Randall Posted April 15, 2007 Share Posted April 15, 2007 ensive guard Will Shields of the Kansas City Chiefs, one of the NFL's most celebrated blockers of this era on the field and most honored philanthropists off it, has decided to retire from the NFL after 14 seasons. A 12-time Pro Bowl performer and certain candidate for Hall of Fame honors, Shields made the announcement of his retirement on his Web site on Sunday evening. "The love for the game never decreased but, as the years passed, the physical requirements of the game became harder to fulfill each and every day," Shields wrote on the site. "If it was up to me I would play football forever but, as we all know, that is unrealistic." Shields, 35, has been a fixture for the Chiefs at right guard and a leader in the Kansas City community since the team selected the former Nebraska star in the third round of the 1993 draft. He is the longest-tenured player on the Kansas City roster and his 224 appearances and 223 starts are franchise records. In 14 seasons, Shields never missed a game, and he failed to start only one contest, his first regular-season outing, as a rookie in 1993. He is one of only four NFL players since the merger in 1970 to start more than 200 straight games. Shields has appeared in 12 straight Pro Bowl games and his 224 regular-season games are more than any of the seven modern-era guards currently in the Hall of Fame. As notable an impact as Shields has made on the field, where he is regarded as one of the premier in-line blockers in modern league history, his accomplishments outside of football are just as laudable. As a rookie, Shields and his wife, Senia, established the "Will to Succeed Foundation." The foundation's Web site defines its purpose as "inspiring, guiding and improving the lives of abused, battered and neglected women and children." The foundation, and numerous other charitable efforts helped earn Shields the NFL's prestigious Walter Payton Man of the Year honor in 2003. Shields and his wife have garnered considerable recognition in other quarters as well for the lives they have affected. Shields has flirted with the notion of retirement in the past, notably a year ago, and he sat out most of the Chiefs' offseason conditioning program as he deliberated his future. After much thought, Shields returned to the team and enjoyed another standout season. He has three seasons remaining on his contract, at base salaries of $1.2 million (for 2007), $1.59 million (2008) and $1.98 million (2009). Shields becomes the second potential Hall of Fame offensive lineman to retire from the Chiefs in the last two years. Tackle Willie Roaf, a 11-time Pro Bowl performer, retired last year. "I am looking forward to a future filled with sports in mind," Shields wrote. "Whether it is in the stands, on the sideline, in the press box or in a office -- football will remain in my blood." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Dick Posted April 16, 2007 Share Posted April 16, 2007 Hall of Famer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
broncosn05 Posted April 16, 2007 Share Posted April 16, 2007 Hall of Famer. No doubt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DMD Posted April 16, 2007 Share Posted April 16, 2007 absolutely Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piratesownninjas Posted April 16, 2007 Share Posted April 16, 2007 Now LJ has an even weaker O Line to run behind... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WaterMan Posted April 16, 2007 Share Posted April 16, 2007 Now LJ has an even weaker O Line to run behind... Wow, really? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piratesownninjas Posted April 16, 2007 Share Posted April 16, 2007 Wow, really? Maybe, im not too sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronco Billy Posted April 16, 2007 Share Posted April 16, 2007 KC loses future HoFer LT Roaf last year, and now future HoFer RG Shields this year. Add Johnson's NFL record number of carries last season and you can't help but downgrade LJ. LJ owners may want to think about some trade offers while his value is still sky high... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Vatican Hitsquad Posted April 16, 2007 Share Posted April 16, 2007 KC loses future HoFer LT Roaf last year, and now future HoFer RG Shields this year. Add Johnson's NFL record number of carries last season and you can't help but downgrade LJ. LJ owners may want to think about some trade offers while his value is still sky high... or you may want ot upgrade him. Run blocking is easier to fix than passblockign, and with Trent Green on his way out, they might run the ball more than ever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronco Billy Posted April 16, 2007 Share Posted April 16, 2007 (edited) or you may want ot upgrade him. Run blocking is easier to fix than passblockign, and with Trent Green on his way out, they might run the ball more than ever. Tell that to Shaun Alexander after he lost Hutchinson. Run blocking may be easier to replace under normal circumstances, but future HoFers aren't no matter what position they play. That's 2 in 2 years they've lost. And I don't understand how KC could possibly use LJ more than they used him last year. Geez - the guy will be dead by midseason. Edited April 16, 2007 by Bronco Billy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Vatican Hitsquad Posted April 16, 2007 Share Posted April 16, 2007 Tell that to Shaun Alexander after he lost Hutchinson. Run blocking may be easier to replace under normal circumstances, but future HoFers aren't no matter what position they play. That's 2 in 2 years they've lost. And I don't understand how KC could possibly use LJ more than they used him last year. Geez - the guy will be dead by midseason. Good points. I'm in no real position to say anythign, but KC 's Offense is in some trouble this year... