THE GRID: VOL. II

TIME TO HANG’EM UP?
By Bryan Palmese, NFL Draft Bible

Two defensive leaders are contemplating retirement this week: Carolina Panthers’ field general, Mike Minter and New York Giants sack leader Michael “The Gap” Strahan. Both players have been instrumental in their teams’ success on the defensive side of the ball and will be missed by their teammates. Both players have mentioned that they are pondering the decision, but only Minter seems like a sure bet right now to follow through.

Mike Minter has been a bright spot in the Carolina secondary for the past decade. The hard-hitting safety was drafted out of the University of Nebraska in 1997 and has played his entire career for the Black and Blue in Charlotte. Minter was a ball-hawk throughout his career and a major cog in the Panthers Super Bowl run in 2003. I really enjoy watching his style of play. He was always around the ball and never shied away from the physical stuff. Mike was vocal on and off the field and a positive role model in the community.

Minter should be remembered this season by his teammates and hopefully not soon forgotten by fans either. Number thirty was around when the Panthers suffered through their horrid 1-15 season, not to mention the Rae Carruth fiasco and the Fred Lane tragedy that shook the city. He has also been the team captain for the past five seasons.

The former Cornhusker has been slowed by chronic knee ailments for the past few seasons. There were rumors floating around Spartanburg this training camp that the 2007 season would be Minter’s last tour of duty. The man has had a solid career and has given his all to this team since he stepped foot on the field ten years ago. It will truly be sad to not see him roaming the secondary on opening day.

Michael Strahan’s situation is slightly different. He’s come out and said his decision is “50-50” on whether he will be back for Big Blue. In fact, he released a letter to fans letting them know that the idea of retirement is not due to money, rather the physical wear and tear he’s endured. He’s questioning himself and has doubts about his ability to perform at the level necessary to ensure the Giants have a successful season. As much as you hate to see the great players call it a career, I commend him on putting the team first and thinking about his future after football. In my opinion, far too many athletes hold on too long and the game passes them by. It’s better to go out on top instead of being the weak link or ending your career with a different team a year or two later.

Michael is a vocal leader on the field and he is a workhorse of a defensive player since being drafted by the G-Men in 1993. He and Osi Umenyiora had been a stellar pair of bookend defensive ends over the past few seasons. In 2001, Strahan broke Mark Gastineau’s single season sack record when he fell on top of Brett Favre. He tallied another 18.5 sacks a couple of years later as well. He only played in nine games last season though and the treads on the tires might be wearing thin. Strahan isn’t necessarily pulling a Barry Sanders here. The defensive end is 35 years old and is still one of the most feared linemen in the league. Fifteen years of wreaking havoc in opponents’ backfields along with holding the NFL single-season sack record should be considered an accomplished career.

The seven-time All Pro is in the off the field spotlight as well. He has several endorsement deals such as Chunky Soup, Right Guard, and Subway. Of late, Strahan has been in the news regarding his marital woes. His ex-wife had Michael by the twigs and berries in the court system and she was rewarded $15 million in a settlement in a bitter divorce hearing.

If Strahan does decide to come back, he will be welcomed by his teammates. I think seeing the outspoken star in the trenches for the ’07 campaign would only help the Giants front seven. Hopefully this situation will get worked out sooner rather than later. It can become a distraction around training camp and the coaching staff needs to know what personnel they are putting on the field. Down in Carolina, the front office made a move last week to solidify their secondary by trading for SS Chris Harris from the Chicago Bears. This should ease some of the pain in not having Minter, but the intangibles that Iron Mike brought won’t be as easy to replace.

A new emerging voice on the national football scene, Bryan Palmese will be providing insight and analysis on the world of football right here at 4th & Goal.

Email: Bryan@nfldraftbible.com