Would you be okay with Barnett skipping the bowl game?

#51
#51
UTwild82 said:
I hate that this is now a thing. Hell, might as well start paying the players, expand the playoffs, kill all other bowls and lets have NFL Jr. That's what it is slowly becoming anyway.
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That's what I'm afraid is happening to college football. Once they pay the players they've jumped the shark. It will then be minor league football.
 
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#57
#57
Freak said:
I like Herbsreit's stance. "I'd want to play another game w/ my boys. Are you kidding me? Ask any player from my generation-Should skip whole year if that's the concern"
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This.

As for Barnett - he is a Jr. He hasn't yet said he is leaving for the NFL (... though he probably is ...), thus him making a decision not to play just in case would not be appropriate.

Some players will look at the game as another chance to showcases their skills.

I believe also that not playing sends a clear message that they are afraid of getting hurt. If they feel this way about the bowl, what is next - the last game of the season doesn't matter, so skip it ... as soon as it is apparent their team is not going to a bowl or will not be conference champs - check out?

And then there is the playoffs, how long before someone gets hurt there and the players say - the NFL is greater than a college football championship with their teammates? So they decide not to play in those as well.

These players should play. The universities have given them the opportunity to showcase their ability for the NFL and get a degree at the same time. They have contributed to the success of the team.

This is the equivalent of someone leaving for another job, giving a two weeks notice, but refusing to transition to those who must perform their job after the leave. It almost always comes back to haunt them at some point.
 
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#60
#60
I wouldn't think any less of him for sitting it out. Make the best decision for your future. If he gets hurt and ruins his draft chances the only thing fans will have for him is well wishes when he would have lost millions of dollars
 
#62
#62
Freak said:
It's certainly understandable why this seems to be becoming a trend, especially for players projected to go early in the draft.

I understand it. I don't like it.

How much do these bowl games really mean?
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1 more sack breaks a record... he is smarter than that.
 
#63
#63
I Will Give My All For Tennessee Today was just a meaningless slogan for Jalen Hurd

But for someone like Derrick Barnett it's an instilled desire and passion so I'd say he'll play
 
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#64
#64
Freak said:
It's certainly understandable why this seems to be becoming a trend, especially for players projected to go early in the draft.

I understand it. I don't like it.

How much do these bowl games really mean?
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If George Cafego can skip a bowl game, anyone can.
 
#65
#65
If there is a game and you're able, you play.

Making everything all about 'the money' is NOT a good thing....
 
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#66
#66
Freak said:
It's certainly understandable why this seems to be becoming a trend, especially for players projected to go early in the draft.

I understand it. I don't like it.

How much do these bowl games really mean?
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The bowl game vs Nebraska is not meaningless. Butch and the program really need to win this game. The Vols need Barnett in this game.

McCaffrey should play too. His team needs him. LSU does not need Fournette. He is injured. Guice and his backups can get the job done.

Any player who is healthy and "quits" on his team does not fulfill his obligations to his teammates and his scholarship.
 
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#67
#67
508mikey said:
problem with calling it meaningless is this --- Vols lose the game CBJ gets roasted by negavols, even though they are the ones claiming its a meaningless game
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I agree - Barnett and others will want the team continue to get good recruits and build off what they did.

However, I see why Fournette may sit out with the ankle injuries he has had this year.
 
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#68
#68
twoffo said:
I would think the more players do it the more agents will start encouraging their prospective clients to do it. While the player may have insurance in case of an injury, the agent that expects to sign him doesn't.

It could very quickly become the new norm. Especially for the top agents who may be in a position to require it as a condition of taking the player as a client.
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There will never be a day a "top" agent requires a damned thing from a first rounder. Might they "suggest" it heavily? They already do. But the level of competition of agents to sign top players is as fierce as anything you have ever seen.
 
#69
#69
Fournette & McCaffrey shouldn't get bowl gifts nor bowl rings. If Barnett were to decline to play then I would say the same for him.
 
#71
#71
Why did we play our last few games? We were out of aany chance to make the playoffs so why would we chance getting any players hurt for next year or their pro careers?

Hell let's take it a step farther. Why even play in the NCAA playoff games? What the hell do they have to do with a players pro career? They've apparently already shown enough to let scouts see their potential. Why make them play 2 more games?


(sarcasm)
 
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#72
#72
volfan102455 said:
Peyton Manning played an entire year he did not need to play.

We need players like that.
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And he wasn't anywhere near 100% in the bowl game after suffering a late injury in the SEC CG. There was a slim chance UT could have won the NC in '97 had UT beaten Nebraska and Wash. St. beaten Michigan.
 
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#74
#74
If I were a player's agent for the draft, and that player was projected to go high, I would absolutely require them to sit out of a meaningless bowl game like this one...or any one other than the playoffs.

The bowls are a JOKE. When 5-7 teams are allowed to participate in bowls, the games lose all merit.
 
#75
#75
Freak said:
How many bowl games are/were meaningful though, really?

I'm in the camp that I'm all for more football, especially this time of year when I realize the end is near. Lol.
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Agree 100%.

As far as Barnett goes, I don't like the trend of players sitting out bowl games, but if he did I'd just say "meh" and be excited to see Darrell Taylor play. It's about watching the Vols play, not just one guy for me. If Dobbs or Kamara sat out as well, I'd similarly have the same reaction.....I'd be excited to see Dormady and Kelly/CFA.
 
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