too soon. My $2.
|
|
inoccent
NFL Starter
Die Hard Lions Fan or Idiot #1 if you prefer
Posts: 1,751
|
Post by inoccent on Apr 6, 2013 9:06:43 GMT -5
I think Barry is the best RB all time. I respect his decision to walk away. I have no anger or hatred towards him but I can understand why other fans would. To walk away the way he did, not give a reason then stay hidden and away from the team until they were relevant again isn't how superstars are suppose to act. The Lions were starting to slide and Barry didnt like the way the team was going and didn't want to play for another team, so he bailed. It's just the "what if" game with Barry. What if he stayed for a couple more years? 4 more? Alot of people blame Barry on the Millen era. We couldn't have sucked that bad if he was there right? Hanson on the other hand stayed and that's why Lions fans like him more.
|
|
|
Post by plax on Apr 6, 2013 10:31:19 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by Divebitch on Apr 6, 2013 12:45:40 GMT -5
I think Barry is the best RB all time. I respect his decision to walk away. I have no anger or hatred towards him but I can understand why other fans would. To walk away the way he did, not give a reason then stay hidden and away from the team until they were relevant again isn't how superstars are suppose to act. The Lions were starting to slide and Barry didnt like the way the team was going and didn't want to play for another team, so he bailed. It's just the "what if" game with Barry. What if he stayed for a couple more years? 4 more? Alot of people blame Barry on the Millen era. We couldn't have sucked that bad if he was there right? Hanson on the other hand stayed and that's why Lions fans like him more. How do you know why he bailed if he never gave a reason? I'm sure you've (and all Lions fans) had your ears closer to the ground than me. But the 'couldn't have sucked so bad if he was there' kinda confirms my assertions about the 'ray of hope, and that was taken away'. Sad yes. But he probably had another 2 productive years tops, not 4 and never at that level, let's not kid ourselves. Of all the greatest RBs I checked this morning, only Walter Payton had a 13 year career, no one else had more than 11. Not sure what you mean by 'staying away until they were relevant again'. Maybe his losses became less painful cuz he loved the Lions, and was glad to see do well again. But I cannot read into his mind. Well, I looked at it after I posted, and said 'jeez that's a lot more than 2 cents'. Or maybe I'm just flattering myself, sometimes less is more. Or maybe it's all just crap. lol
|
|