Birk to the Ravens

[blue_healer_guy]

Can't feel sorry for him one bit. The offers were close, he wanted out. Kinda takes away all the comm work he did around the cities for me.

[so haaad]

I'll wait and see what the Sullivan kid can do before making judgement. Birk was a six round draft pick too, so you never know how good a guy is going to be until you try him out. Personally I think Birk had some great years, but he wasn't the same player last year as he was say three to five years ago. I don't think you can blame Birk for wanting to try something a little different at the end of his career. Especially since he's going to a solid team.

[mskyfshntchr]

Birk was on with the superstar yesterday. It was a good interview, as almost all of his interviews are.

He said a few intriguing things..the offers from MN and Balt were basically the same. He chose Balt to get out of his comfot level. He felt the teams were almost equal in terms of talent and ability to go far in the playoffs. He said Sully is a player and by October or November we will have forgotten Matt Birk in MN.

So, I think because we waited so long to try to resign him, he decided he wasn't coming back. I think he will be missed, but we were in this same situation 10 years ago and it turned out alright...Let's hope Sullivan can do the same things Birk did. 6 pro bowls in 10 years, all the community work, etc....

I am sure it has been podcasted by now, I would recommend listening to it.

[Sandmannd]

I think you hit it on what he said with superstar. I think Chilly had more to do with it then we know. I just don't think they got along or he would have stayed.

[FISHINGURU]

I would be willing to bet that he is in the top 6 centers in the NFL

madden has him ranked as the #2 center in the league on the game lol

[Muddog]

I didn't read this but you might remember Birks last play with the Vikings. A HARD SNAP to the shin of the QB for a turn over. He was in the QB's face all the way off the field! It looked as if he was saying something like, What? you can't catch that? You've been throwing the ball like that all day, and you can't catch it?

It is no surprise that he is gone!

[Scott M]

He was a good guy and you hate to see him go. I used to see him at Joe's Sporting Goods all the time when I was over in St. Paul. Hopefully he'll retire in Minnesota. The Ravens are going to be pretty good this next year, even though the AFC North is a tough conference.

Hopefully, Matt and Chili are right about Sully.

[fishersofmen]

According to the star trib the Vikes would have given him more money to stay here. This is all about him wanting some new scenery just like chili said. The vikings didn't let him go, he wanted to leave. I hope his groin gives out in the pre season.

[Sandmannd]

I don't think that's the whole story fishers, I've heard on many shows that Birk didn't get along that great with Chili. I think there is more of that having to do with him wanting to leave than anything.

[fishersofmen]

Yea that could be, but still if the Vikings were willing to pay him more money than the Ravens you have to give them credit. Just seems like everyone was saying they didn't have any interest at all. Fact is Birk wanted to leave. I don't get along with my boss sometimes but I still work for the guy.

[The Hammer]

I wouldn't agree that Birk wanted to leave MN. He is a MN boy. He also is in the progress of starting a fishing show. How is he going to have a fishing based here when he's in Baltimore?

I can't be sure how this will affect the Vikes. I guess we will have to wait and see. I imaging a lot of the players don't get along with Chili. He's an one-who-thinks-I-am-silly! If you worked under a guy that was an one-who-thinks-I-am-silly you probably wouldn't like him either.

Vikes need a good QB and a good coach. Not a QB that is past his prime or one that wont ever have one. A coach that at least can manage the clock at the end of a game.

[zepman]

It's simple. Birk NEVER gave the Vikes a chance at matching or bettering the offer from the Ravens. He said last night on Rosen he simply wanted to see another side of the NFL before he retires. Vikes have said many times they would have matched or upped the contract offer. He chose to leave Mn. on his own terms.

[Sandmannd]

I can say that if I wasn't happy with where I worked and got offered the same to work for another company, I would be gone in a heart beat. Now when we are talking the kind of money this man has made, he doesn't have to worry about the money. He can go where he wants. I would have loved to see him stay but if it was his choice, I'm sure he had his reasons. Birk is always pretty politically correct and won't say anything to bash someone so we will never know.

[fishersofmen]

Well then you wouldn't agree with Matt Birk himself. In an interview he said "I wanted to leave Minnesota for a change of scenery. I figured if I didn't do it now it would be a missed opportunity to see other places." And its a fact that the Vikings would have givin him more money. It is what it is.

But yes chili is an one-who-thinks-I-am-silly.

[Muddog]

Well, Birk did go to Harvard. If you listen to KQ92 you would know why he wanted to be near D,C.

[Scott M]

Well, he called it a career. Had a great career - Super Bowl ring, blocked for Peterson as a rookie, 6 pro bowls, and an all-decade team. Not bad for a 6th round guy.

[Scott K]

I wish him well. Going out after a SB, and with all of his bearings intact. More players should call it quits while their body, and head are still usable.

[zepman]

Well, he called it a career. Had a great career - Super Bowl ring, blocked for Peterson as a rookie, 6 pro bowls, and an all-decade team. Not bad for a 6th round guy.

+1

[mrklean]

very happy to see him win a super bowl and go out ontop

[toughguy]

You guys think he's a hall of famer? If not he's close.

[fishersofmen]

No chance.

[toughguy]

He was on the all decade team. I wouldn't say no chance but not a lock either.

[solbes]

Congrats Matty! He was the only reason I rooted for the Ravens. But what a way to retire.

[zepman]

You guys think he's a hall of famer? If not he's close.

I personally don't think so but it's certainly a possibility.

[otterman91105]

Congrats to matt. Good way to retire winning a superbowl your last year.