Clock Killen’ Corey Dillon’s Time is up with Patriots

No reporters will have to stop by “28 locker” on their way through the New England Patriots club-house in Gillette Stadium at Foxboro. The Big Show on sports radio 850 WEEI runs a segment on their show that has become known as the “Whiner Line.” Basically it is an on-air message machine for pissed of Bostonians to call up and vent about a sports topic. The segment usually begins with a recording of a Boston athlete whining about something. Frequents on the whiner line have been Pedro Martinez and Curt Schilling, but the big show has gotten alot out of play time of Corey Dillons 28 locker rant.

Last Thursday conflicting reports came out in the Boston Globe and Boston Herald. Both papers reported that Dillon had asked the Patriots for his release, but the Herald cited retirement for Dillon’s departure while the Globe said Dillon potentially plans to seek a new team and become their feature back. Now both papers claim that the 32 year-old Dillon will most likely suit up for another team next season. Dillon and his agent expect that the Patriots to release the disgruntled back on March 2nd, the first day of free agentry.

For the first time in the Patriots recent dynasty the player will actually stick it to the ownership before the ownership could stick it to the player. I believe that Dillon actually got the feeling that he would be cut either this season or almost definitely next season. And he did what they do in the movies he said, “You can’t fire me! I quit!” Dillon got his ring in 2005 and now he is gone.

With the emergence of rookie running back Lawrence Maroney, Dillon saw his touches decrease. This will be the second time in Dillon’s career that a younger back has taken his job away. In 2004 Rudi Johnson took Dillon’s place as the Cincinnati Bengals feature back, and the angered Dillon demanded a trade.

I loved Dillon’s toughness as a player, and I think that a football player has to have the mentality that he is the best at his job.  If a player dose’nt have that mentality than it probably is time to hang it up.  I just don’t think Dillon has enough left in the tank to be an every down back for another team.  He was great in his role this past season as a short yardage and goal line back.

But Pats fans should look back on the Dillon days as good days. He was the the first NFL caliber back the Pats had since Curtis Martin, and he helped New England win their third Super Bowl in 2005. But hey, Dillon had something to prove in 2005 when he came to the Pats from Cincinnati. Matter of fact he broke the Patriots single season rushing record that season with over 1,600 yards. Which ever team gets Dillon is going to get a mean S.O.B, but who else would you rather want carrying the ball?

Dillon’s bags have already been packed.