Fournette and McCaffrey

[stonewall 647]

As you probably know, both Fournette (LSU) and McCaffrey (Stanford) have opted to skip their bowl games to "focus on the upcoming draft".....i.e. prevent any potential injury that might jeopardize their NFL future.

 

Most are calling this a smart business move. I call it low character and quitting on your team/coach/fans. Yes, it is only the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl and Sun Bowl, but it is the pinnacle of your season, and these are guys with whom you have shared blood, sweat, and tears, relying on one another as a team. Anyone who has played serious team sports understands.

 

I, of course, understand it......but don't approve of it. What say ye?

 

 

[ralphster 274]

I'm fine with it. Of course I also think CFB Players should be paid as the defacto dev league for the NFL. After Jaylon Smith last year I believe no player 'owes it' to any team or coach when millions could be on the line.

[Brutal Brutus 182]

I'm fine with it. I doubt any of these teams feel like this is the pinnacle of their season. Playing in a rivalry game probably has a lot more meaning to the players, schools and fans. These games are glorified senior day games that have very little meaning other than trying to end on a high note.

[bandrus1 413]

you can disapprove of it all you want. You are not the one laying millions of dollars on the line for somebody else

[Kent 228]

I'd only maybe have an issue with it if they were in the playoff series.

 

As it stands, all the schools are doing is making money off the backs of these kids for nothing in a meaningless bowl game scam. Also, coaches abandon their teams for money all the time. That's not an argument for bailing on the coach. Who cares about the coach. Coach is cashing a big check each week.

[thePRO 78]

I was pretty excited to catch Stanford and McCaffery here at the Sun Bowl! He's a coward!! Jk, it's understandable. Sucks the biggest star in the Sun Bowl won't play though.

[stonewall 647]

you can disapprove of it all you want. You are not the one laying millions of dollars on the line for somebody else

 

That's the thing......life is about so much more than money. In fact, wealth is waaaaay down the list.

 

You can sneer if you want, but I know myself well enough to know that I would be out there with my fellow soldiers in the trenches, even if I was the prospective #1 pick.

 

Fans have traveled thousands of miles on their own dime, and sat in horrid weather to cheer you on, even when you were getting beat. It is the last football game that many of your teammate friends will ever play, They have worked just as hard as you. Are you gonna send them all weekly checks?

 

Grab a helmet and show some honor and reliability.

[bandrus1 413]

 

That's the thing......life is about so much more than money. In fact, wealth is waaaaay down the list.

 

You can sneer if you want, but I know myself well enough to know that I would be out there with my fellow soldiers in the trenches, even if I was the prospective #1 pick.

 

Fans have traveled thousands of miles on their own dime, and sat in horrid weather to cheer you on, even when you were getting beat. It is the last football game that many of your teammate friends will ever play, They have worked just as hard as you. Are you gonna send them all weekly checks?

 

Grab a helmet and show some honor and reliability.

 

 

Your friends should be cheering for whats best for you. i would not expect my friend to put all that on the line for a meaningless game

[nobody 2,038]

 

 

Your friends should be cheering for whats best for you. i would not expect my friend to put all that on the line for a meaningless game

 

I wonder if their teammate friends are all going to pony up the millions of dollars they're going to lose if they blow out their knees.

[Maulers1973 117]

I call it low class quitter crap! What about the school? They gave these student athletes a full ride scholarship to play football for the entire season, maybe they should revoke their scholarship, or pro rate it for the number of games they actually played in. I think it's disgusting. I'd be pissed if I was a team mate of one of these guys, especially an offensive lineman.

 

This is bad business for college football. It can only have a negative impact. I think players should be in jeopardy of losing their scholarship and having to repay the school for all of their tuition if they want to pull this quitter crap!!

 

Also, if I were an NFL GM or coach, I'd have a HUGE issue with it. It speaks to the character of the man. You think Belichik wants a quitter on his team. I can see it now. "Sorry Coach, my hamstring is tweaked and it's a contract year man. There is only 2 games left and we aint makin the playoffs so I can't risk it." I would ask each player point black, "so why do you think it's ok to quit on the team?"

 

Manziel had character issues going into the draft process. How'd that work out??

[weepaws 2,460]

I don't have any problem with it.

 

 

Schools make money from these players performing on the field.

 

Coaches can leave after the reg season and move on even before the team they coached that season playes in their bowl game.

 

It's going to become more of the norm.

[nobody 2,038]

Not to mention they can pull your scholarship anytime they want.

[cbfalcon 824]

If it wouldn't hurt their draft status so much, I'd have been fine with someone like Fournette skipping the entire season.

