Matt Stover

The only kicker the Baltimore Ravens have ever known was released Thursday. The 41-year old Matt Stover, the lone remaining Raven from the franchise’s move from Cleveland, was informed by management it would be moving in another, and I’m assuming younger, direction. The release of Stover hasn’t left me sleepless, but it once again made it clearly evident that in the NFL’s salary cap age, very few players stay in one place for their entire career, and it’s unfortunate. I appreciate professional sports are a business, and generally, in most respectable businesses, it’s all about taking the necessary steps towards greatness and therefore making more money because of it. My gripe is that there’s something to be said about a guy who spends his entire career with the franchise you root for, makes him feel like a bigger part of your life and a permanent part of your community. He's one of you. Since the majority of my readers are supporters of the Boston sports franchises, I’ll relate this to the Patriots. As of today, ESPN lists 60 players on New England’s current roster. Of those 60, only 12 have spent their entire career with the Pats while having played more than five seasons, and there isn’t much of a guarantee all 12 will be suiting up come Week 1 of 2009. With the release of players around the NFL like Derrick Brooks (14 years with Tampa Bay), Marvin Harrison (13 with Colts) and Fred Taylor (11 with Jags) loyalty doesn’t seem to exist between management and its players without a large financial compromise by the player. I’ll admit, sometimes it is the player’s inability to realize he is not what he once were (i.e. Harrison), but my point is enjoy your favorites while they’re here, because they’ll be an expendable cap casualty before you know it.

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