How much longer for Rod Smith?

[Gcver2ver3]

He's 35 now and turns 36 in May....

I don't know about yall but I feel he has plenty left in the tank....

Best case scenario we go all the way...if that happens does he retire?

I hope he stays for a couple more years AFTER this season...

Is that asking too much?...he'd be pushing 38....

Eventually he hits the wall but he looked great this year...over 1100 yds...

So my question is how long do you think he plays for us before hanging it up?

Does he give us one more year...maybe 2?...or is this it?

I hope he never leaves...he's still amazing...but eventually he'll have to...

What do you think?

[hades]

Every players dreams of going out on top, so I wouldn't be surprised if he retires if the Broncos win it all.

[Hercules Rockefeller]

I think it'll be a year-to-year thing, and after the season he had I don't see any reason why he wouldn't come back next year.

Especially with him being 3 catches short of 800 and 123 yards short of 11k.

[terry251973]

He's 35 now and turns 36 in May....

I don't know about yall but I feel he has plenty left in the tank....

Best case scenario we go all the way...if that happens does he retire?

I hope he stays for a couple more years AFTER this season...

Is that asking too much?...he'd be pushing 38....

Eventually he hits the wall but he looked great this year...over 1100 yds...

So my question is how long do you think he plays for us before hanging it up?

Does he give us one more year...maybe 2?...or is this it?

I hope he never leaves...he's still amazing...but eventually he'll have to...

What do you think?
I say hes good for 1 more year especially after we win superbowl.He will definately want 4 rings.Not too many guys can say they have 4 rings.And i will say this again.When he does retire we are fcked.

[-Slap-]

I see him playing at least through the 2007 season. With his commitment to fitness, he might last longer than that.

This is a good place to ask this question. I know Rod had a streak of attending voluntary off season workouts, without missing a single one, that stretched for several years. Does anyone know if that streak is still current? How long did it last?

[Dudeskey]

If the Broncos advance to the super bowl and win, I could definitely see Rod bowing out...™

[24champ]

As far as I know that streak continues.....Rod does not look 35 to me fellas.

[watermock]

If we take the ring, it's possible he walks. He's such a chipmunk saving acorns he might stay anyway. If I start seeing a dropoff like Jerry Rice, I'm the first person to ask him not to embarass himself, but I didn't see a drop off this year. This guy is a workout warrior, never missing an offseason workout...EVER. He's bound to hit the wall soon, but it wasn't this year. He could still be a possession reciever in two years.

I give him two more years but a Lombardi might send him into the sunset. It's basically his call. He will never ever be cut by Shanahan. He will have a meeting and "retire" and take his place on the Ring of Fame as the best UDFA WR of all time.

[anthonypacino]

If we win the Super Bowl I think he is gone, and deservedly so. I would love for him to go out on top after his years of service. He is the #1 WR in Broncos history and would have more rings than John. In my opinion i think Charlie Adams could be a Rod Smith clone, he has good hands runs good routes and if he can beef up and become a great run blocker in the open field.

[Dudeskey]

If we win the Super Bowl I think he is gone, and deservedly so. I would love for him to go out on top after his years of service. He is the #1 WR in Broncos history and would have more rings than John. In my opinion i think Charlie Adams could be a Rod Smith clone, he has good hands runs good routes and if he can beef up and become a great run blocker in the open field.

Yeah, Adams could be another diamond in the rough. It would be nice to see him turn in a hell of a training camp this offseason...™

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

Yeah, Adams could be another diamond in the rough. It would be nice to see him turn in a hell of a training camp this offseason...™

This is the fourth year Adams has been with the club in camp. He made the team and a couple of catches, but he is never going to be the guy to replace Rod.

I expect Rod to be here a year or two more, but Broncs need to look to find a replacement this year when they have money for FA and lots of draft choices.

[Needa Pass Rush]

It's that chip on his shoulder... "i have something to prove to everyone" attitude that will keep him going....unless the body fails.

