by Gene Clemons
Over recent years during the bowl season we see many players decide to opt out of playing in order to prepare for the NFL draft process. What used to be only a few of the projected top selections sitting out has expanded to any player that believes opting out of that final game would give them a leg up in the draft process. People seem to fall on both sides of this argument. Those that don't believe players should play and those that can't believe the players are missing.
Recently, longtime college football broadcaster Kirk Herbstreit claimed that players who were opting out just didn't love football. He clearly received a ton of backlash for his comments, and he should have. After all, these young men have been working their entire life to get to a point where they can attack their dream. Now that they are so close, of course they don't care about the Idaho Potato Bowl or the CarQuest Auto Bowl. But I am not upset at Kirk Herbstreit, he is a product of his conditioning. He played at a different time, and he has covered the game so long that he has adopted the antiquated thoughts of the football luminaries. That's just not where we are today.
Personally, I believe that these players should make whatever decision they want; it's none of our business. I will never have an issue with any player deciding to opt out of a bowl game after they have given their blood, sweat, and teams to a team for three or four seasons. I also believe that there are advantages to playing in a bowl game. There's still value in becoming a legend at a school and maybe sometimes players forget that. The bag doesn't always need to be obtained through the NFL. I also believe that a bowl game can be a chance to put down another game of action for evaluators to consider. I believe the bowl game film is better than a college all-star game's film.
What good is a complaint without a solution? So, while all of the people are out here complaining, allow me to offer a couple suggestions that would definitely solve the issue and possibly be more beneficial for those involved.
Say goodbye to the seniors on senior night.
So many around the landscape of college football believe that the bowl games outside of the playoff semifinals are meaningless. That's the main reason why most don't have an issue with players opting out. Well, if it is a meaningless game, then why put any player out there who is not planning to be on the team next season. So, when teams who are not in the playoff celebrate their final regular season game, they should turn the page on the season. If bowl games existed as a way to prepare for next season, then the teams and fans would go into them with their eyes wide open. The seniors and those planning to transfer or declare will be excluded from participating.
This game could then become meaningful because it is a live rep, evaluation game. Players expected to be with the team next season get one more chance to show what they can do. Many of the players on the bench behind seniors, or the other players who won't be with the team, would finally get their chance to show that they can be a factor next season. Coaches could use the film from the game to evaluate areas of improvement on offense and defense and individually. They can also tell where they really need to allocate their scholarship spots based on the areas that seem the weakest or without reps. It also allows fans to become familiar with the faces who will be relied on next season. They get to see them against another team instead of in a spring intrasquad scrimmage.
Payment and protection always work.
If telling these players goodbye before the bowl game sparks trepidation in coaches and athletic departments I would not be surprised. Most coaches have escalators in contracts for bowl games. They also don't want to record losses on their record. They need those players to buy in one more time. But where is the incentive. There is so much more to lose than there is to gain. Especially when you think about those that are looking at a professional football career. How can you expect them to understand the value of playing a game most consider meaningless for free? That gift bag they get from the bowl game is hardly the same as a check is. So, pay them.
If you want to keep players from opting out to prepare to get their bag. Secure their bag for them. Take out insurance policies on those draft eligible players. Many players who will be high draft picks get evaluations on where they will be selected. The insurance policy can protect them if they get injured and their draft position drops. That would give them the peace of mind to go out and perform without being worried about injury hurting their draft status. Also, because they are essentially professionals now, if you want them to play a meaningless game, compensate them. Teams could pay them a game check and a win bonus. This gives their first taste of professional life.
With so much money being passed around college football there is surely a few dollars that can be spent to ensure the safety and security of players who have more to lose by playing than by not. Because the truth is players that are planning to go to the draft probably shouldn't be playing in the playoffs or national championship game either if they were going to opt out of non-championship bowl games. But like I stated earlier, whatever they decide to do, they are right.
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