Roaf Retires

In a shocking development, Kansas Chiefs LT Willie Roaf has announced his retirement.

Got to give credit to Mike Florio, the "Grand Poobah" at www.profootballtalk.com for publishing the rumor earlier this morning. According to PFT, Roaf's retirement has been rumored in league circles for quite some time.

This is not a good way for the Chiefs training camp to begin. Roaf was the anchor on the left-side of a very good, often dominant Chiefs offensive line, and the Chiefs are without an adequate replacement for the 11-time Pro Bowler.

Jordan Black filled in at left tackle when Roaf missed 6 games in 2005, and the team does have former Saints and Rams tackle Kyle Turley in camp. Turley hasn't played in an NFL game since 2003.

Chiefs fans are sure to be devastated by the news, as the Chiefs appear to be better than the 2005 version that won 10 games and missed the playoffs. But Roaf's retirement sheds some light on the big picture in Kansas City. Many of the key players, on both sides of the ball, are of the age where skills begin to deteriorate, and over the next season or two, the Chiefs will have no choice but to rebuild.

For you fantasy players, this will most likely impact the top of fantasy football drafts. Larry Johnson is the consensus #1 pick, but with Roaf's retirement, the Chiefs ground game is sure to suffer in 2006.