In the 1995 Draft, I believe Reese's first draft for the then Oilers as GM, he had a decision to make....Steve McNair or Kerry Collins. Looking back, he made the correct choice selecting McNair. At the time, when questioned on the decision, he gave an answer that went something like ....what it came down to was could Steve do what Kerry did at Penn State if given that opportunity....in Reese's mind, the answer was Yes. On the other hand, could Collins do what Steve did at Alcorn State....to Floyd, that answer was No.
This year, there is a similar scenario taking shape with Young and Leinart. If 1995 is any indication, he has to be leaning toward Young. In addition, in subsequent drafts, he has continually gone after the size-speed "freaks"....with mixed results....Kearse, Troupe, Woolfork, Calico, to name a few. Young is this year's "Freak"....a 6-5 Michael Vick with great leadership skills and potential to be developed. Leinart, on the other hand, is more ready to step in today (like Collins was) and may be as good as he is ever going to be.....however, his lack of athleticism, arm strength and that knee brace he wears all leave me weary. In addition, there is something else. The fact that he chose to stay at USC for his senior year (when he was all but a lock to be the #1 pick and stay in CA with the 49ers)makes me wonder how much he wants to be in the NFL....I question his desire. Alot of people will admire him for staying in school, but let's remember, he took one dance class this year. Hardly a guy busting his @$$ for his degree. Reality is, he didn't want to give up being the big man on USC's campus before he absolutely had to.
Football is obviously important to Young.....Bottom line, IMO, could Young have led USC to the national title....Yes! Could Leinart have led Texas to it.....I don't think so!
This year, there is a similar scenario taking shape with Young and Leinart. If 1995 is any indication, he has to be leaning toward Young. In addition, in subsequent drafts, he has continually gone after the size-speed "freaks"....with mixed results....Kearse, Troupe, Woolfork, Calico, to name a few. Young is this year's "Freak"....a 6-5 Michael Vick with great leadership skills and potential to be developed. Leinart, on the other hand, is more ready to step in today (like Collins was) and may be as good as he is ever going to be.....however, his lack of athleticism, arm strength and that knee brace he wears all leave me weary. In addition, there is something else. The fact that he chose to stay at USC for his senior year (when he was all but a lock to be the #1 pick and stay in CA with the 49ers)makes me wonder how much he wants to be in the NFL....I question his desire. Alot of people will admire him for staying in school, but let's remember, he took one dance class this year. Hardly a guy busting his @$$ for his degree. Reality is, he didn't want to give up being the big man on USC's campus before he absolutely had to.
Football is obviously important to Young.....Bottom line, IMO, could Young have led USC to the national title....Yes! Could Leinart have led Texas to it.....I don't think so!
Actually, I think he was way ahead of schedule to graduate and that was the only class he had left to take. iirc
That's not the point.....he could have finished his degree by taking the dance class over the summer or in some other offseason. Besides, he must have redshirted as a true freshman. If that is the case, I wouldn't say he was way ahead.
Actually.... the decision was between Steve McNair or Kevin Carter ( DE, Florida ). Collins wasn't considered outside of evaluation.royhobbs said:
I'm not sure who we are talking about, and who didn't take the dance class, but Young would have been in his 5th year had he stayed. No point to it. I think any football player who can come one class from graduating deserves some respect as it is quite an achivement just to get through college (even with tutors and cheating) plus play football. So not sure if we are holding that against anyone here, but I don't think we should.
Vince Young wasnt going to his 5th season. He was still a junior, he declared eligable after the Rose Bowl.
Leinart was in his 5th year.
Leinart was in his 5th year.
Very interesting comment.royhobbs said:
I totally agree that Reese has been prone to go with the pick with the most upside in the past. I think much of that was due to where the Titans were picking. They also had a solid nucleus on the team as well and less was expected of these picks as they had a couple of years to develop. So I do see this as a different situation from the Kearse, Woolfolk, Troupe picks here.
