The Offseason of Retirement?

Oh, what a strange trip it's been, for the Football historians.

We've said goodbye to one animal named Sapp, one great QB called Favre, and with today's announcement, McNair joins the list of players who are entering the real world, after giving us both pleasure and pain, joy, and sorrow.

Sure, there's been other players, who called last year the end. Vinny Testaverde, barring his phone ringing, is still out there.

But if you look at these three, and what sort of history they wrote, they'll be missed, in the games, on the sidelines, and with the talent pool in today's game who knows...maybe they'll be back, as a coach.

First off, Sapp. Simply an animal, in any way, shape or form, he had the joy of watching Tampa go from a laughingstock who couldn't win, to super bowl champion....then, came to Oakland, but while the fire burned.....there just wasn't enough talent to surround him with, to get that second ring.

Known by some for dirty hits, he was also known as the defensive leader of clubs, keeping the players loose, and ready for the games. And, like always, he was a sack machine, a tackle expert from the position, and a man of gifts, never to be taken lightly.

Favre, gave a lot of fans the all-american hero look. He helped give Green Bay something to cheer for, bringing the Lombardi back home, after all those seasons, will etch himself in the minds and hearts of the faithful for a long time. By the time he retired, there wasn't a lot of records he didn't own. TDs, INTs, Completions, yards, about the only thing he couldn't do, was make a set of bookends out of Lombardi, coming up short against the Broncos, and last year, his pick ended the year, in his element.

McNair, for his talent, was probably the best unknown QB in football.

This here was a player, who had the difficult task, of trying to deal with a moving team, from the Houston Oilers, to the Tennessee Oilers, and then finally the Titans.

He also had the gumption, to lead Houston to uncharted waters, their first Super Bowl appearance, only to lose a heartbreaker, by inches, to the Rams.

As players drifted in and out of the roster, like Eddie George, and his final departure to the Ravens, no one could question his toughness. A lot of times, he wouldn't play during the week in practice, but then would come out on sunday, surprise a club who expected him to have a walker....and then repeat it, time and time again.

For stats, they're pretty impressive, 174 TDs against 119 Picks, plus ran for 37 TDs on his own, too. One of only 4 QBs to have over 25,000 yards and 3500 rushing yards, his departure leaves the Ravens hoping to find a QB in the draft next week.

Rest well, guys. You paid the dues.....enjoy the time off.