your thoughts on clowney

You go to college to learn a trade to earn money. Most people have to get a degree for that to mean anything. Clowney is already marketable in his coming trade. The system is setup to benefit the schools 95% and the athlete 5%. He didn't set that up, but he has every right to use whatever leverage he has to make sure he protects his interests. I completely understand where the detractors are coming from on the teamwork over individual opinions. And I hate that he is doing this too. But I blame the broken system as much (not only, but as much) as him.

I wonder how many here...if you had two semesters left but already had a guaranteed job making money at the absolute top of your expected pay range when you graduated would put 100% effort into every class. I'm not saying its right, just that we should maybe not throw too many stones.

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Originally Posted by cajunhawk

I agree it's a weird analogy but it fits. If he could, Clowney would have gone to the NFL out of High School. Just like in the analogy, had the person been allowed to drill for oil and not wait 3 years, they would have done it so fast it would have made your head spin.

Clowney is in a precarious position. The NFL says you cannot get drafted until you are 3 years removed from High School. He has very few options in that case. He can either play 3 years of college ball and hope and pray to god he doesn't blow out his knee once or twice. Or...he could not play football at all...wait three years...be forgotten and have to train on his own dime for three years until he can cash in. College Football is the best option at the moment.

But with two years in, and watching a special talent in Marcus Lattimore have his dreams literally crushed right before Clowney's eyes, you cannot blame him for having a "Me First" mentality. Some kids go to school to learn, Clowney went to school because it's the only feasible way to get that big NFL contract.

I don't see how you can put guys like Qyen Griffin and JJ Thomas and compare them to a guy in a situation like Clowney. Neither of those guys had sure fire NFL draft pick slapped on them coming out of high school. They were guys who had to play on a team, and play well to even be considered for that opportunity. They weren't sitting out of games to protect themselves from undue damage to their bodies so that the mutli-millions they were literally guaranteed wouldn't be ____ed away for a game that in the grand scheme of things means very little. Griffin and Thomas were selfish because they chose to be. Clowney is being selfish because he needs to be.

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Too long...did not read. It's not the oil field. If you don't want to play, don't commit to an fn team where others depend on you, and then let them down. Let someone have that spot who gives a ____. I would love to see what Saban would do to this jackleg if he tried that ____ on him.

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Originally Posted by jumboragncajun

Too long...did not read. It's not the oil field. If you don't want to play, don't commit to an fn team where others depend on you, and then let them down. Let someone have that spot who gives a ____. I would love to see what Saban would do to this jackleg if he tried that ____ on him.

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He has no other choice...this is a very closed minded and ignorant view point you have. This isn't ____ing Friday Night Lights...it's Clowney's future. Saban would let him do it also because without NFL talent, Bama is nothing...hell the entire SEC would be nothing. Maybe you should have read with I put up there...may do you some good.

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Originally Posted by cajunhawk

He has no other choice...this is a very closed minded and ignorant view point you have. This isn't ____ing Friday Night Lights...it's Clowney's future. Saban would let him do it also because without NFL talent, Bama is nothing...hell the entire SEC would be nothing. Maybe you should have read with I put up there...may do you some good.

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You may be right, but I'm going to disagree with the Saban theory ... I think, if a player is cleared by the team doctors, but he doesn't want to play because he is "saving" himself for the pros (and I know this is just conjecture at this point) ... I think Saban (Hud would) tells the player to hit the road.

What good is a "star" player if he doesn't play ... he's taking up a scholarship and letting down the team. I think this sets a horrible precedent and will not lead to anything good for college athletics.

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Originally Posted by moorecajun

You may be right, but I'm going to disagree with the Saban theory ... I think, if a player is cleared by the team doctors, but he doesn't want to play because he is "saving" himself for the pros (and I know this is just conjecture at this point) ... I think Saban (Hud would) tells the player to hit the road.

