New Orleans Saints center Olin Kreutz decides to leave team
 

New Orleans Saints center Olin Kreutz has decided to leave the team, according to agent Mark Bartelstein, because he felt like he was not able to bring the same passion to work every day that he had throughout his 14-year career.

"He decided, 'If I can't bring that same passion every day to work, I'm not gonna just sit here and collect a paycheck,'" Bartelstein said. "That's the way he is. Olin's a little different than most guys. People say all the time that it's not about the money. That's really how it is with him. It never has been."

Kreutz, who spent his first 13 seasons with the Chicago Bears, signed a one-year deal worth $2 million to join the Saints. The deal did not include a signing bonus, so he will be paid for the games he played but forfeit the remaining portion of his salary.

Bartelstein said Kreutz has not officially decided to retire yet, but he plans to walk away for now and spend time with his family. Bartelstein said there was no conflict with the team or the coaching staff or how he was being used that led to the decision.

"No, he was starting, he's on a great team with a great contract. He just wasn't getting the right vibe about how he felt," Bartelstein said. "He has played 14 years in this league, and what made him a Hall of Famer was his passion and love for the game. He has felt for the last few weeks that flame inside him isn't really burning."

Kreutz just returned to the lineup last Sunday at Tampa Bay after missing two games with a knee injury.

The Saints have not yet commented on Kreutz's decision. Bartelstein said the team wasn't happy about it, but they understood it.

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Kreutz has left the team according to Jeff Tripplette's Twitter.

Thank God. He sucked.

He didn't practice Wednesday because of "personal reasons".
I wonder what's up with Kruetz?

DLP looked pretty good before Kruetz stepped in.
Hopefully he picks up where he left off.

Peace out.

I noticed he wasn't practicing with the team on Wednesday.........I sure hope we have a back up center waiting in the wings.
Edit: I know we have Tennant, but apparently he's not impressing the coaching staff.

Well sorry to hear that..but DLP was playing better and Tennant can back him.. Strief the other O-Lineman..now we can activate Ivory...I think he saw he was fixing to become 2nd string...

thank god...kreutz has been garbage. he says he "no longer feels the passion" and you could tell by the way he has been playing. when a lifetime journeyman outplays you something isnt right. happy to see him go. i hated his stupid neck roll tol

Hmmmmm ... interesting .... who can we bring in for a backup?

I read on another site where he got into an argument with the O-Line coach. Bye Bye Mr. Turnstile

Get to kicking rocks mo-fo!!

I knew he was bad ju ju from the get go. I said it in the thread that announced he was coming over to the Saints. I'm glad he was honest and didn't fake the funk the entire season. Could have hurt us down the road.

Saints are without a doubt one of the most explosive and exciting offenses in the league, and this slug can't find any passion for the game? Whatever, don't let the doorknob hit you in the butt on your way out.

There's more to this story than what they're telling here, but we won't hear about it on the NFL Network. No, they're too busy trying to figure out why Romo and Dallas suck.

Let the next man step up. Hopefully this means we'll be running the ball more with better protection and blocking. GROUND AND POUND!!!

I would probably have been real upset if he had been doing a great job but I have been more impressed by DLP so I think this is the right thing for him to do. I guess we will be looking to draft a C next year if Tennant don't start improving.

Blessing in disguise maybe?

This allows us to get younger, healthier, and hungrier talent on the field. Being completely objective, and without caring why he has left, this is good news for progress. Now if the COACHES can make the same type of adjustments in other struggling areas, perhaps we can decisively win a game.

Wtf! Delapunte time I guess.

i think DLP was playing better anyway. Now we need to throw Wilson into the OLB spot.

Yep just read de la Puenta will start...good news to me..

Isn't Kreutz the one that keeps getting the false start penalties when we're 3rd and short?

He had one last week that was a drive killer..

just in time for the trade deadline to pass. He could have done this last week.

Damn Kreutz it's like that

alex mack would be starting for us right now and none of this wouldve been an issue....just sayin

oh terrence cody is starting for the ravens too

hmmm

Damn Canton, are you a fan or a critic?

We'll be just fine. I can at least appreciate the fact he's wasn't just going to milk out the season for another dollar.

I read somewhere that his 275 lbs right now which explains why he was getting blown up at the LOS against the Bucs. That's tiny for a C who has to block 300+ pound DT's 80 times a game. At that weight he wouldn't even be a good fit for a zone blocking scheme that utilize undersized guys.

a fan of losing our starting center? no im not at all

i did mention drafting a center a few seasins back tho...it pretty much got laughed off...guess its not so funny now

exactly what I was thinking. Thanks @ss hole

If your are talking about Goody..i agree that should have never happened and im still perplexed as to why it did..but it is what is ..Now DLP has to step up and maybe this will make him have more confidence.I hope your starting to see how are O-line got shakey in a hurry.Now its one of the bigger concerns this season..along with our other line..Drew is making the most of what he can with this line..if they don't run block... then thats the reason for the high percentage of pass plays..we have to move the ball somehow.

He is a former Bear..and we did kick his old buddies asses all over the field this year..lol..just sayin

Ok, I'm calling shennanigans. If it wasn't about money Olin would be a Bear right now. He was about to ride the pine and quit like a biotch. Be a man and admit your too proud to be a back up, Olin.

Yeah that seems to be obvious..he was headed to the bench...especially if he got into it with the O-Line coach...can you say doghouse.:D

Nah nah nah nah hey hey hey goodbye

Dude quit on the team, from the looks of his performance on the field it looked like he quit a couple weeks ago.

I was one that was excited to get him in FA after the lose of Goodwin but I'd much rather they go with DLP and see the Saints get their ass kicked then some over the hill rehash who doesn't care ... now if the coaches could get Shanle to quit, I might even go drive him home myself

It must have hurt him to not be resigned by his former team. I guess his heart wasn't in it any longer. I agree with Canton in that this is a hell of a time to lose your starting center. In any case, I guess he felt he couldn't play any longer at the pro level. I applaud his honesty. Good luck Kreutz and thanks anyway for trying to make it work.


FF

The look on his face when we win the Superbowl this year...

Alaska

Since he quit, he shouldn't get a ring

**** him

In time the real reason's will come to light. Who knows it could be something with his family. Could have been the game vs the Bears that triggered the decline. Or finally maybe it's too hot in the South for him.

EAAASSSYYY now...they said kruetz quit, not shanle. That bum is still on our team.

OH he can have a ring!!!!!...my CACK RING!!! Down his turnstile mouth!!!

peace out trash

Yeah Shanle should have car-pooled with Kruetz.