Corey Dillon follows Tiki out the door

[Sam Hall]

Everybody move up Laurence Maroney on your fantasy board

Updated: Feb. 23, 2007, 12:59 AM ET
Report: Patriots' Dillon ready to retire after 10 seasons
ESPN.com news services

After ten seasons of pounding from NFL defenses, New England Patriots back Corey Dillon is ready to call it quits.

According to a report in Friday's Boston Globe, the 32-year-old Dillon will ask the Patriots for his release and walk away from the game on his own terms.

"I think more of my health, how I envision myself 5-10 years down the road," he told the Globe. "I don't want to be broken down, not able to play with my kids."

He said the prospect of his returning to another team was unlikely, but anything's possible.

"Football is the furthest thing on my mind right now,'' Dillon said in the Globe story. ''I may wake up and feel the itch and decide I still want to shake it, but as of now, I doubt that will happen.''

Dillon, who is under contract for the next three seasons with a 2007 salary cap charge of $4.4 million, told the newspaper he has yet to speak with the team.

"I've been blessed and fortunate enough to play 10 years," he said. "I can get up and walk around and be comfortable. That's one of the big determining factors."

Dillon spent the last three seasons with the Patriots after a seven-year stay with the Cincinnati Bengals. He rushed for 812 yards and 13 touchdowns last season and had shared carries with rookie Laurence Maroney. He would leave the game with one Super Bowl title (with the Patriots in 2004), 11,241 rushing yards (14th on the league's all-time list) and 82 touchdowns.

"I gave them what they wanted; I didn't come in and steal money," he was quoted as saying. "I felt like the money they spent was well earned."

[SPchief]

What a pussy

[ZootedGranny]

Originally Posted by Sam Hall

Everybody move up Laurence Maroney on your fantasy board

*gives a Tiger Woods fist pump*

I drafted Maroney last year in my keeper league. Unfortunately for me, Barber was my #1 back, so now I'm hurting. I have Jacobs, but I'm not sold on him as a starter.

[Amnorix]

The Herald has a slightly different spin. Says Dillon wants to start, that 10-12 carries isn't enough for him, and that he wants to be released, and then analyze all opportunities, which could include retirement.

Reality, in my opinion -- the Pats asked him to take a pay cut, he refused, and the team and Dillon have agreed to this cover story so there is no suggestion that he was cut by the team.

Either way, I'm VERY sorry to see him go, but hardly surprised. We all knew his number was a bit high for this year.

[2112]

Originally Posted by Amnorix

The Herald has a slightly different spin. Says Dillon wants to start, that 10-12 carries isn't enough for him, and that he wants to be released, and then analyze all opportunities, which could include retirement.

Reality, in my opinion -- the Pats asked him to take a pay cut, he refused, and the team and Dillon have agreed to this cover story so there is no suggestion that he was cut by the team.

Either way, I'm VERY sorry to see him go, but hardly surprised. We all knew his number was a bit high for this year.

He has gotten HUGE since going to play for mumbles..I was watching old film of him a couple of years ago with the Bengals..he must have put on 30lb's..and it shows..he's like a turtle now..much slower with no quickness.

I just think he wants to get paid without having to play the next 3 years.

[cadmonkey]

Originally Posted by Amnorix

The Herald has a slightly different spin. Says Dillon wants to start, that 10-12 carries isn't enough for him, and that he wants to be released, and then analyze all opportunities, which could include retirement.

Do you in any way trust the Herald? I don't. Its just a tabloid. Even the sports are a tabloid.

[Amnorix]

Originally Posted by cadmonkey

Do you in any way trust the Herald? I don't. Its just a tabloid. Even the sports are a tabloid.

I think the Pats coverage by both the Herald and Globe (other than Mike Reiss) generally sucks.

But they were quoting his agent, on the record, so who knows. Maybe his agent is trying to convince him...

[StcChief]

Maroney in the FF keeper league...

[ck_IN]

Amnorix I thought I saw where you guys had $30 mill in cap space. Is that right? Any idea on what the plan with that cash is?

[Hammock Parties]

Dillon has lost almost all of his speed.

But hey can we trade for him I heard it was happening!

[Amnorix]

Originally Posted by ck_IN

Amnorix I thought I saw where you guys had $30 mill in cap space. Is that right? Any idea on what the plan with that cash is?

It's ton, much like other teams.

What's the plan? The same as always -- to not overpay anyone, and continue to field a "big, tough, strong, smart football team that competes for championships year after year" or whatever the precise mantra is.

Asante Samuel accoutns for about $7M now, as he's been frnachised. We'll see what will happen there. The only other "big" free agent (relatively speakign) is Daniel Graham, who seems poised to hit FA.

I'd imagine we'll pursue some linebackers, particularly Donnie Edwards and possibly Adaleus (sp?) Thomas in Free Agency. I imagine we had Briggs in our sights (who didn't) until he was franchised by the Bears. London Fletcher and Kawika Mitchell would also be likely possibilities for not-top dollar, IMHO.

We REALLY need a WR, especially nwo that Chad Jackson has been revealed as having suffered an ACL in the Championship Game. Drew Bennett or Donte Stallworth, maybe? I think we'll pursue Bennett strongly.

We could use a veteran RB now that Dillon is out of the picture, but I doubt we'll pay a helluva lot (what else is new).

Other than that, we have 2 1st round picks and we might restructure some guys.

But as usual, I don't expect to see us reel in some incredibly hot FA for huge dollars. It's just not the way they do things in Foxboro.

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

Dillon has lost almost all of his speed.

But hey can we trade for him I heard it was happening!

I'll bet I know from whom, too.

[ck_IN]

Nice take Amnorix. It seems the talking heads had you guys signing Thomas, Edwards, Stallworth and just about every other FA out there. That would be completely out of character for the Pats but who knows.

Just as long as you guys lose twice to the Colts I don't care what else you do.

[Amnorix]

Originally Posted by ck_IN

Nice take Amnorix. It seems the talking heads had you guys signing Thomas, Edwards, Stallworth and just about every other FA out there. That would be completely out of character for the Pats but who knows.

Just as long as you guys lose twice to the Colts I don't care what else you do.

Don't count on that happening again, is all I have to say. Winning the big prize tends to ruin nearly all teams. I'm not sure what will happen with the Colts, but I wouldn't be surprised to see a bit of a drop off.

And jus tremember this -- in the last 5 years the Pats and Colts have played 180 minutes of playoff football. The Colts have had the lead in those games for a grand total of ONE minute. Unfortunately, it was the last minute of the most recent AFC Championship game.

[Sam Hall]

Originally Posted by ZootedGranny

*gives a Tiger Woods fist pump*

I drafted Maroney last year in my keeper league. Unfortunately for me, Barber was my #1 back, so now I'm hurting. I have Jacobs, but I'm not sold on him as a starter.

I'm in a similar situation, only with Joseph Addai. I feel pretty good.