OT: Should Leonard Fournette Sit Out in 2016?

Submitted by BornSinner on

What does he have to gain? Even if LSU revokes his scholarship, he can just take out a loan and pay instate tuition while marketing himself without any punishment to the rest of the LSU football squad. He would essentially be a regular student, or he could just not go to college for a year. 

 

Secondly, what's the point of age/year restrictions in the NFL and NBA anyway? If kids are good enough, (obviously 99% aren't) then why stop em? 

 

Edit: Before people keep bringing up insurance policy, read this. 

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/09/sports/ncaafootball/insurance-doesnt-…

The NCAA is shady as fuck about it and many players can't even afford the premiums (Which schools can now pay for as well if a poster below is correct?). Some can't even collect due to stupid stipulations. 

Cali Wolverine

September 30th, 2015 at 11:59 PM ^

First this is a stupid thread. Second you are on the wrong side of "may have". After his true sophomore season Williams...a 6'5 230lb WR that ran a 4.5 forty - had 2,600 yards receiving and 30 touchdowns....Yeah that year off had no effect. And by paid...you mean like Chris Webber, Robert Traylor paid or something else?

Ronnie Kaye

October 1st, 2015 at 1:01 AM ^

How do you know what the year off did or didn't change in his game? Mike Williams was not the first guy to mail it in when he started getting fat checks in the NFL and he won't be the last.

wolverine1987

September 30th, 2015 at 12:56 PM ^

decide for themselves what qualifications they--not the prospective employee--feel are necessary to work in their organization? For example, I'm positive that a smart person could come work for many companies without a college degree--but most companies require that of any white collar worker. Yet no one claims this is unfair. Why is sports any different? This is not unfair, not one bit--the company (NFL) and it's labor force have jointly decided on thse qualifications. Whether or not somene agrees with it is irrelevant, or should be--they should have the absolute and total right to decide that for themselves (barring any racial qualifications or other illegal restrictions of course) what qualifications they want.

Playing The Field

September 30th, 2015 at 11:10 AM ^

Most guys who project to be high round draft picks take out an insurance policy on themselves in case of major/career ending injury. Pretty sure Connor Cook was quoted as saying he has one. So I would say the asnwer is no.

TomJ

September 30th, 2015 at 11:11 AM ^

Are you actually advocating for a system like college basketball? God I hope not.

If Fournette wants to play professional football after 0, 1, or 2 years of college he can always go play in Canada, or Europe, or any of several pro leagues. I won't be watching.

M-Dog

September 30th, 2015 at 11:25 AM ^

Yeah, I'd like to see it do the other direction where the Pro leagues leave these kids alone until they are 21.  They are going to get them anyway, the greedy bastards can wait an extra year or two.

They should deliberately serve alchohol on-site at all Pro practice / training facilities so they can say you have to be 21 to work here.

 

drzoidburg

September 30th, 2015 at 9:00 PM ^

i actually would prefer that the few dozen who have no intention of graduating move to china's basketball league or nfl europe etc instead of make the biggest farce out of college sports i don't see a diff between a guy like fournette who will bail after 3 years vs the kentucky players. None of those will graduate and are just using college sports as a minor league

hunterjoe

September 30th, 2015 at 11:12 AM ^

My proposal to the NFL...  Allow anyone to be drafted in the first round.  But after the first you're only allowed to take those that declare or are graduated.  I'm sure there's plenty of holes in this method, but there are times when a kid who's a sophomore could easily be drafted. But the kicker, you'd have to allow contact from the NFL/agent to the underclassmen to ensure they'll actually WANT to leave (who wouldn't, right?).  

 

Mr Miggle

September 30th, 2015 at 11:55 AM ^

college players. Even agents can contact them. The rules are against making agreements or accepting anything from agents, not speaking to them.

I like the basic idea behind your rule. The NFL won't be taking any flyers on underclassmen and they'll all get guaranteed money. I'm not sure the NFL likes the idea of risking 1st round picks. For every sure fire prospect, there will be multiple guys who have the talent but aren't ready. Part of their issue is the small roster size. 53 players doesn't leave a lot of room for projects that may not pan out, but are guaranteed a lot of money.

hunterjoe

September 30th, 2015 at 1:45 PM ^

Agreed.  But that's part of the point (projects).  You don't have a developmental league and a typical 1st rounder produces in the first year.  Basically, this protects the very few who are capable....  Peterson, Gurley, Clowney, Fournette, Chubb, etc.  There won't be many who WOULD get drafted in the first round so you're really not taking chances/projects there. 

And if there isn't an issue with the contact, then this could actually work.  "Hey kid, are you interested in playing in the NFL next year?"  "Yes."  "Well, alright then."  

Olaf

September 30th, 2015 at 11:13 AM ^

I have always hated this idea. Wasn't it discussed for Jadeveon Clowney as well? If I am an NFL GM or coach I am looking for a competitive player. During pre-draft interviews I doubt NFL suits will be impressed with a player quiting for a year.