Incognito's Retirement? [update: Now Released]

[Coach Tuesday]

This is an example of where not having an established, winning program comes back to bite us in multiple ways.  

 

WRT Ritchie, I don't see it ending well for him - I feel like we'll be watching a "30 for 30" in five or ten years profiling the Martin incident and the wrecked lives of Martin, Ritchie and possibly Pouncey in their post-NFL careers - just a bad combination of teammates, wrong place, wrong time, a bunch of unstable maniacs.

[eball]

There may be a lot more to this story than we'll ever know, but I think it's reasonably safe to say the Bills weren't super high on bringing the aging vet back, what with asking him to take a pay cut on a one-year deal.  Yes, they could have cut him outright, but they may have gotten backlash for a "retaliatory" firing on the heels of the racial slur rumors in the playoff game.  Even though nothing was proven we know that issue couldn't have sat well with McD.  By "lowballing" him on the contract they figured they'd keep some stability on the line but if he got out of hand they could cut him.  Ritchie, being a pretty smart guy, also likely figured this out -- hence the odd "I'm retiring" behavior followed by his recent request to un-retire.  If everything was hunky-dory between Ritchie and the Bills why isn't he still a Bill?

 

I liked Ritchie while he was here and hope he is sound mentally.  I do think the Bills may be breathing a sigh of relief that he is no longer on the roster.  I know many fans (and media) believe the Bills' OL will be terrible, in part because Ritchie is gone, but I'll play the "wait and see" game with the players Beane and McD have brought in.

[Gugny]

5 minutes ago, eball said:

There may be a lot more to this story than we'll ever know, but I think it's reasonably safe to say the Bills weren't super high on bringing the aging vet back, what with asking him to take a pay cut on a one-year deal.  Yes, they could have cut him outright, but they may have gotten backlash for a "retaliatory" firing on the heels of the racial slur rumors in the playoff game.  Even though nothing was proven we know that issue couldn't have sat well with McD.  By "lowballing" him on the contract they figured they'd keep some stability on the line but if he got out of hand they could cut him.  Ritchie, being a pretty smart guy, also likely figured this out -- hence the odd "I'm retiring" behavior followed by his recent request to un-retire.  If everything was hunky-dory between Ritchie and the Bills why isn't he still a Bill?

 

I liked Ritchie while he was here and hope he is sound mentally.  I do think the Bills may be breathing a sigh of relief that he is no longer on the roster.  I know many fans (and media) believe the Bills' OL will be terrible, in part because Ritchie is gone, but I'll play the "wait and see" game with the players Beane and McD have brought in.

 

I thought Incognito did an admirable job whilst in Buffalo.  Kept his nose clean, for the most part, and I think the O line did a decent job protecting the QB who holds the ball longer than any other QB in the NFL.

 

But he's going to be 35-years-old by the time this season starts.  Incognito being a great OL at 35 is about as likely as a QB being great in his early 40s.  It's a business and it was time for the Bills to get younger.  And I think his "retirement," is addition by subtraction for the Bills.

[SouthNYfan]

4 hours ago, Buffalo Barbarian said:

This sucks, they shouldn't have low balled Ritchie. He was playing at a pro bowl level and they want him to take a pay cut?! I don't blame him for retiring, hope he goes to the super bowl winner.

 

 

 

Nobody forced him to take a pay cut.

[yall]

6 hours ago, B Fan in LA said:

 

Who's the cat that walks about when there's danger all about?

He's a complicated man, but no one understands him but his woman..................

He's a bad Mother...................

 

Watch your mouth...

[NoSaint]

6 hours ago, Logic said:

That depends. In your hypothetical, Is Jerry Hughes 34 years old with a history of mental instability and recent displays of erratic behavior that threaten to bring unneeded drama to a developing locker room? 

And did I miss where Incognito signed with the Patriots? 

 

 

So you’re cool with it at what age cutoff? 

 

And whats the mechanism for blocking the pats signing? Do we make them pinky swear prior to release?

4 hours ago, Buffalo Barbarian said:

This sucks, they shouldn't have low balled Ritchie. He was playing at a pro bowl level and they want him to take a pay cut?! I don't blame him for retiring, hope he goes to the super bowl winner.

 

 

 

I hope we win the super bowl. But my loyalty tends to be towards the team ... not so much the meatheads of the league. 

[MAJBobby]

So when does McCoy request a trade

[Mr. WEO]

12 hours ago, JohnC said:

I don't know if the story you are alluding to about his call to the owner/s is true. Whether he plays again or retires I hope that he can have a stable and happy life. He's had a history of volatility and erratic behavior. It seemed that while with Buffalo his behavior was much more serene than from his past.  

 

Regardless what he decides to do I just wish everything works out well for him from a life standpoint. He's the type of person where the demons within him can overcome the angels that also reside within him. I wish him the best. 