 

In short, you have to balance out looking out for yourself with looking out for your teammates. In my mind, once you can't help your teammates with the National Title, the balance shifts enough towards needing to look out for yourself to justify doing what's in your own best interest. As others have said, were Jaylon Smith's teammates or Notre Dame going to put together a $15m check for him? As the guy was a lock top 5 pick, right?

[Brutal Brutus 182]

Schools show very little loyalty to players. The players owe the school nothing. I understand the teammate angle but that goes both ways.

[BobSanders_33 127]

I call it low class quitter crap! What about the school? They gave these student athletes a full ride scholarship to play football for the entire season, maybe they should revoke their scholarship, or pro rate it for the number of games they actually played in. I think it's disgusting. I'd be pissed if I was a team mate of one of these guys, especially an offensive lineman.

This is bad business for college football. It can only have a negative impact. I think players should be in jeopardy of losing their scholarship and having to repay the school for all of their tuition if they want to pull this quitter crap!!

 

Also, if I were an NFL GM or coach, I'd have a HUGE issue with it. It speaks to the character of the man. You think Belichik wants a quitter on his team. I can see it now. "Sorry Coach, my hamstring is tweaked and it's a contract year man. There is only 2 games left and we aint makin the playoffs so I can't risk it." I would ask each player point black, "so why do you think it's ok to quit on the team?"

 

Manziel had character issues going into the draft process. How'd that work out??

 

If you were a teammate and a D1 athlete you wouldn't be pissed. You would understand that you risk life long injury playing football for a scholarship while universities and the NCAA make billions on your backs. You would understand the risk/reward for an "amateur" athlete that is putting millions of dollars of their future earnings on the line so a bowl corporation can sell tickets and advertisements. You would understand the choice that is being made. Right now you lack that perspective.

[Frozenbeernuts 1,652]

Screw the entire college football mill. I'm glad they are sitting out. Do they get cut a check if they are seriously injured and lose millions in lost draft stock?

[Frozenbeernuts 1,652]

And there are other guys on the roster. It gives the next man up a chance to show what he has for next year.

[Frozenbeernuts 1,652]

The funny thing is a lot of people who don't agree with leaving early probably also recognize the pointless nature of bowl games that aren't the championship. Extra college football is fun to watch, but it doesn't mean a damn thing.

[stonewall 647]

. Extra college football is fun to watch, but it doesn't mean a damn thing.

 

I don't know, Frozen.....I think it does means a lot to the players, esp. the Seniors, most of whom will never wear a football uniform again....and the die-hard fans, of course.

 

And, after all, you play to win the game.

[Brutal Brutus 182]

 

 

And, after all, you play to win the game.

Some people play so they can become millionaires

[stonewall 647]

Some people play so they can become millionaires

 

.....and that's fine, but man up for one more game for your team, fans, and your own sense of honor.

[jimaveli 119]

A non-championship bowl game is a money-maker for the school. It matters not to the season as no champions are crowned.

 

And there have been enough players hurt late in season and in bowls to serve as cautionary tales for dudes who are less than a year away from having access to millions of dollars as professionals. And their body is their means. Putting it at risk one more time so that Etcetera State can make some more money one more time is just that...risky! She I understand it both ways. If you feel good and you want to play to be with your team, play. If you've been hurting all year, youre playing with a different coach, and you want to skip, skip.

 

The hot takers who are up in arms about a guy not playing won't even buy car/home/boat insurance from that player if he blows out his knee and never ends up playing an NFL down.

[Maulers1973 117]

This blows my mind. If there is no point in playing if the team you play for can't make the playoffs then shut down the football program at about 90 schools! What a joke!!

 

A college education isn't cheap! I'll be paying off my loan for years and years. These student athletes don't pay a dime. Save me the sad song that the universities are making millions on their backs.

 

I stand by my stance. If I was in charge of a University, I'd institute that policy today! If any student athlete receiving a scholarship refused to play in any scheduled contest. They must repay all of the scholarship money paid out and are responsible for all of the tuition for the classes that he took.

[Frozenbeernuts 1,652]

 

.....and that's fine, but man up for one more game for your team, fans, and your own sense of honor.

Cant agree with it. Man up means jack shlt if they tear an acl or worse playing for free. If they are in the pros and getting paid? Fvck yeah man up. Not when they are free labor though

[jimaveli 119]

Side note: both of these RBs have played through injuries this year. Was there people crying in the streets to show love for these guys gutting it out? I'm not talking about the praise they got for highlights and stats by the way because that's a different branch...

