To Bail Early Or Not?

[Sirhornsalot]

http://www.si.com/nfl/2016/12/19/christian-mccaffrey-stanford-cardinal-skipping-sun-bowl

Like Leonard Fournette, Christian McCaffrey understandably chooses future over present

Bowl games are sacred to universities, but for unpaid college players like Christian McCaffrey, minimizing risk of injury before the NFL draft is the priority.

The only way Christian McCaffrey could impact his draft stock by playing in the Sun Bowl is if he were to suffer an injury. So, whether you believe Stanford's star running back is in the right or the wrong for sitting out the Cardinal's Dec. 30 matchup with North Carolina, consider this fair warning: You are witnessing the start of a trend.

McCaffrey announced Monday via Twitter that he would skip his final college game, before entering the 2017 NFL draft: "Very tough decision, but I have decided not to play in the Sun Bowl so I can begin my draft prep immediately. Thx to all my teammates for their 100% support—It means a lot to me. Go Cardinal!"

In doing so, McCaffrey joins LSU running back Leonard Fournette, who said last week that he would not play in the Dec. 31 Citrus Bowl vs. Louisville. Fournette is generally considered a Round 1 lock ahead of the coming draft; McCaffrey's exact stock is a bit tougher to pin down, but he has an excellent shot of being selected in Round 1.

Those hopes would go out the window, of course, were McCaffrey to suffer an injury between now and April 27. He no doubt is well aware of what happened to Notre Dame's Jaylon Smith last Jan. 1 in the Fiesta Bowl. Considered a potential top-10 pick, Smith shredded his knee against Ohio State, fell to No.

So, McCaffrey will sit. Fournette, too. And they certainly will not be the last high-profile NFL draft hopefuls to back out of their final college games, in hopes of being 100% healthy when events like the combine and private team workouts roll around.

This does threaten to cause myriad headaches for college football, as well as for the bowl system. What if players, currently not allowed to turn pro until they are three years removed from high school, opt to sit out entire seasons, as Fournette was encouraged by some to do this year? What if several players on a team bail on the bowl game? What if McCaffrey or Fournette had chosen this path with their respective teams in the playoff?

On the final question, let's take a step back. This is not meant to disrespect the Sun Bowl in any way, but in the grand scheme of college football it is not as important as the playoff games. Teams want to win their bowl games, obviously, but 39 of the 41 on the schedule this year are a small step above being glorified exhibitions.34 in the draft and his playing future remains very much up in the air as his rookie season winds down.

They matter—to the people putting the bowls on, to the players, to the programs—but the stakes are comparatively low. For McCaffrey, the choice came down to whether he wanted to help his team beat North Carolina or to get into January healthy. He chose the latter.

Naturally, this opens him up to quick, fierce criticism. His tweet announcing his intentions on Twitter received a flood of replies, ranging from support to those calling for him to give back his scholarship. Even Cowboys rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott, whose final collegiate game was the one in which Smith suffered his injury, weighed in:

Elliott had a year of NCAA eligibility remaining when he entered the draft.

To some extent, this comes with the territory. It is well within the rights of fans, and even McCaffrey or Fournette's teammates, to be highly disappointed with their decisions—we all want to believe players are willing to put their team first. At least most of their teammates likely will understand, though. From Stanford wide receiver Trenton Irwin (albeit an unverified Twitter account):

At some point, amid all the yelling and screaming it's also important to try to see where McCaffrey and Fournette are coming from here.

They are both on full scholarship, yes, but they will not get paid for the bowl game. They have no guarantees from the NFL that they will be drafted or receive a contract if something goes wrong. Even if, as was the case with Smith, they have insurance policies to protect against injury, the financial relief would be negligible—Smith reportedly received $900K via insurance by slipping out of Round 1, hardly covering the multi-millions he probably lost with his injury. (And, as mentioned, there is no certainty Smith will be healthy enough or play well enough to receive a second contract/extension, which often comes with a significant salary increase.)