They didn't need him this year but that doesn't take away his HOF caliber career he has had with them. 

Come on.  Zero chance of getting into HOF.  If he would retire right now, they would move seamlessly right along as though he was never there with some backup dude.

[Coach Tuesday]

7 minutes ago, MAJBobby said:

So when does McCoy request a trade

 

October.

[HardyBoy]

Can this thread title get updated to reflect he was cut please?

[MAJBobby]

Just now, Coach Tuesday said:

 

October.

 

I think before that. 

 

He lost his QB who he really liked. And now his “partner in crime” who he said he would pay for him to come back released. 

 

I think he has his agent request a trade way before season starts 

[boyst]

8 hours ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

Boyst do you think he'll try to play somewhere else this year?

Sure, because someone is going to offer him a contract

[NoSaint]

4 minutes ago, Boyst62 said:

Sure, because someone is going to offer him a contract

 

Agreed. I suspect for less than we offered. Which will Be frustrating for everybody 

 

but thats the risk when you pick up a guy like this. Odds were it was going to end ugly but if you can get A few good years for cheap...

Edited May 22, 2018 by NoSaint

[ALF]

Redskins guard Arie Kouandjio out for the season after quadriceps surgery

 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/football-insider/wp/2018/05/21/redskins-guard-arie-kouandjio-out-for-the-season-after-quadriceps-surgery/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.398540d1e4de

 

An incentive contract for Richie should work.

[Hapless Bills Fan]

12 minutes ago, Boyst62 said:

Sure, because someone is going to offer him a contract

 

I thought your post implied perhaps he was going to take more time away from football first.

 

What about all the kidney and liver shutting down/failing stuff he said in interviews and tweets? 

https://www.si.com/nfl/2018/04/10/bills-richie-incognito-announces-retirement-twitter

Was that all a smokescreen or is he going to have to face extra scrutiny in a pre-signing physical?

[NoSaint]

3 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

I thought your post implied perhaps he was going to take more time away from football first.

 

What about all the kidney and liver shutting down/failing stuff he said in interviews and tweets? 

https://www.si.com/nfl/2018/04/10/bills-richie-incognito-announces-retirement-twitter

Was that all a smokescreen or is he going to have to face extra scrutiny in a pre-signing physical?

It seems it was a guy that was throwing a tantrum more than anything, no? 

 

Even in the moment it appeared that way 

[OldTimeAFLGuy]

..kidneys and liver sure as hell healed up fast................

[Hapless Bills Fan]

2 minutes ago, NoSaint said:

It seems it was a guy that was throwing a tantrum more than anything, no? 

 

Even in the moment it appeared that way 

 

That's an interesting question.

I looked back at 'Cog's twitter, and he never tweeted that.

He retweeted something Vic Carruci tweeted after interviewing him.

So to me, it was different than the rest of the twit-fest he pulled back in April.

 

If it was a tantrum, he sucked a respected journalist into it, then SI picked it up

 

 

 

https://www.si.com/nfl/2018/04/10/bills-richie-incognito-announces-retirement-twitter

 

I would certainly think that any team offering Incognito a contract would want to be thoroughly reassured on those points.

 

[DefenseWins]

8 hours ago, Kelly the Dog said:

So what happens when Jerry Hughes decides he doesn’t want to play for the Bills anymore. He wants to play for the Pats. He throws a fit and retires. They just let him do it?

 

I highly doubt that Jerry Hughes is going to throw a tantrum with the terms of his current contract as they currently are. A much more real situation with him however, is likely to occur next year, if he doesn't have a really good 2018 season. His dead cap hit next year will only be $2,900,000. At this point the onus is clearly on him to produce big if he expects to keep his job in 2019. He has a cap hit for 2019 of $10,400,000. 

 

1 hour ago, MAJBobby said:

So when does McCoy request a trade

 

I hardly think that McCoy will do this based on his contract situation with the Bills either (see my comment re: Jerry Hughes - Their contract situations are pretty similar actually. Both need to have really good 2018 seasons or they will not be here in 2019)

 

Edited May 22, 2018 by DefenseWins

[JohnC]

1 hour ago, Mr. WEO said:

Come on.  Zero chance of getting into HOF.  If he would retire right now, they would move seamlessly right along as though he was never there with some backup dude.

Jason Peters is near the end of his career and without question the Eagles are prepared for his nonparticipation. That's what well run organizations do.

 

I disagree with you that Peters has no chance of getting into the HOF. Will he? I can't say  for sure but what I can so for sure is that he will be seriously considered. You may not be aware of it but he has had a long and distinguished career with the SB Champs and has over an extended period of time been a perennial all-pro. 