To your point about taking McNair over Collins, Reese still may feel the same way though I don't think Collins brought in the credentials Leinart does. Also, I don't think Reese will have a choice. One will likely be taken at #2. I think Reese's big decision is whether to take who remains or use the pick to trade out.
Here's a prediction: If Reese takes the second QB, he'll say he had him ranked equal or above the other no matter who it is.
I agree Jeff, we will not have a choice between the two and whoever we end up Reese will say that was the one he wanted anyway.
This non-sense about Lienart staying in school because he doesn't care about football makes no sense. I remember Manning staying at UT and his reasons were simply playing college ball is fun and that experience is worth savoring while you can. Once you leave college football becomes a profession. Can anyone fault Leinart for staying an extra year with all the talent around him? Getting to make another run at a championship and enjoying the college experience makes perfect sense to me. If a college player isn't pressed to earn an income why not stay and enjoy the once in a lifetime experience?
This non-sense about Lienart staying in school because he doesn't care about football makes no sense. I remember Manning staying at UT and his reasons were simply playing college ball is fun and that experience is worth savoring while you can. Once you leave college football becomes a profession. Can anyone fault Leinart for staying an extra year with all the talent around him? Getting to make another run at a championship and enjoying the college experience makes perfect sense to me. If a college player isn't pressed to earn an income why not stay and enjoy the once in a lifetime experience?
Gunny said:
I am pretty confident Young Redshirted and played 3 years. I think a lot of people don't realize that. Which would have him going into his 5th year.
What Leinhart staying in school for his senior year proves is that it is, logically, a bad decision. Leinhart came back and the talk was heisman lock, win NC, first player taken. None happened. It does not pay to come back when you are a top player. Last year, Leinhart would have likely been taken #1. Comes back and like Manning, everyone was praising him. Now, he is out for the draft and the "feeling" is he is dropping in the mind of most.
VolnTitan said:
There are more important things than money. He'll get plenty of that. What he gained was another year having the time of his life in college and a degree so he's not bored out of his mind the 50 years of his life after he retires from the NFL.
I agree that 4 years of school cannot be replaced. I don't think you end up any worse or better either way, especially if you go back to school later on in life, but all four of those years are experiences you will never be able to replicate. And that is what college is all about. It's not really about learning so much as it is about living.
That said, you won't find yourself in a bathroom stall with two carolina panther cheerleaders either.
It can go both ways. But the thing is Leinert did what was best for him.
School isn't for everybody tho'.
I would say that the 4th year for me was much easier than the 3rd year. I had a lot more fun. It was kinda like you knew what you were doing in school so it was all downhill, and that left plenty of time for fun. And they give you a degree for it too.
That said, you won't find yourself in a bathroom stall with two carolina panther cheerleaders either.
It can go both ways. But the thing is Leinert did what was best for him.
School isn't for everybody tho'.
I would say that the 4th year for me was much easier than the 3rd year. I had a lot more fun. It was kinda like you knew what you were doing in school so it was all downhill, and that left plenty of time for fun. And they give you a degree for it too.
On a side note: For anyone interested in the Carolina Panther eye witness accounts. http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/0201061tampa1.html
What does leaving early have to do with getting your degree? I know it is all warm and fuzzy to talk about staying in school, but for the top players it proves not to be worth it, in a practical sense, not an emotional sense. They can still get a degree, they can still have a good time. And the money, they won't get back.
Soxcat said:
My thoughts too. College years were some of the best years of my life. No need to rush on.
Many people find it hard to go back to school... especially when they no longer have the motivation of money. There is also a certain point at which the credits you gained are useless, I believe.
I thought Collins was off the board by the time the Oilers were drafting. From memory, we had the worst record in the NFL but weren't given the 1st pick because of the 2 expansion teams. The Panthers took Collins and the Jaguars took Boselli (I think).
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