Saints asked Fujita to retire as a member of the team

TheOak · 04-24-2013, 01:46 PM

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.

jeanpierre · 04-24-2013, 02:14 PM

Originally Posted by TheOak

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.

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...

hagan714 · 04-24-2013, 03:07 PM

Originally Posted by TheOak

Morten Anderson would have been a prime candidate for this.

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

Danno · 04-24-2013, 03:13 PM

Originally Posted by hagan714

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

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?

04-24-2013, 01:46 PM	#1
TheOak 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Cypress Tx. Posts: 19,039	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.

04-24-2013, 02:14 PM	#2
jeanpierre Site Donor 2018 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Thibodaux Posts: 43,543 Blog Entries: 39	Re: Saints asked Fujita to retire as a member of the team Originally Posted by TheOak 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. 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...
	It's not that my way is the right way, I just make the right way my way... Last edited by jeanpierre; 04-24-2013 at 02:17 PM..

04-24-2013, 03:07 PM	#3
hagan714 LB Mentallity Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 15,870 Blog Entries: 68	Re: Saints asked Fujita to retire as a member of the team Originally Posted by TheOak Morten Anderson would have been a prime candidate for this. after the way the saints treated him? i doubt he would agree to it. that was a bitter separation. SapperSaint likes this.

04-24-2013, 03:13 PM	#4
Danno Truth Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Spanish Fort, AL (via NO and B/R) Posts: 24,747	Re: Saints asked Fujita to retire as a member of the team Originally Posted by hagan714 after the way the saints treated him? i doubt he would agree to it. that was a bitter separation. 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?

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