[MAJBobby]

25 minutes ago, DefenseWins said:

 

I highly doubt that Jerry Hughes is going to throw a tantrum with the terms of his current contract as they currently are. A much more real situation with him however, is likely to occur next year, if he doesn't have a really good 2018 season. His dead cap hit next year will only be $2,900,000. At this point the onus is clearly on him to produce big if he expects to keep his job in 2019. He has a cap hit for 2019 of $10,400,000. 

 

 

I hardly think that McCoy will do this based on his contract situation with the Bills either (see my comment re: Jerry Hughes - Their contract situations are pretty similar actually. Both need to have really good 2018 seasons or they will not be here in 2019)

 

 

The contract situation and his strive for the HOF and 12,000 etc etc is the exact reason I see him wanting a trade. This Offense is bad the OL is in flux. He has so many years left. I could see him wanting out and to a better team 

[NoSaint]

46 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

That's an interesting question.

I looked back at 'Cog's twitter, and he never tweeted that.

He retweeted something Vic Carruci tweeted after interviewing him.

So to me, it was different than the rest of the twit-fest he pulled back in April.

 

If it was a tantrum, he sucked a respected journalist into it, then SI picked it up

 

 

 

https://www.si.com/nfl/2018/04/10/bills-richie-incognito-announces-retirement-twitter

 

I would certainly think that any team offering Incognito a contract would want to be thoroughly reassured on those points.

 

 

Im sure they’d double check his health but probably not thaaat different than any 30+ year old OL. 

 

he pulled that comment practically in concert with that for the right price he’d play. It felt like a child flailing around to try to get out of trouble. That he said different things to different people doesn’t make me think any Avenue was particularly different. Just that he was throwing a tantrum and we had multiple ways to witness it 

[C.Biscuit97]

I love there are some crazy people defending this POS. He is and will always be a POS.  Total BS by the Bills to cater to this idiot.   I mean I get it if it’s Kyle Williams.  But this idiot should be on his knees thanking the Bills for giving him a chance when no one wanted him.

 

peace scumbag and I hope you have a meltdown and destroys his next team.  Dude sucks.

[boyst]

1 hour ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

I thought your post implied perhaps he was going to take more time away from football first.

 

What about all the kidney and liver shutting down/failing stuff he said in interviews and tweets? 

https://www.si.com/nfl/2018/04/10/bills-richie-incognito-announces-retirement-twitter

Was that all a smokescreen or is he going to have to face extra scrutiny in a pre-signing physical?

I think because of his age will take a contract offered to him, and his gentle disposition he will play at a high level. I could see him returning the Pro Bowl form just because he is that competitive and good at his job. But I don't see him being work the headache you would have been here with us in Buffalo, and I truly see him checked out. All indications I've heard are just that, he is frustrated about not complacent

[Johnny Hammersticks]

8 minutes ago, C.Biscuit97 said:

I love there are some crazy people defending this POS. He is and will always be a POS.  Total BS by the Bills to cater to this idiot.   I mean I get it if it’s Kyle Williams.  But this idiot should be on his knees thanking the Bills for giving him a chance when no one wanted him.

 

peace scumbag and I hope you have a meltdown and destroys his next team.  Dude sucks.

 

It certainly seems as though Ritchie is now showing his true colors.  If he signed a restructured contract, he should absolutely adhere to that contract.  If he feels that he was "duped" by either the Bills or his agent, and signed the contract without understanding the full ramifications/details, then too bad for him.  I receive a new contract every March for the following school year, and I'm given 14 calendar days to review and sign (or dispute if I disagree).  It's my choice, and I read and try to understand every last word on the document before I sign.  No different here.

 

 The way he has handled this in public, IMO, has been a complete bag over the head punch in the face to the only organization that was willing to give him a second chance.  Karma is a B word, Ritchie.

 

 

[C.Biscuit97]

Just now, Johnny Hammersticks said:

 

It certainly seems as though Ritchie is now showing his true colors.  If he signed a restructured contract, he should absolutely adhere to that contract.  If he feels that he was "duped" by either the Bills or his agent, and signed the contract without understanding the full ramifications/details, then too bad for him.  I receive a new contract every March for the following school year, and I'm given 14 calendar days to review and sign (or dispute if I disagree).  It's my choice, and I read and try to understand every last word on the document before I sign.  No different here.

 

 The way he has handled this in public, IMO, has been a complete bag over the head punch in the face to the only organization that was willing to give him a second chance.  Karma is a B word, Ritchie.

 

 

Exactly.  Why are some fans defending him?  This is a guy who was kicked out of multiple colleges and nfl teams.  He got voted dirtiest player multiple times.  He threw a temper tantrum on twitter about a contract he signed.

 

what about this guy is defensible?  

