College Players

[THC]

Being a rabid LSU Tiger fan down here, our star player has decided not to risk injury playing in our bowl game, where we have no hopes of a national title win. I know we have some very astute alumni from many schools here on TRF, so curious as to what others think of Leonard Fournette exposing a possible "tip of an iceberg" forthcoming in NCAA sports?

[rod727]

I have mixed feelings as the University provided the player the opportunity to display his talent ......I also understand that the player has a lot to lose and very little to gain in his final game
I would also expect that more players will follow suit due primarily to the large amount of money involved

[Etschell]

mcaffrey did so as well.

IMO smart guys. how can you blame fournette who has been injured in the past? he has no obligation to play and declared before the bowl. selfish fans and boosters will always complain.

[andromeda160]

Originally Posted by Etschell

mcaffrey did so as well.

IMO smart guys. how can you blame fournette who has been injured in the past? he has no obligation to play and declared before the bowl. selfish fans and boosters will always complain.

I had a friend in the canadian minors who they wouldn't let play anymore due to excessive concussions. And another friend who had a vertibrae crack from jumping so much during basketball in college. Game time is hard on the body, no sense in wasting injuries for no reward.

[mikea]

Read Saban's opinion on this, makes sense to me.

[dddrees]

Sounds like a very smart young man to me.

[Ferdelious]

NCAA doesn't care about it's players so why should the players care about playing in a meaningless game. There's too much to lose, I applaud him. He's not getting paid to play so no fan has to right to complain IMO. All the money fans spend for tickets and gear goes right to the University and NCAA.

[droptopman]

Totally understand their decision not to play. The school did provide them a scholarship and an education, but you could certainly argue at least in these two cases that has been paid back many times over in ticket sales, jersey sales, and TV revenue.

Only potential argument is the "team" thing. Especially in football, being part of the team is usually a pretty big motivator. Some coaches and scouts may evaluate this when deciding on choosing a player.

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by droptopman

Totally understand their decision not to play. The school did provide them a scholarship and an education, but you could certainly argue at least in these two cases that has been paid back many times over in ticket sales, jersey sales, and TV revenue.

Only potential argument is the "team" thing. Especially in football, being part of the team is usually a pretty big motivator. Some coaches and scouts may evaluate this when deciding on choosing a player.

This is the major risk. The "me first" perception won't sit well with many in the team first NFL. They only have to get knocked down a couple picks to lose a lot of money.

By way of analogy, the Senior Bowl is a meaningless game, but it is another opportunity to boost draft stock, and smart players play in it to make the most of every opportunity. I wouldn't call these guys smart in context of choosing the couch over more reps in front of the personnel men.

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by dddrees

Sounds like a very smart young man to me.

Originally Posted by Ferdelious

NCAA doesn't care about it's players so why should the players care about playing in a meaningless game. There's too much to lose, I applaud him. He's not getting paid to play so no fan has to right to complain IMO. All the money fans spend for tickets and gear goes right to the University and NCAA.

Agreed. When the NCAA starts paying players then he must play. Meaningless whatever bowl...he would be unwise to play.

Outcomes:

a) he has a great game...he's still the top RB in the draft.

B) he gets injured...it costs him that top spot and the 10-20 million that comes with it. Even worse is the chance of a career ending injury that's plausible any game in football.

c) I'll sit and wait for my 20 million dollar check I've been working my arse off for.

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by GB-man

Agreed. When the NCAA starts paying players then he must play. Meaningless whatever bowl...he would be unwise to play.

Outcomes:

a) he has a great game...he's still the top RB in the draft.

B) he gets injured...it costs him that top spot and the 10-20 million that comes with it. Even worse is the chance of a career ending injury that's plausible any game in football.

c) I'll sit and wait for my 20 million dollar check I've been working my arse off for.

The top RB in the draft can mean a lot of different outcomes. Maybe it's #4 like Zeke. Maybe it's #10 like Gurley. Maybe no one needs to overpay for a RB in round 1 (like 2014).

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by GB-man

Agreed. When the NCAA starts paying players then he must play.

What's a full college scholarship worth?

[andromeda160]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

What's a full college scholarship worth?

Alot less than what the University makes. And they put in countless hours practicing, and working out so they can play the sports while they could otherwise spend the time working.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

What's a full college scholarship worth?

