Stanford's McCaffrey

[Donatello Cat]

choosing to skip their bowl game to prep for the draft.

http://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2017/s...ffrey-stanford-cardinal-skip-hyundai-sun-bowl

on the one hand, you can say "not a team player" etc. . . but if he feels like skipping the game can improve his draft status, that's potentially millions of dollars on the line.

thoughts? wondering if this could become a bigger trend over time.

 

[IdahoAlum]

Fournette is also skipping LSU's bowl game. I expect to see it become more of a trend for top NFL prospects.

 

[bringbacktherantboard]

Well, since I'll be attending the Sun Bowl, I think this sucks.

 

[beetlemania74]

One of Notre Dame's players tore up his knee in their Fiesta Bowl game last year, affecting his draft status and possibly his NFL career as a result. It's tough to take that kind of risk when millions of dollars are on the line. Maybe you do it if your team is playing for the national championship, but not if it's the Sun Bowl (sorry, Feral!).

 

[Gocatsgo2003]

choosing to skip their bowl game to prep for the draft.

http://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2017/s...ffrey-stanford-cardinal-skip-hyundai-sun-bowl

on the one hand, you can say "not a team player" etc. . . but if he feels like skipping the game can improve his draft status, that's potentially millions of dollars on the line.

thoughts? wondering if this could become a bigger trend over time.

Likely will become more of a trend, especially for the lower tier bowls.

 

[bringbacktherantboard]

One of Notre Dame's players tore up his knee in their Fiesta Bowl game last year, affecting his draft status and possibly his NFL career as a result. It's tough to take that kind of risk when millions of dollars are on the line. Maybe you do it if your team is playing for the national championship, but not if it's the Sun Bowl (sorry, Feral!).

If he took the scholarship money this season, why wouldn't he be obligated to play? The coach and teammates are really on board with this?

 

[beetlemania74]

If he took the scholarship money this season, why wouldn't he be obligated to play? The coach and teammates are really on board with this?

Ideally, yes, but I'm sure they all understand his situation. It's not worth the risk of suffering a serious injury in the Sun Bowl. Sucks for fans like you who have tickets, though.

 

[thewildcat2011]

If he took the scholarship money this season, why wouldn't he be obligated to play? The coach and teammates are really on board with this?

Because he's not an employee

As the NCAA says, scholarships are not tied to athletic performance.

 

[NJCat]

Fournette is also skipping LSU's bowl game. I expect to see it become more of a trend for top NFL prospects.

In Fournette's case, he is recovering from a serious ankle problem that kept him out of multiple games this season. I have zero problem with that.

 

[willycat]

Because he's not an employee

As the NCAA says, scholarships are not tied to athletic performance.

Maybe the NCAA and the schools could share their bowl payouts with the players. Hey that's a novel idea, pay the employees who bring in the cash.

 

[Fitz51]

I most definitely see the argument from the fan and school loyalty perspective - it makes sense. Come on, it's a bowl game. This is your school/team. Have pride, all that. And I feel that way quite a bit.

However, it's these kids' financial and professional futures on the line - in some ways, their lives. If a star player certain to be a high draft pick decides he's not playing in an ultimately inconsequential bowl game that's not even in the playoff system, I think I fall on the side of supporting that decision.

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

I can't blame a first round pick for not playing unless the team is in the final playoff.

 

[singe]

O.K. Then why did he play his last 2 games of the regular season against Cal and Rice. Stanford couldn't win the PAC 12 North and the Rice game was more meaningless than a bowl game. I can see, in the future, guys quitting as soon as they are eliminated from conference contention.

 

[bringbacktherantboard]

O.K. Then why did he play his last 2 games of the regular season against Cal and Rice. Stanford couldn't win the PAC 12 North and the Rice game was more meaningless than a bowl game. I can see, in the future, guys quitting as soon as they are eliminated from conference contention.

No kidding. Your logic is impeccable. Why risk an injury in meaningless games?

Why should we even be excited about the Pinstripe Bowl? It's not a playoff game, so it's really just a glorified exhibition.

 

[Fitz51]

O.K. Then why did he play his last 2 games of the regular season against Cal and Rice. Stanford couldn't win the PAC 12 North and the Rice game was more meaningless than a bowl game. I can see, in the future, guys quitting as soon as they are eliminated from conference contention.

It's possible this would happen, though I don't know what a players' obligations are scholarship-wise. We'll see if it ever does; no point debating the slippery slope right now.

 

[TheC]

It's possible this would happen, though I don't know what a players' obligations are scholarship-wise. We'll see if it ever does; no point debating the slippery slope right now.

Slippery slope! Slippery slop! Why even bother learning the Alphabet Song if you're just planning on entering the NFL draft someday.

 

[GOUNUII]

Maybe the NCAA and the schools could share their bowl payouts with the players. Hey that's a novel idea, pay the employees who bring in the cash.