What good is a "star" player if he doesn't play ... he's taking up a scholarship and letting down the team. I think this sets a horrible precedent and will not lead to anything good for college athletics.

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Think of the collateral damage if that player reached out to other SEC recruits and started telling them about what happened. Bama and the SEC depends on keeping themselves as close to being Minor League football for the NFL. Without that...their tenuous grasp on the throat of college athletics floats away. Saban would be a fool, as would Hud be a fool to let the word get out that no one is special. That is the main reason these 5 star recruits go to these schools in the first place. To be placed high on that athlete pedestal. Take that away by giving the old, team first talk and you are liable to lose the top conference spot.

Causality...the NCAA allows these schools to go after top talent that has no interest of getting an education in the first place. The precedent has been set for years now. This is the blow back. This is the chicken's coming home to roost. Pandora's box is about to ripped open, and all the NCAA's dirty money plays will come back to bite them in the end.

your thoughts on clowney:

None.

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Originally Posted by lcitsh

your thoughts on clowney:

None.

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Profound and deep thoughts from the scorer's table.

First of all I am not a fan of "they need to pay these players".......

The fact is these players, all 95% that do not ever get to the pros are lucky there is a system where they get to do what they love and oh, by the way get an education, get great networking opportunities.

So why is the five to ten percent getting to drive this train about compensation?

Now to Clowney in particular? None of us know the extent of his injuries, and it is not for me to decide if he should play. Only his doctors, coaches, and himself know the real deal. Still he owes his coach, his team, the university, and the fans to be honorable. By that I mean if he is too injured to play he should have told his coach so a lot sooner than game day. Because he did not he has zero credibility to me.

Players protecting themselves for the draft. F*%k themselves. If you do not want to play don't take up a scholarship, go prepare on your own dollar, or your F*^king agents dollar.

Browning was injured and Berry should have never put him on the field, this guy is a malingerer, and the NFL will take a dim view of this on draft day. He may have already cost himself a lot of money.

Clowney....and Spurrier's biggest failure is the public handling of this. Whatever is going on should have stayed in house.

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Originally Posted by charliek

Clowney....and Spurrier's biggest failure is the public handling of this. Whatever is going on should have stayed in house.

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Could be PR strategy to let it out. Another instance of "pay or play" causing nightmares.

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Originally Posted by cajunhawk

The kid is just doing it the smart way.

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If this were the case, it wouldn't be a topic for discussion.

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Originally Posted by cajunhawk

Could be PR strategy to let it out. Another instance of "pay or play" causing nightmares.

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Than I disagree with the strategy. If he wants to maximize his earning potential, that means maximizing endorsements. Will be tough to sell his image if all the joe six pack football fans think he's a spoiled pampered athlete who quit on his team.

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Originally Posted by CAJUNJUDO

If this were the case, it wouldn't be a topic for discussion.

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It's open for debate...that's why it's a topic for discussion.

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Originally Posted by charliek

Than I disagree with the strategy. If he wants to maximize his earning potential, that means maximizing endorsements. Will be tough to sell his image if all the joe six pack football fans think he's a spoiled pampered athlete who quit on his team.

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Not by him...by South Carolina, the SEC et al. I'm sure the last person who wanted this out was him. But Spurrier curiously put it out there. If they want to sell the "pay for play" to the masses...____ing them off is the way to do it. Just ask DC.

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Originally Posted by cajunhawk

Not by him...by South Carolina, the SEC et al. I'm sure the last person who wanted this out was him. But Spurrier curiously put it out there. If they want to sell the "pay for play" to the masses...____ing them off is the way to do it. Just ask DC.

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Gotcha. Still don't think it's a good idea.

Express - good points. I might add the 5% are the cats that drive the train a big way towards those national championships. But some do bring a lot of baggage for the trip.

67, I think you give those 5% way too much credit. The name that matters on that uniform is the big one across the front.

