Leinart to stay at USC

[heybrad]

I'm shocked.

Heres the link: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=1964834

How high would he have gone this year?

[digamma]

I'm shocked as well. Might as well book USC for the Rose Bowl next year.

[cthomer5000]

Almost certainly a bad decision from a 'maximizing your value' point of view.

[ISiddiqui]

Maybe he didn't want to be a 49er ;).

[timmynausea]

Almost certainly a bad decision from a 'maximizing your value' point of view.

Agreed 100%.

[JeeberD]

Son of a bitch!

That's one less good player the Cowboys have a shot at in the eleven spot... :(

[jamesUMD]

Here comes the major injury!!!!!!

[SackAttack]

Heard an interview with him on the radio the other day. It sounds like he really enjoys the college life and isn't quite ready to give that up. Plus, you know, the whole "first QB to win three straight AP titles" thing must appeal to him.

[digamma]

Somehow the announcement of USC punter Tom Malone has gotten lost in the shuffle.

[bosshogg23]

Kiper just said that he was the #1 pick if he came out.

Very suprising IMO.

[MacroGuru]

Here comes the major injury!!!!!!

If I am his parents, I do what the Mannings did...insurance policy on most major body parts. Knees, Arms...but I honestly feel, he was going within the top 5 this year...

[SackAttack]

Here's the other thing I wonder about. SF was supposedly gonna be gunning hard for Carroll. Does Leinart's decision signal that Carroll either has spurned SF, or will shortly?

[MacroGuru]

Here's the other thing I wonder about. SF was supposedly gonna be gunning hard for Carroll. Does Leinart's decision signal that Carroll either has spurned SF, or will shortly?

I thought he already said thanks but no thanks

[cthomer5000]

Here's the other thing I wonder about. SF was supposedly gonna be gunning hard for Carroll. Does Leinart's decision signal that Carroll either has spurned SF, or will shortly?
I think that is a pretty safe assumption. Carroll has much too much to risk in going back to the NFL, IMHO.

[stevew]

Kiper just said that he was the #1 pick if he came out.

Very suprising IMO.

Wow. That should be a no brainer to go pro then.

[DeToxRox]

I am glad he is staying. Too many times kids leave for the wrong reasons. Hes choosing the one that makes him happy and he'll graduate. If he gets an injury, maybe the NFL won't happen but he'll be able to put his degree to use.

Kudos, Matt

[TargetPractice6]

Yeah, I think it's great for him that he is doing what he really wants to instead of jumping for the money.

[cthomer5000]

I am glad he is staying. Too many times kids leave for the wrong reasons. Hes choosing the one that makes him happy and he'll graduate. If he gets an injury, maybe the NFL won't happen but he'll be able to put his degree to use.

Kudos, Matt
Well, I essentially agree, BUT:

You're leaving a MONSTER signing bonus (10+ million) on the table right now. Is it worth risking being set for life to do 1 more year of something you're enojying?

You can always finish school with that 10 million and get your degree later, so that's essentially a non-factor.

[BigJohn&TheLions]

I applaud him. He is what men are supposed to be. Randy Moss and his "$10,000 is nothing to me" are not...

[Franklinnoble]

Son of a bitch!

That's one less good player the Cowboys have a shot at in the eleven spot... :(

Please. No way he falls to 11, unless Dallas trades way up.

I think he just didn't want to play for the 'Niners, who would have most certainly drafted him. And while he's risking injury, the truth is, his chances are pretty good at getting through the year without getting hurt.

That said, I still think it's smarter to just go pro. He can't do any better than he did in the Championship game... and he'd make a ton of cash in the NFL before he even played a down.

[McSweeny]

Please. No way he falls to 11, unless Dallas trades way up.

i think Jeeber is saying that Leinart would push everyone else down a slot, thus giving Dallas a shot at a better pick

[Franklinnoble]

i think Jeeber is saying that Leinart would push everyone else down a slot, thus giving Dallas a shot at a better pick

If that's the case, then Jeeber is over-analyzing the situation.

Besides, I'm betting the player they want the most will be gone by #9. ;)

[Cuckoo]

If that's the case, then Jeeber is over-analyzing the situation.

Besides, I'm betting the player they want the most will be gone by #9. ;)

I agree with Jeeber, and I don't think it's necessarily over-analyzing to say that. I think Leinart will be a decent NFL quarterback, and this move surprises me, but I don't think he'll be a star. For that reason, I don't want Dallas to draft him. But, his presence in the top ten would push down a better player to the Cowboys at 11. As a fan of the boys, I want them to get the best DE, CB, or S that they can get at 11.

