Christian McCaffrey

[HSanders]

Does his refusal to participate in anything piss anyone off (the latest is no workouts for teams)?
I mean Florio is all over hating the combine, etc. because film should be enough,so this guy should be his test case. If a guy chooses not to do x, y, or z as far as that stuff goes, I don't want to hear one OUNCE of whining if their draft stock falls or teams tell him he is off their boards or whatever due to it. Your choice, your consequence. I mean, we already suspect that some guys in contract years ease off to preserve themselves. Is there any doubt he'd do the same?

I think he is going overboard with the amount of things he is refusing to take part in (those affect just him, I get the mentality and see the "why" of it though I do not agree with it), but the one that actually bothers me to the core is not playing in the bowl game with his team. That tells me he is an unsuitable teammate, period. I do not care WTF his reasoning is. He'd be off my board.

Phil Savage said on NFL Live today that he was talking to a 10 year veteran player about this whole Bartleby the Scrivener act ("I prefer not to")McCaffrey has going and the player told Savage, "You can't selectively compete. You have to compete every single day when you get to the NFL". If some teams/GMs are old school like that, he may see his draft status suffer, and hence, his wallet, the one thing he is trying to protect.

 

[ParanoidPatriot]

Over the years,there is a long line of players who take bad advise and end up paying for it. It sounds as if he is acting on advise of someone. His father should know better being a former NFL player.

There are several players in this years draft who should have stayed in school another year. They will end up being mid round picks instead of first or second picks next year.

 

[Hawg73]

Does his refusal to participate in anything piss anyone off (the latest is no workouts for teams)?
I mean Florio is all over hating the combine, etc. because film should be enough,so this guy should be his test case. If a guy chooses not to do x, y, or z as far as that stuff goes, I don't want to hear one OUNCE of whining if their draft stock falls or teams tell him he is off their boards or whatever due to it. Your choice, your consequence. I mean, we already suspect that some guys in contract years ease off to preserve themselves. Is there any doubt he'd do the same?

I think he is going overboard with the amount of things he is refusing to take part in (those affect just him, I get the mentality and see the "why" of it though I do not agree with it), but the one that actually bothers me to the core is not playing in the bowl game with his team. That tells me he is an unsuitable teammate, period. I do not care WTF his reasoning is. He'd be off my board.

Phil Savage said on NFL Live today that he was talking to a 10 year veteran player about this whole Bartleby the Scrivener act ("I prefer not to")McCaffrey has going and the player told Savage, "You can't selectively compete. You have to compete every single day when you get to the NFL". If some teams/GMs are old school like that, he may see his draft status suffer, and hence, his wallet, the one thing he is trying to protect.

It's a really great question and it seems that it gets more relevant each season as more and more kids play the end game their way.

I have mixed feelings about it. While I tend to prefer players that were productive at high levels, particularly in major bowl/national championship games, I can see the reason why somebody would want to get to the point where they know they are 1-2 round material and then go into protect mode.

If this becomes more widespread I think invalidates the whole college football process. It's do as little as possible and advertise yourself for the next level.

As far as McCaffrey goes, I think he is likely to be a very good pro and not much imagination is needed to project what he is going to bring a team. He'd likely help anybody as an utility piece, although not in Foxboro as much as most places since we have a couple of proven guys who play a similar role.

I wonder what BB thinks of this stuff. He probably doesn't care for it one bit.

In the end, few are going to care that much how McCaffrey approached the end of his college career outside of Stanford. In fact, silently many will applaud the fact that he didn't roll the dice with his health/future while at the same time making snarky public comments about how "we would have liked to see him play the bowl game/Senior Bowl (etc.)."

Players will watch to see how McCaffrey, and the other no mas players get drafted and if it seems comparable with what was expected then next year there will be a bunch more, unless Geico sells "NFL Career Insurance".

 

[Jaric]

I personally could give two shits about the underwear olympics, so it won't bother me. Of course, I'm not an NFL coach so who knows what effect it will have. This shows a dangerous amount of free thinking and individualism so he'll probably drop two or three rounds because of "red flags" or other such nonsense.

 

[Dwight Schrute]

It's a really great question and it seems that it gets more relevant each season as more and more kids play the end game their way.

I have mixed feelings about it. While I tend to prefer players that were productive at high levels, particularly in major bowl/national championship games, I can see the reason why somebody would want to get to the point where they know they are 1-2 round material and then go into protect mode.

If this becomes more widespread I think invalidates the whole college football process. It's do as little as possible and advertise yourself for the next level.

As far as McCaffrey goes, I think he is likely to be a very good pro and not much imagination is needed to project what he is going to bring a team. He'd likely help anybody as an utility piece, although not in Foxboro as much as most places since we have a couple of proven guys who play a similar role.

I wonder what BB thinks of this stuff. He probably doesn't care for it one bit.

