Strahan to Make His Retirment Offical

In case you hadn't heard, New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan told Jay Glazer of FOXSports.com that he was retiring, and the story broke early yesterday morning. It came so suddenly, the Giants barely had time to react. A formal announcement will be made today at 11:30am ET.

There's a lot of media outlets in New York, so I thought that I'd just them to do the talking this morning:

Shaun Powell of Newsday writes that between Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck and Mathias Kiwanuka, the Giants are well-equipped to handle Strahan's retirement. Tuck would be a good fit in Strahan's soon-to-be-vacated corner locker, writes Paul Schwartz.

Strahan will be a good fit on TV.

Bob Glauber has Strahan ranked 2nd on his Top 10 Giants of all-time list, behind only Lawrence Taylor.

Strahan's personality will be hard to replace.

Steve Politi writes that Strahan was a perfect fit in New York.

Mathias Kiwanuka will alternate between linebacker and defensive end in the base defense.

Strahan is leaving the game the same way he played it: On his own terms.

After winning the Super Bowl, Strahan is going out on top.

How should Strahan be remembered? Strahan, Brett Favre and Warren Sapp will be eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2013.

Jon Runyan and the Philadelphia Eagles won't miss Strahan, writes Ashley Fox.

NFL News and Notes

New England Patriots cornerback Ellis Hobbs is recovering from off-season shoulder and sports hernia surgeries and may not be ready for the start of training camp.

Single-game tickets for Buffalo Bills home games are nearly gone, as only tickets for games against San Francisco (Nov. 30) and New England (Dec. 28) remain.

The Miami Dolphins signed Jon Dunlap, an undrafted rookie free agent wide receiver from North Carolina State.

Pittsburgh Steelers rookie quarterback Dennis Dixon could have some trade value as he develops into a back-up to Ben Roethlisberger.

Cleveland Browns tight end Sergeant Winslow showed up for the mandatory mini-camp practices on Monday. Browns center LeCharles Bentley took a physical yesterday that could determine his future with his hometown team.

Jacksonville Jaguars offensive tackle Richard Collier plead no contest to a drunk-driving charge. Collier maintains his innocence, but wants to put the issue behind him.

Tennessee Titans linebacker Ryan Fowler faces a suspension for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing drugs.

The Houston Texans are confident that first-round offensive tackle Duane Brown will be able to start when the season begins. The Texans released quarterback Quinn Gray and tackle Jordan Black on Monday.

Denver Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan compares Keary Colbert to Rod Smith.

Former Oakland Raiders quarterback Ken Stabler was arrested for DUI in Alabama. Raiders owner Al Davis hasn't released running back LaMont Jordan, seemingly because he's fearful that Jordan will re-surface in Denver, writes Jerry McDonald.

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens did not make himself available for a random drug test, and will therefore be subject to increased testing.

The charity started by New York Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora and his brother Jim is regrouping after losing hundreds of thousands of dollars.

At the request of Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder and vice-president of football operations Vinny Cerrato, and after getting the next three years of his contract guaranteed, Redskins running back Clinton Portis is taking a more mature approach to his off-season. Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell thinks they have the ability to be a quick-strike offense.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb wouldn't talk about his sore shoulder.

Detroit Lions cornerback Keith Smith isn't a very good tackler, writes Tom Kowalski.

Former Chicago Bears running back Cedric Benson displayed "a pattern of behavior we will not tolerate", said Bears general manager Jerry Angelo on the day the Bears gave Benson his walking papers. Today is the first day of the Matt Forte Era in Chi-town, writes Mike Mulligan.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Chris Simms feels like a hostage and sheds some light on his relationship with Jon Gruden.

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Marques Colston skipped the team's voluntary workout on Monday. The Saints believe the return of tight end Mark Campbell will improve the running game.

Carolina Panthers guard Geoff Hangartner has added 20 pounds this off-season. (Daily trips to Bojangles?)

Seattle Seahawks guard Rob Sims, who had knee surgery on May 6th, returned to action on Monday. Seahawks linebacker Lofa Tatupu was formally charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and faces an arraignment on June 17th in Kirkland Municipal Court. Tatupu will likely plead not guilty to the charges. Seahawks punter Ryan Plackemeier will have surgery to repair a torn pectoral muscle.

Agent Drew Rosenhaus, who represents Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin and defensive tackle Darnell Dockett, stopped by the Cardinals' training facility on Monday.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Isaac Bruce isn't bitter about being released by the St. Louis Rams. 49ers wide receiver Arnaz Battle isn't happy that his absence last week was such a big deal.

St. Louis Rams rookie tight end Doug Jones was Cleavered on Monday.

I'm a bit tired this morning, as I was out in beautiful Northampton, Massachusetts last night to see Grand Archives at the Iron Horse. It was a great show, by a great band, and I'm looking forward to seeing them again tomorrow night in Allston, Mass. Here's a clip of Grand Archives performing on the Craig Ferguson show in April.

FOX Sports: Michael Strahan to Retire

Jay Glazer of FOXSports.com is reporting that New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan has decided to retire.

"It was important that my teammates knew which way I was going before they got on the field to start the work to defend our title," Strahan told Glazer. "It's time. I'm done."

Strahan retires as the NFL's single-season sack leader, and will assuredly be a part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2014.

NY Daily News: Strahan Wants $8 million

Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News is reporting that New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan wants $8 million dollars, which is double his expected 2008 salary, to play another season for the defending Super Bowl champions.

The title of the article is a bit misleading, as nowhere within the article does Strahan specifically mention that if he doesn't get the $8 million, he'll retire.

Strahan does say that the Giants told him that they'd "take care" of him financially, and that he can make money doing other things that aren't as physically taxing, but nowhere does the future Hall of Fame defensive end draw the proverbial line in the sand.

Strahan to Report on Monday

Adam Schefter of the NFL Network is reporting that New York Giants DE Michael Strahan will report to the Giants on Monday.

Strahan has missed all of training camp while he "contemplated retirement".