 

The universities have made so much money off of these players by the time their college careers are over that missing the last game usually means something close to nothing to the university. Aka those institutions will have great return on investment whether certain players play or not. And oh...they don't care about winning or losing the game as long as the money is there for making it to the game...even if the winner purse is higher.

 

But they have fans fooled into thinking that they are dying to win every game cuz it makes it easier to sell things to them and get them to watch/attend games.

 

And it has to be understood that there's much more individual risk for the player. A few guys in punishing positions are choosing to not take the risk. The schools have clearly approved of the decisions and will do just fine. But some irate fans will pretend to run universities in their jerseys. But please believe that all will be fine and hopefully these kids will grow up as pros, make good money in their first deals, and go from there.

 

My next post will revolve around how the NFL treats 30-year old rbs.

[stonewall 647]

Cant agree with it. Man up means jack shlt if they tear an acl or worse playing for free. If they are in the pros and getting paid? Fvck yeah man up. Not when they are free labor though

 

That's cool.....we can disagree on this. I certainly get where you and others are coming from. We are a nation that exalts wealth.

 

However, manning-up means a lot more to me than money......even millions. If I think I can protect my QB better than anyone else, I'm gonna be out there pass-blocking for him. If I think I can produce the most yardage exploiting the holes my o-linemen are working like sled dogs to blow open and give my team the best chance of winning....I'm gonna be out there.

 

We ain't taking anything with us when we go......but our loyalty, courage, and honor will follow us.

[skinsrule05 30]

As you probably know, both Fournette (LSU) and McCaffrey (Stanford) have opted to skip their bowl games to "focus on the upcoming draft".....i.e. prevent any potential injury that might jeopardize their NFL future.

 

Most are calling this a smart business move. I call it low character and quitting on your team/coach/fans. Yes, it is only the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl and Sun Bowl, but it is the pinnacle of your season, and these are guys with whom you have shared blood, sweat, and tears, relying on one another as a team. Anyone who has played serious team sports understands.

 

I, of course, understand it......but don't approve of it. What say ye?

 

 

 

I don't believe this at all. I don't believe there are too many college players, especially the elite ones, dreamed of getting to play in the wild wings bowl.

 

I went to a smaller school (1-AA). I know for a fact that the players got a lot more amped up to play against our rival school then then did the end of year playoff bracket. The seniors were broken up after their last rivalry game. I can't imagine how little they would care about some made up bowl game that means nothing and was only put in place so those schools/companies can make more money.

[skinsrule05 30]

This blows my mind. If there is no point in playing if the team you play for can't make the playoffs then shut down the football program at about 90 schools! What a joke!!

 

A college education isn't cheap! I'll be paying off my loan for years and years. These student athletes don't pay a dime. Save me the sad song that the universities are making millions on their backs.

 

I stand by my stance. If I was in charge of a University, I'd institute that policy today! If any student athlete receiving a scholarship refused to play in any scheduled contest. They must repay all of the scholarship money paid out and are responsible for all of the tuition for the classes that he took.

 

Take a look at the Forbes article that came out earlier this season on how much the college players make for their school. I think the top school was Texas. Each player made the school $450k per year. That is if you divide it evenly across all players. Think about what guys like Fournette and McCaffrey have made for their school already. In comparison, yes, a college education is cheap.

[jimaveli 119]

Tangent: it's is possible that there'd be more support for the 'play in all games' stance if non-title bowls were rare/special. But there's now 40 bowl games. And some of them aren't exactly well-attended/heavily cared about.

[skinsrule05 30]

Tangent: it's is possible that there'd be more support for the 'play in all games' stance if non-title bowls were rare/special. But there's now 40 bowl games. And some of them aren't exactly well-attended/heavily cared about.

 

Agreed. If it actually meant anything to get in them I could see the argument.

 

It is similar to NFL preseason. I don't care at all if the stars don't play all of those games.

[cbfalcon 824]

This blows my mind. If there is no point in playing if the team you play for can't make the playoffs then shut down the football program at about 90 schools! What a joke!!

 

A college education isn't cheap! I'll be paying off my loan for years and years. These student athletes don't pay a dime. Save me the sad song that the universities are making millions on their backs.

 

I stand by my stance. If I was in charge of a University, I'd institute that policy today! If any student athlete receiving a scholarship refused to play in any scheduled contest. They must repay all of the scholarship money paid out and are responsible for all of the tuition for the classes that he took.

Any player that is good enough to have a draft status worth protecting has directly made his school enough money to have paid back that scholarship 10-100 times over.

