OU fans: Enjoy Peterson while you can

[JeeberD]

The floodgates are about to open...
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OU's top recruit Peterson says he's ready for NFL (http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/stories/020804dnspopetersonlede.8d11d.html)

Palestine RB has no plans to enter draft but keeps options open

By KATE HAIROPOULOS / The Dallas Morning News



Palestine running back Adrian Peterson, the nation's top college football recruit, has dreamed of playing in the NFL since he was 8 years old. A ruling by a federal judge Thursday means Peterson could be closer to making that dream a reality.

The decision struck down the NFL's rule limiting the league's draft to players at least three years out of high school. Suspended Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett sued the league to change the rule.

"I was rooting for him," said Peterson, who signed a national letter of intent to attend Oklahoma on Wednesday.

If the ruling holds up on appeal, it could clear the way for teenagers such as Peterson to enter the NFL directly out of high school. It also creates a new option for college underclassmen. But Peterson had no plans as of Friday night to make himself eligible for April's draft. The NFL set a March 1 deadline for players newly made eligible for the draft.

There is no groundwork in place for Peterson to test the NFL waters without sacrificing his NCAA eligibility.

But Peterson said he would keep his options open and thinks he could play in the NFL now.

"That would be something special to do," Peterson said. "Personally, I think I could. But that's just me. ...It wouldn't be wise for a lineman. I'll say that. But it's totally different with running backs and receivers. I'd have to see what they offered me."

High school athletes in sports such as basketball and baseball have been able to go straight to the professional ranks for years. Football has always been considered different because of the physical nature of the sport.

The ruling raises the question if younger players will be ready to compete in the NFL.

"If a high school running back can make that jump, I think Adrian has as good a chance as anybody," Palestine coach Jeff Harrell said. "He would have to look at everything and talk to people who know more about it. ...Those are the best players in the world. It's a big jump to Division I. Jumping to the pros is as big a jump."

The physical level is what would be most difficult about making the leap, said Peterson, who is 6-3, 208 pounds. But he said his speed would help the adjustment. Peterson rushed for 2,315 yards and 32 touchdowns this season. He also plans to run track at Oklahoma and has been timed in the 100-meter at 10.32 seconds and 20.34 in the 200.

"I'm not that big, but I'm fast," Peterson said. "I'm pretty sure I can outrun the whole Dallas Cowboys team."

Peterson traveled to Ohio on Saturday to accept the Touchdown Club of Columbus Offensive Player of the Year award and was also up for the organization's High School Player of the Year honor. He said if the ruling holds up and he has a standout freshman season at Oklahoma, he would definitely have to consider his NFL options.

"If they offered me $5 million, hey, I'm for that," Peterson said. "How could you turn that down?"

[MrBug708]

Peterson is dilusional if he thinks that...

He almost went to USC where he would have sat behind a few RB's himself

[mckerney]

has been timed in the 100-meter at 10.32
....
"I'm pretty sure I can outrun the whole Dallas Cowboys team."

10.32? That's almost Terrance Newman type speed.

Nice try, better luck next time. First time would get hit by an NFL linebacker he'd wish he'd made a different decision.

[Poli]

I'm sure high school head coaches everywhere know exactly what it takes to play in the NFL, as well.

This party is about to suck.

One of the things I really liked about college football, just like Nick Saban, was the "control". You basically knew who you'd have over the couple of years. It's going to start to get ugly, I'm afraid.

[The_herd]

As I said in the Clarett thread, he's not alone. In the USA Today poll as many as 10 players at the High School All-American game in San Antonio stated they could picture themselves playing in the NFL instead of college this upcoming season.

I have a feeling that this something that will be tested early, and often, for the 1st couple of years.

[Travis]

Let all 10 of them go straight to the NFL. Have each of the NFL team's that take them given a bonus from the league if those players start any game they are healthy for during the regular season.

Maybe the resulting stats/injuries/etc of those 10 will be enough proof for the courts and future generations to realize that these kids should be going through college first before trying to play with the big dogs.

[BishopMVP]

For every Randy Moss and Larry Fitzgerald that probably could make it at an early age, there will be dozens of players that can't. If the ruling stands, it will hurt the quality of play in the NFL as the bottoms of rosters are filled with players with potential and it will hurt college football as many of the stars are now bench-warmers in the NFL. I hate it. Just look at how basketball has been hurt by the age thing.

[sooner333]

I wish Adrian Peterson the best of luck for as long as he stays at OU and wish him the best of luck after his tenure with the Sooners, however long that may be. I won't complain if he leaves after next year, because that means he made a significant impact. While I'd like to see him stay around for awhile, I also understand that if this team has a running game...watch out. OU also has D.J. Wolfe, a top-ten running back recruit as well. Furthermore, I don't hear too many Syracuse fans cursing Carmello Anthony for leaving after leading them to a National Championship.

