Matt Lepsis Retires

by hai17 on Jan 1, 2008 1:05 PM MST

ESPN.com just reported that Lepsis has decided to retire. He said he wasn't playing up to the level he would like to and he decided that it would not be fair to the team to keep playing through the end of the contract.

The article can be found here: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3176167

From the article:
"Mike would call me out for not playing very well [this season] and I had to agree with him," Lepsis told The Post. "I'd say, 'You're right, I'm playing like crap.' I didn't want to go make all that money and not give the team what I was supposed to. I could definitely still go out and play a few more years, but that's not what I wanted to do."

I have to say, I am very impressed with Lepsis and the way he's handled this. I would imagine that most of the players in the NFL would try to stay on and play out their contracts, even if they were hurting their team. I don't think that Lepsis was damaging the team this year or anything, but there were some times that he got beat when he maybe wouldn't have in the past few years. That's still better than most of the tackles in the league, but maybe not quite up to Lepsis's level.

It's just nice to see that there are still some players who aren't just out for themselves. Lepsis has been a great player for a long time and I wish him well in his life after football.

This is a Fan-Created Comment on MileHighReport.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff of MHR

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Huge, huge news.

Through the second half of the season I had repeated on the MHR pages my firm belief that there would be 1 to 3 retirements on our offensive line. My best guess was 2.

Nalen was (and remains) my strongest candidate for retirement, with Lepsis 2nd and Hamilton 3rd. This is why I've felt that we should get two o-linemen for depth in the draft. With this announcement by Lepsis that guessing seems more like a sure thing.

As sad as it is to see such a good guy like Lespis go, I believe we have the youth and quality to absorb the impact of the loss of these veterans. We will also (as I've pointed out) get a little cap space from retirements.

Watch for Nalen to go, and possibly Lynch (SAF) and maybe even Elam.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by Steve Nichols on Jan 1, 2008 2:05 PM MST reply actions

Yup, HT...

I see some of the sunday-picks being O-linemen...

From Denmark, so i excuse my self for un-knowing-ness...

by Claaaaas on Jan 1, 2008 2:19 PM MST up reply actions

The savings

4.5 Mill in '08

4.75 Mill in '09

Not bad.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by Steve Nichols on Jan 1, 2008 3:15 PM MST reply actions

I think there is a cap hit in 2008

for the parts of his signing bonus that had been prorated for 2008 and 2009 (and which therefore had not hit the Broncos cap yet). I think it is 3 million so the cap savings for 2008 is only 1.5 million.

Personally, I kinda hope that Matt does not file the retirement papers just yet. I have often heard it takes more than a full year to fully recover from knee surgery so I would have liked to see him give it a shot in training camp. But I have a ton of respect for a player who recognizes that they are not performing up to expectations and who also wants to give the team as much time as possible to find other options.

by MattR on Jan 1, 2008 11:52 PM MST up reply actions

I missed a bonus

of 3 million dollars from 2007 spread over 3 years. So that is an additional $2 million of prorated money that will accelerate to this year's cap, making it a total hit of $5 million. Since half that value would have counted against the cap this year anyway, the extra hit is $2.5 million (compared with the $4.5 million in salary Lepsis was set to earn in 2008)

by MattR on Jan 2, 2008 1:22 PM MST up reply actions

Class Act.

This solidifies my opinion of Lepsis and he deserves all the respect in the world for this decision. I always liked watching him play and this is a way to man-up and represent the sort of good guys that wear the Broncos orange and blue.

Speaking of the draft, I've stepped up over at SBNation's Mocking the Draft to represent the Broncos in their first interactive mock draft of the season. Like I said over there, I'd cede the point there to TSG if he'd like it, but I obviously wouldn't mind going through with it. Before the pick is made, I will discuss it with everyone interested here.

As a heads' up, I'm leaning towards James Laurinitis, Kenny Phillips or Dan Connor in the first round. Considering Javon Walker's recent press conference, I'll look to recoup the second round pick we invested on him via trade as well. Any other input and/or constructive critizism is welcome. Cheers!

by ejruiz on Jan 1, 2008 3:36 PM MST reply actions

Just draft anybody who knows how to tackle

I don't care if we have to draft a rowdy college mascot or a parking lot attendant, just draft someone who can stop the run.

Don't expect anything higher than a 4th for a banged up Walker, of course that could change if his medical status improves.

by Arctic Bronco on Jan 1, 2008 8:38 PM MST up reply actions

Except in the case of Lepsis.

If you're refering to any of the defensive guys I agree. But of course, a replacement for Lepsis need not know how to tackle as he would be an offensive lineman. : )

Still, a rowdy mascot or an attendant may not be such a major risk, given what we saw out of "professional" players this year.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by Steve Nichols on Jan 2, 2008 5:50 AM MST up reply actions

Rey Maualuga

Damn did he torch Illinois? 3 sacks a forced fumble and an interception! I know one game isn't enough, but i at least shows that he can handle the pressure of the big stage!

From Denmark, so i excuse my self for un-knowing-ness...

by Claaaaas on Jan 2, 2008 10:20 AM MST up reply actions

Two Things

One, congrats on a great career to former Buff and Bronco Lepsis. You went out with class and will be missed. Here's to good health in your post-retirement years.

Two, Guru can we get that Raider Image banner ad out of here? What's the deal with that? The only Raider Image I can think of is double-digits in the loss column again....

by Donkeys5226 on Jan 1, 2008 4:19 PM MST reply actions

It's kind of funny

Let the raiders advertise on a site they won't make a penny off of.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by Steve Nichols on Jan 1, 2008 4:41 PM MST up reply actions

Good point

by Donkeys5226 on Jan 1, 2008 5:31 PM MST up reply actions

Sad to see a quality Bronco go

However, that is the nature of the NFL. Lepsis was undrafted and worked hard for everything he got in the NFL. He set a good example for all the younger players on the team.

I agree with HT, we should get two OL draft picks.

by Arctic Bronco on Jan 1, 2008 8:34 PM MST reply actions

Sad to see him go.

It sucks that such a great player has to retire. Thanks to Lepsis for helping the Broncos win in 97 and 98 and through out his career. As a Bronco and football fan I wish him the best.

by docescobar07 on Jan 3, 2008 11:21 PM MST reply actions