boselli retiring

[Ric]

a frequent poster on our site, who frequents the texans' official board, said it came from boselli's brother-in-law. an announcement is expected soon. again, per the sibling-in-law.

[Puedlfor]

damn, that's rough - he was a great player when he was healthy and it always sucks to see someone have their career ended by injury.

[rezdawg]

CRAP!!!!

That bastard had my hopes up this season.

[UTweezer]

so what does that do for our cap space? Does it clear out a nice chunk? Or will we have to carry this winners baggage for years?

[BALLhog 247 365]

SO MUCH FOR 1ST PICK IN THE EXPANSION DRAFT.

nfl should give us some kind of compensation

[Lil Francis]

The Jags should give us their 1st round pick next season.

[bamaslammer]

Well, that was the chance they took on that guy. They knew his history and they rolled the dice......and came up empty. Sorry Texan fans. In the words of Bill Clinton, "I feel your pain....."

[JPM0016]

boselli worked his ass off trying to comeback. I wish him nothing but the best in the future. What seemed like a regular labrum surgery was completely f**ked up by the Jacksonville doctors.

[Raven Lunatic]

If true, this is some ****ty, ****ty news. I let myself get my hopes up that he might come back and be at least serviceable. Maybe some of the guys we drafted this year will surprise...though I doubt it.

[desihooper]

I think Fox 26 has the story now! Thanks for all of your work Boss. Good luck with whatever you do next.

[BALLhog 247 365]

and i thought the texans offensive line would be much improved when boselli comes back...mcnair has to spend big money on the offensive line now if the team wants to improve on last years record.

[Jared Novak]

I think what we're all forgetting that no matter what, football is still a game. And now a man who busted his ass to get back to the game he loves is retiring. Lets all show a little compassion and quit calling him a bastard, or saying how down we are, imagine how he feels.

Bamaslammer is right, the Texans knew his injury history and rolled the dice. Unfortunately it didn't pan out. I wish Boselli the best and hopefully he will remain with the team in a line coach-type capacity. Good luck Tony and God bless.

[NIKEstrad]

Fox is reporting this now. I'd say it's a done deal.

Boselli has been a good guy, and this is really unfortunate for both he and the Texans. I wonder if he's interested in hanging around as a coach?

[ron413]

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/1996454

July 15, 2003, 11:13PM

Boselli expected to retire
Texans tackle unable to come back from surgeries
By CARLTON THOMPSON
Copyright 2003 Houston Chronicle

Texans five-time Pro Bowl offensive left tackle Tony Boselli has been contemplating retirement and is expected to announce the end of his eight-year career by the end of the week, sources told the Chronicle on Tuesday night.

Boselli, 31, declined comment when reached at his home Tuesday night, and Texans general manager Charley Casserly was unavailable.

The decision to quit would end Boselli's bid to return to the playing field after sitting out almost two years because of three operations on his left shoulder. The Texans used their first pick in the 2002 expansion draft on Boselli, who had played in just three games the previous season for Jacksonville, and he missed the Texans' inaugural season.

Members of the Texans' front office, coaches, trainers and medical staff were optimistic Boselli would make a successful comeback in 2003, but all indications are it will not happen. Boselli took a big step in his recovery by participating in the team's offseason program, which included a three-day minicamp and 14 on-field coaching sessions, but he was unable to participate fully.

Both sides agreed Boselli would see how he felt prior to reporting to training camp before deciding on his future. Strength and range of motion were the key concerns about Boselli's left shoulder, which was operated on once in Jacksonville and twice after the expansion draft.

The Texans examined Boselli's medical history prior to the expansion draft and were convinced he would play in 2002, but he was only able to practice once. He was placed on injured reserve in October, officially bringing his comeback bid to an end.

Selecting Boselli, 6-7 and 322 pounds, in the expansion draft was a costly risk for the Texans considering his injury status, but the decision was a calculated one. According to sources, the Texans struck a three-player deal with Jacksonville that also allowed them to draft Pro Bowl defensive end Gary Walker and nose tackle Seth Payne, both of whom started every game in 2002.

