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Thursday, February 18, 2010

Guard Stephen Neal Won’t Retire, Will Become Free Agent






by daniel-kobialka on Thu, Feb 18, 2010 at 6:39PM


















There was talk that Patriots guard Stephen Neal might retire this offseason, but according to ESPN.com, he will instead test the free-agent market.

Neal’s agent, Neil Cornrich, anticipates plenty of competition to land his client.

"We expect there to be a vibrant free-agent market for his services," Cornrich said.

The 33-year-old guard has started 73 games in eight seasons with the Patriots. The former college wrestler joined the Patriots in 2001 and is grateful for the opportunity the team has provided him.

"He's been with the Patriots his entire career and would like nothing better than to finish his career with another Super Bowl win in New England," Cornrich told CSNNE.com’s Tom E. Curran. "He's very appreciative of the opportunity the Patriots have given him and how they helped him in his transformation from wrestler to professional football player."

Neal may be a football player next season, but he may still explore wrestling-related opportunities in the future.

"He's excited to continue in the NFL and perhaps after that take a chance at the UFC," Cornrich told Curran. "Getting back involved in Olympic-style wrestling is definitely a consideration."

For now, the Patriots will have to wrestle with whether to bring the right guard back for a ninth season in Foxboro.

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