Strahan hangs up the cleats

 

Today is a sad, sad day for all New York Giants fans, as a good player, Michael Strahan, has retired. 15 year veteran Michael Strahan retired today, after deciding that it was time to hang up the cleats and begin his retirement. ”It’s time. I’m done.”, Strahan said to Fox Sports. Strahan wants to remembered leaving on top, ending his career with the sweet memory of that Superbowl victory over the Patriots, that would be his only Superbowl ring.

With no doubt that he is a Hall of Famer, and I believe he will get in first ballot. Strahan is listed 5th all time in sacks with 141.5, and is the all time Giants sack leader, ten more then the great Lawrence Taylor. Strahan also holds the record for most sacks in a season with 22.5, which he achieved back in 2001.

As a big Giants fan, I am very sad that this happened. I knew he was going to retire soon, but I couldn’t believe it would be this year. It will be very strange to see the team without him, he is so valuable to this team, not just as a great defensive end, but as a leader. He is one of my favorite Giants player, because every game I knew he was going to play his heart out, and especially when playoffs came around.

So, now what. Who will be the heir to Michael’s spot? Some of the few that come into mind is Justin Tuck, who had his best season last year, but I think it would be best if he continued to rotate in and play inside instead of defensive end. Mathias Kiwanuka could possibly go back to playing defensive end, then you have to be worried about who is playing outside linebacker, since there is already a question mark as to who is playing on the weak side, moving kiwi would mean that there would be two question marks on the two outside linebacker positions. Newly acquired free agent, Renaldo Wynn would make best sense in starting at defensive end, he has experience, and Tuck and Kiwi can stay at their positions they played last year. 

We will have to wait and see in training camp and see what the coaches decide to do.