Frankly, it's a broken system. The only ways to defend against more players following McCaffrey and Fournette's lead are to compensate them financially or to lessen the restrictions preventing them from entering the draft earlier. Neither McCaffrey nor Fournette gained much by returning to school this year. Considering both struggled with injuries and saw their production drop, one could argue they did no better than break even compared to where their draft profiles would have been a year ago.

Do these players owe it to their teams, and their fans, to see out the season? Maybe. But they also deserve the right to consider what's best for their own futures. The NCAA isn't looking out for them. The NFL would be there if they fall.

This is going to happen more and more. McCaffrey and Fournette are only the beginning.

 

[Growler]

I think it is a BS move in most ways.  I get that it is their choice, but I think much less of those that don't fight to the end with their teammates.  Most of their current teammates will be publicly supportive and take the high road.  If I'm a coach or potential teammate in the NFL though, I would start to question if this guy is going to be "all in" on a 7-9 campaign or is he going to be a quitter.  Definitely a "me" guy move.  Major red flag.

 

[popdaddy]

That first step in letting your team and fans down is a pretty big drop. It's downhill from there.

Next step is not participating in NFL combine drills, NFL team timing/agility sessions.

When you turn your back on your team it's the first step in earning a "loser" image.

Enjoy the money but mercy, should you do any pre-draft training, might hurt yourself.

Good grief, what's happened to the world I grew up in? 

 

[Sirhornsalot]

I have to agree. Football is primarily a team sport. People like McCaffrey owe their success, in large part, to their team and people on that team.

What they're doing is a "me" move. If you're on the team, you're on the team until the last game is played.

I don't like this at all.

 

[Daniel Seahorn]

Fournette has been beat to hell all year long. No need to risk further injury for either guy when your position at the next level already has a short shelf life and is being devalued.

Jaylon Smith blew his knee out in the bowl game last year and lost out on millions. A lot of these bowl games people won't even be talking about in the next week or so, so why risk a major injury in an exhibition game?

If coaches can bolt before bowl games and nobody think twice about it, then players should be able to do the same if they think it's in their best interest.

 

[Sirhornsalot]

Fournette has been beat to hell all year long. No need to risk further injury for either guy when your position at the next level already has a short shelf life and is being devalued.

Jaylon Smith blew his knee out in the bowl game last year and lost out on millions. A lot of these bowl games people won't even be talking about in the next week or so, so why risk a major injury in an exhibition game?

If coaches can bolt before bowl games and nobody think twice about it, then players should be able to do the same if they think it's in their best interest.

Smith could have done the same thing in week 1. Or week 2. Or 3., etc It still would have cost him millions.

The bowl games are already having a hard time keeping interest. Making them exhibitions, which is like NFL pre-season IMO, would make them even more compromised.

I don't know, it just doesn't feel right. 

That said, Roland Sales is remembered because two backs in front of him didn't play in the bowl. Of course, that was Lou Holtz's choice, not theirs. But Sales put on quite a show. Anyone remember? OU got beat badly, so it was easy for me. lol

 

[Daniel Seahorn]

Smith could have done the same thing in week 1. Or week 2. Or 3., etc It still would have cost him millions.

The bowl games are already having a hard time keeping interest. Making them exhibitions, which is like NFL pre-season IMO, would make them even more compromised.

I don't know, it just doesn't feel right.

That said, Roland Sales is remembered because two backs in front of him didn't play in the bowl. Of course, that was Lou Holtz's choice, not theirs. But Sales put on quite a show. Anyone remember? OU got beat badly, so it was easy for me. lol

He COULD have but he didn't. It happened in the bowl game.

The problem with the lack of interest in bowl games is that there are too many of them and most casual fans aren't going to want to watch matchups that have no sex appeal. Nobody wants to watch New Mexico vs. UTEP or Tulsa vs. Central Michigan.

Back to the topic though, I'm never going to fault kids for making the decision they feel is best for themselves. These kids already have minimal leverage and now when they try to take advantage of some it people want to call them selfish.