In the end, few are going to care that much how McCaffrey approached the end of his college career outside of Stanford. In fact, silently many will applaud the fact that he didn't roll the dice with his health/future while at the same time making snarky public comments about how "we would have liked to see him play the bowl game/Senior Bowl (etc.)."

Players will watch to see how McCaffrey, and the other no mas players get drafted and if it seems comparable with what was expected then next year there will be a bunch more, unless Geico sells "NFL Career Insurance".

I don't know if the college process hasn't mimicked the academic entry process, where the biggest factor is the junior season and the first portion of the senior tilt and just get out of dodge productive AND healthy.

 

[spacecrime]

What do teams need? They have film. He worked out at the combine. He worked out pro day. When is enough enough?

Two guys got hurt during pro day workouts, and their draft stock dropped a whole lot more than McCaffrey's will.

Teams bitch, but I don't see any of them saying, "If you get hurt during our workout, we'll pay you what you would have received at the pick you are expected to go in." No, they bring him in and if he tears an ACL it's, "Tough luck, kid. No way we draft you now."

This is not about not wanting to compete. It is about not taking a chance on playing football. Football is a business for the teams, but if a player makes a business decision, look out.

Any team that passes on a quality player because they thing he isn't a competitor hopefully will face him in their division twice a year to see if they guessed right or wrong.

I agree with the poster who says that if a player opts not to do team workout, he has no bitch coming, but I doubt a player will bitch. This is a considered decision on their part, balancing the risk of getting hurt and getting drafted multiple rounds lower than anticipated with impressing a team that might or might not draft you.

The odds against getting hurt aren't high, but if you are the one who gets hurt, odds don't mean crap.

 

[HSanders]

I personally could give two shits about the underwear olympics, so it won't bother me. Of course, I'm not an NFL coach so who knows what effect it will have. This shows a dangerous amount of free thinking and individualism so he'll probably drop two or three rounds because of "red flags" or other such nonsense.

Obviously, football isn't the services, but a similar mentality is needed as far as working as one unit. A guy who doesn't want to do combine stuff is one thing, but a guy who refuses to play with his teammates in the postseason is revolting. He simply can't be counted on to be a good teammate i.m.o.
I don't have a problem with guys being individuals, but they must also make some sacrifices for the team. I guarantee you that when salaries were small, this wouldn't happen. I don't begrudge guys their market values at all. I am just sad about what it has done to the sport.

 

[PumpDee]

He's doing his best to drop into the Patriots' lap.

 

[Dwight Schrute]

He was the first guy I had set my sights on in draft anticipation. Prior to the Cooks deal.

I think he'd be ridiculously good inserted into this current offense. Sure his touches would be lower, with all the other weapons, but the production per touch would be crazy good.

 

[spacecrime]

Obviously, football isn't the services, but a similar mentality is needed as far as working as one unit. A guy who doesn't want to do combine stuff is one thing, but a guy who refuses to play with his teammates in the postseason is revolting. He simply can't be counted on to be a good teammate i.m.o.

It's not the post season. It was a bowl game, an exhibition money-maker for the college and the NCAA. It is about not losing the thing he has aspired to all his life, a paying NFL career.

If you look at it like his goal was not to play with teammates, then your conclusion is correct. But that wasn't his goal. His goal was to ensure he got an NFL contract.

Until the NCAA stops taking everything and giving back nothing to the players, smart players will do this more and more.

The NFL is a business, not a social club.

 

[Dwight Schrute]

It's not the post season. It was a bowl game, an exhibition money-maker for the college and the NCAA. It is about not losing the thing he has aspired to all his life, a paying NFL career.

If you look at it like his goal was not to play with teammates, then your conclusion is correct. But that wasn't his goal. His goal was to ensure he got an NFL contract.

Until the NCAA stops taking everything and giving back nothing to the players, smart players will do this more and more.

The NFL is a business, not a social club.

I agree.

Clubs look at it solely from a business end. You can't hammer players for the same.

Who was the stud Miami RB that blew all 3 ligaments in his knee on a Bowl game?

Case closed.

 

[Jaric]

Obviously, football isn't the services, but a similar mentality is needed as far as working as one unit. A guy who doesn't want to do combine stuff is one thing, but a guy who refuses to play with his teammates in the postseason is revolting. He simply can't be counted on to be a good teammate i.m.o.
I don't have a problem with guys being individuals, but they must also make some sacrifices for the team. I guarantee you that when salaries were small, this wouldn't happen. I don't begrudge guys their market values at all. I am just sad about what it has done to the sport.

Yeah it doesn't bother me if he opts out of a university fundraiser. Most of these guys have done quite enough already to line the pockets of their alma matter but we jump on them the moment they say "you know, it would actually be better for me to sit this one out."

Now, you wanna pay these guys and we can talk about your fundraiser. Otherwise good luck with that. I might boycott the bowl game on principle just to stick it to the most corrupt organization in sports.

 

[Defsoul]

I agree.

