the retirement that WILL .... NOT... DIE...

[cthomer5000]

I can't even believe I'm reading this.

Originally Posted by espn

Crouch wants third NFL chance.... as DB

OMAHA, Neb. -- Heisman Trophy winner Eric Crouch said Saturday he would like a third try at playing in the NFL, this time as a defensive back.

"It's a position I played in high school," said Crouch, who won the Heisman Trophy in 2001 as a quarterback for Nebraska.

Crouch said he's talking with Green Bay about a possible return. If things don't work out with the Packers, he said he would be interested in playing for other teams.

Crouch was taken in the third round of the 2001 draft by the St. Louis Rams, who tried to convert him into a receiver. He quit during training camp because of injuries.

The Packers picked up Crouch last April and gave him a shot at quarterback and playing special teams. But Crouch quit before the regular season began and said he was ready to retire from football.

Green Bay coach Mike Sherman said Crouch was behind in his development as a quarterback and was having difficulty getting comfortable as a kick returner.

[hukarez]

How insane is this? I remember a thread awhile ago, when he was still in college...how it was unbelieveable that someone who had a higher interception-td ratio could win a Heisman...

[cthomer5000]

memo to Eric:

If you really want to be in the NFL, just DO WHATEVER THE COACHES TELL YOU TO.

I think if he would just put his personal feelings aside, he could make a awesome utility player. Return kicks, come in for some trick plays, be the holder on kicks, be a gunner on punts. You'll have fun playing football, and collect a salary (even at league minimum) that most of us would do nearly anything for.

[cthomer5000]

Originally Posted by hukarez

How insane is this? I remember a thread awhile ago, when he was still in college...how it was unbelieveable that someone who had a higher interception-td ratio could win a Heisman...

I wish someone had been making a documentary on this guy since he graduated high school. He has had one of the strangest college and pro careers I have ever seen. I would honestly say I've found him to be the most fascinating story in football the last 5 years.

[hukarez]

Originally Posted by cthomer5000

I wish someone had been making a documentary on this guy since he graduated high school. He has had one of the strangest college and pro careers I have ever seen. I would honestly say I've found him to be the most fascinating story in football the last 5 years.

I'll agree to that. I remembered watching a Saturday NFL program, talking about Erich Crouch...and ugh. I can't remember the other fellow. They were both college QBs, making the transition to WR and all.

[corbes]

I dreaded that this thread was going to be about Michael Jordan.

[k0ruptr]

Originally Posted by corbes

I dreaded that this thread was going to be about Michael Jordan.

me too. I was scurred...

[Philliesfan980]

He could be this generations Don Beebe or Steve Tasker if he played his cards right. I think he might just now be getting that its "not all about him". I think he was having trouble not having people fawn all over him. You gotta remember, all during his high school / college days people have been telling him the man. He won the Heisman. To all of us , it seems really obvious that he's at best a fringe NFL player, but to him , he's a star.

[Swaggs]

I think the more likely scenario is that Crouch realized you can't make $300K a year in the "real world" as easily as you can by being the 53rd guy on an NFL team.

[The_herd]

He's a f**king quiter. Any team that picks him up is wasting their time. I'm really hoping the NFL turns their back on him this time.

[tucker342]

No kidding... that asshole doesn't deserve another chance.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by cthomer5000

I wish someone had been making a documentary on this guy since he graduated high school. He has had one of the strangest college and pro careers I have ever seen. I would honestly say I've found him to be the most fascinating story in football the last 5 years.

I am with Tucker342 and The_Herd (underscores RULE!) on this one. I don't know why a team would even take a flier on this guy. He's proven time and time again that once things don't start working out for him, in whatever way, he'll bail.

[cthomer5000]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

I am with Tucker342 and The_Herd (underscores RULE!) on this one. I don't know why a team would even take a flier on this guy. He's proven time and time again that once things don't start working out for him, in whatever way, he'll bail.

I'm not suggesting that any team does sign this guy, as he seems to be a nut case. Still, if he does get signed, and he somehow has gotten his crap together - i think he'd be an above-average "53rd man" on most NFL rosters.