[cuervo72]

Well, I essentially agree, BUT:

You're leaving a MONSTER signing bonus (10+ million) on the table right now. Is it worth risking being set for life to do 1 more year of something you're enojying?

You can always finish school with that 10 million and get your degree later, so that's essentially a non-factor.

The one thing about this though that I've heard mentioned is: what kind of career-threatening QB injuries are there? There really isn't much, I don't think. Even if he were to blow out a knee or something, it's not something that can't be overcome and rehabilitated. It's not as much of a risk as a position that relies on speed (WR, or especially RB). Save something head or spinal related, I'm not sure there is *that* much of a risk. Maybe he comes out more prepared from this somehow...I don't know. I think going into the draft now would be the expected (wise?) decision, but I don't know really how much he loses by staying in.

[Sharpieman]

Maybe he didn't want to be a 49er ;).
Good because I didn't want him either!

[kingfc22]

As a diehard Niner fan and a season ticket holder. I PRAY that they trade down now. They need so much help in so many spots.

[GrantDawg]

So many guys need that extra year, but Leinart isn't one of them. I can't say this was the best desicion, but it is his life.

[DaddyTorgo]

i think this is great for college athletics. Too many times you get people like Clarett (for example) deciding to use their year of college as a springboard to go pro. And now here's a guy who says "Yeah, I'm going to finish school" (and try to three-peat, let's not kid ourselves that's not a reason) and people want to criticize him for that? He can get insurance easily which I'm sure he will, using his expected signing bonus to pay the deferred premiums I would expect. So what's the risk? Really none. Whether he comes out this year and is #1 or goes back to school and has a bad year and drops into say (at worst) the 2nd or 3rd round (longshot, but I guess possible), he's still going to be set for a long time with the signing bonus and the salary (provided he doesn't get cut), and if football's not going to work out he has that USC education all set to run with, as well as the goodwill of the school and its boosters. Win-win for him.

[CHEMICAL SOLDIER]

More time for him to be exposed as a Fraud. :D

[MacroGuru]

More time for him to be exposed as a Fraud. :D

Not happening with who he has returning on offense, and the fact that their stud ILB is returning as well.

[Young Drachma]

Almost certainly a bad decision from a 'maximizing your value' point of view.

Agreed.

[DeToxRox]

I know it's hard for us to imagine all that money he's passing up but he is happy in school, and to some people that's all that matters.

For as much as we call it stupid, he's doing what makes him happy. Hell, I bet he thinks a lot of us are stupid who go to jobs we hate to make a few extra bucks.

[terpkristin]

Interestingly enough, FARK gave this a "dumbass" tag.

~tk

[JeeberD]

i think Jeeber is saying that Leinart would push everyone else down a slot, thus giving Dallas a shot at a better pick

McSweeny wins a Kewpie Doll... :)

[GrantDawg]

i think this is great for college athletics. Too many times you get people like Clarett (for example) deciding to use their year of college as a springboard to go pro. And now here's a guy who says "Yeah, I'm going to finish school" (and try to three-peat, let's not kid ourselves that's not a reason) and people want to criticize him for that? He can get insurance easily which I'm sure he will, using his expected signing bonus to pay the deferred premiums I would expect. So what's the risk? Really none. Whether he comes out this year and is #1 or goes back to school and has a bad year and drops into say (at worst) the 2nd or 3rd round (longshot, but I guess possible), he's still going to be set for a long time with the signing bonus and the salary (provided he doesn't get cut), and if football's not going to work out he has that USC education all set to run with, as well as the goodwill of the school and its boosters. Win-win for him.Your wrong about the risk. Those insurance policies pays quarters on the dollar when compared to what he would make in a career as a number 1 pick. It only pays part of what would be his first contract. It would also have to be a "career ending" injury, and as pointed out above, there is not many career ending injuries today. What is much more likely is an injury that in the end could affect his ability (like a shoulder problem that always nags, or developing a concussion problem that severly shortens his career). An injury could put him back and he could lose out.

Now, as I said, it is his life and career to gamble. He loves college and wants more awards, that's great and college football fans love it. I will not say it is a wise choice (he can finish school while plays or after he plays. The USC boosters would love him regardless. So your "win-win" isn't much) though, nor worship him as a hero.

[SunDancer]

Maybe he likes the whole college experience. Not just the football, or the education, but the social life and all others rolled into one. He can always get his degree, but he can't be a full college student like he is now. Also, I though he already completed his degree?

