Leonard Fournette

[Glenn's Take]

If you were him would you ever play another down of football for free after the bowl game? I wouldn't. I would challenge the early entry rule knowing there is probably at least a 95% chance that I would lose that battle. Even when I did lose that I would still not play for free again. I'd sit out, take money from agents and just train up until next year's draft. He has absolutely nothing to gain by coming back and has a whole lot to lose. Clowney almost did it a few years ago and probably should have. Someone is going to do it and if I were Fournette I would be the first.

I know, football players play football. That's kind of an archaic mentality when there are millions of dollars on the line if you ask me.

 

[Rhavic]

Players of that caliber typically don't have that mentality. The kid didn't get where he is today by refusing to work, cheating himself, and his teammates, just because it's possible that he could have a career ending injury.

 

[BlueRaider22]

If it were the days prior to the rookie wage scale I probably would sit out since the contract would be monstrous. These days, guys play for the 2nd contract.....which is where the money is.

The flip side is that the likelihood of him getting a career injury is very low. He could still play, limit his carries when able, and likely do just fine.

 

[TeoJ]

If you were him would you ever play another down of football for free after the bowl game? I wouldn't. I would challenge the early entry rule knowing there is probably at least a 95% chance that I would lose that battle. Even when I did lose that I would still not play for free again. I'd sit out, take money from agents and just train up until next year's draft. He has absolutely nothing to gain by coming back and has a whole lot to lose. Clowney almost did it a few years ago and probably should have. Someone is going to do it and if I were Fournette I would be the first.

I know, football players play football. That's kind of an archaic mentality when there are millions of dollars on the line if you ask me.

Clowney quit playing way before he left South Carolina.

 

[Brock28]

Clowney obviously doesn't love playing football. I think Fournette does.

 

[Comebakatz3]

Are we also going to have high school seniors sitting out their last year so that way they don't get hurt and possibly lose their scholarships?

 

[Glenn's Take]

I could give a long list of basketball players that only stayed here 1 year and left. I don't blame any one of them for leaving. It has nothing to do with hating football. It's about taking unnecessary risk. If Fournette stayed out until the draft I would look at him no differently than I do any of the basketball players for leaving early.

For those who think he should play next year (which appears to be everyone but me) would you think he should come back if he was eligible for the draft? My point is that there is absolutely nothing he can do next year that is going to help his long term future, he can only hurt it and with as short as an NFL running backs shelf live is I wouldn't take the chance of injury or even an extra year of hits.

 

[NCukcat62]

Clowney obviously doesn't love playing football. I think Fournette does.

This. Clowney as of right now is a bust. He didn't love playing. Just played hard enough to become a big name. Could of been a Reggie white type but refused to bust his tail.

 

[BIGBLUEQ]

You play football because you love the game. I have a 16 year old right now, who would love to be playing, but he's had two knee surgeries, one when he was an eighth grader at 13, playing football, tore it up again playing AAU basketball, the summer between his freshman and sophomore year.

You are risking injury anytime you step on a football field, regardless of if you're getting paid or not. But sitting out because you think you might get hurt, is not a mentality most football players have regardless of the level of competition. If you quit because you're afraid you're draft stock will fall, I wouldn't draft you the next year, because you're un-reliable, and a quitter. I don't want you on my team not matter how much talent you have.

 

[truebluewildcat_rivals34254]

Players want to play...

with that being said...there needs to be some wiggle room in the draft eligibility rules...maybe some sort of exceptional talent exemption clause...

freshmen and sophomores should be allowed to go through the combine, pro-day, and team work out process...if they receive the appropriate feedback they should be able to go...

the NFL and NBA both should also work out some sort of system that would allow kids to go through the evaluation process but keep their eligibility...I think the leagues and NCAA should split the bill for travel expenses...and to keep agents at bay, they should also work together to provide the athletes with some sort of professional liaison to help handle all the communication between athletes and teams...

this would take the pressure of declaring before a deadline off as well as allow kids to try out as much as they can and not worry about whether they'll be able to go back to school and play should they not get drafted....