 

[Sirhornsalot]

He COULD have but he didn't. It happened in the bowl game.

The problem with the lack of interest in bowl games is that there are too many of them and most casual fans aren't going to want to watch matchups that have no sex appeal. Nobody wants to watch New Mexico vs. UTEP or Tulsa vs. Central Michigan.

Back to the topic though, I'm never going to fault kids for making the decision they feel is best for themselves. These kids already have minimal leverage and now when they try to take advantage of some it people want to call them selfish.

What if 5-6 players happen to feel the same way? What if more do?

I can agree with you in that there are far too many bowl games. When you have trouble finding enough 6-6 teams to fill out the bowl schedule, that's just too many bowls.

 

[Grandpa Zorro]

I think it is a BS move in most ways.  I get that it is their choice, but I think much less of those that don't fight to the end with their teammates.  Most of their current teammates will be publicly supportive and take the high road.  If I'm a coach or potential teammate in the NFL though, I would start to question if this guy is going to be "all in" on a 7-9 campaign or is he going to be a quitter.  Definitely a "me" guy move.  Major red flag.

I don't like the early exit either...but you have to know the guys in the NFL won't be bothered.  It's a me league and the players and coaches getting paid will understand that he is protecting his future paycheck.

 

[shotime73]

I guess to each his own. You never know what goes through a player's mind at times. Honestly I would've stayed another year just to build up my stamina talent and to see what I'm made of .

 

[Daniel Seahorn]

What if 5-6 players happen to feel the same way? What if more do?

I can agree with you in that there are far too many bowl games. When you have trouble finding enough 6-6 teams to fill out the bowl schedule, that's just too many bowls.

If more players opt to do it then that's there decision. If this was a bowl game that carried serious implications I doubt kids would be walking away from it, but we are talking about the Sun Bowl and whatever bowl game LSU is playing in. Think it's the Citrus or something.

It's their body, their decision, their future. It's a business decision.

 

[Daniel Seahorn]

I guess to each his own. You never know what goes through a player's mind at times. Honestly I would've stayed another year just to build up my stamina talent and to see what I'm made of .

These guys have already seen their stock peak and have received first round grades for the draft. At this point it's more risk than reward for them from a business standpoint. Go get paid for it rather than risking injury playing for free.

 

[Coot]

These guys have already seen their stock peak and have received first round grades for the draft. At this point it's more risk than reward for them from a business standpoint. Go get paid for it rather than risking injury playing for free.

I agree 100%, but I'll take it a step more.  These elite players are playing to prepare for a professional career, just like any other student.  Once they have peaked in the risk/reward preparation for the NFL, they need to quit college football.  If that occurs in week 3 or 6 of their final college season, or, as with Leonard Fournette, after their 2nd season of college ball, they should quit unpaid playing and wait for the big payday.  To do otherwise is just plain bad business.  

Michael Dell never finished college and it would have been a very bad business more for him to have wasted all that time getting a degree he did not need.  If Fournette loses his scholarship by quitting college ball, he will more than make up the loss with his first contract.  The colleges are using the players to make mega bucks and why can't the players return the favor.  College ball is just a stepping stone to a career.  Don't mess up the opportunity with an unneeded injury after the preparation (projected potential) is already in place.

 

[tejasrulz]

These guys have already seen their stock peak and have received first round grades for the draft. At this point it's more risk than reward for them from a business standpoint. Go get paid for it rather than risking injury playing for free.

Nailed it.

Some people don't go to college and start working right away. Others go to some college, then start working, figure out they landed a pretty good gig and quit college which is what happened in my case.

At the end of the day you do what is best for you. I believe we're all guilty of that.

 

[DFW Hornsfan]

I have no issue as long as there is no National Championship on the line.

I understand they have been given free college, etc.... I am also against paying players. But if he declared for the draft and has money to lose then he has every right to sit out.

If your team is in the hunt for National Championship then he is wrong to sit out even though it is his choice.

I see no issue with this.

