Alabama head coach Nick Saban doesn't like the fact that a record 98 underclassmen were accepted into the 2014 NFL Draft, stating that it hurts college football, the NFL and the juniors and redshirt sophomores themselves. The consensus among NFL scouts is that the scouting community feels the same way. https://www.pewterreport.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=9622:&Itemid=15
The NFL really needs a farm league in the offseason. Give the fans something to watch, bring in more money to the teams, and provide a training ground for players that don't immediately shine. To many guys come from nowhere or are completely different than their projections. This says to me there is a ton of wasted talent in the process. Between the ridiculous roster limitations and the lack of a true alternative proving ground we are all losing out. That won't solve the "problem" of underclassmen coming out early, but it will at least provide a home for a lot of them.Solving the underclassmen thing could probably be as straightforward as adding years to the first contract if someone comes out early.
I totally agree about the farm league, disagree about the years. The problem is that many high profile guys SHOULD come out as juniors (eg. Barron and Clowney) - for themselves and for the league. How do you differentiate between a Clowney and a 6th round player who needs more time (in terms of adding on years)?
The NFL really needs a farm league in the offseason. Give the fans something to watch, bring in more money to the teams, and provide a training ground for players that don't immediately shine. To many guys come from nowhere or are completely different than their projections. This says to me there is a ton of wasted talent in the process. Between the ridiculous roster limitations and the lack of a true alternative proving ground we are all losing out. That won't solve the "problem" of underclassmen coming out early, but it will at least provide a home for a lot of them.Solving the underclassmen thing could probably be as straightforward as adding years to the first contract if someone comes out early.
Doc,Like the idea about adding to the first contract. Maybe it will stop the shenanigans like Clowney has been supposedly (probably) pulling. I have exactly zero interest in Clowney or that immature punk at Texas A&M. It will tell a lot about Lovie if he drafts either one.
I totally agree about the farm league, disagree about the years. The problem is that many high profile guys SHOULD come out as juniors (eg. Barron and Clowney) - for themselves and for the league. How do you differentiate between a Clowney and a 6th round player who needs more time (in terms of adding on years)?
Right now IIRC it's 5 years for first round and 4 years for second. Make it 5 for second rounders as well. Then there's no advantage for guys other than stars who "should" come out.
The NFL really needs a farm league in the offseason. Give the fans something to watch, bring in more money to the teams, and provide a training ground for players that don't immediately shine. To many guys come from nowhere or are completely different than their projections. This says to me there is a ton of wasted talent in the process. Between the ridiculous roster limitations and the lack of a true alternative proving ground we are all losing out. That won't solve the "problem" of underclassmen coming out early, but it will at least provide a home for a lot of them.Solving the underclassmen thing could probably be as straightforward as adding years to the first contract if someone comes out early.
Doc,Like the idea about adding to the first contract. Maybe it will stop the shenanigans like Clowney has been supposedly (probably) pulling. I have exactly zero interest in Clowney or that immature punk at Texas A&M. It will tell a lot about Lovie if he drafts either one.
Well, Sunday should be fun....................... I'd be ECSTATIC if the Buccaneers ended up with either one! Seriously dancing on the table tops at work where I'll unfortunately be this year when it could happen. And I think we know more about Lovie from his entire coaching career than we will over the player the Buccaneers take in the first round of May draft. But.......I really don't think either player will be there at 7 anyway.
Garv,That's why they make chocolate ice cream. :)
The NFL really needs a farm league in the offseason. Give the fans something to watch, bring in more money to the teams, and provide a training ground for players that don't immediately shine.
The way I would propose it is to have for example, 8 teams. Each team would have players representing 4 NFL teams, but never from the same NFL division. For example, Memphis could have players from Tampa Bay, Washington, Buffalo, and San Diego. This way Tampa Bay fans would be more likely to follow Memphis and the potential future Buc players, instead of the senseless scattering we observed of an NFL team's players on NFL Europe.
If football didn't involve a high risk of injury I could handle all the restrictions teams want to play on the rookies and their contracts. But the reality is that football's a brutal sport, these guys have very little guaranteed money overall (see hoops, MLB) and there's a high probability that their life will end early or the quality of their later years will be diminished. I also might feel differently if the NCAA weren't such a hideous racket. I do like Sweep's idea and I also like the idea of bigger rosters.
Garv,That's why they make chocolate ice cream. :)
LOL True! Trying to follow the advice these days of a certain ex President whose birthday happens to be today. Of course we can disagree with respect. Or don't type anything at all. Guess what? It works and makes it a lot more pleasant to visit this board.As for the ORIGINAL topic and article.....while I agree declaring early hurts the NFL, the NCAA and the players who fail and are not ready for the NFL game, I also understand how a player like Clowney would be frustrated risking millions of dollars by playing another year when teams would have taken him so early in the first last April.
If football didn't involve a high risk of injury I could handle all the restrictions teams want to play on the rookies and their contracts. But the reality is that football's a brutal sport, these guys have very little guaranteed money overall (see hoops, MLB) and there's a high probability that their life will end early or the quality of their later years will be diminished. I also might feel differently if the NCAA weren't such a hideous racket. I do like Sweep's idea and I also like the idea of bigger rosters.
It's amazing so many people believe that. Statistically, football players have significantly higher QOL and greater longevity than the general population. A few horror stories and suddenly it's the Roman Coliseum into people...
Don't for get the G2g. See the sticky
You guys need to hold a G2G here. Funny thing, I was going through my glove compartment the other day, and found my nametag from the 2008 one.
Physically. ANnd there are stats to back it up which I don't have time right now to look up. And if you think about it, it makes perfect sense, these guys are some of the most physically fit guys out there. Maintaining that level of fitness for such an extended period is going to have major benefits compared to even people who are just "gym fit", or runners, for example. Not to mention the average person.There's also a book out that addresses this directly in relationship to the concussion lawsuits, can't remember the title though.