 

[TeoJ]

I could give a long list of basketball players that only stayed here 1 year and left. I don't blame any one of them for leaving. It has nothing to do with hating football. It's about taking unnecessary risk. If Fournette stayed out until the draft I would look at him no differently than I do any of the basketball players for leaving early.

For those who think he should play next year (which appears to be everyone but me) would you think he should come back if he was eligible for the draft? My point is that there is absolutely nothing he can do next year that is going to help his long term future, he can only hurt it and with as short as an NFL running backs shelf live is I wouldn't take the chance of injury or even an extra year of hits.

I think the difference is setting out because of injury and because you might get injured,I think a lot og GM'S would look down at that thinking.The basketball players come in thinking one and done.

 

[chuckster.sixpack]

If you were him would you ever play another down of football for free after the bowl game? I wouldn't. I would challenge the early entry rule knowing there is probably at least a 95% chance that I would lose that battle. Even when I did lose that I would still not play for free again. I'd sit out, take money from agents and just train up until next year's draft. He has absolutely nothing to gain by coming back and has a whole lot to lose. Clowney almost did it a few years ago and probably should have. Someone is going to do it and if I were Fournette I would be the first.

I know, football players play football. That's kind of an archaic mentality when there are millions of dollars on the line if you ask me.

Didn't Maurice Clarette try that route? Or was he forced out at Ohio State?

Either way, I don't disagree with your premise. If he comes back, Miles is going to run him into the ground again. And to be fair, Saban does the same thing.

 

[jauk11]

I think Clarette sued the NFL to make them let him go pro early, and with all their money he lost of course. Then he went through some very rough times, including not making the NFL after laying out a year or so and ending up in prison.

But from all reports he has straightened out his life and is doing good for himself and others, has a family also.

 

[Johnfarrel]

Arn't player allowed to get insurance for injuries that would keep them from going pro?

 

[gobigblue812_rivals29381]

If you refuse to play you look lazy,selfish and lIke a quitter. Teammates, fans, and GMs wouldn't be too happy about it. He would get destroyed by most of the media. He also would be very rusty ftom lack of game play. It would be a huge mistake. He would actually cost himself millions. He can buy an insurance policy if he's worried about getting hurt.

 

[Mr Schwump]

Didn't Maurice Clarette try that route? Or was he forced out at Ohio State?

Either way, I don't disagree with your premise. If he comes back, Miles is going to run him into the ground again. And to be fair, Saban does the same thing.

Miles and Saban's first priority is to win football games, not produce first round NFL picks. If first round picks happen, fine. One way that's done is getting the football to your best player as often as possible.

 

[gobigblue812_rivals29381]

Miles and Saban's first priority is to win football games, not produce first round NFL picks. If first round picks happen, fine. One way that's done is getting the football to your best player as often as possible.

I agree. He doesn't get bonuses for 1st round draft picks does he?

 

[Anon1660081258]

Arn't player allowed to get insurance for injuries that would keep them from going pro?

Yes, and I believe the player's institution is allowed to pay the premium, within limits. Seriously.

 

[gobigblue812_rivals29381]

Yes, and I believe the player's institution is allowed to pay the premium, within limits. Seriously.

Yes, they can and do.

 

[Mr Schwump]

I agree. He doesn't get bonuses for 1st round draft picks does he?

Don't know about the bonus thing but I do know most coaches want their institute to win and the whole pro thing is secondary. Obviously some don't feel that way.

 

[chuckster.sixpack]

Miles and Saban's first priority is to win football games, not produce first round NFL picks. If first round picks happen, fine. One way that's done is getting the football to your best player as often as possible.

Then Miles better start focusing on his first priority because another season like the past two and he'll be doing another fair well lap next November.