 

[Captain Hookem]

If more players opt to do it then that's there decision. If this was a bowl game that carried serious implications I doubt kids would be walking away from it, but we are talking about the Sun Bowl and whatever bowl game LSU is playing in. Think it's the Citrus or something.

It's their body, their decision, their future. It's a business decision.

A business decision?... If you want to view it like that, then they are essentially telling their employers to jump in a lake. How many employers let their employees work only "when they want to"? These same employers that have invested much time and resources into training them for the opportunities they are now presented. 

Football players risk serious injury every play of every season, which includes hours and hours of practice. Would people feel the same way if they decided to sit out the first game of the season against a puff non-conference opponent to "avoid injury"? After all, those games are pretty meaningless also. 

All of the other arguments about playing for your team have been made. However going the "business decision" argument is equally vapid and a slippery slope for future "decisions". When you obligate yourself to play football for a school then that is a binding commitment. 

Unless these guys are truly injured in some way and risk further injury, they should play and fulfill their obligations. 

 

[Coot]

A business decision?... If you want to view it like that, then they are essentially telling their employers to jump in a lake. How many employers let their employees work only "when they want to"? These same employers that have invested much time and resources into training them for the opportunities they are now presented. 

Football players risk serious injury every play of every season, which includes hours and hours of practice. Would people feel the same way if they decided to sit out the first game of the season against a puff non-conference opponent to "avoid injury"? After all, those games are pretty meaningless also. 

All of the other arguments about playing for your team have been made. However going the "business decision" argument is equally vapid and a slippery slope for future "decisions". When you obligate yourself to play football for a school then that is a binding commitment. 

Unless these guys are truly injured in some way and risk further injury, they should play and fulfill their obligations. 

So if you were doing a 2 year internship with a company, getting pain $500 a month, and another company came to you and said, "We think you are the brightest and best in this field.  Come work for us right now and we'll pay you 5 million a year", you would would feel obligated to complete that 2 year internship?

 

[Captain Hookem]

So if you were doing a 2 year internship with a company, getting pain $500 a month, and another company came to you and said, "We think you are the brightest and best in this field.  Come work for us right now and we'll pay you 5 million a year", you would would feel obligated to complete that 2 year internship?

Interns aren't normally contractually obligated to finish out a term. They are more like contractors, so whether it be a 6 month contract or whatever both sides can terminate the contract at will.  IF a person did sign a contract (like in older days), then yes they are expected to finish out their contracts even if presented with a better offer.

A scholarship is a binding contract. An NFL contract is also a binding contract.

Would people feel the same way if a player decides to not play the last few games of an NFL season because it's a contract year and they don't want to risk injury?

These are adults that made commitments and signed contracts they should honor. It's a horrible precedent at all levels to make people think that commitments have since become "voluntary".

 

[Daniel Seahorn]

A business decision?... If you want to view it like that, then they are essentially telling their employers to jump in a lake. How many employers let their employees work only "when they want to"? These same employers that have invested much time and resources into training them for the opportunities they are now presented.

Football players risk serious injury every play of every season, which includes hours and hours of practice. Would people feel the same way if they decided to sit out the first game of the season against a puff non-conference opponent to "avoid injury"? After all, those games are pretty meaningless also.

All of the other arguments about playing for your team have been made. However going the "business decision" argument is equally vapid and a slippery slope for future "decisions". When you obligate yourself to play football for a school then that is a binding commitment.

Unless these guys are truly injured in some way and risk further injury, they should play and fulfill their obligations.

It certainty is a business decision in regards to their FUTURE employer and it has been made quite clear that student-athletes aren't employees of colleges or universities. These kids came to play football and get an education and they've done both so they are well within their right to sit.

They've fulfilled their "obligations" to the university and have already declared they are leaving so they aren't required to play another down. In Fournette's case I know for sure he has been banged up all year long and has missed time due to injuries and I'm almost positive McCaffrey has missed time as well.

Again, lets not sit here and hold players to standards that we aren't holding the coaches and everyone else to.