[SWATeam]

1 minute ago, C.Biscuit97 said:

Exactly.  Why are some fans defending him?  This is a guy who was kicked out of multiple colleges and nfl teams.  He got voted dirtiest player multiple times.  He threw a temper tantrum on twitter about a contract he signed.

 

what about this guy is defensible?  

His play for us.

[Radar]

Didn't really want him in the first place. So good luck on your future team.

[Logic]

2 hours ago, NoSaint said:

 

So you’re cool with it at what age cutoff? 

 

And whats the mechanism for blocking the pats signing? Do we make them pinky swear prior to release?

 

Viewing it ONLY as an "age cutoff" thing is over simplifying it. But if a player is 34 AND becoming a headcase? I'm okay with it.

Oh, and I'm not going to do backflips to make sure he doesn't become a Patriot. I don't care. They've whooped us twice a year for 17 years now. Let's suppose they sign Incognito (which I doubt they will), what does that mean? They win 13 games instead of 12? The Bills shouldn't make personnel decisions based on fear of the Patriots.

[C.Biscuit97]

2 minutes ago, SWATeam said:

His play for us.

The ol’ He’s a scumbag but he’s our scumbag!

 

also, G should be one of the easiest positions to replace.  

[SWATeam]

3 minutes ago, C.Biscuit97 said:

The ol’ He’s a scumbag but he’s our scumbag!

 

also, G should be one of the easiest positions to replace.  

From all accounts he was a model citizen while on the Bills.

 

As to the bolded, you must not follow Bills football.

[atlbillsfan1975]

Not the type of behavior I would expect from a vet like Richie. Richie is very articulate and intelligent, there could be more to this story.

[C.Biscuit97]

1 minute ago, SWATeam said:

From all accounts he was a model citizen while on the Bills.

 

As to the bolded, you must not follow Bills football.

Haha, should is the key word.  

1 minute ago, atlbillsfan1975 said:

Not the type of behavior I would expect from a vet like Richie. Richie is very articulate and intelligent, there could be more to this story.

Haha, are you trolling?  This is exactly what I would expect from him.  He is showing who he really is. 

[NoSaint]

10 minutes ago, Logic said:

Viewing it ONLY as an "age cutoff" thing is over simplifying it. But if a player is 34 AND becoming a headcase? I'm okay with it.

Oh, and I'm not going to do backflips to make sure he doesn't become a Patriot. I don't care. They've whooped us twice a year for 17 years now. Let's suppose they sign Incognito (which I doubt they will), what does that mean? They win 13 games instead of 12? The Bills shouldn't make personnel decisions based on fear of the Patriots.

 

So let’s say Hughes wants out. He goes on a 4 day twitter bender and drunk dials the pegulas- that gets him out of his contract?

 

i only mentioned the pats because you did

[DasNootz]

The only plausible scenario I can see is that something "shady" happened with his agent.  If his agent failed to act as his fiduciary and got him to agree to something that wasn't in his best interest, I can understand him being pissed - saying, "I'd rather retire than be treated like this"... and then have second thoughts later.  If there was something underhanded done, either perceived or actual, I can also understand the Bills being willing to let him walk as they wouldn't want a malcontent in "the process".

[IDBillzFan]

10 hours ago, Lfod said:

People are taking it hard. I feel sorry for them. They do not understand the new culture yet. They are not used to being winners yet. They are stuck back in the drought mentality of holding on to things that make them think the team is a little better when it wasn't. 

 

Very well put. 

[ALF]

It would be nice if  Wyatt Teller could step right in at LG.

 

[GG]

I'm sure there's a long waiting list for teams to sign a 34+ vet who fired his long-time agent, went on a rambling 4-day twitter meltdown, manufactured an illness, and then told off the team owners in a drunken rampage.

[Logic]

11 minutes ago, NoSaint said:

 

So let’s say Hughes wants out. He goes on a 4 day twitter bender and drunk dials the pegulas- that gets him out of his contract?

 

i only mentioned the pats because you did

I'm not gonna play the "let's say" hypothetical game all day long.

Each case is different. 

In this specific case, I feel Beane made the right decision. I'll be happy to evaluate the next thing that comes along when it actually comes along. 

[IDBillzFan]

28 minutes ago, C.Biscuit97 said:

what about this guy is defensible?  

 

He's not the owner. He's not the GM. Some Bills fans just love to hate the Owner and GM.

 

5 minutes ago, GG said:

I'm sure there's a long waiting list for teams to sign a 34+ vet who fired his long-time agent, went on a rambling 4-day twitter meltdown, manufactured an illness, and then told off the team owners in a drunken rampage.

 

If there is any truth to this drunken rampage story, then I suspect that while the story may never surface publicly, it will surface among the owners.

 

And that'll be that until one owner is desperate enough to bring him on.