Grady how about that whole student athlete termonology which basically means that if and when they get injured the college has no liability whatsoever? Maybe if it was treated more like a free market place and athletes were paid directly then this might be a lot more different. I think these colleges have also done a pretty good job of looking out for themselves as well.

[droptopman]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

This is the major risk. The "me first" perception won't sit well with many in the team first NFL. They only have to get knocked down a couple picks to lose a lot of money.

By way of analogy, the Senior Bowl is a meaningless game, but it is another opportunity to boost draft stock, and smart players play in it to make the most of every opportunity. I wouldn't call these guys smart in context of choosing the couch over more reps in front of the personnel men.

Exactly. If I was on the fence about two players in the draft and one stuck it out with his team and one decided not to. If everything else is equal I am taking the "team" player.

Not to say that their decision is illogical--as in this scenario they may move down a few spots and it may cost them some money--versus playing and potentially being injured and losing everything. Tough decision, but I will always like the guy that plays better.

[srvrf]

Originally Posted by THC

Being a rabid LSU Tiger fan down here, our star player has decided not to risk injury playing in our bowl game, where we have no hopes of a national title win. I know we have some very astute alumni from many schools here on TRF, so curious as to what others think of Leonard Fournette exposing a possible "tip of an iceberg" forthcoming in NCAA sports?

I don't blame him a bit. He got hurt in practice before the start of the season and then in the Wisconsin game tweaked it near the end of the game. I'm not sure he's been really healthy all year. He has given so much to LSU and I don't think he "owes" them anything more. And these decisions I'm sure are team decisions.


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[Manofsteelpt]

They're both still going to be 1st round picks

[seand442]

The point of college is to prepare you for a career. Unless you are in the playoff, your bowl game is nothing more than a money grab that you won't receive a nickle of, other than a gift bag. Why should they risk their future career just so the NCAA get richer? They blow out an ACL, their career is now put in jeopardy. Will the NCAA help them out? Doubt it.

[Lordofrolex]

Stanford player is doing the same. Personally think its wrong. I think teams should take that into consideration before drafting players who won't play as it shows a character flaw. There letting down the guys next to them as the guy usually not playing is probably there best player.

[rod727]

Alright stick with me here guys.....isnt the real argument about paying college football players driven by the fact that they can't go right into the league without being two or three years out of high school? If they are good enough to be professionals then let them play. Now if they aren't good enough to be professionals then they can choose to go to college which is basically the de facto minor league of the NFL.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by rod727

Alright stick with me here guys.....isnt the real argument about paying college football players driven by the fact that they can't go right into the league without being two or three years out of high school? If they are good enough to be professionals then let them play. Now if they aren't good enough to be professionals then they can choose to go to college which is basically the de facto minor league of the NFL.

When comparing college football to a minor league sport you certainly can't make the argument that we're talking the same thing when it comes to the revenue the make. I seriously doubt that baseball or any other minor league sport for that matter makes as much money as these colleges make when it comes to their football or basketball teams.

[rod727]

Originally Posted by dddrees

When comparing college football to a minor league sport you certainly can't make the argument that we're talking the same thing when it comes to the revenue the make. I seriously doubt that baseball or any other minor league sport for that matter makes as much money as these colleges make when it comes to their football or basketball teams.

I think I'm not making my point clear......think of it like this..any player should be able to ply his trade and earn money at the professional level. The NFL won't alllow this so elite players end up in college not because they want an education but because they have no other venue where they can showcase their skills.

The NBA allows players to move to pros 1 year after high school so this has created the " one and done " phenomenon . MLB allows them right out of high school. The NFL is three years out of high school before they allow players to be signed so in fact a 19 or 20 year old does not have access or ability to ply his trade.

College football and NCAA at the highest level gets all of the revenue and in turn the player gets a degree....once again that's not why the players are there.

If you remove the barrier that keeps top players from moving to the pros directly from high school then a choice is created. The player can choose to go to college or he can choose to go pro. If he wants paid then go pro if he chooses college then he has that available.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by rod727

I think I'm not making my point clear......think of it like this..any player should be able to ply his trade and earn money at the professional level. The NFL won't alllow this so elite players end up in college not because they want an education but because they have no other venue where they can showcase their skills.

