Seahawks' Walter Jones retires

[tlongII]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5149710

SEATTLE -- Seattle's "Big Walt" is finally saying goodbye.

Seahawks four-time All-Pro Walter Jones has retired after 13 years in which he became the standard to which all left tackles aspired -- and most defensive linemen succumbed.

The 36-year-old Jones made the announcement in a team news release Thursday.

The Seahawks are immediately retiring Jones' number 71 jersey.

This had been expected for months. Jones hasn't played since Thanksgiving Day 2008 and has had two knee surgeries in that span.

[NewJerSpur]

Sad day. He was part of the core of the SB team and an outstanding player and teammate. Thank you Walt. Hopefully Okung can fill his shoes and give us another great 12 years.

[PuttPutt]

Okung has got some BIG shoes to fill. The Hawks ought to be an interesting team this year. I can't wait to make it to a game.

[samikeyp]

The Hawks should keep Jones as an assistant to work with Okung.

[Bigzax]

The Hawks should keep Jones as an assistant to work with Okung.

agreed...as that is what the skins have Chris Samuels doing with Trent Williams...

i'm still peeved about passing on Okung...Shanihan better have picked a good one.