Dillon seeks a new job -- Agent: RB done with Pats, not for good
By Albert Breer/ MetroWest Daily News
Friday, February 23, 2007 - Updated: 02:00 AM EST
Patriots running back Corey Dillon [stats] may retire. But as of this morning, he’s not intending to.
After speaking to Dillon late last night, agent Steve Feldman said the future Hall of Fame tailback has asked the Patriots [team stats] for his release, and it will be granted on March 2, the first day of the NFL’s free agency period.
At that point, the agent said, Dillon will seek a new employer.
“We were in discussions the last few days, and based on the roster and the offense, we felt there were better opportunities out there in the NFL,†said Feldman. “He felt like getting eight or 10 carries a game didn’t give him the opportunity to demonstrate the abilities he still has. He figures he has a year or two left where he can be a premier performer.â€
Feldman said that once March 2 rolls around, “all options are open,†and retirement would be one of those. But the agent intimated that Dillon would only hang up his cleats if the right offer didn’t come along.
Dillon, 32, has three years remaining on his contract, with a $4.4 million cap hit for 2007.
In 2006, Dillon rushed for 812 yards on 199 carries (a 4.1 average) and 13 touchdowns - an improvement on an injury-marred 2005 campaign in which he averaged a career-low 3.5 yards per rush.
He finished 2006 with 11,241 career yards, tops among active NFL backs and 14th in league history.
Those numbers, in Feldman’s mind, should be enough to buy Dillon a shot to play elsewhere as a lead back.
“He’d love to stick around, if it’s the right opportunity,†said Feldman. “Last season proved he’s still got the pop and the burst to be a primary back. I don’t know if he’s still a 25-carry-a-game guy, but I feel like he could certainly take a good 15 carries a game and be effective.â€
What may be even more important, Feldman said, is that his will to do so remains intact.
“Absolutely, he’s still got the passion,†said Feldman. “He’s at a point where he doesn’t have anything to prove, though. He doesn’t need the money, either, so he’ll just do what suits him best.â€
However, the Herald reported that, after the Patriots’ loss to Indianapolis in the AFC Championship Game, Dillon told teammates that he was done.
http://patriots.bostonherald.com/patriots/view.bg?articleid=184571