Brian Waters

Brian Waters Announces Retirement

Longtime guard Brian Waters has officially announced his retirement from the NFL in a statement. The 37-year-old had his final season cut short by a torn triceps, and didn’t appear likely to continue his playing career this season, unless perhaps one of the Texas clubs had significant interest. Now, he has confirmed that he’ll retire, as Adam Schefter of ESPN.com details.

“I want to thank the coaches, players and fans of the three great organizations that I had the pleasure of working for,” Waters said in his statement. “First the Dallas Cowboys for giving me my first and last chance of working in the NFL. I will always be grateful. Also the New England Patriots for the most successful season in my career. It was a great ride. Lastly the Kansas City Chiefs where I had pleasure of enjoying eleven wonderful seasons, which I will never forget.”

Playing at left guard for most of his career, Waters was named to two first-team All-Pro squads, and also earned six Pro Bowl berths, including one as recently as 2011, when he played for the Patriots. During his heyday with the Chiefs, Waters was a key part of an offensive line that paved the way for a handful of huge seasons by running backs like Larry Johnson and Priest Holmes.

NFC Notes: Panthers, Redskins, Finley, Eagles

The latest news and notes from the National Football Conference:

  • Panthers GM Dave Gettleman says the team had a first-round grade on defensive end Kony Ealy, whom Carolina selected with the No. 60 pick, tweets ESPN.com’s David Newton.
  • Gettleman also hopes to draft a corner on Day 3, according to Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer (via Twitter). Along with offensive line and receiver, both of which were addressed, defensive back was considered a strong need for the Panthers.
  • The Redskins, having missed out on Charles Sims, were hoping that running back Tre Mason would be available at pick No. 78, but he went No. 75 to the Rams, says Chris Russell of ESPN 980 in Washington (Twitter link).
  • Packers general manager Ted Thompson doesn’t rule out a return to Green Bay for tight end Jermichael Finley simply because the team selected Richard Rodgers. “I don’t necessarily think the two are tied at all,” said Thompson (via Jason Wilde of ESPN.com on Twitter).
  • The Eagles might want to draft some “redshirt” players on Day 3 (i.e. injured prospects who may miss most of their first year in the league), and Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer tweets that Philadelphia could be interested in Oklahoma cornerback Aaron Colvin, who tore his ACL during Senior Bowl practice in January.
  • Nothing is official, but veteran offensive guard Brian Waters probably won’t return to the Cowboys in 2014, according to ESPN.com’s Todd Archer (via Twitter), who notes that Waters still has not had surgery on his torn triceps.