Where do you stand on players opting out of post-season games (with no injuries) to "prepare for the draft"?

Post-season opt outs (with no injury)

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    537
#76
#76
I hate it and have never understood why so many people are ok with it. To skip a bowl game (or any game, for that matter) for any reason other than an injury, is a breach of contract as far as I’m concerned. Players say they don’t want to get injured; was there not a chance of getting injured during the regular season? Are we gonna start seeing players skip regular season games too?

Also, part of the fun of Bowl games is playing against opponents from other conferences tha you typically don’t play against. It’s a chance to see how your team stacks up against them. Some say the bowl games are ‘meaningless’; as far as I’m concerned they’re MORE meaningful than the regular season. Say you play and beat an otherwise good team that was missing 2 or 3 of their top players because they chose to skip. How can you really be excited about that win? Conversely, if you play without several of your key starters and lose, you’re left wondering how you would have fared if you would have been at full strength. Is not fair to your teammates or the fans. Just my $.02 worth.
 
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#77
#77
I keep hearing the insurance policy point in these threads and its not a good argument. Those policies cost 6 figures. Getting them is a long in depth process as well. How are they supposed to do that?

You're not only expecting them to risk their professional career, but to pay 100k plus to play in a bowl game, that doesn't benefit them, before they even have a professional contract to pay the premium. Even if they do collect on it those policies don't pay out even half of what they likely would have made in the NFL. So it's still costing them millions.

If it were my kid I'd tell him to sit and get ready for the combine. As my responsibility is to them I'd do so with a clear conscience as that is the choice a responsible adult would make. Their responsibility is to their family over a billion dollar football program that'll be just fine if they don't play.

As a fan I want them to play and don't like it when they don't. But as a responsible adult, I can't reconcile calling them selfish for making a choice that protects both them and their family's future. To my mind it's selfish of the fanbase/program to ask them to risk that after they've put in so much work for the school, especially when the game in question is a meaningless exhibition.
 
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#78
#78
Look no further than Hooker. Was not a huge hit, was simply cutting upfield and torn ACL. Imaging that happening to you a few months before the draft, how many millions you just lost.

I dont like it but totally understand why. The team is part of the reason you have the opportunity but at some point you have to look out for yourself. To most of these kids, the signing bonus is generational wealth not even counting the salary.

Opting out sucks, but it is the best for some of these guys. Not one person here would risk millions for 1 more game.
 
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#79
#79
utfantilidie said:
If it’s not playoffs what’s the point.
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What was the point 10 years ago? 20 Years ago? 50 years ago? And tell me, why did it matter to so many back then but not now? Why is the idea of representing your team and your university in a post-season bowl game now suddenly laughable, when not too many years ago, it was unthinkable to lay out for self-serving reasons? Tell me, if laying out of one game for fear of getting injured is acceptable, why stop there? Why don't players who are high draft projections just lay out their entire senior season?

The problem is cultural. We live in a completely selfish, "me first" society now.
 
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#80
#80
Would I selfishly rather watch whoever play one more time? Definitely.

Do I think a non-playoff bowl is pointless and completely understand a player wanting to preserve his draft stock? 💯

I do get the “job isn’t done” point but like I said, the bowls are just exhibition. The playoffs have ruined their importance.
 
#81
#81
I’m in the don’t have a problem with it category and the reason is unless the team is in the playoffs…the bowl game is essentially an exhibition game. A player sitting out to prepare for the draft gives other players opportunities amd helps give you more insight into what the following year might look like. I think the nfl caliber guys do need to protect themselves. Especially a guy like jalen Hyatt that put up massive numbers but is a rather small guy. I hope he doesn’t play. I’d like to see squirrel white get all the reps out of the slot.
 
#84
#84
As a fan how can I “love it”; however I definitely understand.

Heck I’m not out there risking anything……they are.

These guys work hard, train and give up more than most can imagine just to play football. Most are done after college, and many never make it through college (playing) because of injuries.

I been there and I seen it. Hard word, dedication to mostly ONE thing, and most of them get little recognition. We just watch, admire and complain.

They HAVE to do what’s best for them at that point. For most it’s been about the team……now it needs to be and can finally be about THEM and their future.
 
#85
#85
Vol865 said:
I think it could be big deal for both. It depends on how proven they'll player is though. Also think it depends sometimes on culture and buy-in. Hioe he doesn't but I'd understand Hyatt sitting but IMO Tillman would have a lot to gain from playing
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a last game is not going to garner much new information on players. NFL is very familiar with players by that time. Tennessee has NFL scouts at almost every practice observing players. NFL knows the players.
 
