Post by TheShadow on Nov 27, 2003 14:13:08 GMT -5
raiders.theinsiders.com
By Vince D'Adamo
"These three years have been the toughest of my career. I've never
experienced anything like this. I'm tired of it. ... I've got to face the
reality part of it. I'm 38 years old. I've played a long time. A body has
its limits. It makes you think, 'Have I reached that limit?'" -- Raiders DE
Trace Armstrong
Oakland Raiders defensive end Trace Armstrong is not saying for
certain that he will come back for a 16th NFL season.
When hearing Armstrong talk Wednesday, however, there is not exactly a
feeling of full-certainty that he will return after his season ended for the
third year in a row on injured reserve last Thursday. The thought of
retirement has clearly crossed his mind.
Armstrong will have operations on his right elbow and right shoulder.
He may possibly have surgery on his left shoulder surgery, which would
extend his career total to 17 procedures.
Armstrong injured his shoulder in the Raiders 28-18 win over Minnesota
on Nov. 16. Armstrong said he hit Viking quarterback Daunte Culpepper and
landed funny.
"I can almost dress myself now," Armstrong quipped as he was putting
on his shirt.
The Raiders signed Armstrong as a free agent before the 2001 regular
season after amassing an AFC-high 16.5 sacks for the Miami Dolphins in 2000.
Oakland did not appear to be a gamble on Armstrong, who had never missed any
significant time due to injury. Armstrong's career in Oakland, however, has
been marred by injury.
"These three years have been the toughest of my career," Armstrong
said. "I've never experienced anything like this. I'm tired of it. ... I've
got to face the reality part of it. I'm 38 years old. I've played a long
time. A body has its limits. It makes you think, 'Have I reached that limit?
'"
In 2001, he landed on injured reserve after rupturing his Achilles
tendon in a Week 3 win over Seattle. Last season, he was put on injured
reserve after sustaining a groin injury in a Week 16 win over Denver.
"The biggest thing I feel is that I've let this organization down,"
Armstrong said. "I was brought in here to give them something and I haven't
been able to give it."
Armstrong has tallied 104 career sacks, third on the active list
behind Bruce Smith and John Randle.
"I've still got to get a fair amount of work done over the next month
or so," Armstrong said. "The body sometimes tells you things and I may be at
that point."
Armstrong added that he will likely discuss the possibility of
retirement with his wife but there is no timetable regarding any decision of
that nature. He traveled with the team to Kansas City Sunday and plans to be
present at the Raiders remaining games. Armstrong, however, continued with
some statements appearing in the past tense.
"If this is it, I feel like I gave the game all it had," Armstrong
said. "I don't leave with any regret."
One thing is for certain; Armstrong is a well-respected and
well-spoken individual who has several potential post-career opportunities.
He currently serves as the president for the NFL Player's Association.
"That's kind of my nature," Armstrong said. "I'm a pretty restless guy
intellectually."
By Vince D'Adamo
"These three years have been the toughest of my career. I've never
experienced anything like this. I'm tired of it. ... I've got to face the
reality part of it. I'm 38 years old. I've played a long time. A body has
its limits. It makes you think, 'Have I reached that limit?'" -- Raiders DE
Trace Armstrong
Oakland Raiders defensive end Trace Armstrong is not saying for
certain that he will come back for a 16th NFL season.
When hearing Armstrong talk Wednesday, however, there is not exactly a
feeling of full-certainty that he will return after his season ended for the
third year in a row on injured reserve last Thursday. The thought of
retirement has clearly crossed his mind.
Armstrong will have operations on his right elbow and right shoulder.
He may possibly have surgery on his left shoulder surgery, which would
extend his career total to 17 procedures.
Armstrong injured his shoulder in the Raiders 28-18 win over Minnesota
on Nov. 16. Armstrong said he hit Viking quarterback Daunte Culpepper and
landed funny.
"I can almost dress myself now," Armstrong quipped as he was putting
on his shirt.
The Raiders signed Armstrong as a free agent before the 2001 regular
season after amassing an AFC-high 16.5 sacks for the Miami Dolphins in 2000.
Oakland did not appear to be a gamble on Armstrong, who had never missed any
significant time due to injury. Armstrong's career in Oakland, however, has
been marred by injury.
"These three years have been the toughest of my career," Armstrong
said. "I've never experienced anything like this. I'm tired of it. ... I've
got to face the reality part of it. I'm 38 years old. I've played a long
time. A body has its limits. It makes you think, 'Have I reached that limit?
'"
In 2001, he landed on injured reserve after rupturing his Achilles
tendon in a Week 3 win over Seattle. Last season, he was put on injured
reserve after sustaining a groin injury in a Week 16 win over Denver.
"The biggest thing I feel is that I've let this organization down,"
Armstrong said. "I was brought in here to give them something and I haven't
been able to give it."
Armstrong has tallied 104 career sacks, third on the active list
behind Bruce Smith and John Randle.
"I've still got to get a fair amount of work done over the next month
or so," Armstrong said. "The body sometimes tells you things and I may be at
that point."
Armstrong added that he will likely discuss the possibility of
retirement with his wife but there is no timetable regarding any decision of
that nature. He traveled with the team to Kansas City Sunday and plans to be
present at the Raiders remaining games. Armstrong, however, continued with
some statements appearing in the past tense.
"If this is it, I feel like I gave the game all it had," Armstrong
said. "I don't leave with any regret."
One thing is for certain; Armstrong is a well-respected and
well-spoken individual who has several potential post-career opportunities.
He currently serves as the president for the NFL Player's Association.
"That's kind of my nature," Armstrong said. "I'm a pretty restless guy
intellectually."