[GrantDawg]

BTW, Are people seriously saying there is something "bad" or "wrong" with a kid coming out early? Why? If it was your body you put on the line, and your career, why would it be bad to go ahead and go pro?

[ISiddiqui]

BTW, Are people seriously saying there is something "bad" or "wrong" with a kid coming out early? Why? If it was your body you put on the line, and your career, why would it be bad to go ahead and go pro?
In the same token, if it was your body you put on the line, and your career, why would it bad to do what makes you happy and keep playing college ball.

[GrantDawg]

In the same token, if it was your body you put on the line, and your career, why would it bad to do what makes you happy and keep playing college ball.
I've already given the reasons. Not "bad" as in "evil." "Bad" as in "unwise." It is his life and his choice, and that is all that matters in the end. But he has a lot to lose and little to nothing to gain is my point. (It is just like the Ricky Williams thing. If it is what he wants, then he has every right to do it. I have every right to think he's a numbskull, too)

[ISiddiqui]

Yet he enjoys the college life. Maybe a few extra million dollars doesn't outweigh that. I don't think it is unwise at all, if he does really loves the college experience. It doesn't have to be all about the money.

[Eaglesfan27]

I'm late catching up on threads today.

I think Matt Leinart made a stupid move. He certainly would have been a top 5 pick, and possibly a #1 pick. However, I'm absolutely thrilled he made it. I really think he wants to be known as one of the best college QB's ever. If he can win a 3rd straight AP Title and/or a 2nd Heisman, then he will earn that honor. Also, USC is a very nice campus (despite being in a bad neighborhood) with many pretty co-eds. Matt is surely one of the Biggest ever BMOC. I can understand his decision and am thrilled with it. One other factor is that USC is returning most of their players and should be better next year as the offensive line will jell together even more, the receivers will be more experienced, and Bush will still be explosive.

[Easy Mac]

I think its a great choice... I wouldn't make it, but its a great choice. I think you can look at it 2 ways:
1) Go back to college, a known quantity. He has a very good shot at a 3rd national title, a second Heisman, and if that happens, he'd be the greatest college QB ever. Chances are his draft status won't be hurt badly.
2) Go to the NFL and get thrust into a situation with a new coach, poor line, new offense, huge expectations. It will probably happen whenever he comes out, but why not get that last great year in? I'd rather be known as the best college QB ever than as just another NFL QB who had an average career because his formative years were wasted in a horrible situation (and thats what the 49ers or Browns are).

Hell, we remember Christian Laettner's name, not because he was a great pro... he was just there. We remember because he was one the better, most "clutch" college basketball players ever.

[Ragone]

If I am his parents, I do what the Mannings did...insurance policy on most major body parts. Knees, Arms...but I honestly feel, he was going within the top 5 this year...

Oddly enough, would need double coverage if he got drafted by the 49'ers :)

[GrantDawg]

I think its a great choice... I wouldn't make it, but its a great choice. I think you can look at it 2 ways:
1) Go back to college, a known quantity. He has a very good shot at a 3rd national title, a second Heisman, and if that happens, he'd be the greatest college QB ever. Chances are his draft status won't be hurt badly.
2) Go to the NFL and get thrust into a situation with a new coach, poor line, new offense, huge expectations. It will probably happen whenever he comes out, but why not get that last great year in? I'd rather be known as the best college QB ever than as just another NFL QB who had an average career because his formative years were wasted in a horrible situation (and thats what the 49ers or Browns are).

Hell, we remember Christian Laettner's name, not because he was a great pro... he was just there. We remember because he was one the better, most "clutch" college basketball players ever.
There is a third and fourth option.

3) He could go back to college and under-preform. Nothing but an another championship and another heisman will really be enough. It will not be a goal, it will be what is expected. It has happened, and it could cost him big time. I also think that it would sour his "college experience."

4) He could have went pro and been the next Roethlisberger and have great year out of the gate.

[cthomer5000]

Exactly, Grant.

And underpeforming can take him from a 15 mill bonus guy down to a 2-3 million bonus guy. The money drops fast in the first round.

[MrBug708]

I'm shocked.

Heres the link: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=1964834

How high would he have gone this year?

He doesnt need the money, his dad owns a pretty huge contracting company down in Manhattan or Newport Beach and regulary takes the team out to eat.

[Franklinnoble]

He doesnt need the money, his dad owns a pretty huge contracting company down in Manhattan or Newport Beach and regulary takes the team out to eat.

That explains a lot.

Even if he gets hurt, he's got a lucrative career in construction waiting for him, it sounds like.

Now it makes more sense.