Nink Retiring because he ran out of James Harrison's PED stash: Thank You

[NortheasternPJ]

The only thing that sucks about this is the last memory i have of Nink is him 5 yards behind Tevin Coleman on a Super Bowl TD.

Love the guy, talk about a prototypical Patriot. Glad he's getting out without too much damage. Seems like a good guy.

 

[Dogman]

Of course not, those other 3 are HOF worthy as pure rushers. Nink was never a pure rusher and still accumulated some pretty interesting numbers.

 

[brandonchristensen]

11 things we learned from Rob Ninkovich’s retirement news conference courtesy of The Globe:

https://www.boston.com/sports/new-england-patriots/2017/07/30/11-things-we-learned-from-rob-ninkovichs-retirement-news-conference

Great coverage.

 

[InstaFace]

You may be right about his physical abilities being replaceable, but even at his best, I think Nink was (to quote Yogi) "90% half mental." Nink's best plays were often about being in the right place at the right time; even when he got beat, it was usually because he was physically over-powered not because he was out of position. That is where I think they will miss him.

He got rubbed right out of the play the final time the Falcons scored:


Did he have any plus plays in the SB? I honestly can't remember. I hope he did.

edit: NortheasternPJ got there before I did, should have clicked for the next page.

 

[wnyghost]

A critical thank you thread?

Sent from my SM-G955U using SoSH mobile app

 

[soxhop411]

Who edited the title to put PED in it?

 

[Mugsy's Walk-Off Bunt]

Yeah, that Falcons play was forgettable - or not - but I'll certainly always remember the sack of Russell Wilson in Super Bowl 49. That was a pretty big play.

 

[soxfan121]

A critical thank you thread?

Sent from my SM-G955U using SoSH mobile app

Man, you should see what we do to people with cancer.

I like Ninkovich; not enough to buy a jersey, or list him among my favorite players, but I appreciated that he worked his way into a NFL career that most first round picks would dream of: starter on two Super Bowl winners, a lauded "do your job", lunch-pail effort guy who gave a crap on every play.

I hope he got out before his health became an issue, though based solely on the PED suspension last year I'm guessing he might have some unintended consequences later in life. I wish him a happy retirement.

 

[lexrageorge]

Ninkovich was one of those players that maximized his talents such that he was able to make up for his shortcomings. Easy to see why he was a favorite of Belichick, and I think we can say this is one area where In Bill We Trust was the right approach.

Not surprised he's retiring or did not have much left in the gas tank. Most defensive lineman have shorter careers than Vince Wilfork. Ty Warren was done at 31; Richard Seymour was a shell of himself in his final season at 33. Jarvis Green was done at 30.

 

[dbn]

Has the Ideal Gas Law been disproved?

The IGL is a lazy approximation. Notice how Patriots supporters never do the math with the Van der Waals equation of state? Hmm?

 

[Ed Hillel]

Nink was on ESPN today wearing both rings, one on each hand. They were, uh, both ...neatly centralized:
http://www.espn.com/video/clip?id=20218377

 

[mulluysavage]

Kraft nails it.

Edit: found playoff beard versions for both Rob & Yukon

 

[InstaFace]

The IGL is a lazy approximation. Notice how Patriots supporters never do the math with the Van der Waals equation of state? Hmm?

I, for one, am amazed that someone was able to come up with an entirely new angle on ballghazi jokes, even after all this time.

Anyway, here's Nink talking about the experience:

 

[Van Everyman]

Great interview. Seems like a standup guy too. Even brought up the PED suspension unprompted.

 

[Mugsy's Walk-Off Bunt]

I, for one, am amazed that someone was able to come up with an entirely new angle on ballghazi jokes, even after all this time.

Anyway, here's Nink talking about the experience:

If it was anyone else, I'd chalk it up to some lighthearted banter and oneupsmanship. But it's not anyone else, so I'll just say this: MAX KELLERMAN IS SUCH AN EFFING DOUCHE.

 

[BigSoxFan]

If it was anyone else, I'd chalk it up to some lighthearted banter and oneupsmanship. But it's not anyone else, so I'll just say this: MAX KELLERMAN IS SUCH AN EFFING DOUCHE.

That little smirk Kellerman gave to Steven A afterwards was a nice touch. He has such a punchable face. Nink handled it really well as we'd expect.

I work in NYC so I deal with tons of Giants fans. Most are alright and will give the playful banter about the SBs but there are some Kellerman's out there who simply despise all things Patriots. Never quite understood the Giants fan Patriots haters. The Patriots' success only makes their SB wins even better.

 

[streeter88]

Kellerman violated an unwritten rule in getting a good interview - he made it about himself. Thankfully, there were other more professional people in the room who steered it back to Nink.