Written by Matt Bowen at ESPN.com
The phone calls start coming this time of year. You know, the ones that NFL veterans don’t want to answer. Let it go to voicemail? I’ve done that. Deal with it later, I guess. But once you see the area code on the caller ID, you know: Dang, they got me.
That call from the head coach’s office at the team facility is always the same. He tells you how much you meant to the squad, how much he enjoyed working with you. You know, do the dance a little bit. And I don’t blame him. But the message essentially boils down to: Time’s up, pal. You’ve just been cut.
We are watching this play out now, in real time, with veterans such as New Orleans Saints offensive guard Jahri Evans and Tennessee Titans safety Michael Griffin. Those guys are true pros, vets who have played a lot of good football in this league. And now they’re out of jobs.
Many vets can see the writing on the wall during the season. Maybe it’s injuries that have piled up over time, a slight dip in production and playing time, or a brash, young cat being developed to take your spot. Whatever the reason, a ton of players head into every offseason with the understanding that they could be the next veteran to get whacked.
But even when players know that call is coming, as I did with both the Washington Redskins and Buffalo Bills, it still stings.
Joe Gibbs called me when I had just landed in Las Vegas — I was literally still on the tarmac. I let that one go to voicemail and called the Hall of Fame coach back once I had a couple beers in me and settled into a room at the MGM. I knew I was cut. What’s another hour going to change?
To continue reading this article, click here.