#86
#86
MiramarVol said:
Kind of hard to have that attitude when the they brought it on themselves by under performing. I guess its different if they made the CFP, butbthats more selfish and not selfless.
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its a long season to end up with 15 more practices for an exhibition game.. not a lot of interest in general from a players standpoint.
 
#88
#88
LWSVOL said:
a last game is not going to garner much new information on players. NFL is very familiar with players by that time. Tennessee has NFL scouts at almost every practice observing players. NFL knows the players.
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Cardale Jones got drafted based off of playing 3 games so idk if that's entirely true. They may want to see Tillman have a good game after the tightrope surgery. Don't really know where he's projected but it could be the difference in 1st/2nd round and 3rd round.
 
#90
#90
Not a fan of it. Finish what you started but somehow this has been replaced as the norm if you don't make the playoffs.
 
#92
#92
Vol865 said:
Cardale Jones got drafted based off of playing 3 games so idk if that's entirely true. They may want to see Tillman have a good game after the tightrope surgery. Don't really know where he's projected but it could be the difference in 1st/2nd round and 3rd round.
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I would agree. nothing is ever entirely true..

I think there is a question on Ced if he would even be healthy enough to give it a go. Might be more important that he continue rehab toward NFL workouts..
 
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#93
#93
Let’s look at this from the customers perspective.
I buy an expensive ticket to game, air travel, hotel to see a certain product.
After my purchase, one or more star players opt out.
Suddenly the quality of my purchase has gone down.
I should be able to get a ticket refund or discount.

Why?
If you went to a live concert or a play and the star performer opted out (not because of last minute illness), you would expect that the performance would be canceled and you’d get your money back.
A sporting event is likewise an entertainment performance.
Dont make me pay a premium price for a product that does not deliver that product.
 
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#94
#94
Here is my take on it. I hate it completely and here is why. You are a guaranteed NFLer. You’re going to be making millions. What about your other teammates that have went to battle along side of you, somewhat helping you reach your goals, and you turn your back on them. They will not be NFLers but you bet they definitely want to win their bowl game. Their career is finishing while you continue in the big leagues. Last I checked, you are all brothers on that team, a family. You grind it out together, all the way to the end. Heck, if getting hurt meant that much to you, then why are you playing in any games. Shouldn’t you just opt out and “prepare” for the draft. C’mon man, you’ve prepared your whole life for the draft. Fight with your team until the end. If not, just don’t play any throughout the year. At least you wouldn’t be thought of as a quitter for sitting out most of the players most important game ever.
 
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#95
#95
Would someone explain the Hyatt situation? He has just signed a NIL deal, so I assume he is returning for next year. How likely is it that he will opt out of the bowl game. I have not seen anything that says he will sit out, but some on this board think he will.
 
#97
#97
Vol4gruden said:
Here is my take on it. I hate it completely and here is why. You are a guaranteed NFLer. You’re going to be making millions. What about your other teammates that have went to battle along side of you, somewhat helping you reach your goals, and you turn your back on them. They will not be NFLers but you bet they definitely want to win their bowl game. Their career is finishing while you continue in the big leagues. Last I checked, you are all brothers on that team, a family. You grind it out together, all the way to the end. Heck, if getting hurt meant that much to you, then why are you playing in any games. Shouldn’t you just opt out and “prepare” for the draft. C’mon man, you’ve prepared your whole life for the draft. Fight with your team until the end. If not, just don’t play any throughout the year. At least you wouldn’t be thought of as a quitter for sitting out most of the players most important game ever.
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Bingo. On the nose.
 
#100
#100
Vol4gruden said:
Here is my take on it. I hate it completely and here is why. You are a guaranteed NFLer. You’re going to be making millions. What about your other teammates that have went to battle along side of you, somewhat helping you reach your goals, and you turn your back on them. They will not be NFLers but you bet they definitely want to win their bowl game. Their career is finishing while you continue in the big leagues. Last I checked, you are all brothers on that team, a family. You grind it out together, all the way to the end. Heck, if getting hurt meant that much to you, then why are you playing in any games. Shouldn’t you just opt out and “prepare” for the draft. C’mon man, you’ve prepared your whole life for the draft. Fight with your team until the end. If not, just don’t play any throughout the year. At least you wouldn’t be thought of as a quitter for sitting out most of the players most important game ever.
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Be like JJ.
 
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