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Davis reflects
Q&A with linebacker Don Davis, who has filed his retirement papers with the NFL:
Why was this the right time to retire?
"It was a decision that was coming on, one that I decided was best for me and my family. After [knee] surgery, I was facing a longer rehab and wouldn't have been able to run until August. I was contemplating it last year. I had a great time and now it's time to move on."
What might you do?
"I'm not really sure. There are a couple doors, ministry is one. We'll also see if a [non-playing] position opens up with the Patriots, and if that happened, I could step down that path. But right now, I'm just enjoying being with my family and enjoying a normal offseason."
When you look back on your 11 years in the league, what stands out?
"A lot of football, a lot of fun. I’ve learned a lot. It’s all surreal now. When you sit at this position, now you can look back and see all the things you’ve accomplished and enjoy them. At the same time, you look forward to the next thing, whatever that is."
What do you remember about joining the Patriots in 2003?
“At that point, I had just come off playing for a fairly good team [the Rams], being a stating linebacker. I maybe could go somewhere and be a starting linebacker somewhere else, but I came here and fit into a role as a backup, which I had been familiar with before. I just tried to contribute to the team the best way I knew how, and the best thing, here on this team, is that if you fit into it and do well, there are not too many problems. I felt like I was a guy who fit into the scheme, this system, and the atmosphere around here. It was great, the friendships I made are life long."
Entering the NFL as a rookie free agent, did you think you'd play this long in the league?
"I never thought I would play 11 years. I always had the mindset of one year at a time. Being an undrafted rookie free agent, to get to four years, that was the first thing so you can get your pension and that stuff. Then you continue to play and make it, end up starting in years six and seven, and you start looking to that round number of 10. And last year, my thought was 'let's get one more.'"
Was there one highlight that stands out?
"Winning back to back championships [2003 and 2004] is definitely the highlight. You're always trying to win the next one, but now I can look back and say 'Man, did we do that?' I'm proud to be part of a team that is going to be considered one of the best teams in this era."
SI.com's PETER KING ON ADALIUS THOMAS: Peter King of SI.com touches on linebacker Adalius Thomas and his contract in his Monday Morning Quarterback piece.
