Lepsis announces retirement
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Lepsis announces retirement
PoWdA Wed Jan 02, 2008 9:02 am
ENGLEWOOD (AP) - The Denver Broncos have more work to do in rebuilding their once-touted offensive line after left tackle Matt Lepsis told coach Mike Shanahan he's retiring after 11 seasons.
Lepsis, who turns 34 this month, acknowledged his play slipped this season after returning from ACL surgery on his right knee. The operation ended his 2006 season shortly after he signed a four-year, $25 million contract extension.
"Mike would call me out for not playing very well, and I had to agree with him," Lepsis told The Denver Post. "... I didn't want to go make all that money and not give the team what I was supposed to."
Lepsis' agent, Ethan Lock, declined to comment Tuesday when reached by The Associated Press. Lepsis' decision leaves more than $9 million on the table.
Lepsis joined the Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 1997 after a standout career at the University of Colorado, where he was a tight end. He became a starter in 1999 and developed into one of the best left tackles in the NFL before tearing his right anterior cruciate ligament in the seventh game.
Lepsis said his knee held up this season but his play slipped below his standard.
Among his potential replacements are Ryan Harris, a third-round draft pick from Notre Dame, and Chris Kuper, who played left guard in 2007 after starter Ben Hamilton suffered a season-ending concussion in training camp.
Hamilton hopes to return next season, as does center Tom Nalen, who missed most of the season with a torn biceps and was replaced by Chris Myers.
Harris, a highly-touted third-round pick from Notre Dame who had back surgery before the season, said he's ready for a bigger role heading into his second season.
"Lepsis and Nalen teach people. They help the younger people get better," Harris told the AP. "They teach you and you learn from their practice habits and play."
(Copyright Associated Press, All Right Reserved)
Lepsis, who turns 34 this month, acknowledged his play slipped this season after returning from ACL surgery on his right knee. The operation ended his 2006 season shortly after he signed a four-year, $25 million contract extension.
"Mike would call me out for not playing very well, and I had to agree with him," Lepsis told The Denver Post. "... I didn't want to go make all that money and not give the team what I was supposed to."
Lepsis' agent, Ethan Lock, declined to comment Tuesday when reached by The Associated Press. Lepsis' decision leaves more than $9 million on the table.
Lepsis joined the Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 1997 after a standout career at the University of Colorado, where he was a tight end. He became a starter in 1999 and developed into one of the best left tackles in the NFL before tearing his right anterior cruciate ligament in the seventh game.
Lepsis said his knee held up this season but his play slipped below his standard.
Among his potential replacements are Ryan Harris, a third-round draft pick from Notre Dame, and Chris Kuper, who played left guard in 2007 after starter Ben Hamilton suffered a season-ending concussion in training camp.
Hamilton hopes to return next season, as does center Tom Nalen, who missed most of the season with a torn biceps and was replaced by Chris Myers.
Harris, a highly-touted third-round pick from Notre Dame who had back surgery before the season, said he's ready for a bigger role heading into his second season.
"Lepsis and Nalen teach people. They help the younger people get better," Harris told the AP. "They teach you and you learn from their practice habits and play."
(Copyright Associated Press, All Right Reserved)
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Re: Lepsis announces retirement
Stallion Wed Jan 02, 2008 4:51 pm
Our O line is going to have issues next year.
2008 needs:
?Safety
#2 or 3 WR
Defensive coordinator that doesn't have rectal/cranial inversion
Interior D-Line
O-Line
Shanahan's nuts back from whoever stole them
2008 needs:
?Safety
#2 or 3 WR
Defensive coordinator that doesn't have rectal/cranial inversion
Interior D-Line
O-Line
Shanahan's nuts back from whoever stole them
Stallion- Posts : 212
Join date : 2007-12-24
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