Trooper Taylor

[GVF]

First, Swain is a senior, so...

I think Meachem has definitely played his way into the upper group of WR prospects, but I don't think he'll leave. I think it's questionable whether or not he'd go in the 1st round.

He's been a guy that was a little unsure mentally and is just now starting to realize his potential; which I think can still grow. Another year would really shape him up. Besides, if he ended up being the 4th or 5th WR taken, he'd likely fall into the 2nd round or have happen what has happened to many, e.g. Jason Witten.

Of course, maybe I'm just hoping.

What happened to Witten? Granted, I haven't been all over pro ball yet this season, Witten had been getting lots of playing time.

 

[therealUT]

I see your logic, therealUT, I just hope you are wrong.

Why would you hope that I was wrong? Our offense will miss Meachem next year, however, it is best for him to move on and not risk losing a career that he has obviously worked hard for.

 

[Liper]

What happened to Witten? Granted, I haven't been all over pro ball yet this season, Witten had been getting lots of playing time.

He's a pro bowl TE for the Cowboys. The problem is that he lost millions of dollars in the draft by leaving early. He left thinking he'd be the 1st TE taken in the 1st round, and he ended up being the 4th or 5th taken and went in the 3rd round. He was shocked; but many were not. The whole Sanders thing and not using the TE is maybe a side issue with that.

The same things happened to Cosey Coleman, Deon Grant, Carl Pickens, and some others. It's not that it ultimately kills you, as long as you're good enough to hit it on the 2nd contract. But if you don't make it that far or are an average players, you never get the money.

I think Meachem needs a year and then he could be a top 15 pick. Right now I'd say he is a mid 2nd rounder.

 

[GVF]

He's a pro bowl TE for the Cowboys. The problem is that he lost millions of dollars in the draft by leaving early. He left thinking he'd be the 1st TE taken in the 1st round, and he ended up being the 4th or 5th taken and went in the 3rd round. He was shocked; but many were not. The whole Sanders thing and not using the TE is maybe a side issue with that.

The same things happened to Cosey Coleman, Deon Grant, Carl Pickens, and some others. It's not that it ultimately kills you, as long as you're good enough to hit it on the 2nd contract. But if you don't make it that far or are an average players, you never get the money.

I think Meachem needs a year and then he could be a top 15 pick. Right now I'd say he is a mid 2nd rounder.

In that case, I understand where you were coming from. Except using him. Witten was used quite a bit as a TE reveiver. More than I am accustomed to seeing TE's get thrown to. It was after Witten that Sanders abandoned the power of using the TE.

 

[TennesseeJohn]

If he is projected in the first two rounds, it would be simply irresponsible of him to stay in school.

 

[GAVol]

I agree. As short as NFL careers are, I would never begrudge anybody for wanting to take the money.

 

[therealUT]

If he is projected in the first two rounds, it would be simply irresponsible of him to stay in school.

I would extend that a round. If a football player suffers a career ending injury their senior season, they are looking at either entering the corporate world (starting around $25-30K/year) or entering into coaching (Cut and Chief only make $300K/year.)

You get drafted in the 3rd round you are going to at least make enough money in the first two years to put yourself through your last year of college and through grad school if you suffer great injury. For all that people talk about staying in school to get an education, the education would be futile if a person turns down a guaranteed $200K+ for a degree that is marketable at around $30K.

 

[GVF]

I agree. As short as NFL careers are, I would never begrudge anybody for wanting to take the money.

Although I prefer to see them stay and finsish out, I don't hold it against them if they leave. Personal situations are different. Alot of these guys grow up hard, and already have families.

 

[GVF]

I would extend that a round. If a football player suffers a career ending injury their senior season, they are looking at either entering the corporate world (starting around $25-30K/year) or entering into coaching (Cut and Chief only make $300K/year.)

You get drafted in the 3rd round you are going to at least make enough money in the first two years to put yourself through your last year of college and through grad school if you suffer great injury. For all that people talk about staying in school to get an education, the education would be futile if a person turns down a guaranteed $200K+ for a degree that is marketable at around $30K.

I've always been pro scholl, and finishing out as athletes for the university. But, I am still fairly open minded about it as well. It's not something I think ought to be a rule. What your saying is no different than any other student. May have an opportunity to go traavel, or work abroad for a term, or a year, and it helps with their long term decisions, etc, etc.. Why wouldn't you? Those experiences in growing and seeing life are not replaceable every day.

 

[Liper]

I agree. As short as NFL careers are, I would never begrudge anybody for wanting to take the money.

Nor I, GAVol. However, I think the money difference between a top 15 pick and a mid 2nd rounder is enormous and enough to wait around for. Particularly in Meachem's case, where has had to suffer through two years of PW and RS. He's just now starting to see how good he can be. If Cutcliffe were to leave, I would go ahead and go, however. I have zero faith in Fulmer's desire to go get a top notch guy from outside the program at this point.

Right now, there are several WRs that could go ahead of him depending on how it unfolds...

...Calvin Johnson, Dwayne Garrett, et al.