The reality is if these cats did not have a NCAA system driving their names they would be nobodies. We have a AAA baseball team in New Orleans, and I could not tell you the first person on that team. Now if there were a UL player maybe I could.

Bottom line if these young men do not like the way things are being done, set up their own minor league system, otherwise show up on Saturdays, honor the name on the front of the uniform, and count your blessings that tens of thousands of people who don't know you from the garbage man on another route donate money, and time for your benefit.

Lucroy gets it big time and so do lots of others.

My thoughts on Clowney...

... now back to naked women...

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Originally Posted by cajunhawk

It's open for debate...that's why it's a topic for discussion.

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I know it's open for debate and therefore a topic for discussion.
I was referring to your comment stating that "he is doing it the smart way".

This is not very smart on his part. If he would have been so called "smart" he would have at least told the coaches that he wasn't going to play way before kickoff; thus not creating such a big issue about why he wasn't playing in the first place.

I'm sure you would be fine with Marshawn Lynch and Russell Wilson not telling Pete Carroll that they weren't going to play right before game time :)

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Originally Posted by CAJUNJUDO

I know it's open for debate and therefore a topic for discussion.
I was referring to your comment stating that "he is doing it the smart way".

This is not very smart on his part. If he would have been so called "smart" he would have at least told the coaches that he wasn't going to play way before kickoff; thus not creating such a big issue about why he wasn't playing in the first place.

I'm sure you would be fine with Marshawn Lynch and Russell Wilson not telling Pete Carroll that they weren't going to play right before game time :)

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If he doesn't feel like he should be playing...it's his decision...not the coaches...not the TEAM PAID doctors or trainers. It was Spurrier who made it the issue in the first place by letting it out in the open air for the 24 hour media cycle to chew up and spit out...instead of making it a TEAM matter. So who here is the smart one? Certainly not Spurrier for making a mountain out of a mole hill.

If Lynch or Wilson didn't feel like they could go...that is their decision. It happens all the time in the NFL cause these are grown ___ men, who play for a living. They know their bodies. Like Clowney did. Hate all you want on the kid for making HIS decision. If he would have suited up and really injured himself because he wasn't 100%...the coaches would not have apologized for forcing him to play. So it's OK to ride the horse until it's time to put him down with a shot to the back of the head, but it's not OK to let the horse decide if it can even make it down the track to begin with? That's the idiotic double standard that permeates college football. "He doesn't wanna play...what a punk...what a thug...I'd straighten his ___ out." So in this discussion...who are the smart ones? Sounds like Clowney is the only one making wise decisions.

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Originally Posted by duggie85

Clowney is DE for South Carolina, some project him to be top pick in draft. He has been "hurt" all year and he told Spurrier before kickoff Saturday that he couldn't play. Everyone knows he is avoiding getting hurt and faking the extent of his "injuries."

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Playing Devils advocate here, but maybe Clowney saw what happened to Marcus Lattimor and did not want a repeat. They are on the same team.

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Playing Devils advocate here, but maybe Clowney saw what happened to Marcus Lattimor and did not want a repeat. They are on the same team.

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Very well could be the motivation behind his decision. Everybody knows the kid has nfl talent and will be drafted, now if it's #1 or not will be a different story. Clowney has a $5 million insurance policy in case he suffers a career ending injury. That amount is significantly less than what he would make by playing in the nfl. This is no different than Matt Barkley shutting it down last year at USC, when he suffered an "injury," the difference is USC did not play it out in the media.

I personally don't blame the kid for looking out for his future. South Carolina has little to no chance to play for a national title now, so I can see where Clowney sees no point in putting his future in jeopardy.

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Originally Posted by cajunhawk

If he doesn't feel like he should be playing...it's his decision...not the coaches...not the TEAM PAID doctors or trainers. It was Spurrier who made it the issue in the first place by letting it out in the open air for the 24 hour media cycle to chew up and spit out...instead of making it a TEAM matter. So who here is the smart one? Certainly not Spurrier for making a mountain out of a mole hill.

