| | Take it from a man who knows a little about concussions: Steve Young is doing the right thing by retiring, says ESPN's Merril Hoge.
The former player told an ESPN.com chat audience shortly afterYoung's announcement was confirmed, that he absolutely agrees with Young's decision, no debate needed. Hoge, whose playing career was cut short because of concussions, discussed Young's retirement and what effects it will have on the 49ers. He also looked around the league and offered up a forecast for the Redskins, Bills and Raiders.
Check out this transcript from Hoge's June 8 chat and find out which NFL team he is picking as the surprise team for 2000.
Ricardo Perez: How does Steve Young rank among the greatest?
Merril Hoge: If you are going to rank him among the greatest, he is definitely in the Top 10 just for his raw
ability. No one is more threatening running and throwing from the QB position.
JC Moritz: Don't you think that Steve should consider playing for the Broncos because the offensive line may
be a little bit better than the one he had last year?
Merril Hoge:
If that was the only obstacle he had to face in deciding to return, sure. Just the simple fact of adjusting and fitting in to a new team has a
tremendous effect on a player no matter how long you have been in the league. Adjusting to the
personnel would have been tough and the Broncos would have been limited in what they could
have run as he learned the system.
PJ: Do you think it would have been a wise decision for Mike Shanahan to bring Steve in to Denver when
he was so obviously close to the end of his career? Is Brian Griese not ready yet?
Merril Hoge:
I think Shanahan is looking for ways to win. I don't think it was foolish to consider it. I think they wanted to
make sure they didn't second guess each other. I think they both came to the conclusion that it
wasn't best for both parties.
I think Griese is more ready than he was last year. Last year he was tossed into a tough situation.
Rob: Now that Young is gone, who will step up and be the guy to lead the 49ers back to greatness
(please don't say Jeff Garcia)?
Merril Hoge:
If all they needed was a QB, Steve Young would be back. This team needs a complete
overhaul. I don't think they have enough talent to win a championship.
I don't even think the 49ers know who will be their QB. I think every position is open on that team
and there should be some great competition in training camp.
49er Rock: How do you think the 49ers should rebuild now with Young retiring?
|
HOGE'S FILE
|
|
A former NFL fullback, Hoge is now an analyst for Edge NFL Matchup, which
airs on ESPN and ESPN2, and for The NFL on ESPN Radio, which airs 11
a.m.-7 p.m. Sundays throughout the season. He also provides reports for Sunday NFL
Countdown and serves as on-site reporter for that two-hour pregame show. Hoge joined ESPN in
1996, working as game analyst and sideline reporter for ESPN2's college football coverage.
An eight-year NFL veteran, Hoge spent 1987-93 with the Pittsburgh Steelers and was the team's
starting fullback for five of those seasons. He set the team record for most receptions by a
running back, totaling 50 in '88. He concluded his career in 1995 with the Chicago Bears.
|
Merril Hoge:
To be honest, they are not going to be able to rebuild the traditional way. They have to develop
the guys they drafted and look at rookie free agents. I think you will see a lot of them on the
roster this season, probably more than any other team.
Jon: What do you think of the fights (Wednesday) at Steelers' training camp?
Merril Hoge:
They are showing that this team is ready to get back into championship form. It is only June. But I
think there is a lot of pressure on this team to succeed. It falls on the head coach and the players.
This has been one of the most intense mini-camps and I think it just spilled into the locker room, nothing
more, nothing less.
Bill: Do you think you Steve is making the right decision given your experience with concussions?
What would you have done if you were Steve?
Merril Hoge:
I would have done exactly what he did. He is doing the absolute right thing, no debate needed.
J: How much better of a football team are the Dallas Cowboys now that they have a good
backup in Randall Cunningham?
Merril Hoge:
I don't think Randall significantly improves that team. I think Jason Garrett is a better backup for
the Cowboys. Where they made their improvement is at wide receiver where they can now
stretch the field and get them the ball.
Rodrigo-Brazil: What are your expectations about the 2000 Buffalo Bills??
Merril Hoge:
I think if you look at the Bills organization they are one of the most underrated teams in
the league. They have been competitive for a long time. I expect them to be competitive again this
year and be a playoff team.
But it is tough to lose the caliber of players they have lost as far as leadership. If some of the
other players don't step up, it could effect they way they play.
Mike: I am curious if you think the Bears have a legitimate chance to contend this year, not only in the
NFC Central, but also in the playoffs?
Merril Hoge:
Absolutely. I am picking them to be the surprise team of the NFL this year and to make the playoffs.
Sean: Do the Raiders stand a chance of winning this year? How ready are they to go to the next level?
Merril Hoge:
I think they are close. Jon Gruden has done a great job there and they have knocked on the door
the last couple of years. They lost a couple of tough games because of their kicking game so their draft choice
may put them over the top.
Chris: Does Mike Holmgren really know what he is doing in Seattle? I'm a little worried with the 8
starters that they gave up on and now Sean Dawkins! What do you think of the Seahawks moves?
Merril Hoge:
I don't know that you can question a guy that has won a Super Bowl and has had the success he has
had. The expectations are high because of what he has done in the past. If you look at what the
Hawks did last year and what was expected, I think they have a good leader in Holmgren.
I can say that I have heard that the Hawks have a lot of cancer on that team (guys playing for themselves) and this may be
Holmgren getting the guys he wants.
Mehul: Can anyone challenge Washington in the NFC this year?
Merril Hoge:
Absolutely. Just because they have gathered all these players doesn't make them a Super Bowl
team. I think the Rams are the team to beat. There is no doubt there are teams that can compete
with the Redskins -- Cowboys and Bucs to name a few. They will have more pressure than the Rams
do. The Rams have a ton of talent and a lot of experience now.
Amir: Who do you think will take the AFC West this year?
Merril Hoge:
That is a tough question because that is a very tough division. If Kansas City can do some things
to open up their offense, I like their talent.
It is tough to narrow it down to one team in the whole AFC, let alone the AFC West. But I like
Baltimore, Tennessee, and Jacksonville as well.
That's all the time I have for now. Thanks for the questions. We'll do this again soon.
Take care. | |
ALSO SEE
Young to retire on Monday
NFL chat room
|