It's this type of trend that reminds us of the "business" approach many of today's college players are taking. Not sure anybody can blame them given the overall landscape of where college football is today. On the other hand, the notion these kids aren't paid is utter nonsense. The value of the goods and services that come with a NU football scholarship is staggering. Wouldn't surprise me a bit if it approaches a million bucks or more, per player, over the 4-5 years of a scholarship. And its guaranteed for 4 years, whether the "employee" works or not. And it typically means much higher lifetime earnings for 40+ years after the gig is over. If that ain't getting paid, I don't know what is.

GOUNUII

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

Slippery slope! Slippery slop! Why even bother learning the Alphabet Song if you're just planning on entering the NFL draft someday.

Some guys that are drafted don't know the Alphabet Song.

 

[Fitz51]

Slippery slope! Slippery slop! Why even bother learning the Alphabet Song if you're just planning on entering the NFL draft someday.

A lot of people believe that!

 

[beetlemania74]

No kidding. Your logic is impeccable. Why risk an injury in meaningless games?

Why should we even be excited about the Pinstripe Bowl? It's not a playoff game, so it's really just a glorified exhibition.

Lots of players forgo a year or two of eligibility to go pro. College basketball is full of "one and done" guys. Are they quitting on their team?

Last year, Myles Jack from UCLA quit in the middle of the season after suffering an injury. He dropped out of school to focus full time on rehab and NFL preparation. It's a business decision, and I can't really blame him. It's not like there's some vestige of innocence or purity left in D1 college football that needs to be preserved.

 

[willycat]

It's this type of trend that reminds us of the "business" approach many of today's college players are taking. Not sure anybody can blame them given the overall landscape of where college football is today. On the other hand, the notion these kids aren't paid is utter nonsense. The value of the goods and services that come with a NU football scholarship is staggering. Wouldn't surprise me a bit if it approaches a million bucks or more, per player, over the 4-5 years of a scholarship. And its guaranteed for 4 years, whether the "employee" works or not. And it typically means much higher lifetime earnings for 40+ years after the gig is over. If that ain't getting paid, I don't know what is.

GOUNUII

We're talking about all of the players here not just NU kids. That million dollar figure is based on what? The schools, TV networks, coaches and administrators are making big bucks and the players get a schlorship to State U. Those big schlorship numbers that are thrown around by programs are just that, numbers. remember that classrooms where the players use and the professors are already paid for by the university. The only additional costs that the schools add are for the coaches, medical staff, upkeep on the facility, a bed and some food. KC was right that the employees should be taken care of both during and after they use their bodies for the university.

 

[bringbacktherantboard]

Lots of players forgo a year or two of eligibility to go pro. College basketball is full of "one and done" guys. Are they quitting on their team?

Last year, Myles Jack from UCLA quit in the middle of the season after suffering an injury. He dropped out of school to focus full time on rehab and NFL preparation. It's a business decision, and I can't really blame him. It's not like there's some vestige of innocence or purity left in D1 college football that needs to be preserved.

No. The majority of scholarships are renewed on an annual basis (actual multi-year scholarships are uncommon and not mandated by the NCAA), and I see it as a contract to play the year. Take the scholarship money for a year and you play that year; bail partway through the season and in my opinion that's a breach. It's not cool and your word means nothing. If someone's season is cut short by injury, that's obviously a different story.

Between seasons, I have no problem with the player leaving. But honor your commitment to play the season.

 

[DaCat]

Corey Wootton would be a lot wealthier today if he had skipped the bowl game where he injured his knee and a chance at a possible 1st round pick.

 

[beetlemania74]

No. The majority of scholarships are renewed on an annual basis (actual multi-year scholarships are uncommon and not mandated by the NCAA), and I see it as a contract to play the year. Take the scholarship money for a year and you play that year; bail partway through the season and in my opinion that's a breach. It's not cool and your word means nothing. If someone's season is cut short by injury, that's obviously a different story.

Between seasons, I have no problem with the player leaving. But honor your commitment to play the season.

Those are good points and are tough to argue with. I agree with the sentiment, but I guess I'm so jaded by the big time business aspect of the sport that I'm not really surprised by anything anymore.

 

[NUCat320]

As we become increasingly aware of the health risks of football, and as public opinion tends to drift towards approval for the paying of players, I think we'll continue to see this. Fans and players alike recognize that the earning window is incredibly small.

For what it's worth, this is also an example of the fear held by the anti-playoff bunch: that a playoff will de-value the bowl games. The Sun bowl was always a consolation prize, but perhaps it was different in the players minds when there weren't four who are explicitly acknowledged as championship contenders at the end.

I also expect that we will see a workhorse running back sit out his true junior season at some point in the next 3 to 5 years.

 

[NJCat]

As we become increasingly aware of the health risks of football, and as public opinion tends to drift towards approval for the paying of players, I think we'll continue to see this. Fans and players alike recognize that the earning window is incredibly small.