[MIJB#19]

Maybe he's a little late on maturing and finally grabbed his guts together, slammed his fist on the table and said "starting today, I am going to give everything to get in the NFL, no matter what they want me to do".

[rkmsuf]

I like how he's picked the position he'd like to try now...

How about "I'd like to give the NFL another shot at whatever position the team believes I'd be most effective."

Much better than "Uh, I think I'd like to be a DB..."

[The_herd]

There was a SI issue a couple years ago where they covered Crouch and everything that went on after he left the Rams. Crouch told the story of going back to Nebraska and working with some Youth football players and one of the kids asked him why he quit the Rams. He said he didn't know how to respond, he was shocked that someone could see what he did was quiting.

The guy is from Omaha, Nebraska and as Philliesfan said, he's had people telling him how good he is his entire life. That is one reason why he's not in touch with the real world and, unfortunately, it doesn't appear that he ever will be. As soon as he finds out he won't start at DB in the NFL he'll walk away.....again.

[cuervo72]

Originally Posted by corbes

I dreaded that this thread was going to be about Michael Jordan.

My thought was George Foreman.

Crouch is a moron. He'll get back in camp (if anyone even picks him up), then decide a week later he doesn't want to be a DB. Then he'll quit again.

[HornedFrog Purple]

oops I thought this was about George Foreman...

[cthomer5000]

Originally Posted by cuervo72

He'll get back in camp (if anyone even picks him up), then decide a week later he doesn't want to be a DB. Then he'll quit again.

And I can't say I would entirely fault a team for taking a chance on him. It'll basically be a zero-risk proposition. The only risk would be him actually making the team then quitting mid-season.

[oykib]

If i were a Gm, I'd give him a try. You've got cokeheads, potheads, ands wifebeaters in the NFL. I would take a flyer on bringing him to camp. He's got NFL level athletic abitlity and he wouldn't cost anything to bring in.

As a DB prospect, he's about as good as a second day draftee. But youdon't have to waste a pick or any bonus money on him.

The only way to win with the salary cap is to get value. The only guys that have value are the guys that other teams underrate or overlook. By definition, those guys have obvious flaws (e.g. a rep as a quitter).

[cthomer5000]

from KFFL.com

Originally Posted by KFFL.com

Packers | Still Interested in Crouch? - from www.KFFL.com
Sat, 28 Feb 2004 21:34:27 -0800

The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports a Green Bay Packers team source indicated the team would be interested in giving retired QB Eric Crouch a shot at playing safety. Crouch has twice retired from the league already due to his desire to play quarterback rather than another position.

[korme]

I thought this was a thread on Foreman.

[cthomer5000]

Originally Posted by Shorty3281

I thought this was a thread on Foreman.

that might be amusing if 50 other people hadn't said it already.

[INDalltheway]

Quitters never prosper...

[Anthony]

he's quit twice. the NFL is suc ha dream job why not give it to someone who's willing to work and sacrifice and not take his toys and go home when shit doesn't go his way.

[Cringer]

let him play in the AFL first, i say!

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by Hell Atlantic

he's quit twice. the NFL is suc ha dream job why not give it to someone who's willing to work and sacrifice and not take his toys and go home when shit doesn't go his way.

Cause the quitter can run a 4.3 forty

[damnMikeBrown]

Here's another one that turns my stomach.

Looks like Bill "Pass the Deca" Romanowski is feeling out the Raiders for a come back. The only good prospect on that is that I wouldn't have to listen to his simpering in the booth. I vow to never watch a game he's broadcasting, I don't care how pivotal it may be.

[cthomer5000]

Thursday, March 11, 2004



By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com

So maybe a third time around, and another new position, will be a charm for Eric Crouch.



The 2001 Heisman Trophy winner, who twice previously bolted NFL training camps and seemed to be retired from the game for good, has been reinstated by Green Bay from the "reserve/retired" list and is expected to participate in the Packers' offseason conditioning program and spring minicamps.



This time, it will be as a defensive back, likely at safety.

	Crouch

Crouch, 25, has been considering another shot at the NFL for the last few months. Green Bay essentially has no risk, because Crouch will earn the rookie minimum base salary of $230,000 if he makes the team, and the Packers did not invest a signing bonus in him.



