NFL considers banning academically ineligible players from Scouting Combine

[Stinger]

Per PFT....

In response to the criticism arising from the Aaron Hernandez case, the NFL is considering a change that, in our view, ultimately will have no impact on the decision of teams to take chances on players with questionable backgrounds.

According to Bruce Feldman of CBSSports.com, the NFL is considering barring academically ineligible prospects from the Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.

Feldman, citing an unnamed NFL source, reports that the possibility is “being discussed because of the increased scrutiny on the maturity and commitment of the prospects entering the NFL.”

By excluding the players deemed most likely to be drafted from Indianapolis, the NFL would only be making the scouting process more cumbersome and expensive for its teams. The primary benefit of the Scouting Combine comes from bringing all of the top prospects and all of the teams to the same place, reducing significantly the costs of the medical review and creating an opportunity to talk to as many players as possible, either via the normal interview rotation or the loosely-organized (and lesser-known) “train station” conversations, which in theory allows a sufficiently diligent team to register face time with every player.

Besides, academically ineligible players would still be drafted, whether they go to the Scouting Combine or not.

So while it’s good that the NFL is considering ways to prevent future Aaron Hernandezes from being employed by NFL teams when they allegedly commit murder or other mayhem, banning academically ineligible players from the Scouting Combine won’t do anything to accomplish the goal.

Unless the goal is to generate some P.R. that will make the casual fan think the NFL is serious about the problem. If the NFL really is serious about the problem, however, this isn’t the way to solve it.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/07/06/nfl-considers-banning-academically-ineligible-players-from-scouting-combine/related/

[jd1020]

That'll solve murders!

[TambaBerry]

If they are going to do this, why not just make it like any other job? If you have a felony on your record it is really difficult to find a job. Maybe crack down harder on them when they make bad decisions. I mean when does it stop?

[Mr. Laz]

it would cost some players millions


How about eliminating some players from the drafting process completely?

Felony = auto UDFA

[Thig Lyfe]

Bad students ALWAYS murder people. ALWAYS!!!

[Otter]

Eh, not sure if this good or bad but I know in college there were a lot of dumb athletes there for no other reason than they could dunk a basketball or play linebacker.

I still remember sitting in a 100 level history course and some basketball player answered the profs question "tell me something about Napoleon" with "he was short." If it was a smart ass answer or just trying to get a laugh it would have been funny but the guy was getting a free ride and that was the extent of his knowledge after 2 weeks of discussing the matter. He was dumb as a rock taking a seat that could be being occupied by a future lawyer, computer scientist, doctor or whatever...someone productive.

And trust me, he was dumb, that wasn't an isolated incident.

If it help makes room for weeding out the glamor of dumb celebrities and athletes I guess I'm game.

There were many smart basketball and footballs players as well but there's a definite "you're just here for your athletic skills" factor.

[Ace Gunner]

just set up checkpoints

[cdcox]

it would cost some players millions


How about eliminating some players from the drafting process completely?

Felony = auto UDFA

Andrew Luck would have made millions more with a (small) felony conviction, due to the resulting bidding war for his services.

[aturnis]

Cool. Maybe some of these idiots will get better grades and end up working the a career...

[DaneMcCloud]

It'll never happen because the added expense of flying around the country to workout players that would otherwise be available in the draft would skyrocket.

This is a nice "Trial Balloon" but everyone knows that the NFL is and always has been about the bottom line and more importantly, profit.

[DaneMcCloud]

Cool. Maybe some of these idiots will get better grades and end up working the a career...

Yes, I fully expect all of the football players on the team in which I root for be outstanding citizens and college graduates with character above reproach.

[Otter]

It'll never happen because the added expense of flying around the country to workout players that would otherwise be available in the draft would skyrocket.

This is a nice "Trial Balloon" but everyone knows that the NFL is and always has been about the bottom line and more importantly, profit. Straight talk. Thank you, it's rarity.

[Mr. Laz]

Andrew Luck would have made millions more with a (small) felony conviction, due to the resulting bidding war for his services.
true ... but that's a rare,rare situation


you could make a case that Luck wouldn't be Luck if he was doing a bunch of dumb shit.


can't be drafted until round ???

[aturnis]

Yes, I fully expect all of the football players on the team in which I root for be outstanding citizens and college graduates with character above reproach.
Duh. The players I just referred to won't play for your team. They won't play for any team. Hence the reason the education helped them acquire a career.

[houstonwhodat]

Then half the NFL would be out of work.

[mcaj22]

didnt we just have 4 years of the "Scooter Pioli Right 53 plan where he tried to draft players that were "leaders" and captains of their team"

how did that work out. One guy committed a murder-suicide and the others are either already traded, cut, not resigned or will be struggling to make the team after TC.

That didnt work for this team the last 4 years, and I think a lot of teams noticed, especially the ones that go after the bad characters good athletic talent for that high risk high reward.

[Setsuna]

I have a question...are student athletes required to take finance classes in college or seminars as well as even criminal justice classes? If not, they should.

[DaneMcCloud]

I have a question...are student athletes required to take finance classes in college or seminars as well as even criminal justice classes? If not, they should.

Because less than 300 students per 450,000 actually end up in the pros each year and most of those never last a year.

[Chief Roundup]

That'll solve murders!

Nope but it might keep the shield from being tarnished as much.

[DaneMcCloud]

Nope but it might keep the shield from being tarnished as much.

