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Today the guard ends a career in which he was named to 12 Pro Bowls.
By RICK STROUD, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times, published February 26, 2002
TAMPA -- Randall McDaniel ended his storied 14-year career Monday by quietly announcing his retirement and sparing the Bucs from releasing the future Hall of Fame guard.
McDaniel, 38, who saw his record streak of 12 consecutive Pro Bowl appearances snapped this season, will hold a news conference today at Lakeview Elementary in Robbinsdale, Minn., where he is a volunteer teacher.
The Bucs were prepared to release McDaniel this week to save his $2-million salary had he not opted to retire. His announcement represents the first of a series of moves as the Bucs try to reduce their projected payroll by $7.38-million to get under the $71.101-million salary cap by Friday's deadline.
"My NFL experience has exceeded anything I could've ever imagined," McDaniel said in a statement released by the team. "It has been an incredible journey. Now it's time to end this chapter of my life. I thank the Buccaneer organization and all the fabulous Tampa Bay fans for making the final pages so enjoyable."
After a distinguished 12-year career with the Vikings, McDaniel was released for salary cap purposes and signed a three-year contract with the Bucs before the 2000 season.
He did not miss a start but McDaniel's play slipped a bit last year as he was part of an offensive line that yielded 48 sacks and ranked near the bottom in rushing offense.
But that performance will not detract from what will surely be a first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Fame career in which he blocked for five 1,000-yard rushers and four 3,000-yard passers.
"He's obviously going to be remembered as a Viking and rightfully so," former Vikings tackle Todd Steussie said. "I enjoyed playing six of my years with one of the best guards in the history of the NFL. But I guess all good things have to come to an end. He had the physical tools that were so far superior to anyone I've been around."
McDaniel won't be the only salary cap move. Many veterans are due large bonuses Friday. Among the players who could be released if they are unable to restructure contracts are cornerback Donnie Abraham, linebacker Jeff Gooch and defensive end Simeon Rice.
The Bucs have begun talks aimed at restructuring the $4-million contract of Abraham, who will become a free agent after the 2002 season, agent Jack Reale said.
Abraham also has been the subject of trade discussions with the Jets. His 31 interceptions are the most by any player over the past six seasons and he has averaged a pick every 2.5 starts. The Bucs owe him a $500,000 roster bonus Friday.
"He's done everything he can do," Reale said. "They've got to make a decision whether they want to extend him or go into the season with only one starting cornerback (Ronde Barber)."
Brian Kelly, who took Abraham's starting spot last season, is an unrestricted free agent.
Rice led the Bucs with 11 sacks and was the NFL's Defensive Player of the Month for December. But to retain him, Tampa Bay will have to pick up an $8-million option unless it restructures his deal.
By releasing Gooch, the Bucs could save $2.15-million on the salary cap. Gooch spent last season primarily on special teams after his trade to the Rams was rescinded when he failed a physical. The Bucs exposed him to the Texans during the expansion draft but he was not selected.
Even as coach Jon Gruden is reducing his roster, he has plans for stocking it with some veteran free agents. Among them is former Colts Pro Bowl tight end Ken Dilger, who was released last week and is expected to visit the Bucs this week.
However, Monday was a day for McDaniel to bid farewell to the Bucs and the NFL. Noted for his strength, durability and awkward stance, McDaniel made 202 consecutive starts, second-most among active players.
"Coaches gave up trying to coach him long ago," Steussie said. "He did things other guys just couldn't do. He tried to outquick you and clamp on. Once he did that, game over."
"I would put him among guards of this era No. 1 and he would rank among the top three offensive linemen of all time," said long snapper Mike Morris, his former roommate with the Vikings. "I would always believe that even if I wasn't playing here. When you think of guards, you think of John Hannah, a young Chris Hinton or Bruce Matthews for the years he played guard. You put Randall right in there."