The former Nebraska star was selected by the St. Louis Rams in the third round of the 2002 draft and signed a three-year, $1.3 million contract to play wide receiver. But late in training camp, and still with an opportunity to make the team or the practice squad, he left the Rams, citing the difficulties of making the transition to wide receiver.



After the Rams relinquished his rights, the Packers claimed him on waivers in the spring of 2003, and Green Bay officials offered Crouch a chance to play quarterback. But with a crowded depth chart, and slowed by injuries, Crouch walked away from the Packers two days into training camp.



Now he is back for another, and likely final, attempt to prove he belongs in the league.



In a celebrated college career, Crouch appeared in 42 games for the Cornhuskers and started 38 of them. He is one of only 13 players in college football annals to both rush and pass for over 1,000 yards in a season.



Crouch is one of only three players at the Division I-A level to throw for 4,000 yards and run for 3,000 yards in his career and he also holds the NCAA career record for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback.



In addition to the Heisman Trophy, he also captured the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award for 2001 and the Davey O'Brien Quarterback Award. He is the most decorated quarterback in Nebraska history and was one of the most prolific offensive players in recent history of the college game.





He completed 312 of 606 passes for 4,481 yards, with 29 touchdown passes and 25 interceptions. Crouch carried 648 times for 3,434 yards and scored 59 rushing touchdowns. Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.

[cthomer5000]

it has begun again.

[hukarez]

Talk about picky.

Is there no end to this madness?!

[WSUCougar]

Crouch-ing Packer, Career Draggin'

[rkmsuf]

Once he see's there are several guys there trying to make the team at safety he'll leave after two days...

[cthomer5000]

Originally Posted by WSUCougar

Crouch-ing Packer, Career Draggin'

I can also imagine the Crouching Packer, Hidden Talent headline if this actually works out.

[hukarez]

There's got to be some clause somewhere, dealing with fickle players.

I say, let's have him try his hand at being a Kicker or Punter...that way, he won't feel too intimidated with other folks vying for the position. Well. Then again.

[WSUCougar]

Let Horned Frog Purple get his hands on him, and he'll go the DT-Guard-Punter change of position route.

[MizzouRah]

I hope someone gives him a 'nice' welcome to camp. Friggin idiot!

..and to think I thought drafting him was a good move by the Rams... the next Tim Dwight, HA! Am I the idiot?


Todd

[Kodos]

Originally Posted by hukarez

I'll agree to that. I remembered watching a Saturday NFL program, talking about Erich Crouch...and ugh. I can't remember the other fellow. They were both college QBs, making the transition to WR and all.

I believe you are thinking of Antwaan Randle El, the Indiana QB who graduated the same year as Crouch. Randle El wanted to play QB as well, but made it clear that he would play wherever he was asked to play.

It still pisses me off that Crouch won the Heisman with inferior stats on a vastly superior team. Just imagine what Randle El could have done if he'd talented guys around him like Crouch had...

[WSUCougar]

Originally Posted by MizzouRah

..and to think I thought drafting him was a good move by the Rams... the next Tim Dwight, HA! Am I the idiot?

I felt the same way you did. Although there was that whiff of Trung Canidate Syndrome in the air.

[Hurst2112]

Originally Posted by Kodos

I believe you are thinking of Antwaan Randle El, the Indiana QB who graduated the same year as Crouch. Randle El wanted to play QB as well, but made it clear that he would play wherever he was asked to play.

It still pisses me off that Crouch won the Heisman with inferior stats on a vastly superior team. Just imagine what Randle El could have done if he'd talented guys around him like Crouch had...

and that led to a pretty good amount of success for him to this date. I am sure he would want to win more, but El is getting playing time, and is a higher profile guy for what he has sacraficed for the team.

They can't all be that level headed. Crouch should just go across the pond to play, or get on an arena team so we wont hear from him again.

[MizzouRah]

Originally Posted by WSUCougar

I felt the same way you did. Although there was that whiff of Trung Canidate Syndrome in the air.

Oh yeah!

Hey, he's fast... he just can't run well.


Todd