How so? They'd still be scouted and drafted.

[Chief Roundup]

If the League truly wanted to stop it they would punish the teams for player conduct when said player has a history and teams choose to hire and play them then those teams could be fined or punished in some way for employing those types of people.

[Chief Roundup]

How so? They'd still be scouted and drafted.

Some but not as many would be scouted and drafted. Plus it would give a public appearance that the NFL is taking a stand against these types of activities and or the people that cause them.

[tk13]

didnt we just have 4 years of the "Scooter Pioli Right 53 plan where he tried to draft players that were "leaders" and captains of their team"

how did that work out. One guy committed a murder-suicide and the others are either already traded, cut, not resigned or will be struggling to make the team after TC.

That didnt work for this team the last 4 years, and I think a lot of teams noticed, especially the ones that go after the bad characters good athletic talent for that high risk high reward.

Nobody ever agrees with me... but the right 53 was never about finding role models. It isn't in New England either. Look at Vrabel, Belcher, Hernandez... we could go on and on in both KC and NE. It was about finding guys that actually liked playing football and would fall in line and listen to the coaches. It was more militant than moral. But I agree that's not how it'll be remembered.

[DaneMcCloud]

If the League truly wanted to stop it they would punish the teams for player conduct when said player has a history and teams choose to hire and play them then those teams could be fined or punished in some way for employing those types of people.

Good God. Stop what?

And you DO realize that the LEAGUE is the NFL owners themselves, right?

Goodell and the NFL office personnel are are hired and fired by the owners.

[DaneMcCloud]

Some but not as many would be scouted and drafted. Plus it would give a public appearance that the NFL is taking a stand against these types of activities and or the people that cause them.

Complete bullshit.

Vontaze Burfict is the perfect example.

Do you always talk out of your ass or just on Chiefsplanet?

[Chief Roundup]

Good God. Stop what?

And you DO realize that the LEAGUE is the NFL owners themselves, right?

Goodell and the NFL office personnel are are hired and fired by the owners.

Stop What?? You paying attention?? Stop the constant negative publicity of murderers, gun arrests, drug and alcohol arrests, DWI convictions, etc.
Those are all recent player activities that tarnishes the NFL.
Yeah I realize that. You realize that the owners can use the commissioner to make the NFL seem like a separate entity. You do realize that the owners have to vote. It isn't as if one owner can just make anything happen. It takes a committee of owners.

[DaneMcCloud]

Stop What?? You paying attention?? Stop the constant negative publicity of murderers, gun arrests, drug and alcohol arrests, DWI convictions, etc.
Those are all recent player activities that tarnishes the NFL.
Yeah I realize that. You realize that the owners can use the commissioner to make the NFL seem like a separate entity. You do realize that the owners have to vote. It isn't as if one owner can just make anything happen. It takes a committee of owners.

The NFL is so full of murderers that taking a kid to a game is likely to end in death.

[Chief Roundup]

Complete bullshit.

Vontaze Burfict is the perfect example.

Do you always talk out of your ass or just on Chiefsplanet?

Who is talking out their ass again? Burfict went undrafted even if he was scouted he went undrafted.
He could have been drafted fairly early in the middle rounds.
We don't know for sure that he will not do something stupid to tarnish the NFL.

[Chief Roundup]

The NFL is so full of murderers that taking a kid to a game is likely to end in death.

I see you still go to over reaction when you are wrong. Nice cherry picking only one thing out of all those that I posted that put the NFL in a negative spotlight instead of realizing those are all things that players have been punished for tarnishing the shield by their behavior.

[Setsuna]

Because less than 300 students per 450,000 actually end up in the pros each year and most of those never last a year.

Well true but they still have the potential to be successful. If you had taken a finance class in college, do you think you'd be better off right now or not?

[Discuss Thrower]

Maybe the league should just sack up and pay for a developmental program instead of outsourcing it to colleges.

[DaneMcCloud]

Maybe the league should just sack up and pay for a developmental program instead of outsourcing it to colleges.

World League of American Football

NFL Europe

NFL Lose Money Yo

[Discuss Thrower]

World League of American Football

NFL Europe

NFL Lose Money Yo

Oh I get that. But that's only because the NCAA is so popular. If every college sport was played by legit student athletes who weren't recruits or there solely to play a their particular sport it'd be a whole new story.

[DaneMcCloud]

Oh I get that. But that's only because the NCAA is so popular. If every college sport was played by legit student athletes who weren't recruits or there solely to play a their particular sport it'd be a whole new story.

What?

First you state that the NFL should have a developmental league. Been there, done that, failed spectacularly.

Then you say it's because college football is so popular, yet none of those leagues competed with college football because the games were played in the Spring.

Say what?

[Just Passin' By]

Who is talking out their ass again? Burfict went undrafted even if he was scouted he went undrafted.

Then why would you need such a rule as is being proposed? Burfict went to the combine and was still undrafted.

He could have been drafted fairly early in the middle rounds. We don't know for sure that he will not do something stupid to tarnish the NFL.

You don't know for sure about anyone.

[chiefqueen]

If the League truly wanted to stop it they would punish the teams for player conduct when said player has a history and teams choose to hire and play them then those teams could be fined or punished in some way for employing those types of people.

I'm not sticking up for NE but they will have to count his signing bonus from his contract extension he signed last year as "dead money" over the next 2 seasons.