PP: Emmitt retiring/Vikings Sale

[denverdan]

http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/sports/football/10783556.htm

Posted on Tue, Feb. 01, 2005





Emmitt retiring, joining Fowler

CHARLEY WALTERS


Look for future Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Emmitt Smith to announce today his retirement from the Arizona Cardinals to join Reggie Fowler's investment group that is trying to buy the Vikings. Fowler's group also includes local automobile dealer Denny Hecker.

• Insiders say there are just four major investors, including Glen Taylor, in the Timberwolves owner's group to buy the Vikings, and one of them initially considered becoming general partner of his own group. But at the NFL's suggestion, that investor has joined Taylor.

Taylor is considering adding a block of investors to his group for those who want to be part of the package, but for a much lower percentage.

• An objective view of the Vikings' value would be about $544 million, which would seem a fair price for whomever ends up buying the team. Red McCombs bought the Vikings in 1998 for $210 million plus $36 million in tax considerations. Teams with stadium leases similar to that of the Vikings have risen in value about 12 percent annually. That would make the Vikings' value $543.8 million.

[kappaluvacee]

I just heard on Sirius NFL Radio 2-Minute Drill that Emmit is going to retire a Cowboy. The said he's a UFA and he will retire a Cowboy, not a Cardnal.

[denverdan]

http://www.cowboysplus.com/topstorync/stories/020105cpsupersider.405e5.html

Emmitt: I'll retire a Cowboy

Legendary running back wants his last uniform to be Dallas'


12:10 AM CST on Tuesday, February 1, 2005


By TODD ARCHER / The Dallas Morning News



JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – When Emmitt Smith retires, be it this off-season or in another year, he says he will do so as a Cowboy.

"I will, in some way, shape or form," said Smith, Monday at a function honoring former Super Bowl MVPs. Smith may sign some sort of ceremonial one-day deal with Dallas. In recent years, other veteran star players have returned to the teams where they spent their glory days.

Smith, 35, is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent in March after spending the last two seasons in Arizona. After an injury-plagued first season, Smith rushed for 937 yards and nine touchdowns last season in 15 starts.

The NFL's all-time leading rusher said he feels he has enough to offer a team looking for a veteran running back.

"There's always a chance [of not playing in 2005]," Smith said. "Somebody has got to want me, and if they don't want me, then what? ... I want to play. I want to do what I want to do."

[denverdan]

http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/sports/football/10786277.htm

Posted on Tue, Feb. 01, 2005





If not given a chance, Emmitt wants to retire as a Cowboy

By Jennifer Floyd Engel

Star-Telegram Staff Writer


JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - If former Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith has a choice, he'll play football again next season. He realizes, though, he might not have a choice.

"There is always a way. There is always a chance," Smith said when asked Monday if he might retire this off-season. "I mean somebody has to want me. If they don't want me, then what?"

Smith faced that situation with the Cowboys two seasons ago when coach Bill Parcells was hired. They did not want him back, so after 13 seasons, he left and signed with the Cardinals. His contract is up, though. He becomes a free agent in March and there is not likely to be as many suitors this time for the 35-year-old.

If not, Smith said he'll retire. With a star on his helmet.

"I will," Smith said when asked if he would like to end his career as a Cowboy, "in some way, shape or form."

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

This sounds like conflicting information to me?

[Blondie]

35 years old and had almost 1000 yards last season.

Like him or not.....he was a great running back.

Blondie

[RedskinsNation]

I hate the Cowboys w/a passion...

But its sad to see Emmitt floating around praying that someone will pick him up so he can be a backup somewhere.

Dont do it Emmitt, just retire.

[TXREDSKINS44]

I'm kind of surprised. I thought that he would announce his retirement 1 year before he actually did it!!

[cphil006]

good riddence...

[Mr. S]

he was an alright dude, but he needs to retire, he's had a great career and now should step down.

What about Jerry Rice and Tim Brown, any idea on if they're gonna retire?

[jrfriedm]

Originally posted by kappaluvacee
I just heard on Sirius NFL Radio 2-Minute Drill that Emmit is going to retire a Cowboy. The said he's a UFA and he will retire a Cowboy, not a Cardnal.

That's really no suprisse.

[Fifty Gut]

Emmitt shoulda retired the second he saw he was A) on Arizona, and B) being backed up by the same man he backed up in Dallas (Hambrick).

Of course he's gonna retire a Cowboy... obviously.

[Joeythetapeworm]

I really don't think it's sad that Emmitt wants to keep playing and is looking at being a backup, it just seems like passion. For whatever reason, with this guy, it strikes me as a love of the game more than it does desperately hanging on. I imagine that if I loved my job as much as he seems to, I'd hang on for every last second, the same way.

[Chief skin]

TIME TO GO

[ECU-ALUM]

As much as he used to kill us...he was a great player and he carried himself with class off the field as well. Next stop for Emmitt: Canton, Oh.

[denverdan]

Originally posted by Joeythetapeworm
I really don't think it's sad that Emmitt wants to keep playing and is looking at being a backup, it just seems like passion. For whatever reason, with this guy, it strikes me as a love of the game more than it does desperately hanging on. I imagine that if I loved my job as much as he seems to, I'd hang on for every last second, the same way.

Why would he go to AZ for any reason but to pat his stats. I really believe at this point if it was solely for the love of the game, he would of found a way to stay in Dallas.

Regardless of what he does or for what reason, you gotta give the man his due.

[Aikmans Killer No.56]

Good riddance.

Classy guy, yes.

Pain in our ass, yes.

I dunno, i've been tired of emmit smith since 1995....something about him just bugs the hell out of me. Good guy and all, but I'm not sad to see him go.

[ciresolstice]

I like most, hate the cowboys...its just natural...

and as much as I hated Emmitt when he played us *lol* He is one of the best that ever did it...awesome back, much respect for him as a player, even if a poke.

[big#44]

Originally posted by cphil006
good riddence...

come on man. he was a cowboy and yes:dallasuck but he was a good player and a classy guy. i would welcome him any day.

[prophet]

here is the most underrated stat of emmitt smiths career

only 20 fumbles in 14 years

with all the carries that is an amazing mark


in 6 years edgerrin james as 26
10 years curtis martin 25
8 years dillion has 24
4 years tomlinson has 14
5 years alexander has 16
3 years portis has 13
8 years barber has 28
7 years green has 25