Clubs look at it solely from a business end. You can't hammer players for the same.

Who was the stud Miami RB that blew all 3 ligaments in his knee on a Bowl game?

Case closed.

Willis McGahee back in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/r_wPOfTGegA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[chevss454]

A good GM shouldn't care that he skipped some stuff. A really good GM not only won't care but will consider him smart for doing it and give McCaffrey extra credit for being smart. They realize what's on the line for this kid and not risking unnecessary injury with nothing to prove is the smart play here. Good GMs know that. More and more high first round college players will do it in the future.

McCaffrey will be drafted in the top 20 for sure and probably in the top 15. He'd make a great Patriot but chances of that are slim and none.

===================
Also Marcus Lattimore in 2012.

<div style="position:relative;height:0;padding-bottom:56.21%"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7LHhL2e61JE?ecver=2" style="position:absolute;width:100%;height:100%;left:0" width="641" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

 

[O.Z.O.]

but the one that actually bothers me to the core is not playing in the bowl game with his team.

I can tell you with 100% assurance that none of his teammates had an issue with it. Every one of them supported his decision, including the coaching staff. He took the time to explain to them why he wasn't playing and they all agreed with why he made the decision he did.

 

[JD10367]

The only one that would get me is "not competing in the team's Bowl game". That is where you support your comrades and achieve the culmination of your season's--if not your collegiate career's--goal. Honestly, aside from that, if I were a blue-chip prospect I'd pass on EVERYTHING. No individual team workouts, no combine, nothing. You can get just as injured running a cone drill in Indy as you can on a field. They have (I assume) four years of tape on you; that should be enough. Why risk your future big paycheck to show teams how you can catch passes from a Jugs machine?

 

[O.Z.O.]

The only one that would get me is "not competing in the team's Bowl game". That is where you support your comrades and achieve the culmination of your season's--if not your collegiate career's--goal. Honestly, aside from that, if I were a blue-chip prospect I'd pass on EVERYTHING. No individual team workouts, no combine, nothing. You can get just as injured running a cone drill in Indy as you can on a field. They have (I assume) four years of tape on you; that should be enough. Why risk your future big paycheck to show teams how you can catch passes from a Jugs machine?

O.Z.O. Jr's best friend since 4th grade is at Stanford on a full ride. McCaffery told the entire team he wouldn't be playing in the bowl game and told them why. That included the coaching staff. Every one of them fully supported his decision. He was in a position where an injury could have potentially cost him 10M...every one of them realized that it could potentially be the same thing with them. If it didn't bother his teammates or coaches, it shouldn't bother fans.

 

[Hawg73]

He was the first guy I had set my sights on in draft anticipation. Prior to the Cooks deal.

I think he'd be ridiculously good inserted into this current offense. Sure his touches would be lower, with all the other weapons, but the production per touch would be crazy good.

Limiting his touches is probably the best way to get the most out of an undersized guy like him that plays (at least at Stanford) a lot of RB.

One thing that I'm hearing a lot of this year is how sub-220lb. RBs often just can't make the transition to pro ball. Too brutal on the body other than to limit their carries in a rotation as we do with White and Lewis. There is a long list of 215 lb. studs in college who just never panned out, so I tend to downgrade the guys like Alvin Kamara who was great at Tennessee but just doesn't have the frame.

That's a big reason why I'm high on Dont'a Foreman coming to the Pats. He'd could be that bad-weather hammer along the lines of Dillon and Blount and I'm not alone in that assessment. He could be our guy if he is still on the board.

 

[Dwight Schrute]

Limiting his touches is probably the best way to get the most out of an undersized guy like him that plays (at least at Stanford) a lot of RB.

One thing that I'm hearing a lot of this year is how sub-220lb. RBs often just can't make the transition to pro ball. Too brutal on the body other than to limit their carries in a rotation as we do with White and Lewis. There is a long list of 215 lb. studs in college who just never panned out, so I tend to downgrade the guys like Alvin Kamara who was great at Tennessee but just doesn't have the frame.

That's a big reason why I'm high on Dont'a Foreman coming to the Pats. He'd could be that bad-weather hammer along the lines of Dillon and Blount and I'm not alone in that assessment. He could be our guy if he is still on the board.

As enticing a talent as McAffrey is, I think we're kind of doubled up wrt that style already in Lewis & White.

You know I like that power back too.

And I want to like this kid you've brought up a couple times now. But first and foremost with a guy like that is ball security, and he scares me there.

 

[chevss454]

That's a big reason why I'm high on Dont'a Foreman coming to the Pats. He'd could be that bad-weather hammer along the lines of Dillon and Blount and I'm not alone in that assessment. He could be our guy if he is still on the board.

Kevin Tame‏ @Kevin_Tame <small class="time"> </small>
The <s>#</s>Patriots have privately worked out <s>#</s>Texas RB, D'Onta Foreman and are now visiting with him again today. Blount remains unsigned.