Let’s just say that if, in fact, Fournette and McCaffrey are first-rounders tomorrow in the NFL draft, the odds that more star collegiate players skip minor bowls out of a sense of self-preservation are likely to be significantly enabled. With the money at stake, who could blame them?
The interesting thing will be learning what kind of advice their college coaches give them about the decision.
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I don’t blame these guys for shutting it down in a meaningless bowl game especially if they fought injuries all year long. Running backs in particular have a short shelf life. Every carry takes a little more traction off those tires.
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Agreed. The ones complaining about them skipping the bowl games are the same ones who think those players are the property of the school.
I also thought it was smart of McCaffrey to refuse private workouts. Pro day and combine as well as 3-4 years of tape on these guys should be enough.
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Money is in the process of or has already ruined college football. rising junior or senior that is a potential high draft pick should not play in ANY bowl game and risk injury. Why should he play? Is it about his own well being or the well being of his coach that already makes $3.5 million per year with a huge buyout? Or is about the the AD that makes $600,000 per year? Or is it in the best interest of the $93 million reserve fund? Big time college football is the minor leagues for professional football and a business to everyone but the players. Easy decision.
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If this grows, and it almost certainly will, I would like to see all the admission rules for colleges be leveled for all students applying. Those athletes who are looking for a “one and done” in basketball, or a “less than three” in football, just to turn pro should be in a developmental league or working with a specialist. I have felt this way for about 20 years, so it isn’t just the bowl game issue, just feel the college game would continue to be competitive and players who aren’t interested in getting a degree shouldn’t be on campus. I have little doubt someone can make the developmental leagues work financially. Also understand, this is not a position that most CFB fans today would endorse.
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Totally agree Mac. The developmental league should be funded by the NFL, too. Sort of like the Georgia Force in the Arena League was owned by Arthur Blank.
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We agree on something. As far as a developmental league, that’s the NFL’s problem. I don’t doubt they’d figure out a way if colleges quit doing the job for them.
I’d like to play college sports with college students. They can be placed on scholarship after they’ve been accepted like everyone else and have made the team.
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fournette shut it down after his first season
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Clowney mailed it in after his sophomore year. I don’t blame him at all. He was capable of earning millions but was forced to make the equivalent of thousands. Why not sign with an agent and let him keep you and the family up after your sophomore year and wait for the draft, IF your a top 10 guy after your sophomore year?
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When it comes to non-major bowl games, I have no issue with this whatsoever.
In fact, I hope the coaches use players with an eye towards the future in smaller bowl games going forward
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Wouldn’t bother me in the least if some kid gave up his third year or even championships or playoffs in order to be healthy for the draft. It would simply serve to underscore what the nature of the relationship really is.
I said at the time that Todd Gurley should have told everyone to get screwed and announced he was going pro after he was suspended. He was too loyal to do that, but that sort of selflessness is not shared by the people running things. Those who run things make money off being cutthroat. Todd got a torn ACL for his loyalty.
Every time I think about Marcus Lattimore it pisses me off. He was ready to get paid to play pro ball ball after his sophomore year. Should have been set for life, but due to some arbitrary rule, he got screwed. Someone should feel guilty for that: the NFL, USC, the NCAA, the player’s association, etc…., but I’m guessing that they’d rather get to use the next guy than do the right thing by any of them.
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I don’t always agree with you but on this I do 100%.
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The best suggestion I ever read (here?) to bring some real interest to bowl games is to let redshirt players play in the games. As far as the pro prospects playing goes, well, I can understand it.
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