[DrG 94]

I think there are going to be pro players who wonder about these guys. I can't imagine some of the bigger name NFL pros doing this

[BlackPlague 1]

I think you're going to see this more and more now that the seal is broken. Most of these bowl games are meaningless money grabs. If I was a top prospect, why would I focus on a meaningless game when the draft is coming up? Focus on that 40 time instead of possibly getting hurt and losing out on a big contract.

 

IMO, the days of rah-rah fight for your school are over. If you're a pro prospect, your collegiate experience is a contract to showcase your abilities - nothing more. Basically, it's an unpaid internship in hopes of landing a fulltime gig.

[IMMensaMind 459]

If I'm NFL management, I want a player who doesn't calculate their own best interests first. I'm not saying I draft a decidedly inferior talent over such a player, but I'm saying that this variable factors into my decision regarding who I want on my team more than just a little.

 

And for those who sour grapes regarding what the school provides, I'd say you should check your privilege. Life isn't "fair". The schools not only provide an education for free; they provide much more than that. They provide a culture that elevates these players to God level amongst fellow students. They provide support in every conceivable way, including lifestyle support. They provide the latticework necessary for these players to engage in what they love.

 

And - finally - they provide the platform to allow these players exposure to NFL teams, which is their real payday. These players owe these schools; not the other way around.

 

You want further evidence? Think about what any of them would be doing without football. The answer, generally, is nothing.

 

The real problem isn't the schools. It's the thuggishness of the NCAA itself.

[cbfalcon 824]

If I'm NFL management, I want a player who calculates that their professional paycheck and livelihood is more important than an exhibition game with friends . I'm not saying I draft a decidedly inferior talent over such a player, but I'm saying that this variable factors into my decision regarding who I trust to make decisions that will keep them on the field for my franchise.

[IMMensaMind 459]

If I'm NFL management, I want a player who calculates that their professional paycheck and livelihood is more important than an exhibition game with friends . I'm not saying I draft a decidedly inferior talent over such a player, but I'm saying that this variable factors into my decision regarding who I trust to make decisions that will keep them on the field for my franchise.

I'm sure the Browns have an opening for you.

[IMMensaMind 459]

Any player that is good enough to have a draft status worth protecting has directly made his school enough money to have paid back that scholarship 10-100 times over.

So? That's the nature of a employee/employer relationship. Both received value, and the school - naturally - was better positioned to multiply their return.

 

The player magnifies his potential by accepting such a relationship - complete with incredible and ample benefits - and cashes in with his opportunity in the NFL.

 

Proof of the viability of such an arrangement? You'd never turn it down if you had such an opportunity.

[BuschWack 56]

My nephew is the starting strong safety for Stanford..

 

 

He's very excited for McCaffrey and thinks his decision not to play is the right one. He sent this text a few days ago when I asked about it.

 

Him: "I'm sure he'd be playing if it was a playoff game or rose bowl.

Could you imagine him tearing his ACL in the sun bowl? What a waste... his first round projection (and LOTS of money) would go straight down the drain."

 

Me: "Is he going to travel with the team?"

 

Him: "Yeah he'll be there supporting us in every way he can. Ill tell you guys the full story in person when I see you around Christmas or the first week of January. Kinda crazy how some people are treating him."

 

My nephew has a decent shot in the draft - late rounds or being signed by a team. These kids (men), get it..

 

You wouldn't catch me in the Sun Bowl either, if I had McCaffrey's outlook.

[jimaveli 119]

By the way, the kid's dad (Sweet Sweet Ed Mc) lost his pro career on a freak leg injury.

 

I know...we love the story about how brave and bold these football players are, but we have to understand that there's too many examples of it going wrong. And I can't be convinced that most of these bowls are some kind of pageant of pure sporting excellence that deserve the highest respect. Instead, they are mostly bad attempts at replicating the original/big bowls..and yes, money is the motivation. I can't feel great when 6-5 teams are getting to bowls.

[jimaveli 119]

My nephew is the starting strong safety for Stanford..

 

 

He's very excited for McCaffrey and thinks his decision not to play is the right one. He sent this text a few days ago when I asked about it.

 

Him: "I'm sure he'd be playing if it was a playoff game or rose bowl.

Could you imagine him tearing his ACL in the sun bowl? What a waste... his first round projection (and LOTS of money) would go straight down the drain."

 

Me: "Is he going to travel with the team?"

 

Him: "Yeah he'll be there supporting us in every way he can. Ill tell you guys the full story in person when I see you around Christmas or the first week of January. Kinda crazy how some people are treating him."

 

My nephew has a decent shot in the draft - late rounds or being signed by a team. These kids (men), get it..

 

You wouldn't catch me in the Sun Bowl either, if I had McCaffrey's outlook.

Sweet post. It'll be good to get the follow-up info.