If Lynch or Wilson didn't feel like they could go...that is their decision. It happens all the time in the NFL cause these are grown ___ men, who play for a living. They know their bodies. Like Clowney did. Hate all you want on the kid for making HIS decision. If he would have suited up and really injured himself because he wasn't 100%...the coaches would not have apologized for forcing him to play. So it's OK to ride the horse until it's time to put him down with a shot to the back of the head, but it's not OK to let the horse decide if it can even make it down the track to begin with? That's the idiotic double standard that permeates college football. "He doesn't wanna play...what a punk...what a thug...I'd straighten his ___ out." So in this discussion...who are the smart ones? Sounds like Clowney is the only one making wise decisions.

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Is he not getting a free education for playing football? Since when did college football become minor league football (tongue in cheek)? This is the problem with what college football has become. The free education is no longer worth anything to players. In all actuality, college football players are on an entitlement plan just like half of America. They are doing the equivalent of everyone sitting around cypress bayou on the 15th and 30th hoping to hit the jackpot after getting their gov't check. You say colleges use players, chew em up and spit em out. What about the money and resources that are wasted on college athletes who don't graduate? He is who he is because he played for a nationally ranked team and made the hit seen 'round the world because he was playing for South Carolina. That hit wouldn't have seen local news if he played for an NAIA team. If you don't like it, quit the team and do it on your own. If you want to be an SEC draft prospect, nut up and play.

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Originally Posted by CajunRage

Is he not getting a free education for playing football? Since when did college football become minor league football (tongue in cheek)? This is the problem with what college football has become. The free education is no longer worth anything to players. In all actuality, college football players are on an entitlement plan just like half of America. They are doing the equivalent of everyone sitting around cypress bayou on the 15th and 30th hoping to hit the jackpot after getting their gov't check. You say colleges use players, chew em up and spit em out. What about the money and resources that are wasted on college athletes who don't graduate? He is who he is because he played for a nationally ranked team and made the hit seen 'round the world because he was playing for South Carolina. That hit wouldn't have seen local news if he played for an NAIA team. If you don't like it, quit the team and do it on your own. If you want to be an SEC draft prospect, nut up and play.

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At major programs, those players are generating way more money for the university than what his education cost. Heck S. Carolina increased their ticket prices this year solely because Clowney is on the team. Whether you like it or not, big time college football is "minor league football" and the players should be treated as such. I've had family members, friends, and even myself play collegiate athletics and when I tell you there were times when some of us couldn't even buy a new pair of jeans, I am not exaggerating. Until major college football does something to provide for its players that are generating enormous amounts of money for their institution, you will see this happening more and more. Trust me these schools need the players more than the player needs the school, if you are good enough the nfl will find you.

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Originally Posted by castsdan

At major programs, those players are generating way more money for the university than what his education cost. Heck S. Carolina increased their ticket prices this year solely because Clowney is on the team. Whether you like it or not, big time college football is "minor league football" and the players should be treated as such. I've had family members, friends, and even myself play collegiate athletics and when I tell you there were times when some of us couldn't even buy a new pair of jeans, I am not exaggerating. Until major college football does something to provide for its players that are generating enormous amounts of money for their institution, you will see this happening more and more. Trust me these schools need the players more than the player needs the school, if you are good enough the nfl will find you.

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I am for a minimal stipend for players as long as amount has nothing to do with the success rate or stature of the university, but to act like they are not getting more perks than a normal student is idiotic. Correct me if I'm wrong, but can't athletes have jobs offered by the university? Tuition, books, food, athletic clothing, exposure are all things that normal students do not get without scholarships of their own. Your reward for playing at this university should be at a minimum, a college degree and maximum, an nfl contract.

I have said for years now that anyone on scholarship should have to pay back every penny they received if they do not graduate.