Roaf Retires, Panic Ensues

After much spec­u­la­tion, Kansas City Chiefs tackle Willie Roaf decided to call it a career today, end­ing his 13-year NFL tenure.

Roaf cited ham­string and knee con­cerns over his retire­ment. One would have to believe that spend­ing time with his chil­dren in Cal­i­for­nia was also another rea­son for his decision.

Roaf, who was the rock for Kansas City’s offen­sive line over the past few sea­sons, stated he would return for another sea­son but was a non-factor in Chiefs’ off­sea­son workouts.

The biggest ques­tion from a fan­tasy per­spec­tive is should Larry John­son still be con­sid­ered the top run­ning back in fan­tasy football?

This should def­i­nitely plant a seed of doubt in a fan­tasy own­ers every­where when it comes to Larry John­son. LJ’s runs to the left side in 2005 when Roaf started were epic at times.

Roaf missed six games last sea­son and his replace­ment Jor­dan Black didn’t set the world on fire. The results were mixed and the Chiefs clearly missed Roaf’s presence.

So, if you’re keep­ing score at home, the Chiefs will enter 2006 with a new left and right tackle.

The depth of the line suf­fered a blow also in the off­sea­son when right tackle John Wel­bourn announced his retirement.

Black will replace Roaf, while Kyle Tur­ley (remem­ber him?) is the new right tackle. Black, enters his fourth sea­son. He played in all 16 games last sea­son and started 10 of them. 

We will have more on this sit­u­a­tion as it relates to the Alexan­der vs. John­son argu­ment on our next podcast.