[No1BroncoFan]

Here's the thing. I think Rod would ride off into the sunset if we win it all this year, except for one thing. With no major free agent issues we can't deal with and two first round picks, we've got the opportunity to set up a Patriots like run. Hell, if we keep arranging trades with Washington the way we have, we might be the first team to win six overall and four in a row. You think Rod would want to miss that?

Ben

[Odysseus]

When you are 4 you want to make sure people know you are 4 1/2. When you are 16 you tell people you are almost 18. When you are 30 suddenly life is over. When you are 35 people starting helping you up stairs and asking you your golf scores.

I hope Rod plays until the wheels fall off. I think he can get two years as a starter and maybe one more as a pure possession reciever.

Broncos need to keep farming the UDFA and FA market for depth at WR. I really hate seeing Rod getting his brains scrambled in particular the K.C. game.

[HEAV]

What ever happens from here out I say Rod commits to one more year. After 2006 season it will be a retirement watch.

[SouthStndJunkie]

Rod will play 2-3 more years.

He loves the game too much.

SSJ

[Kaylore]

What ever happens from here out I say Rod commits to one more year. After 2006 season it will be a retirement watch.
I could see that. I think this could be said for Lynch as well.

[Dudeskey]

I could see that. I think this could be said for Lynch as well.

It wouldn't surprise me if both retired on the heels of a SB win with Nalen closely behind those two...™

[Bronx33]

iLL SAY 2 YEARS...

[Lestat]

i don't think Rod retires before age 39 unless Broncos win back to back again & he can go out like Elway

[Clockwork Orange]

I think Rod will play so long as he's healthy and can be productive. He's got no serious injury history and his stats are pretty telling when it comes to answering the question of whether he's still productive.

I'd put my money on 2 more years.

[Gcver2ver3]

As long as he at least gives us one more season after this i'm satisfied...

i'd like him to play longer but if not at least let us be prepared for his "sending off" season.....

no off guard retirements....not sure the ole' ticker can take it.....

[kappys]

I think watching Nalen retire will be just as emotionally draining to this team as watching Rod part ways.

People will at least discuss Rod's candidacy for the Hall of Fame. Given our current track record of HOF players he won't get in, but he will be mentioned.

Nalen will retire as one of the great centers in the history of the game, but will be swept aside with a broompan to make way for Jeff Saturday or some mid level talent.

[Gcver2ver3]

I think watching Nalen retire will be just as emotionally draining to this team as watching Rod part ways.

People will at least discuss Rod's candidacy for the Hall of Fame. Given our current track record of HOF players he won't get in, but he will be mentioned.

Nalen will retire as one of the great centers in the history of the game, but will be swept aside with a broompan to make way for Jeff Saturday or some mid level talent.



good point...

i'm almost embarrassed i forgot about him...

[bloodsunday]

Every players dreams of going out on top, so I wouldn't be surprised if he retires if the Broncos win it all.
Part of me really, really agrees with this. But he is so driven to prove people wrong that I think he'll stick around until he feels that his legacy and place in history is secure.

[bloodsunday]

I think watching Nalen retire will be just as emotionally draining to this team as watching Rod part ways. His contract and his position (tough on the body) make his departure more imminent than Rod's. It's tough to tell what would happen if we won. They could both be influenced by seeing the way Elway went out.

[baja]

Rod will stay ayt least 1 more year He will retire whan Shanahan tells him too, like Jerry did.

[baja]

In an somewhat related matter I now think we will sign TO. Not sure I like it but I do think it will happen.

[ScottXray]

I think Rod will play at least ONE more year, even if we win the Bowl. He knows that receiver position is a big problem, especially if he leaves, and will give Shanny at least that much help. But he will never stick around past his prime, like JR. I suspect he will let Shanny know his thoughts way before the draft.

If we go back to back he's gone after the second....4 rings makes him a lock for the Hall, and he'll want to go out Healthy!