Kali Wong Retires today

[O.G.]

Just heard John Lopez say that Kali Wong retired today. This should free up some cap room to sign someone else. Just wanted to pass that along.

[Zagen30]

That's too bad. I knew that when he went down in the 2005 season that we had no hope (he was our only good LB), but I always hoped that he'd be able to come back and contribute.

[MIKE230765]

Thats sad to hear. I lliked the guy, but I am glad that now we can sign someone else that would give us a better chance to win.

Take care Wong!

[Hottoddie]

Not only did we lose one of our better LB's, we lost a real solid veteran presence. Kali has always been a quality individual & a class act. He'll be missed.

[HydrOshocK]

Part of me is sad to see him go but the other part of me saw this coming a mile away. His leadership will be missed but it does open up opportunities for the younger guys to step up and make their mark. And it definitely doesn't hurt our cap situation.

[Financier]

I've met a bunch of Texans over the years and I met Wong a few times and he was by far the nicest of all I met. Good luck to him.

[El Tejano]

If there was anyone who played with the right attitude it was Wong. Before he got hurt Wong did everything in his power to help this team win. I hope there is some way that he can continue to be a part of the franchise.
BTW, how many guys are on the roster that were a part of the original expansion team?
I can only think of Pitts and Steve Mckinney.

[outofhnd]

Isn't it Kailee Wong?
Im sure he could be come a great LB coach in this league.

[Vinny]

Good luck to Kailee. He was one of the good guys around here and an original Texan.

[TexMexVato]

Hmm, there's definitely some ambivalence about this. He is one of the original Texans but at the same time his productivity decreased due to his injury and we need to clear up some cap room. I wonder if he may come back as a LB coach or something.

[outofhnd]

Yea but I think another team brings him on as a coach like capers in Miami.

[texans83]

I hope he does come back as a coach or something. Just someone who brings a little veteran leadership that the younger guys can lean too.

[ib4texans]

I'm glad that he at least came back after his injury and was able to perform. He worked his a** off to rehab. My hats off to him for coming back after his injury to earn a paycheck.

[runnshoot]

Kailee was nice depth for the last season. After his injury he didn't seem to have that same punch, but still showed flashes and was still a quality player, especially as a backup. I hope he has a nice post career and would be nice to have around the locker room as he was a good presence on the team.

[Nordic Vadar 1]

Hmm, there's definitely some ambivalence about this. He is one of the original Texans but at the same time his productivity decreased due to his injury and we need to clear up some cap room. I wonder if he may come back as a LB coach or something.
Ambivalence? Not on my part. I'm sorry to see him go. He was great.

[Wolf123]

Does anyone know how this will effect our cap room for next year? I'm really hoping that they take the cap hit this year so we can have more room next year for free agents.

[TexMexVato]

Hmm, there's definitely some ambivalence about this. He is one of the original Texans but at the same time his productivity decreased due to his injury and we need to clear up some cap room. I wonder if he may come back as a LB coach or something.
Ambivalence? Not on my part. I'm sorry to see him go. He was great.

I thought he was great too, but it's probably best for both parties. Kailee will forever be part of Texans legacy, but with the severity of his injury and the competition at LB this year, he would have either been cut or limited to special teams. IMO, retiring was the best option. Hate to see him go, but it's for the best...they have to retire someday.

[keyser]

Does anyone know how this will effect our cap room for next year? I'm really hoping that they take the cap hit this year so we can have more room next year for free agents.
According to: http://www.houstonprofootball.com/cap.html, if Wong retires before June 1, the Texans will have a $3,495,000 cap hit this year, as opposed to a $3,590,000 cap hit if he were playing - i.e. they save less than $100K on the cap this year. If it's after June 1, the Texans have an extra $2,425,000 this year, but will have $2,330,000 of dead money next year.
That's assuming it works just like being cut (I think it does). But someone correct me if I'm wrong - I think it's possible for teams to get the prorated signing bonus returned if they want to. This was discussed relative to Jake Plummer's retirement. I think this is very rarely done, and I don't think the Texans would do so, especially for Wong, but I'm curious whether there's any salary cap effect from doing so.

[doct3rj]

Kali was a bright spot on our defense when we had none.

[Keyfro]

i think wong has definetly earned the respect of everyone in and around the franchise since he arrived here in houston...he's a stand up guy who suffered a severe injury at the worst possible time in his career...when you're a linebacker in the NFL and over 30 years old and have the injury he had you usually don't come back...he made it back for half of another season which tells you a lot about his character and ability...i know it's not official yet that he's retiring but i'm 90% sure he will so i wish him the best of luck in the future...i'm actually hoping that he coaches somewhere...i think he would make a much better coach than he ever did a player and that's saying something because he was a pretty darn good player by his own rights...i could easily see him in a few years being a d. coordinator in the college ranks or in the pros...he's a smart guy who knows a ton about football and i just think he's not done with the game in those regards

[PapaL]

Not retiring, but rather being released?Linebacker Wong, original Texan, walks away. link (http://sports.espn.go.com/minorlbb/news/story?id=2872798)Kailee Wong loves the game of football, but he wants to play it the way that works for him.When the Texans came to him with an attractive offer to remain with the team as a backup, Wong said, "No." The linebacker would rather lose his job than stay in Houston as a well-paid second stringer. Because of his decision, the Texans will release him Thursday.It's not out of the question for Wong to play for another team if the situation is right. He's not filing his retirement papers in the near future. Still, if the situation isn't right, Wong may not play again. "I've had a good experience here in Houston," Wong said in a statement. "I'm very fond of this place with its fans. I am very honored to be one of the few Texans that have been here since the beginning and been a part of the franchise."Different spin on it now?

[HOU-TEX]

Not retiring, but rather being released? Linebacker Wong, original Texan, walks away. link (http://sports.espn.go.com/minorlbb/news/story?id=2872798) Kailee Wong loves the game of football, but he wants to play it the way that works for him. When the Texans came to him with an attractive offer to remain with the team as a backup, Wong said, "No." The linebacker would rather lose his job than stay in Houston as a well-paid second stringer. Because of his decision, the Texans will release him Thursday. It's not out of the question for Wong to play for another team if the situation is right. He's not filing his retirement papers in the near future. Still, if the situation isn't right, Wong may not play again. "I've had a good experience here in Houston," Wong said in a statement. "I'm very fond of this place with its fans. I am very honored to be one of the few Texans that have been here since the beginning and been a part of the franchise." Different spin on it now?
Nah, he's retiring. It's not official through the NFL yet, but is expected. I'd trust the Texans story before espn.
While his retirement from the NFL is not yet official, it certainly appears that’s the direction that Wong is headed.
http://www.houstontexans.com/news/Story.asp?story_id=3351

[aj]

I met Kailee and his wife Marissa after practice one night during training camp in 2002. He took the time to chat and pose for this photo. Marissa is a petite little thing and she was hiding behind Kailee when I took the picture.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v378/aj_texans/clip_image002.jpg</IMG>

[DiehardTXNSfan]

What ever happened to Kailee? Sure is missed in Houston!