Boselli counted $7.55 million against the Texans' salary cap in 2002, but he initiated negotiations to lower his base salary to $655,000 in 2003. As a result, he will count only $3.05 million against the cap this season and an additional $3.05 million in 2004. If Boselli had played in 2004, his cap hit would have been $8.05 million.

Coach Dom Capers and staff hoped a healthy Boselli would assume his familiar post at left tackle, but the team still has options. Chester Pitts started all 16 games at left tackle last season, allowing 12 sacks, a respectable total for a rookie.

Boselli's retirement would force the Texans to rethink the alignment of their front five, but several contingency plans were in the works. Zach Wiegert likely will shift to right tackle, the position intended for Pitts. Greg Randall also could work into the mix at right tackle. Steve McKinney is set at center, and the two guard spots will be up for grabs between Fred Weary, Milford Brown, Ryan Schau and Todd Washington.

When healthy, Boselli was considered the premier left offensive tackle in the NFL. He allowed just 15 1/2 sacks in seven seasons with the Jags, who made him the second selection of the 1995 draft.

BOSELLI'S INJURIES
• 2003 -- Decides to retire in July at age 31, cutting short comeback from shoulder injury that sidelined him the Texans' entire first season.
• 2002 -- Placed on injured reserve by the Texans on Oct. 15.

• 2001 -- Started three games for Jacksonville before being placed on injured reserve Oct. 22. Had surgery on both shoulders.

• 1999 -- Suffered a torn ACL in his right knee in the season finale against Cincinnati on Jan. 2 and missed two playoff games.

• 1998 -- Missed one game (Dec. 6 against Detroit) with a sprained ankle.

• 1997 -- Missed four games with a high ankle sprain.

• 1995 -- Missed entire preseason as a rookie after injuring his left knee in training camp. Made NFL debut Sept. 24.

[tierre_brown]

Damn Boss. Never got to see you play in a Texans uni. Too bad, you would've turned that pathetic O-Line around, probably would have made Carr a 2nd year superstar. Best wishes in whatever you do.

You can't be bitter that the Texans took a risk in taking this guy in the expansion draft. The potential was there for him to come back from injuries and play a monster role in helping this team establish itself. He would've protected Carr and helped him progress. The gamble didn't pan out, and we should all tip our caps to a great athlete whose career was cut short by injuries.

[Yao Wink]

You have to feel for this guy. It kind of reminds me of the Grant Hill situation, where a superstar player can never fully recover from injuries and surgeries. I remember going to the Cincinnatti game and seeing Boselli working out before the game. He definitely worked his ass off trying to get back.

No doubt Boselli is a class guy. By initiating a lower salary to help the Texans out against the cap, he did something a lot of other people would not have done. Hopefully he will be given the opportunity to stay with the team if he so desires, as a lineman coach or something.

[4chuckie]

Originally posted by Yao Wink
No doubt Boselli is a class guy. By initiating a lower salary to help the Texans out against the cap, he did something a lot of other people would not have done. Hopefully he will be given the opportunity to stay with the team if he so desires, as a lineman coach or something.

Exactly he helped the team out. He was a great player and good guy. Sorry he didn't work out for the Texans but you guys took the chance on him, so it's not his fault he has to retire.

[bobrek]

Originally posted by BALLhog 247 365
and i thought the texans offensive line would be much improved when boselli comes back...mcnair has to spend big money on the offensive line now if the team wants to improve on last years record.

He didn't play last year. What makes you think they can't improve on their record from last year with him not playing again? The OL will be better regardless.

[PhiSlammaJamma]

All we lost is some money. I doubt we made a deal with Jacksonville either. Oh well. You can't lose what you never had. That's the way I look at it.

[bobrek]

Originally posted by BALLhog 247 365
SO MUCH FOR 1ST PICK IN THE EXPANSION DRAFT.

nfl should give us some kind of compensation

Since Houston was the only team picking, the pick was irrelevant. Houston knew his history prior to selecting him. The NFL owes the Texans nothing.