The NBA allows players to move directly from high school or 1 year after high school. MLB allows them right out of high school. The NFL is three years out of high school before they allow players to be signed so in fact a 19 or 20 year old does not have access or ability to ply his trade.

Agreed, basically it's their only option at this point and I really don't see this changing when it comes to the NFL. In fact many NBA teams have probably found that it would be best if they did the same as well.

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by rod727

I think I'm not making my point clear......think of it like this..any player should be able to ply his trade and earn money at the professional level. The NFL won't alllow this so elite players end up in college not because they want an education but because they have no other venue where they can showcase their skills.

The NBA allows players to move to pros 1 year after high school so this has created the " one and done " phenomenon . MLB allows them right out of high school. The NFL is three years out of high school before they allow players to be signed so in fact a 19 or 20 year old does not have access or ability to ply his trade.

College football and NCAA at the highest level gets all of the revenue and in turn the player gets a degree....once again that's not why the players are there.

If you remove the barrier that keeps top players from moving to the pros directly from high school then a choice is created. The player can choose to go to college or he can choose to go pro. If he wants paid then go pro if he chooses college then he has that available.

I think the NFL has it right. Maturity plays an important role in the effectiveness of the players. The amount of technical information they need to master in the various schemes is enormous, they are exposed to media constantly, and the minimum salaries still make them quite wealthy. A few more years of emotional development, football intelligence, and exposure to the limelight is important to give these guys the personality tools to perform at a high level.

Additionally, kids out of high school aren't even close to physically ready for the NFL. College exposes them to proper nutrition and professional quality physical training, developing their body for the rigors of the game. There's no way a high school kid is going to survive in a game populated by men who have spent years building mass and explosiveness.

[rod727]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

I think the NFL has it right. Maturity plays an important role in the effectiveness of the players. The amount of technical information they need to master in the various schemes is enormous, they are exposed to media constantly, and the minimum salaries still make them quite wealthy. A few more years of emotional development, football intelligence, and exposure to the limelight is important to give these guys the personality tools to perform at a high level.

Additionally, kids out of high school aren't even close to physically ready for the NFL. College exposes them to proper nutrition and professional quality physical training, developing their body for the rigors of the game. There's no way a high school kid is going to survive in a game populated by men who have spent years building mass and explosiveness.

I agree with you 100% but the only way your going to take away the "pay the college players" argument is to provide them a path to be a professional and then it becomes their choice....if you want to get paid to play football then by all means go and more power too you......now they begrudgingly go to college and in many cases it's all a facade.

[THC]

Posted and ran to work... great replies all.. agree the kid has to do what he thinks best. TIgers are very deep at RB

[azguy]

No way I would play of I was 1st or 2nd round guy

[BristolCavendish]

Anyone here old enough to remember the annual College All-Star football games? I think they ran until about the mid-1970s and would pit All-American collegiate players against the NFL champions. In 1963, they beat the Green Bay Packers and Lombardi was livid.

The games were probably discontinued due to potential injury risks and the money involved. During the 1960s, the NFL and AFL were actively drafting the same players out of college.

Last point. Is it just me or do others feel there are just way too many college bowl games? When I was a youngster, there were only four (Rose, Cotton, Sugar & Orange). Early on, the Fiesta Bowl was a lower-tiered newbie. There's big money involved in these games and perhaps that's they reason they seem to be proliferating. On an offbeat note, I'd like to see a hypothetical 'Tidy Bowl' (sponsored by the toilet bowl cleaner). It would pit the two absolute worst & incompetent Division I college football teams and I imagine the competition to even be considered for such a game would be vast as well as exclusive in its own unique way.

[DS/B MINI S]

My child just finished their college eligibility in a sport other than football. Performed as both an All Conference and All American selection. I've seen the beast from both sides and have no problem whatsoever with these guys sitting out a meaningless bowl game. The game has used them, now it's time to use the game. Enjoy your payday young man you've earned it.

[77T]

My take is media overhype - less than 2% of college football players make it to the pros. 2 current college players bowed out of bowls (of the thousands who play football) so they represent maybe .02% of players overall. More like a snowflake on the tip of the iceberg but it's making headlines...

People won't like it but these guys are playing it safe.