RIVER FALLS, Wis. — Willie Roaf says he's retiring and going back to college. The Kansas City Chiefs are holding out hope the 11-time Pro Bowl tackle will return for a 14th season.

The 36-year-old Roaf told The Kansas City Star on Friday that he was retiring, a move that would leave a large hole on the Chiefs offensive line.

Carl Peterson, president and general manager of the Chiefs, said neither he nor coach Herm Edwards had spoken with Roaf in several weeks and they were "leaving the door open."

"Certainly I am aware of what was written," Peterson said Friday, the first day of Kansas City's training camp. "I'd say right now, because of who Willie Roaf is, what he has contributed to the Kansas City Chiefs and what he's contributed to the National Football League, we're going to keep the door open for a while.

"Players do change their mind."

Roaf told the Star for a story posted on its Web site Friday he told Peterson and Edwards of his intentions weeks ago, including in a letter sent to the team.

"I guess they want me to reconsider," Roaf said. "I'm solid on retiring and going back to school."

The offense struggled last year without Roaf, 36, who missed several games with a hamstring injury. Candidates to replace him include Jordan Black, who backed him up last year, Will Svitek and newcomer Kyle Turley, who missed the last two years with a back injury.

If Roaf does step down, the Chiefs still have guards Will Shields and Brian Waters, the other Pro Bowlers who have anchored one of the league's most productive lines. Also back are center Casey Wiegmann and Pro Bowl tight end Tony Gonzalez.

"We still have our three interior outstanding players, which is still the guts and the core of your offensive line," Peterson said.

Peterson said he was sure money was not the issue. "He has a contract this year for a sizable amount of money, if he comes and plays," he said.

Andre Roaf wiped tears from her eyes when discussing her son's retirement.

"It hurts me to think I'll never see him play again," she told The Associated Press. "I knew something was up. His heart wanted to play but his body was telling him it was over."

Andre Roaf, a state appellate court judge in Arkansas, said it was getting harder and harder for Willie to work the soreness out of his body.

"It used to be Monday or Tuesday, he was OK. Now it's almost time for another game before he's feeling all right," she said.

Peterson also said the former Pro Bowl running back Priest Holmes would begin training camp on the physically unable to perform list. Doctors are still evaluating the effects of a spinal injury Holmes sustained last year.

RAVENS, NGATA AGREE: The Baltimore Ravens and top draft pick Haloti Ngata reached agreement on a five-year deal late Friday, ending the defensive tackle's one-day holdout. Ngata, a Highland High product and the 12th overall selection in the 2006 NFL draft, is expected to report to training camp Saturday. He missed both practices Friday, the first day of camp. The 350-pound Ngata is expected to vie for a starting spot on the Ravens' line. He was the co-Pac-10 defensive player of the year last season at Oregon, where he finished with 151 career tackles, 10 sacks and seven blocked kicks.

BILLS' MCCARGO TO SIGN: The Buffalo Bills agreed on a five-year contract Friday with defensive tackle John McCargo, the second of the team's two first-round draft picks. McCargo's agent, Hadley Engelhard, said he expected his client to sign the deal when he arrived at the Bills training camp site in suburban Rochester later in the day. The move came shortly after the team held its first practice of camp. The move leaves Buffalo with one unsigned prospect, safety Donte Whitner, who was selected eighth overall out of Ohio State.

View Comments

MARONEY TO SIGN; BRANCH A NO-SHOW: The New England Patriots signed running back Laurence Maroney, their first-round draft pick, but were missing top receiver Deion Branch and Pro Bowl defensive lineman Richard Seymour when two-a-day workouts began Friday. Terms of the deal with Maroney, the former University of Minnesota running back, were not disclosed. Maroney practiced with the Patriots on Friday and is expected to compete for playing time with veterans Corey Dillon and Kevin Faulk.

EAGLES' GAFFNEY CHARGED: Eagles wide receiver Jabar Gaffney was arrested and charged with unlawful possession of a handgun following a traffic stop last month, county prosecutors said Friday. Gaffney had a permit to carry the weapon in Texas, but not in New Jersey, Camden County prosecutors said. The charge carries a maximum five-year sentence but most first-time offenders get no jail time. Gaffney, 25, was stopped on June 20 by police for driving erratically on the Walt Whitman Bridge, which connects Philadelphia and New Jersey.

NINERS INK DAVIS: Tight end Vernon Davis signed his contract with the San Francisco 49ers on Friday, just in time for the first practice of training camp. Davis, the sixth overall pick from Maryland, was the last of San Francisco's nine draft choices to sign with the club. Defensive end Manny Lawson, the 22nd overall pick, agreed to a deal late Thursday, and the 49ers' negotiating team worked through the night to reach a deal with Davis.

JAGS SIGN LEWIS: First-round draft pick Marcedes Lewis signed a five-year contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, a day before the team was set to begin training camp. The tight end, chosen with the 28th overall pick, is expected to open camp behind veteran Kyle Brady. But the Jaguars are counting on the rookie to help replace Jimmy Smith, who abruptly retired in May and left the team with little experience at receiver. Lewis' deal is worth about $7.5 million, with a little more than $4.8 million in guaranteed money.

Join the Conversation
Looking for comments?
Find comments in their new home! Click the buttons at the top or within the article to view them — or use the button below for quick access.