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Saban makes valid point on players declaring early.
Posted on 3/21/14 at 6:46 am
Posted on 3/21/14 at 6:46 am
I agree with Saban, anyone should be able to declare, but giving player more information is valid.
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Saban spoke with former Cleveland Browns general manager Phil Savage on SiriusXM NFL radio, who suggested that the league consider allowing underclassmen to compete in a combine before having to decide whether to turn pro early, which would deliver a reality check for prospects with unrealistic expectations. Saban took it a step further, advocating what would be a radical change to the annual event in Indianapolis.
"The way it's going right now, I don't think the NFL really wants all these guys coming out for the draft. They know they can develop better in college if they stay and play more, unless they're going to be high draft picks," Saban said. "It's difficult for them to develop players the way they practice now, so if a player's not a high pick, it's much more difficult for them to develop as an NFL player. I even made the point that if we're not going to do something like (an underclassman combine), maybe if a guy doesn't have at least a top-three-round grade, you don't even invite him to the combine."
Given that well over 300 players are invited to the combine each year, and only about 100 are worthy of a third-round grade or better from the NFL Draft Advisory Board, Saban's idea would represent a massive cut in the number of prospects evaluated at the combine.
"More guys go down at the combine than go up, because they're not as fast," Saban added. "And they don't have a very good feel in comparison to all the other competition in the draft at their position. And when they come to that realization, it's too late, the way we do it now."
Saban's guideline for early-entry decisions is to support underclassmen with a first-round grade, but to advise those without a first-round grade to return to school. This year, the Crimson Tide lost juniors Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Cyrus Kouandjio, potential first-round picks, but also lost mid-round prospects such as Jeoffrey Pagan and Adrian Hubbard, as well as late-round hopeful Vinnie Sunseri.
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Saban spoke with former Cleveland Browns general manager Phil Savage on SiriusXM NFL radio, who suggested that the league consider allowing underclassmen to compete in a combine before having to decide whether to turn pro early, which would deliver a reality check for prospects with unrealistic expectations. Saban took it a step further, advocating what would be a radical change to the annual event in Indianapolis.
"The way it's going right now, I don't think the NFL really wants all these guys coming out for the draft. They know they can develop better in college if they stay and play more, unless they're going to be high draft picks," Saban said. "It's difficult for them to develop players the way they practice now, so if a player's not a high pick, it's much more difficult for them to develop as an NFL player. I even made the point that if we're not going to do something like (an underclassman combine), maybe if a guy doesn't have at least a top-three-round grade, you don't even invite him to the combine."
Given that well over 300 players are invited to the combine each year, and only about 100 are worthy of a third-round grade or better from the NFL Draft Advisory Board, Saban's idea would represent a massive cut in the number of prospects evaluated at the combine.
"More guys go down at the combine than go up, because they're not as fast," Saban added. "And they don't have a very good feel in comparison to all the other competition in the draft at their position. And when they come to that realization, it's too late, the way we do it now."
Saban's guideline for early-entry decisions is to support underclassmen with a first-round grade, but to advise those without a first-round grade to return to school. This year, the Crimson Tide lost juniors Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Cyrus Kouandjio, potential first-round picks, but also lost mid-round prospects such as Jeoffrey Pagan and Adrian Hubbard, as well as late-round hopeful Vinnie Sunseri.
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Posted on 3/21/14 at 6:49 am to allin2010
Agree, as long as said player doesn't pick up an agent before going to combine.
Posted on 3/21/14 at 6:52 am to Jobu93
Yep. I think the fact that going to the combine negates eligibility is dumb. They should be able to test the waters more freely.
Posted on 3/21/14 at 7:02 am to allin2010
Ehhh, I don't care for that. A college player could just use that to get a raise from their school....and our payroll is high enough right now. amirite?
In all seriousness...college players have the right to get an NFL evaluation right now. The players will be lied to no matter what the route is. It is a violent/brutal sport. If you have talent, and your family needs the money, go in to the League after your Jr. year. If you feel you have something left to prove, or need to improve on things, come back. Greed bites a lot of these kids in the arse now....and nothing will change that.
In all seriousness...college players have the right to get an NFL evaluation right now. The players will be lied to no matter what the route is. It is a violent/brutal sport. If you have talent, and your family needs the money, go in to the League after your Jr. year. If you feel you have something left to prove, or need to improve on things, come back. Greed bites a lot of these kids in the arse now....and nothing will change that.
Posted on 3/21/14 at 7:04 am to allin2010
god damn man. do you have like a Nick Saban 365 day calendar that you wake up to every morning like some kind of daily devotional?
Posted on 3/21/14 at 7:14 am to SECSolomonGrundy
quote:
god damn man. do you have like a Nick Saban 365 day calendar that you wake up to every morning like some kind of daily devotional?
