After 11 Seasons, Lepsis Retires

Posted by Stephen Rhodes on January 1st, 2008 filed in News

                                   

One of the mainstays of the Denver Broncos’ offensive line has decided to call it a career; according to the Associated Press, offensive tackle Matt Lepsis has informed team head coach Mike Shanahan that he is retiring.  Lepsis, who turns 34 later this month, admitted his play slipped in his 11th season after returning from ACL surgery on his right knee.

Lepsis said that his knee held up fine, but apparently his play slipped below his standards.  Assuming the retirement is official, there are a couple of replacements for Lepsis’ roster spot: Ryan Harris, a 3rd-rounder from Notre Dame and Chris Kuper - who played guard after starting guard Ben Hamilton suffered a season-ending concussion during training camp.

Lepsis joined the Broncos as an undrafted free agent from the University of Colorado in 1997; he became a starter in 1999 and developed into one of the better offensive tackles in the NFL prior to tearing his ACL during the 7th game of the 2007 season.