For what it's worth, this is also an example of the fear held by the anti-playoff bunch: that a playoff will de-value the bowl games. The Sun bowl was always a consolation prize, but perhaps it was different in the players minds when there weren't four who are explicitly acknowledged as championship contenders at the end.

I also expect that we will see a workhorse running back sit out his true junior season at some point in the next 3 to 5 years.

I have no problem with a player who is striving for the NFL doing whatever it takes to maximize his chances of having a pro career. Coaches and schools know the deal, you don't want top prospects sitting out then don't recruit them. Go for developmental players who stay 5 years and need to play every game to demonstrate their value to the NFL.

Bowls are not happening any more. There are just so many games now that the market has become saturated. Most of the games are played before nearly empty stadiums, people don't bother traveling when they can sit int heir comfy schumfy couches and watch for free on their 60" HDTVs and drink Stone Delicious IPA from a growler.

 

[Styre]

Every player expecting to sign a lucrative NFL contract should stop playing college games the moment he can gain no more draft advantage from doing so. There is literally no reason to risk a multi-million dollar contract over college games. Does that suck for college football? Sure. Want to change it? Pay the players.

I should add that if a player wants to keep playing in college, that's entirely his decision. But we should never look down on a player for trying to maximize his financial future. If you want to kick those players out of school for violating the terms of their scholarships, fine, but that's just making further mockery of the idea that this is about education.

 

[KramerCat91]

Could it be that McCaffrey is worried that NU's defense bottles him up again and lowering his draft stock? Oh right, we aren't going to the Sun Bowl.

But seriously, if an offensive player has a good season and is going up against a tough defense then why play?

 

[NURoseBowl]

I most definitely see the argument from the fan and school loyalty perspective - it makes sense. Come on, it's a bowl game. This is your school/team. Have pride, all that. And I feel that way quite a bit.

However, it's these kids' financial and professional futures on the line - in some ways, their lives. If a star player certain to be a high draft pick decides he's not playing in an ultimately inconsequential bowl game that's not even in the playoff system, I think I fall on the side of supporting that decision.

Agree; well said.

 

[NURoseBowl]

Lots of players forgo a year or two of eligibility to go pro. College basketball is full of "one and done" guys. Are they quitting on their team?

Last year, Myles Jack from UCLA quit in the middle of the season after suffering an injury. He dropped out of school to focus full time on rehab and NFL preparation. It's a business decision, and I can't really blame him. It's not like there's some vestige of innocence or purity left in D1 college football that needs to be preserved.

Wish there were, though. I liked it better that way.

 

[Bwm57]

Because he's not an employee
As the NCAA says, scholarships are not tied to athletic performance.

Are they tied to athletic participation??

 

[FLCat07]

If college HCs and Coordinators can leave for new jobs before their team's bowl game (and they routinely do to get a leg up
In recruiting), I see no reason why a player can't do the same in order to advance their own professional aspirations.

 

[thewildcat2011]

Are they tied to athletic participation??

In the NCAA's mind, no.

To clarify, of course in practical terms they are to a degree. If a player decides to skip the season, there are mechanisms in place that would remove the scholarship.

If a player decides to skip a game? You probably can't make that case.

Two games? Three games? Don't know where the line is, but that's the system we've created while trying to hide behind the student-athlete moniker.

 

[NUCat320]

Don't know where the line is, but that's the system we've created while trying to hide behind the student-athlete moniker.

This is a wonderful and insightful sentence.

The NCAA is a farce. I've determined it's okay to believe this and to still love college football.

 

[Donatello Cat]

In the NCAA's mind, no.

To clarify, of course in practical terms they are to a degree. If a player decides to skip the season, there are mechanisms in place that would remove the scholarship.

If a player decides to skip a game? You probably can't make that case.

Two games? Three games? Don't know where the line is, but that's the system we've created while trying to hide behind the student-athlete moniker.

In this specific scenario, I'm guessing the players aren't going to care about having their scholarship revoked for skipping the bowl game. If you're prepping to be drafted to the NFL in the first couple of rounds, a scholarship for your final semester or quarter of school probably seems relatively unimportant.

 

[thewildcat2011]

In this specific scenario, I'm guessing the players aren't going to care about having their scholarship revoked for skipping the bowl game. If you're prepping to be drafted to the NFL in the first couple of rounds, a scholarship for your final semester or quarter of school probably seems relatively unimportant.

I agree. And if the player wanted to stay in school for that semester or quarter, some agent would be more than happy to foot the cost in order to sign him.

 

[willycat]

In the NCAA's mind, no.

To clarify, of course in practical terms they are to a degree. If a player decides to skip the season, there are mechanisms in place that would remove the scholarship.

If a player decides to skip a game? You probably can't make that case.

Two games? Three games? Don't know where the line is, but that's the system we've created while trying to hide behind the student-athlete moniker.

Thus the same hold true for basketball scholarships?

 

[thewildcat2011]

Thus the same hold true for basketball scholarships?

Stop it.