WHENEVER ANYBODY SAYS ANYTHING ABOUT ANOTHER TEAM THEY ARE OBSESSED AND BUTTHURT AND MAD AND LITTLE BROTHER AND JEALOUS AND THEIR COACH IS AN IDIOT/LIAR/CROOK/RAT/CHEAT/DICKDORK AND IMAGE OF A MONKEY WITH RUSTLED JIMMIES AND EVERYONE SHOULD JUST POST ON THEIR BOARDS ABOUT THEIR TEAMS AND THEN THE SECR COULD JUST BE A SCOREBOARD AND PICTURES OF CATS
Posted on 3/21/14 at 7:14 am to allin2010
Not sure what the difference is between the NFL combine and these recruiting combines and the football "camps" that the schools have for high school players.
The only objective is to see who can play and who can't.
If no money exchanges hands, allegedly, what's the harm in letting these players advertise their wares at a weekend combine?
The only objective is to see who can play and who can't.
If no money exchanges hands, allegedly, what's the harm in letting these players advertise their wares at a weekend combine?
Posted on 3/21/14 at 7:22 am to bulldawger
it is a great idea and I have been an advocate of this since this emerged years ago as a possible change. If they are told they will not go in the early rounds or need to go back to college not all of them will but at least they got the information they needed to make the decision. Instead of some third party pushing them that way for other reasons.
Posted on 3/21/14 at 7:22 am to allin2010
you lost me at Saban makes valid point
Posted on 3/21/14 at 7:32 am to bulldawger
quote:
Not sure what the difference is between the NFL combine and these recruiting combines and the football "camps" that the schools have for high school players.
Well, for starters, one combine contains some of the best high school players in the country while the other contains the best college players in the country.
Posted on 3/21/14 at 7:38 am to RollTide1987
Sounds like saban is seeing talent leaving too early and rather than this player safety excuse
... Wait wat
... Wait wat
Posted on 3/21/14 at 7:39 am to RollTide1987
quote:
Well, for starters, one combine contains some of the best high school players in the country while the other contains the best college players in the country.
The reason for their existence is the same.
Sorry I didn't intimate that in order that you would comprehend my previous post.
Posted on 3/21/14 at 7:44 am to bulldawger
What you're not understanding is that the combine is AFTER the deadline for declaring for the draft as an underclassmen.
Meaning that you've declared, you're no longer eligible for college ball, THEN you go to the combine and find out that you're not as far along in those intangibles as they want. Plus, if you haven't graduated college yet, well... good luck.
Meaning that you've declared, you're no longer eligible for college ball, THEN you go to the combine and find out that you're not as far along in those intangibles as they want. Plus, if you haven't graduated college yet, well... good luck.
Posted on 3/21/14 at 7:49 am to skrayper
quote:
What you're not understanding is that the combine is AFTER the deadline for declaring for the draft as an underclassmen.
Sure I understand this, but I consider that a separate issue.
Why does the NCAA allow basketball players to declare and still have the ability to rescind that declaration but football players don't?
Double standard.
Posted on 3/21/14 at 7:51 am to allin2010
I agree with him there but what about the kids who are leaving early to help their families? They may not get the million(s) dollar signing bonus but league minimum will go a lot further than the scholarship he's on. And the kids who are "done" at their schools, ie. problem kids who, all of those involved, agree that they should just move on?
I think something needs to be done to keep these kids from jumping to the next level too soon, & Saban's idea sounds about right. It needs to be a joint effort by the NCAA & the NFL. Then you have to convince the kids-toughest part.
I think something needs to be done to keep these kids from jumping to the next level too soon, & Saban's idea sounds about right. It needs to be a joint effort by the NCAA & the NFL. Then you have to convince the kids-toughest part.
Posted on 3/21/14 at 8:04 am to allin2010
He's certainly right about this one.
Posted on 3/21/14 at 8:26 am to BamaNixon
quote:
WHENEVER ANYBODY SAYS ANYTHING ABOUT ANOTHER TEAM THEY ARE OBSESSED AND BUTTHURT AND MAD AND LITTLE BROTHER AND JEALOUS AND THEIR COACH IS AN IDIOT/LIAR/CROOK/RAT/CHEAT/DICKDORK AND IMAGE OF A MONKEY WITH RUSTLED JIMMIES AND EVERYONE SHOULD JUST POST ON THEIR BOARDS ABOUT THEIR TEAMS AND THEN THE SECR COULD JUST BE A SCOREBOARD AND PICTURES OF CATS
Posted on 3/21/14 at 8:29 am to Master of Sinanju
I agree with this one. The players should have greater access to information that will allow them to make the best decision. There should be the minimal amount of guesswork possible.
Posted on 3/21/14 at 8:30 am to Patton
Saban bitching again about something color me shocked. Damn this dude is getting ornery in his old age.
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