Aaron Donald Retires

[Merlin]

I think he realizes, despite being named All-Pro last yr, he is starting to fall off a nit and don't think we would accept another 5 or 6 sack season. He wanted to go out still playing at a high level.

Agreed and I respect the hell out of that. He was probably looking at phasing into a rush specialist which would allow him to crush that sack total. Gonna be interesting to see him out there in the media this season. I am sure a lot of folks will at least have him commenting on sets here and there.

 

[dieterbrock]

So they’ll just have to score 40 ppg
Next!

 

[Psycho_X]

He's apparently not doing a conference to announce his retirement either. I respect the hell out of that. He's a private guy and pretty quiet. He doesn't need a big show of pomp and circumstance. He lets his play on the field do his talking and if anyone disrespects him he lets them know in person. Off the field he's good with letting that be his legacy. Love it. Going to miss the hell out of him.

 

[Dodgersrf]

It wouldn’t surprise me if he was a playoff addition

 

[PARAM]

Kobie Turner actually drew a significant high % of double teams last yr. I saw that stat being discussed in regards to the DROY award.

Fans are reading too much into it. I think he is just ready to move on in life. His kids are getting older and now he can go out still playing at a high level.

He is the only player other than Barry Sanders to play just 10 years and go to the Pro Bowl in each one of them. Some other facts about AD ESPN listed including this one

"Over the past five years, the NFL average pass rush win rate against a single pass-blocker was 17% for a qualified rusher. Donald posted an 18% pass rush win rate against double-teams in that span, making him better against two pass-blockers than the average pass-rusher was against one over the past five years."

We might not have known those numbers but we knew that fact. Gonna miss him but as a Ram fan, I'm still excited about their future, starting in 2024.

 

[JonRam99]

Pitt State prolly licking their chops, DLine coach?
Steelers prolly eyeballing him for a 2025 "un-retirement"
What a stink bomb on my Friday.
But..... thank you AD..... soo many great memories, none sweeter than you pointing to your ring finger & screaming "IT'S MY TIME!!!!" it certainly was.

 

[HE WITH HORNS]

He should have at least gave us one more year. He's still getting paid.

 

[Spider2YB]

It wouldn’t surprise me if he was a playoff addition

This is what I asked earlier in another thread. What’s the legality of that? Can he come back for a playoff run if he wanted to?

 

[PARAM]

He should have at least gave us one more year. He's still getting paid.

Yeah but with restructures and such, he's getting under-paid this year for what he did the last 10 years.

 

[JoeBo21]

Still shocked. One of the best to ever do it. Really thought he’d run it back one more year but nothing but love and respect for AD. Absolute legend. Will truly miss watching him every Sunday abusing o-lines and qb’s

 

[den-the-coach]

Or could it be they signed elsewhere for more $. I’m thinking that’s more likely.

Let's hope that was the reason, but time to move on that is for sure.

 

[dieterbrock]

If he converted his salary in to a signing bonus, the Rams could look to recover that money and potentially further help the cap

 

[Varg6]

It wouldn’t surprise me if he was a playoff addition

That’d be epic.

I was pretty stunned today by the news, but I love that he’s going out on his own terms. He’s a legend, the goat.

We as Rams fans witnessed a decade of greatness.

Not many fans get to say they had the greatest DT of all time, and could potentially be the greatest defensive player of all time.

Just absolutely special. We’re blessed to have had to him. Congrats AD!

 

[Tron]

This fucking blows big time. Was my favorite Ram since he was drafted. Im glad he got to retire and Ram and spend his whole career there. You will be missed. It was an honor and a privilege to watch your greatness!!!

 

[TexasRam]

What an honor to be alive to witness 99’s career.

An Absolute Legend.

Thank you 99.

 

[Flatlyner]

How is this? Turner had 9 sacks and Young had 8 sacks as rookies. No reason to believe they won't both make big strides from year 1 to 2. We find another talented player in the draft and we will be fine.

My question is, do they get those sacks without AD taking 3 OL out of the play to block him? Probably some of those wouldn't have happened. Could be wrong. And yes, I do expect them to make improvements in their 2nd year, but, the massive hole in the line is also going to effect everyone on defense.

I'm really hoping for this guy.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iN307jmDWXg&ab_channel=TheMockDraftGuy

 

[PARAM]

The best ones always leave you wanting more.

 

[FrantikRam]

The other thing too....I bet being triple teamed is exhausting as hell

 

[Allen2McVay]

The best ones always leave you wanting more.

Let's stick with Football. You can talk about Sex on another forum.

 

[FrantikRam]

My question is, do they get those sacks without AD taking 3 OL out of the play to block him? Probably some of those wouldn't have happened. Could be wrong. And yes, I do expect them to make improvements in their 2nd year, but, the massive hole in the line is also going to effect everyone on defense.

I'm really hoping for this guy.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iN307jmDWXg&ab_channel=TheMockDraftGuy

The good news is that Kobe was double teamed quite a bit....so we will definitely need he and Young and some rookies to step up