Poll: Should Jerry Rice retire?

[jjones]

Considering he's 42, the oldest receiver to ever play the game, and that his glory days are gone, is it time for him to hang up the cleats? Is he embarressing his earlier accomplishments by staying too long in the game?

For me, I don't think so. On the plus side, last season he was Oakland's leading receiver with 63 catches and 869 yards and it's easy to argue that he still has something to give to the game. I could understand that if he was not able to legitimately contribute as a receiver, then he doesn't belong in the game as a player, but even a diminished Jerry Rice is better than the best efforts of many other players, and having him in the receiving corps gives the younger receivers a wealth of experience to draw upon.

I do like to remember Rice when he was with the Niners (what an era that was), and I'm definately glad he's out from under Al Davis' thumb, who has a way of sidelining star veterans (Marcus Allen anyone?). Hopefully, we'll see a little of the old Rice back under Holmgren's Seahawks and I'm sure Hasselbeck will benefit from having a veteran like Rice on the team.

 

[geno]

No, he still loves playing

 

[pyonir]

If he got time to play, i think he could still be very successful. Oakland didn't give him time on the field.

 

[erikistired]

he's going to get me some fantasy points by breaking out in the seattle defense, so no he shouldn't retire.

 

[cloude27]

I think he will have some success in seattle, but I hope he is able to retire on his own and not because of some injury or becuase no body will sign him.

 

[ucdbiendog]

yah i think so. to me its kinda like how MJ just couldnt quit. I do admire his drive to succeed though.

 

[JDub02]

He's still a decent receiver, but nowhere near what he used to be. It's time to call it quits and enjoy your family and millions of dollars, Jerry.

If he still wants to be involved with the game, coach.

 

[trilks]

Hopefully he'll retire after this season. He's still a good receiver, but definitely not in his prime. I'd rather see him quit while he's ahead, and get a coaching job somewhere, than keep on trying to play.

 

[rh71]

I don't care if he's a shadow of his former self. If he can still produce numbers, he's no hindrance. Isn't Chris Carter in the same boat ? (sorry not a huge football fan, but followed the Niners in the past).

 

[pyonir]

Originally posted by: rh71
I don't care if he's a shadow of his former self. If he can still produce numbers, he's no hindrance. Isn't Chris Carter in the same boat ? (sorry not a huge football fan, but followed the Niners in the past).

Last i checked Cris Carter isn't playing anymore.

 

[Argo]

Better question would've been: "When should Jerry Rice have retired?"

 

[dmw16]

He is still better than a lot of guys out there, and as long as he is healthy and some body will pay him lots of money to do what he loves then more power to him.

However, he may wanna think about coaching, Im sure he could offer a lot to younger recievers being that he is good, but he was AMAZING back in his prime.

 

[MrDingleDangle]

this is all he knows how to do...imagine if you did 1 thing day in and day out for your entire life and thats what makes you happy....who are we to say he should stop doing what makes him happy

i used to think people should retire, untill i saw ricky henderson (and i am far from a ricky fan) having fun playing minor league ball...he didnt care that he wasnt as good as he once was...baseball is what makes him happy, who the hell are the fans to tell him he shouldnt do that if there people willing to pay him...

 

[TheNinja]

I think he'll be fine for the seahawks. He may not be a speed demon anymore but at least he won't drop every other ball that Hasselbeck throws him, like D-Jac and KoRo do.

 

[kreb]

Yes. I'd say he's already "jumped the shark."

 

[classy]

Lets see, he has led the Raiders in receieving the last two years. Over 1200 yards during the Superbowl run and he caught 63 passes for over 800 yards in a really bad Raider offense last year. Rice is still a damn good receiver. What I find a joke is the Raiders talk about developing their younger recievers, they aren't that good, plain and simple. They are a bunch of no. 3 recievers. Rice was their best wide out period. People bring up age, but he has out produced 70% of the recievers in the NFL the last two years. And he is still averaging almost 14 yards a catch. Retire? He's a very good 2 on most teams.

 

[jjones]

Originally posted by: classy
Lets see, he has led the Raiders in receieving the last two years. Over 1200 yards during the Superbowl run and he caught 63 passes for over 800 yards in a really bad Raider offense last year. Rice is still a damn good receiver. What I find a joke is the Raiders talk about developing their younger recievers, they aren't that good, plain and simple. They are a bunch of no. 3 recievers. Rice was their best wide out period. People bring up age, but he has out produced 70% of the recievers in the NFL the last two years. And he is still averaging almost 14 yards a catch. Retire? He's a very good 2 on most teams.

Yeah, that's more or less what I was thinking. Even with his diminished skills he's still a lot better than the majority of NFL receivers playing today. And like MrDingleDangle said, he loves the game. I too hope he doesn't get hurt as his career winds down and will someday make the transition to coach.

 

[rdgr8]

Originally posted by: pyonir
If he got time to play, i think he could still be very successful. Oakland didn't give him time on the field.

...I agree. He should be given the time to play so he can still show em that he still has what it takes to be a good receiver.

 

[Ausm]

He should have hung it up 6 years ago

Ausm

 

[Feldenak]

He can still play...as a possession receiver. I'm upset with him getting No.80 though.

 

[imported_Strang]

Originally posted by: TheNinja
I think he'll be fine for the seahawks. He may not be a speed demon anymore but at least he won't drop every other ball that Hasselbeck throws him, like D-Jac and KoRo do.

Plus, he won't have the off-field distractions and general idiocy that K-Rob has apparently displayed. The last week has dropped my opinion of him considerably, heh.

And like Feldenak, I'm unhappy that Rice got #80.

 

[classy]

Originally posted by: Strang

Originally posted by: TheNinja
I think he'll be fine for the seahawks. He may not be a speed demon anymore but at least he won't drop every other ball that Hasselbeck throws him, like D-Jac and KoRo do.

Plus, he won't have the off-field distractions and general idiocy that K-Rob has apparently displayed. The last week has dropped my opinion of him considerably, heh.

And like Feldenak, I'm unhappy that Rice got #80.

That number is not retired for Seattle? I didn't know that. But hey if anyone else deserves to wear that number its Rice.

 

[Mr N8]

His knowledge of the game has extended his career this far. I think he should finish out the season with the Seahawks, and seek a WR coaching position. He will be an incredible asset to the current Seahawks WRs, if they are willing to learn from him. Hopefully the Seahawks can set up a few nice plays for him to end his career well with. I think getting out of Oakland is the best move he's made in the last few years (although, he didn't have much choice).

 

[Doboji]

Originally posted by: geno
No, he still loves playing