[rockets-#1]

Man, I was really looking forward to Boselli playing. He woulda helped us out a lot, but we'll be okay. F**k those Jacksonville idiot doctors.

[ima_drummer2k]

Originally posted by bobrek
Since Houston was the only team picking, the pick was irrelevant. Houston knew his history prior to selecting him.
And I don't fault them for doing so. You win some, you lose some.

Personally, I think the Texans saw this coming. That's why they signed Zak.

[Sonny]

A little more...

http://sports.iwon.com/news/07162003/v3314.html?PG=home&SEC=news

:(

[bobrek]

Originally posted by ima_drummer2k
And I don't fault them for doing so. You win some, you lose some.

Personally, I think the Texans saw this coming. That's why they signed Zak.

I don't either. It was an expensive risk that didn't turn out. At least he restructured his contract to give the Texans some cap relief.

[pgabriel]

Originally posted by ima_drummer2k
And I don't fault them for doing so. You win some, you lose some.

Personally, I think the Texans saw this coming. That's why they signed Zak.



I fault them, they blew the first freaking pick in their history. Not a good way to start off. Blaming Jacksonville is weak, the Texans could do the research themselves. All this Texans are so classy crap should also end. (That isn't directed at you in particular drummer)

If the Texans were so CLASSY why did they keep LYING about his injury. Yes, LYING, they kept telling us he would be ready in a few weeks last season, week after week, the all of sudden, "Oh, he's gonna miss the whole season." Anybody who believes they didn't know he was gonna miss the whole season weeks prior to the annoucement, I have some beachfront property in Arizona for sale.

[RIET]

Originally posted by pgabriel
I fault them, they blew the first freaking pick in their history. Not a good way to start off. Blaming Jacksonville is weak, the Texans could do the research themselves. All this Texans are so classy crap should also end. (That isn't directed at you in particular drummer)

If the Texans were so CLASSY why did they keep LYING about his injury. Yes, LYING, they kept telling us he would be ready in a few weeks last season, week after week, the all of sudden, "Oh, he's gonna miss the whole season." Anybody who believes they didn't know he was gonna miss the whole season weeks prior to the annoucement, I have some beachfront property in Arizona for sale.

I don't understand what youre saying. So what if they "blew the pick".

It was an expansion draft. So what. We were the only ones picking. It's not like we wasted a first rounder on him.

It cost the team some cap money this year and next and we weren't going to sign any big name free agents anyways.

So we lost out. Big deal.

[JPM0016]

the texans took boselli off of Jacksonville's hands based on an agreement that allowed the Texans to take Gary Walker and Seth Payne. To me, that alone justifies the move.

Also, the source that first broke the news of Tony Boselli retiring up until the announcement had said Tony Boselli planned on playing this year but wouldn't no for sure until he put on the pads. So, i don't think anyone lied.

[pgabriel]

Originally posted by RIET
I don't understand what youre saying. So what if they "blew the pick".

It was an expansion draft. So what. We were the only ones picking. It's not like we wasted a first rounder on him.

It cost the team some cap money this year and next and we weren't going to sign any big name free agents anyways.

So we lost out. Big deal.


I don't get the we were the only ones picking argument. They blew money and time and set the offensive line back a number of years with the pick, or have you forgotten their infamous sack record???

Believe me, I'm not one of these people who thought the Texans could have won 7 games last year and I was pleased with their performance. But I just don't like how the media gives the team a free pass on Boselli. It was a dumb risk. And I also think they lied last year when they kept saying they thought he could play and all of sudden he couldn't play.

[pgabriel]

Originally posted by JPM0016


Also, the source that first broke the news of Tony Boselli retiring up until the announcement had said Tony Boselli planned on playing this year but wouldn't no for sure until he put on the pads. So, i don't think anyone lied.

I'm talking about last year, when they kept saying he might be able to play, week after week, for about the first 6 weeks, then all of sudden they goes from he might be able to play to he's out for the season. This year, I think everyone honestly thought he could play.

