Wille Roaf retiring? LJ still your #1 overall?

[Mr Dio]

Roaf reportedly set to retire

Chiefs hope Pro Bowl tackle will return for 14th year

RIVER FALLS, Wis. (AP) -- Willie Roaf says he's retiring. The Kansas City Chiefs are holding out hope the 11-time Pro Bowl tackle will decide to return for a 14th season.

The 36-year-old Roaf told The Kansas City Star on Friday that he was retiring, a move that would leave a large hole on the Chiefs offensive line.

Carl Peterson, president and general manager of the Chiefs, said neither he nor coach Herm Edwards had spoken with Roaf in several weeks and they were "leaving the door open."

"Certainly I am aware of what was written," Peterson said Friday, the first day of Kansas City's training camp. "I'd say right now, because of who Willie Roaf is, what he has contributed to the Kansas City Chiefs and what he's contributed to the National Football League, we're going to keep the door open for a while.

"Players do change their mind."

Roaf told the Star he had told Peterson and Edwards of his intention weeks ago, and had sent the team a letter saying what he intended to do.

"I guess they want me to reconsider," Roaf said. "I'm solid on retiring and going back to school."

Peterson also said the former Pro Bowl running back Priest Holmes would begin training camp on the physically unable to perform list. Doctors are still evaluating the effects of a spinal injury Holmes sustained last year.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Wonder if Larry Johnson is still a shoo in as the #1 overall fantasy football pick?
Shaun lost his best o-lineman.
Rivers is a newbie @ QB in the NFL & might have to rely on LT more.

[johngateswhiteley]

LJ would not be my first pick anyway. i am going for LT or even Alexander, whom i had last year and was the #1 player in my league.

[TxJudsonRocketTx]

I really wish he would have retired before the draft instead of training camp, but he has done a ton for the Chiefs so I cant really be too mad at him, hopefully Black can do a decent job but LJ should have a tougher time now that Willie is gone, still my #1 though.

[Pistons < Spurs]

Damn you Willie!

He'll definetly be missed ... but we kind of knew this was coming for a while now. His body just can't take it anymore.

My fear isn't how this impacts LJ. Last year Roaf missed 6 games due to injury, and LJ averaged nearly the same yardage per game with or without him.

Look for the impact, just like last year, be more detrimental to Trent Green. He struggled mightily without Roaf as he always had defenders in his backfield.

Also keep in mind that LJ does not run too many sweeps to the left side like Priest used to. Priest always struggled when Roaf wasn't in the lineup. That was his go to play ... go left, hesitate, and find the hole Roaf created. LJ is more of a between the tackle, up the gut, hit him in the mouth type of runner. This may actually force the offense to go to the run more often.

I'll still take LJ first overall.

Trent falls to the 8th? or 9th? round.

T Gonzalez falls out of the 'top 5' TE's

Kennison while usualy a good value pick is not worth taking IMO this year.

Also, remember that the Chiefs also lost our Pro-Bowl FB in Tony Richardson. That effects LJ much more than Roaf.

We also lost our starting right tackle (John Welbourn) to retirement after we signed Kyle Turley. And Turley hasn't played in 2 seasons due to inuury.....


But hey, at least our defense will be better! :lol

[Mr Dio]

Roaf had the best glasses in the NFL.

[Horry For 3!]

Tomlinson was my #1 if Roaf was there or not.

[Mr Dio]

^^^^^^^^
Good choice.
I'd prob have to concur.

[LEONARD]

Can't go wrong with LT2, LJ, or SA as #1...

Have to see how the preseason goes before I decide for our draft...

I had SA and LJ (7th round I think) on my team last year :lol

[TxJudsonRocketTx]

I'm not sold on LT in the top 2 running backs this year because if Rivers isnt as good as advertised, look to see 8 guys in the box against the Chargers all year