[mckerney]

For every Randy Moss and Larry Fitzgerald that probably could make it at an early age, there will be dozens of players that can't. If the ruling stands, it will hurt the quality of play in the NFL as the bottoms of rosters are filled with players with potential and it will hurt college football as many of the stars are now bench-warmers in the NFL. I hate it. Just look at how basketball has been hurt by the age thing.

I don't think that the NFL quality will be hurt by teams carrying players based one potential as teams that carry more than one or two (which is done by teams currently), because teams really won't be able to afford to. What I do see happening is playing that could be stars coming in too early, and then not having the career they would have were they to go play in college.

[MrBug708]

Mike Williams is probably the only other underclassmen that would be ready at this age, and he's staying one more year at least

[MrBug708]

I wish Adrian Peterson the best of luck for as long as he stays at OU and wish him the best of luck after his tenure with the Sooners, however long that may be. I won't complain if he leaves after next year, because that means he made a significant impact. While I'd like to see him stay around for awhile, I also understand that if this team has a running game...watch out. OU also has D.J. Wolfe, a top-ten running back recruit as well. Furthermore, I don't hear too many Syracuse fans cursing Carmello Anthony for leaving after leading them to a National Championship.

Because Melo WON a National Championship. All Peterson has done is said that he's ready for the show

[tucker342]

Peterson is in for a rude awakening if he goes to the NFL. He'd get crushed against NFL football players....

[JeeberD]

The NFL should really encourage some kid to enter early, just to make an example of him. That would probably staunch the flow, at least for a while...

[oykib]

The floodgates are never going to open on this or-- at least-- they won't remain open. Basketball has room for these guys to sit on the bench. In hoops you've got a twelve-man active roster and three-man IR list that is filled primarily with guys, who have Mickey Mouse injuries, you want to stash. So, essentially, half your roster doesn't see any real action as most NBA teams go with eight-man rotations.

As all of you who've played FOF know, in football you've got to make the most of every roster spot. Those guys have to play special teams. How many teams ar forced to cut talented Players at the end of camp becuse of a lack of ability to contribute on special teams?

The vastly overwhelming majority of high school players will be absolute zeroes as far as special teams are concerned for their first year or two in the league. Considering the fact that they will not be starters, what does that leave you with? Can you have a third-string RB on your team that doesn't cover kickoffs? I think not.

The first big wave of High School draftees will be no bonus, fifth-plus rounders-- the greater percentage being cut before the end of the preseason.

[Vegas Vic]

Could be double trouble for OU. Rhett Bomar, the #1 rated QB in the nation, could be playing minor league baseball next year.

[JeffNights]

This kid is obviously seeing a different NFL. even if he does get drafted, he wont make it through the rigourous NFL training camp. Hell, vets put beatings of rookies coming outta college. I can only imagine what they'd do to a teenager.

[GrantDawg]

All I see is NFL Europe getting much better quality of player, and a huge push for the league to form a state-side minor league system. I still say this is win-win for all involved.

[cartman]

I actually see RBs being the most likely to succeed going in early. A Running back gets their edge from instincts. There are only 8 holes you have to remember, and the great ones learned how to "feel" when to make a change (Payton, Emmitt, Barry). As opposed to WR, where you have to learn precise route running, QB where you learn to read defenses, OL where you learn proper blocking and blitz reads, and defense, where everything is based on reading what the offense does. A RB basically gets the ball and runs like the wind, trying not to get hit.

[The_herd]

I actually see RBs being the most likely to succeed going in early. A Running back gets their edge from instincts. There are only 8 holes you have to remember, and the great ones learned how to "feel" when to make a change (Payton, Emmitt, Barry). As opposed to WR, where you have to learn precise route running, QB where you learn to read defenses, OL where you learn proper blocking and blitz reads, and defense, where everything is based on reading what the offense does. A RB basically gets the ball and runs like the wind, trying not to get hit.

I disagree. For every All-American running back coming out of high school that translates that success in the college game, there are 10 that fail and are quickly forgotten. Running backs are probably 2nd hardest to QB in judging future success.

WR is easily the position easiest to predict future success. Size and Speed are what makes a reciever, Randy Moss ran 1 route his rookie year and put up monster numbers. Andre Johnson would be rated as a poor route runner at this point. These are guys that were impact players after leaving school early. Route running doesn't mean as much early on if you can run by your man and have the size to get to balls corners can't.