[RIET]

Originally posted by pgabriel
I don't get the we were the only ones picking argument. They blew money and time and set the offensive line back a number of years with the pick, or have you forgotten their infamous sack record???


I still don't understand what you're saying.

How did the Boselli pick set back the offensive line a number of years?

Let's assume we didn't take Boselli in the expansion draft. Would our offensive line been better? No. it wouldve still sucked regardless.

You make it sound like we gave up something for him. We didn't.

Yes we spent some money but that will be over next year.

The Texans may not have been 100% sure about Boselli but imo it was worth it. Why? Because they wanted to use their top picks on skilled position players instead of wasting them on OL.

Boselli was the best player available with a questionable shoulder. Who wouldve we taken instead of him?

It was a gamble that just didn't pay off.

[JeffB]

Originally posted by JPM0016
the texans took boselli off of Jacksonville's hands based on an agreement that allowed the Texans to take Gary Walker and Seth Payne. To me, that alone justifies the move.

Also, the source that first broke the news of Tony Boselli retiring up until the announcement had said Tony Boselli planned on playing this year but wouldn't no for sure until he put on the pads. So, i don't think anyone lied.
This needs to be emphasized.

[Ric]

Originally posted by pgabriel
I fault them, they blew the first freaking pick in their history.
do you remember the brown's first freaking pick in their history? likely not, because he played all of 18 games for cleveland -- guy by the name of jim pyne. and how, exactly, did it impact their franchise?

let's not be so quick to don the role of drama queen. their expansion draft yielded two pro bowlers and two more foundation pieces, not to mention two additional starters. by any measure, it was an unqualified success, boselli or no boselli.

Originally posted by pgabriel
If the Texans were so CLASSY why did they keep LYING about his injury. Yes, LYING, they kept telling us he would be ready in a few weeks last season, week after week, the all of sudden, "Oh, he's gonna miss the whole season." Anybody who believes they didn't know he was gonna miss the whole season weeks prior to the annoucement, I have some beachfront property in Arizona for sale.
revisionist history. the company line remained consistent throughout; the dates changed, but the team played it conservatively from the start. nothing was ever said definitively that he would in fact play last year.

they qualified their statements at every turn.

[pgabriel]

Originally posted by Ric
do you remember the brown's first freaking pick in their history? likely not, because he played all of 18 games for cleveland -- guy by the name of jim pyne. and how, exactly, did it impact their franchise?


they qualified their statements at every turn.

How much did Jim Pyne cost????

As for qualifying their statements there's still a big difference between he could be back in a few weeks and he's out for the season. I just think they weren't up front with his injury information throughout the season.

[Ric]

Originally posted by pgabriel
How much did Jim Pyne cost????
so cost is now the issue? i thought you were upset they blew their first pick? why is cost suddenly an issue? who cares how much he cost?

Originally posted by pgabriel
I just think they weren't up front with his injury information throughout the season.
it sounds an awful lot like you're bitching for the sake of bitching. who cares if they weren't upfront; hell, who cares if they lied? it impacted who how?

the texans took a chance; it backfired. no big deal, not at this early stage in their development. this isn't going to sink them and he'll be off their books before they're expected to make a playoff run.

[mrpaige]

Originally posted by pgabriel
How much did Jim Pyne cost????

$2.215 million was his annual salary when the Browns released him, but I'm pretty sure that was a contract he signed after he arrived in Cleveland.

For what it's worth, more than half of the players the Browns picked in their expansion draft didn't even make their team that year, and only four (out of the 37 taken) remained on their team by 2002.

I don't know, though, if the Texans don't take a chance on Boselli and don't end up with Payne and Walker, is their future as good?

And if the Texans hadn't taken Boselli, would their O-line be any better anyway? As far as I know, the Texans were not prevented from competing for free agents or drafting OTs by the Boselli contract.

[pgabriel]

Originally posted by Ric
so cost is now the issue? i thought you were upset they blew their first pick? why is cost suddenly an issue? who cares how much he cost?




I mentioned costs in my second post. Thanks for playing mr. revisionist history.

