Alan Faneca completes 13th season, unsure about future

[SteelCrazy]

TEMPE, Ariz. - Alan Faneca will complete his 13th NFL season on Sunday, lining up at left guard for the Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco in his 144th consecutive start.

At age 34, he knows it is time to consider retiring from the game, but says he isn't sure he can resist the lure of another season. After all, Faneca says, he has played the game since he was in the fourth grade.

Faneca made nine consecutive Pro Bowls from 2001-2009 with the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Jets. He was chosen as an alternate this year, his first in the NFC.

Faneca signed a one-year deal with Arizona, so he will become a free agent. He says he is in no hurry to make his decision, and that his wife is supporting him in whatever he decides to do.

[url="http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/football/veteran-alan-faneca-completes-13th-season-unsure-about-his-future-112685739.html"]http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports ... 85739.html[/url]

[hawaiiansteel]

Re: Alan Faneca completes 13th season, unsure about future

I always liked Faneca and wish him well, hopefully he makes the right decision and retires.

[SteelCrazy]

Re: Alan Faneca completes 13th season, unsure about future

Did Faneca make the Pro Bowl on rep or actual play this year? I didnt pay attention. If he made it on play then maybe he has a year or 2 left.

[hawaiiansteel]

Re: Alan Faneca completes 13th season, unsure about future

Did Faneca make the Pro Bowl on rep or actual play this year? I didnt pay attention. If he made it on play then maybe he has a year or 2 left.

Faneca didn't make the Pro Bowl this year. the NFC guards were:

Jahri Evans, New Orleans
Chris Snee, N.Y. Giants
Carl Nicks, New Orleans

[SteelCrazy]

Re: Alan Faneca completes 13th season, unsure about future

He's an alternate, ohhhhhh. Still, he must have had a decent year.

[hawaiiansteel]

Re: Alan Faneca completes 13th season, unsure about future

He's an alternate, ohhhhhh. Still, he must have had a decent year.

Arizona Cardinals guard Alan Faneca considering retirement when season ends

by Kent Somers - Dec. 30, 2010
The Arizona Republic





Guard Alan Faneca will complete his 13th NFL season on Sunday, and will take some time to decide whether he wants to return for a 14th.

Faneca signed with the Cardinals last spring after being cut by the Jets. Selected to the Pro Bowl in each of the nine seasons before this one, Faneca has admitted he's not the player he was a few years ago.

But the Cardinals have been happy with Faneca's performance, and Faneca thinks he did a good job.

"It can always be better, but I think I've done well," Faneca said.

So does coach Ken Whisenhunt.

"I think there were a lot of judgments about Alan early, based on individual drills that you saw in training camp," Whisenhunt said. "If you look at his season as a whole, I think he did a good job for us this year. If you can get a lot of players like Alan Faneca on your team, you're going to win some ball games."

Faneca, 34, signed a one-year $2 million deal with the Cardinals. This off-season will be the first time he has seriously contemplated retirement, and he's made sure to enjoy this season as much as he could.

"You know you are getting closer to the end than you are to the beginning," Faneca said. "So you just appreciate the moment and treat it as if it is the last time. I've seen guys that haven't known (it was ending)."

[url="http://www.azcentral.com/sports/cardinals/articles/2010/12/30/20101230arizona-cardinals-alan-faneca-retirement.html#ixzz19exUYmFa"]http://www.azcentral.com/sports/cardina ... z19exUYmFa[/url]

[Oviedo]

Re: Alan Faneca completes 13th season, unsure about future

One thing about his future is for sure...he will never sniff another Super Bowl or play off run. But then he can ride motorcycles with Russ Grimm and watch the Steelers in the play offs.

The way he acted when he left here I don't wish him anything but regrets but he has his money so that will be enough for him. He showed himself to be a classless bum trying to undermine the new coach his last year here.

[fezziwig]

Re: Alan Faneca completes 13th season, unsure about future

I wonder what is more important to these guys when they look back ? The money or a Super Bowl win or another Super Bowl win in Alan's case ?

[Crash]

Re: Alan Faneca completes 13th season, unsure about future

The Steelers lied to Faneca. He wanted to sign a "career ending" contract extension with the Steelers in 2005 and they told him to wait. Then he saw Hines Ward hold out and get paid, and then in 2007 they didn't sign him.

Should have just been honest with him from the start.

[Ghost]

Re: Alan Faneca completes 13th season, unsure about future

I always liked Fanaca and his tough play epitomized the Steeler attitude for quite some time. I was sorry to see him leave in the manner in which it occurred.

I do think it's shortsighted to place all the blame on AG though. Unless you think he was out right lying about the Steelers telling him they planned to work out a very fair deal with him if he'd wait just one more season, then some of this is the fault of Steelers ownership. The timing with Tomlin just coming in was mere coincidence. I can't imagine Coach Tomlin wanting him to leave - this was when Mahan and Okobi were "battling" it out for center ( )

People forget that after he signed his second contract with the Steelers he restructured it multiple times to help them manage the cap. He was a multi-season All-Pro and the offer they gave him wasn't even going to put him in the top 10 lineman in NFL. They low balled him.

He's not a Steeler now so he's really of no concern in this current Championship drive but I'll never understand the venom/hatred directed his way.

[grotonsteel]

Re: Alan Faneca completes 13th season, unsure about future

Alan Faneca will end up in Canton once he hangs up the boot. One of the best pulling LG in NFL.

But i did not like him for calling out Ben in his rookie season. And his love for Grimm when Tomlin was the head coach here.

I don't see him saying same things about Sanchez or Skelton.

[Crash]

Re: Alan Faneca completes 13th season, unsure about future

Ben comments were taken completely out of context. He was asked about the situation, with Faneca being a veteran, not about Ben specifically.

[SteelCrazy]

Re: Alan Faneca completes 13th season, unsure about future

Ben comments were taken completely out of context. He was asked about the situation, with Faneca being a veteran, not about Ben specifically.

Has Ben ever done anything wrong? Is he a saint, not of New Orleans?

[Crash]

Re: Alan Faneca completes 13th season, unsure about future

Ben comments were taken completely out of context. He was asked about the situation, with Faneca being a veteran, not about Ben specifically.

Has Ben ever done anything wrong? Is he a saint, not of New Orleans?

Um, stupid. The topic is FANECA's comments on Ben/rookie QBs in 2004.

[SteelCrazy]

Re: Alan Faneca completes 13th season, unsure about future

Ben comments were taken completely out of context. He was asked about the situation, with Faneca being a veteran, not about Ben specifically.

Has Ben ever done anything wrong? Is he a saint, not of New Orleans?

Um, stupid. The topic is FANECA's comments on Ben/rookie QBs in 2004.

You have never said anything remotely negative about Ben. I love the guy and only want him as our QB. I also feel we have been extremely lucky to have someone like Ben as our QB, because he is the definition of tough Steelers football. However, you constantly drool over the guy, defending him no matter what has been done, even when he admits he was wrong, you in turn defend him. It's quite disturbing. He should be scared of you.