Re: Saints asked Fujita to retire as a member of the team
 

Loomis reached out to him. We really do think highly of our players and are some times overly loyal. But this was a good move from the FO. Under Payton the Saints are a family. The who Dat nation is definitely family. :bng:

Re: Saints asked Fujita to retire as a member of the team
 

I disagree with this. Fujita spent his time fairly equally with three different teams in the NFL. IF we are going to ask someone to come back and retire as a Saint it needs to be someone that spent over at least 60% of their career here.

Emmitt Smith is an example of doing it the right way.

Morten Anderson would have been a prime candidate for this.

Just my honest opinion, I set a little higher bar than most.

Re: Saints asked Fujita to retire as a member of the team
 

Oak, get where you are coming from - but this is not your father's NFL...

Free Agency has changed everything, as Free Agency is also evolving...

That said...

Fujita was the first free agent to sign with the Saints after the Saints returned home Post Hurricane Katrina at the encouragement of Commissioner Tagliabue; for Fujita's part, this was an act of faith because many free agents wanted nothing to do with the Saints because of Tom Benson's reputation (which he earned and has since corrected) and the uncertainty of the long term viability of the Saints to stay in New Orleans...

It cannot be understated how big a risk that was for a free agent to take with one's career...

Fujita also threw himself into recovery efforts, often times at a sacrifice to himself (waiving appearance fees, and yes many athletes collect appearance fees for their "charitable foundations" even when it is for another charity)...

Though I disagree with some of his Left Coast Politics - we are a better team because of his legacy...

This guy, in my humble opinion, is one of the best Saints we've ever had and though I'm often critical of Loomis - this is one move for which I salute Mickey Loomis...

Re: Saints asked Fujita to retire as a member of the team
 

Honestly, my opinion has nothing to do with Scott as a person or a player.

It's more about standing the test of time in New Orleans. Scott left of his own free will for more money, he wasn't traded, and he had a place here; those decisions should come with consequences.

If not for injury, he would still be playing some where else.

Re: Saints asked Fujita to retire as a member of the team
 

after the way the saints treated him? i doubt he would agree to it. that was a bitter separation.

Re: Saints asked Fujita to retire as a member of the team
 

I thought he was quoted as wanting to go into the HOF as a Saint (although they don't do it that way anymore).

And wasn't he here for his HOF induction and the all-time team thing?

Re: Saints asked Fujita to retire as a member of the team
 

I'm glad he retired as a Saint. Not because he was a great player but because he came to New Orleans at a really bad time and he gave 100% every game. He may not have had the most talent on the field but nobody seemed to out work him. Call it heart, call it blue collar mentality but whatever you want to call it, I have a lot of respect for it. And I'm glad he thinks the 4 years he spent here were the best of his career.

Just my opinion

Re: Saints asked Fujita to retire as a member of the team
 

i have been thinking about that myself. your right the axe does seem to be burried

Re: Saints asked Fujita to retire as a member of the team
 

He gets a major pass in my book for heckling Manning at the SB

Re: Saints asked Fujita to retire as a member of the team
 

The issue isn't the Saints putting him in the team's HOF.

It's his retirement only.

I would agree with the SB44 team being inducted as a team.

I would completely disagree with Fujita being inducted on his own.