In my situation, unlike some players who retire because they have no choice - either teams don't want them or injuries have caused them to retire, and they just can't do it - for me, I really had never thought I would give out mentally before I gave out physically, but I think that was the case.

Maybe I'm old-school, but I always thought you honor a contract.

I really believe this team has a lot of potential - whether it's this year or in years to come, I don't know.

I didn't know what to expect coming into this year. There were a lot of question marks, and I think that's obvious now. Can we overcome it? Time will tell.

If I were to make a list, I would include the interceptions, the sacks, the really painful losses. Those times when I've been down, when I've been kicked around, I hold on to those. In a way those are the best times I've ever had, because that's when I've found out who I am. And what I want to be.

I grew up a Saints fan, an hour from the Superdome.

It's been a wonderful career, I couldn't ask for anything more.