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muck Posted April 16, 2007 Share Posted April 16, 2007 (edited) GB Will Shields GB Willie Roaf Edited April 16, 2007 by muck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muck Posted April 16, 2007 Share Posted April 16, 2007 KC picks: 1.23 2.54 3.84 5.160 6.196 7.231 If we ended up with two offensive linemen (at least one tackle), two defensive linemen (at least one tackle), a cornerback and either a day 1 WR (to fill a gaping need) or a day 1 QB (to battle Croyle and Huard as neither are particularly proven as full-year starters), I'd be happy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ursa Majoris Posted April 16, 2007 Share Posted April 16, 2007 KC picks: 1.23 2.54 3.84 5.160 6.196 7.231 If we ended up with two offensive linemen (at least one tackle), two defensive linemen (at least one tackle), a cornerback and either a day 1 WR (to fill a gaping need) or a day 1 QB (to battle Croyle and Huard as neither are particularly proven as full-year starters), I'd be happy. Maybe trade up for the best OL they can get? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muck Posted April 16, 2007 Share Posted April 16, 2007 Maybe trade up for the best OL they can get? I'm hoping Joe Staley will be there at #23... :fingerscrossed: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muck Posted April 16, 2007 Share Posted April 16, 2007 Day 1 OT, DT and either a CB or WR/QB Day Two OT/OG, DT/DE and either a CB or WR/QB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muck Posted April 16, 2007 Share Posted April 16, 2007 If we can trade Green for, say, Miami's 4th round pick (108 overall) and one of their two 7th round picks (219 or 238) we can get two other guys with their hand in the dirt. Alternatively, maybe we could trade Green, 2.54 and 3.84 to MIA for their 2.40, 3.71 and 6.181? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Swerski Posted April 16, 2007 Share Posted April 16, 2007 Tell that to Shaun Alexander after he lost Hutchinson. Run blocking may be easier to replace under normal circumstances, but future HoFers aren't no matter what position they play. That's 2 in 2 years they've lost. And I don't understand how KC could possibly use LJ more than they used him last year. Geez - the guy will be dead by midseason. Not to mention the fact that Huard is (most likely) replacing Green, Kennison can no longer burn defensive backs, Samie Parker is average at best, and Gonzo isn't getting any younger. I'd stay away from LJ this season - let somebody else over-value him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DMD Posted April 16, 2007 Share Posted April 16, 2007 LJ had 416 carries last year - more than anyone in the history of the NFL. That enough would wear down anyone and this year he'll be without as good of a line? Can't say it makes him more attractive and reasonably should downgrade him a bit if only for the increased chance of injury after such a workload. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akfatha Posted April 16, 2007 Share Posted April 16, 2007 too bad hes leaving the game! a great rock for the chiefs for SO long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hat Trick Posted April 17, 2007 Share Posted April 17, 2007 One of the Chiefs all time great players on and off the field, and a heck of a guy. He'll be severely missed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perchoutofwater Posted April 17, 2007 Share Posted April 17, 2007 If we can trade Green for, say, Miami's 4th round pick (108 overall) and one of their two 7th round picks (219 or 238) we can get two other guys with their hand in the dirt. Alternatively, maybe we could trade Green, 2.54 and 3.84 to MIA for their 2.40, 3.71 and 6.181? You can't afford to keep Green unless he restructures, and he won't. Everyone knows that. He can't be traded unless he agrees to the trade, and he won't unless it is to Miami. Miami might be willing to give up a 5th, but that is about all they are going to give up. It is well publicized that Green wants to go to Miami, and that KC really can't afford to keep Green. If KC was smart, they would give him up for a 5th. If not, they will probably have to cut him, and Miami will more than likely get Green anyway, unless someone else offers him way more than he is worth on the free market. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Ryan Posted April 17, 2007 Share Posted April 17, 2007 Now LJ has an even weaker O Line to run behind... damn, I ought to trade him then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Wolf Posted April 17, 2007 Share Posted April 17, 2007 One of the Chiefs all time great players on and off the field, and a heck of a guy. He'll be severely missed! +1 His excellence as a player was exceeded only by his compassion as a human being. A great example for all to follow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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