The New England Patriots have lost another key component from their Super Bowl championship team.
Dan Connolly, the starting left guard, told Mike Reiss of ESPN.com that he is retiring. The 32-year-old Connolly, who was a team captain last year, said winning the Super Bowl last February played a role in his decision, but that his health was the “biggest factor.”
Connolly told Reiss that he had been diagnosed with four concussions while playing in the NFL and another while in high school in Missouri.
“It’s important to me to leave the game healthy,” said Connolly, who is married and has three daughters under the age of 6. “I’m able to be here for my kids and walk away on my own terms. I feel like I got everything I could out of football in playing 10 years, winning a Super Bowl, and playing alongside some truly great players.”
The 6-foot-4, 305-pound Connolly was one of the Patriots’ steadiest and most versatile performers on the offensive line as well as a leader in the locker room. He becomes the latest starter to leave the Patriots since they beat the Seattle Seahawks 28-24 on Feb. 1 for the franchise’s fourth Super Bowl championship. Defensive lineman Vince Wilfork signed with Houston, cornerback Darrelle Revis with the New York Jets and cornerback Brandon Browner with the New Orleans Saints. Stevan Ridley, a starter until injuring his knee in Week 6 last season, also signed with the Jets in the offseason.
Connolly was undrafted out of Southeast Missouri State but signed with Jacksonville. He then was signed to the Patriots’ practice squad in 2007. He started 71 regular-season games and 11 playoff games, including two Super Bowls.
Connolly is perhaps best known for a kick return against the Green Bay Packers in 2010, in which he fielded a bouncing ball and ran 71 yards before being tackled.
Connolly had offers from other teams, most notably Tampa Bay, but decided instead to retire. “It is an honor to have been part of such a great organization for the past eight seasons,” he said.
His departure leaves the Patriots looking for another stabilizing force on the offensive line. Ryan Wendell, the starting right guard, could move to left guard. Marcus Cannon, who is more comfortable at tackle, also started three games at left guard last year (when Connolly started at center) and Josh Kline started two when Connolly was injured late in the regular season.
The Patriots also drafted two guards in the fourth round this year: Tre’ Jackson (6-4, 330) out of Florida State with the 111th pick and Shaq Mason (6-1, 300) out of Georgia Tech with the 131st pick. Both are considered excellent run blockers and Jackson is an accomplished pass blocker as well. Jackson was named the South team MVP in this year’s Senior Bowl.
Mike Lowe can be contacted at 791-6422 or at:
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