[Ric]

Originally posted by pgabriel
I mentioned costs in my second post. Thanks for playing mr. revisionist history.
i wasn't responding to your second post, but since you mentioned it...

Originally posted in pgabriel's second post
They blew money and time and set the offensive line back a number of years
anyway, as i was saying, who cares how much he cost? did they spend your money? how did his salary impact the team?

and what time did they blow? account for it. they had three years to get ready for the expansion draft and you're complaining that they blew time?

and how did boselli set the offensive line back years? if anything, it helped the offensive line. his absence gave guys like pitts and weary a chance to get their feet wet as rookies; it gave the coaches a chance to evaluate other younger players forced into action. it gave boselli a chance to work individually with alot of the younger players since he wasn't on the field trying to hold them off.

it was a risk; it backfired. but it's not a cataclysmic as you're making it sound. teams routinely blow draft picks, et al. it happens.

[ROXRAN]

If true, which it probably is...It may be good news in that we now know what we get to start and continue with. We wouldn't have gotten yesterday's Boselli anyhow...

[pgabriel]

Well since everyone seems to be alright with the Texans helping clear all that cap space for a division opponent, I guess I will concede.

[tierre_brown]

The Jacksonville Jaguars blow. Who cares what they do.

[CriscoKidd]

A question for Ric or whoever ...

when does Tony's contract officially come off the books and how much cap space would he free up, mas o menos?

I don't follow the NFL salary cap that closely.

[Puedlfor]

I was under the impression the cap hit is 3M next year, 3M the year after that - then it comes off.

[dupong]

Heard from Charlie Casserly on 610 this PM, they can take 3m this year and 3m next year OR they can take 6m this year and none next year. I guess it depends on how much over/under the cap they are after signing their draft picks or if they want to sign additional free agents out there.

[Ric]

Originally posted by pgabriel in his futile effort to continually change the subject so he can forever avoid actually addressing his previously stated opinions
Well since everyone seems to be alright with the Texans helping clear all that cap space for a division opponent, I guess I will concede.
now we're getting somewhere. this is my biggest beef; in fact, if i weren't so gosh-darn busy, this would be the subject of my latest article for the site.

if the texans had any inkling whatsoever that he could possibly be damaged goods, they made a giant mistake while sending a gift to the jags. with that in mind, i think the fact they did take him proves they weren't blowing smoke up our asses -- they thought he'd legitimately be able to play again. 'cause had they not drafted him, 2 of the jags they drafted would've been cap victims, and they wasted their efforts...

which means... the texan doctors are somewhat to blame (for either not finding or fixing the problem) and now i'm worried about tony hollings...

(and there's the gist of my article -- damn!)

[BALLhog 247 365]

Originally posted by bobrek
He didn't play last year. What makes you think they can't improve on their record from last year with him not playing again? The OL will be better regardless.

because we already lost 2 of our best offensive linemen signing somewhere else(posey and young)

[BALLhog 247 365]

and instead of having posey, young, and boselli as our offensive line starters next year, we will have none of them. boselli would have helped especially with these twos departure

[BmwM3]

Originally posted by BALLhog 247 365
and instead of having posey, young, and boselli as our offensive line starters next year, we will have none of them. boselli would have helped especially with these twos departure

Are you talking about Jeff Posey? He plays defense.

[BALLhog 247 365]

my bad...but still ryan young is gone and no significant additions have been made to bolster out offensive line yet

[BmwM3]

Originally posted by BALLhog 247 365
my bad...but still ryan young is gone and no significant additions have been made to bolster out offensive line yet

Ryan Young isn't really all that good anyways. Hopefully the Texans will end up with a decent offensive line.

[rezdawg]

About Ryan Young....He missed half the season due to injury. The other half, he wasnt the dominator I thought he would be. To put it simply, if the Texans thought he was that much of an asset, they would have kept him.

He was a one year rental. He moves forward with his career. We move forward with our team. We dont lose anything in the process. In other words, losing Young really doesnt affect the offensive line for next year. He is replaceable.

[Roc Paint]

:(