🏈 In re: Underclassmen leaving

[Duder]

I was curious where the SEC underclassmen ranked in Kiper's Big Board. Dareus is the highest of all SEC players at #4 overall. Based on what Saban has said his advice to players is, Dareus is probably as good as gone. He stands to make a TON of money this year.

Ingram has dropped to #17. His consistency has been hampered this year by his early injury and the offensive line's issues. It seems like he would come back but if he goes to the NFL Combine and shows out he'll jump several slots. If I were a team in need of a running back, I'd take a chance on him. He's still the #1 running back per Kiper's board. I'd consider him a push. I would advise him to stay but with Richardson coming on strong and an inconsistent line in front of him....who knows. The combine can be huge. Ben Tate was on anyone's board last year. He made himself millions at the combine.

I think Jones and Hightower come back no question. Jones is still inconsistent and Hightower, while a very talented ball player, just doesn't look to be the same yet. Full recovery from major knee surgery can take 12-18 months. "Full recovery" is relative and based on his pre-op athleticism, he's probably not there yet. If he comes back and returns to form he is a lock to be a top 15 pick next season.

I know this is Auburn-related but they have Fairly at #9 overall and the #3 DT--he's as good as gone as well.

It looks like we both lose world-beater DTs and probably keep everyone else. All of this changes if there is a lockout in which case we have everyone back on both sides of the fence.

 

[Strick]

Heard on opening drive last week that if there was a lockout there would still be a draft ...per Al del Greco and a nfl advisor..but was said that the player couldn't get paid for one year if there was a lockout..

 

[bamascw]

The thing with Julio is that he suffers some kind of injury every year, I know it is never a career threatening injury but I'm thinking he leaves early just to keep from risking it.

 

[Duder]

The thing with Julio is that he suffers some kind of injury every year, I know it is never a career threatening injury but I'm thinking he leaves early just to keep from risking it.

Touché.

 

[ExiledTidefan]

I think Jones is gone, unless he turns out to be one of those rare guys that swears allegiance to his school, and places importance on that degree, and decides to stay and finish out. And of course, the NFL labor dispute basically means that all the prognosticating is moot or spot-on, depending on what happens. I don't see a lockout happening, and thus, I see Ingram, Dareus, Jones, and Hightower all bolting. Not that any of them have displayed enough this year with their consistency and numbers alone to be able to make a case. But it's about the money, at the end of the day. Cam Newton needs to go ahead and go pro as well. Is Josh Bynes a senior? Should be another good one...

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

Darueus, Jones, Ingram, and Hightower (unless he has a 180 degree change of mind) are gone. A couple others are going to get looked at by the advisory board, and hope they can go as well. As for the Lockout, that gets a little overblown with these top players like Julio, Dareus, and Ingram. A Lockout is likely to have little to no bearing on their decision.

 

[Duder]

I just don't see it being in Hightower's best interest to leave. He will not project that high. He hasn't returned to his pre-injury form. He's leaving MILLIONS of dollars on the table by coming back. Granted I'm sure that reconstructed knee is weighing heavily on his mind as well. Maybe I'm wrong and he'll tear it up at pro day and the combine. I just think he gains so much by coming back another year.

Brandon, I have this mental image of you--you are Dwight Schrute in my mind because of your avatar. I have no idea why but I swear if I see someone in public that looks like Dwight I'm going to assume it is you.

"Before I do anything, I ask myself, would an idiot do this? If the answer is yes, I do not do that thing."

"Black bears run away from you, brown bears run AT you."

I love that show!

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

I just don't see it being in Hightower's best interest to leave. He will not project that high. He hasn't returned to his pre-injury form. He's leaving MILLIONS of dollars on the table by coming back. Granted I'm sure that reconstructed knee is weighing heavily on his mind as well. Maybe I'm wrong and he'll tear it up at pro day and the combine. I just think he gains so much by coming back another year.

Brandon, I have this mental image of you--you are Dwight Schrute in my mind because of your avatar. I have no idea why but I swear if I see someone in public that looks like Dwight I'm going to assume it is you.

"Before I do anything, I ask myself, would an idiot do this? If the answer is yes, I do not do that thing."

"Black bears run away from you, brown bears run AT you."

I love that show!

On Hightower, I'm not sure of the reasons, but I know he wants to go. He might fear another injury, which would hurt his stock even more... as it is now, while he wouldn't be drafted high, he will likely be drafted, make a team, and in the long run, make his money. Being drafted in the first round can be overrated, IMO. I'd rather be drafted in the 4th and have a long career, than be drafted 25th overall and fizzle out after 3 or 4 seasons.

I'm going to change my avatar soon. Report back to me and let me know if it also changes the mental image. eheh

 

[4th-and-1]

i really hope barron stays.. our secondary would be great with him and green returning

 

[RollTideinGA]

Heard on opening drive last week that if there was a lockout there would still be a draft ...per Al del Greco and a nfl advisor..but was said that the player couldn't get paid for one year if there was a lockout..

I had heard on another sports talk show while I was in DC that they wouldnt have the draft because the owners could not legally sign contracts with players during a lock out.