I think that is different. Playing for a conference title is championship opportunity that athletes work towards. You arent seeing guys sit out conference title games or playoff/national title games... they are sitting out bowl games that have little impact on a conference or national scene. I don't think this announcement would be made today if TOE was playing in Indy tomorrow.
Fant is going pro
- Thread starter dafarmer
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I think that is different. Playing for a conference title is championship opportunity that athletes work towards. You arent seeing guys sit out conference title games or playoff/national title games... they are sitting out bowl games that have little impact on a conference or national scene. I don't think this announcement would be made today if TOE was playing in Indy tomorrow.
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This. If you've got a first round grade, then playing in another game doesn't do anything for you that can't be done at the combine. See Leonard Fournette or Christian McCaffery.
Fant has fantastic measurables, and has already demonstrated his capabilities. If Kirk snubbing him playing time this year didn't affect his draft stock, sitting out a bowl game certainly won't either. Scouts already have plenty of tape on him. If he were a borderline prospect, then sure there's plenty to be gained from playing in a bowl game. But, seeing how Kirk has used him this year, 3-4 more catches and (maybe) another TD isn't going to make any difference to his pro prospects, so why risk it?
I understand NFL bound players sitting out of bowl games. I do not agree with it or like it, but I understand it. Also, at least Fant made this decision before selection Sunday (not that he would have cared, but it is better for the fans). His case wouldn't specifically sway a bowls selection choice, but there are cases that could. For example if the Alamo Bowl selected WVU over us because of a well known name like Grier. Then on Monday Grier says he is sitting out the bowl for his NFL opportunity. That's not good, because you will have schools telling players to postpone their announcement until after selection. The Alamo bowl would have selected us instead if they knew he would sit out, but can't go back and re-select. There needs to be somewhere along the line either at the NCAA level, the bowl level, or the conference level that can levy a punishment for players deciding to sit out of the bowl game after selection Sunday. Maybe the NCAA can have all players sign intent to play forms before selection Sunday, or maybe the Bowls can add in their contracts a deduction of payout to the conferences/schools if players decide to sit after selection. I don't see the conference doing anything about levying punishments from their level because they got paid, so who cares. But if the NCAA fined the school/conference or the bowls reserved the right to adjust payouts in their contracts; it could promote these decisions before selection Sunday. All I'm saying is it is better for the game and fans for these decisions to be made before bowls select teams.
Fant had a reason to play against Nebraska, Nebraska under Pelini didn't recruit him until late. The personal fouls at the start of the game kind of gave this away.
Iowa will find it hard to find open receivers with out Fant drawing double coverage.
Iowa will find it hard to find open receivers with out Fant drawing double coverage.
I understand where you are coming from, but I don't think the NCAA/Bowls will ever be able to punish teams for having players sit out or change the payouts. Having that money depend on one player sitting out flies in the face of amateurism. Yes the concept of amateurism is already incredibly shaky in this day and age, but there's no way they can punish schools for the actions of one college student.
The worst that would happen would be that bowl hesitating to pick that team in the future.
“You could get hurt walking up the steps in the Berg,” said Butler, who is on track to match or break at least two single-season receiving marks. “Why would I just miss out on a game? I worked so hard all year for this game, why would I just give it up?”
-- Hakeem Butler
Love you, Hakeem.
-- Hakeem Butler
Love you, Hakeem.
Yeah it is a tough situation. I think it falls more into the NCAA's court than the bowls. They could have a universal fine towards the school/conference for each player that decides to sit after the selection, like $10,000, unless it is extenuating circumstances (that does not include NFL). All fines would be avoided for decision made before selection. The flat rate fine could be higher because, even though it is technically fair to all players across the board, it would really only effect players that choose to sit for NFL opportunities without having to say it. Players sitting out of bowls could have a long term effect on the willingness and amount that companies are willing to pay to sponsor bowls, and that = $ for the NCAA. Hitting the NCAA in the pocket book is when changes tend to occur. Also, if I'm Valero and I pay for a corvette in the Alamo Bowl and the NCAA/Big 12/WVU gives me a 1996 Ford Taurus (which is what WVU would be without Grier) I'd feel a bit scammed.
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If I were an NFL GM, I'd draft Hockenson ahead of Fant. But that's just me. Much better overall skills IMO.
I'd be shocked if he was a first rounder with his lack of recent productions and locker room baggage. Should still get drafted though.
Fant had a reason to play against Nebraska, Nebraska under Pelini didn't recruit him until late. The personal fouls at the start of the game kind of gave this away.
If Hock comes back he'll have a similar effect next year and draw a lot of double coverage.
If Hock leaves too, we'll take a serious dive in TE production next year. But after next year Lee and Miamen should be ready to step in and be the next Fant/Hock duo. Lee's going to be a stud.
There would be players with mysterious injuries suddenly cropping up but not serious enough to affect them by combine time. Are they going to fine teams for player injuries? There is nothing they can do.
You are right, but if they can avoid fines or faking an injury by deciding earlier it could get them to make that decision before bowls select. There will still be players that decide afterwards that fake injuries and that would have to count as extenuating circumstances, but it would cut down a bit on the decisions coming after selection Sunday. Giving bowls and sponsors the product that they pay for more often.
The bowl system is stupid anyways. ‘Hey, lets have a one-off game to determine 24th place!’
First of all, Iowa is not going to the Fiesta Bowl. They are going to the Outback Bowl or some **** like that. It's an exhibition. There is nothing for an individual player to gain or lose from it.
I can say 100% I would have absolutely zero ill will towards anyone who decided to sit out the bowl game. This is a violent sport where one injury can turn your career upside down. Look at Marcus Lattimore. Look at Teddy Bridgewater. There are millions of dollars on the line here for two kids who grew up in very tough circumstances. Do what you need to do to make sure you make more money than you probably ever thought you'd see in your lifetime growing up.
