NFL Off Topic

[TheShizNo1]

What's the graduation/dropout rate for college in general though? Isn't it about 50% of freshmen drop out after 1 year?

EDIT: 46% of those who enter a U.S. college fail to graduate within six years.

http://politic365.com/2013/01/24/college-dropout-rate-called-national-crisis-in-new-report/

So is the graduation rate for sports drastically lower than the grad rate for college in general?

I don't think you could lump all college sports. Those sports in which millions of dollars aren't waved at them while in school, I'm sure the graduation right is higher as opposed to football, basketball, track, etc.

[rangerrick012]

Re: NFL Off Topic 2012

I don't think you could lump all college sports. Those sports in which millions of dollars aren't waved at them while in school, I'm sure the graduation right is higher as opposed to football, basketball, track, etc.

But that doesn't speak to the fact of whether grad rates for football/basketball are markedly lower than those of the general student population at certain schools. Are they?

[kingkilla56]

Re: NFL Off Topic 2012

I didn't say that. I said having something to fall back on.

They can go back to school when the ride is over or finish their degree while a pro if they feel so compelled. But telling a kid no you are not allowed to play in the NFL without a college degree is nonsense. Which was the hypothetical I was responding to.

[TheShizNo1]

But that doesn't speak to the fact of whether grad rates for football/basketball are markedly lower than those of the general student population at certain schools. Are they?

Off the top of my head, I can't give you a number. I do know it's not as simple as calculating non athletes. Athletic graduation numbers don't take certain things into account. When I get time, I'll look for a link.

[TheShizNo1]

They can go back to school when the ride is over or finish their degree while a pro if they feel so compelled. But telling a kid no you are not allowed to play in the NFL without a college degree is nonsense. Which was the hypothetical I was responding to.

I think you can. You have to do certain things before you can go to nursing school, before you can take the bar, before you do most things you go to college for. Why can't that be applied to sports? Would they not be better prepared w/ 4-5 years experience versus 3-4?

[rangerrick012]

Re: NFL Off Topic 2012

I think you can. You have to do certain things before you can go to nursing school, before you can take the bar, before you do most things you go to college for. Why can't that be applied to sports? Would they not be better prepared w/ 4-5 years experience versus 3-4?

The thing is, if a guy doesn't want to learn or isn't willing to do so, you can't force them. Also some of these guys know the $$$ they can make will make them set for life and aren't interested in a fall back plan. Also there's no guarantee that forcing a guy to stay will make them any less likely to blow through the money they do eventually get when they hit the league.

[TheShizNo1]

The thing is, if a guy doesn't want to learn or isn't willing to do so, you can't force them. Also some of these guys know the $$$ they can make will make them set for life and aren't interested in a fall back plan. Also there's no guarantee that forcing a guy to stay will make them any less likely to blow through the money they do eventually get when they hit the league.

Agreed. You can't make them, but you can put things in place to steer them in that direction. The old horse and water kind of thing.

It shouldn't be athletics>education. Just my opinion.

[Bmore Irish]

Re: NFL Off Topic 2012

Bill Gates dropped out of Harvard when he saw the opportunity to make money elsewhere. Granted, it's a different situation, but really when you think about it an athlete is just another person with a skill or expertise that has an opportunity to make loads of money doing something other than going to school. If I had the opportunity to drop out and make millions, I sure as hell would do it. Nothing beats a guaranteed way to pay back these student loans

[TheShizNo1]

Bill Gates dropped out of Harvard when he saw the opportunity to make money elsewhere. Granted, it's a different situation, but really when you think about it an athlete is just another person with a skill or expertise that has an opportunity to make loads of money doing something other than going to school. If I had the opportunity to drop out and make millions, I sure as hell would do it. Nothing beats a guaranteed way to pay back these student loans

And for every Bill Gates, there's hundreds of others that don't turn into million/billionaires. Lets not forget there are 32 NFL teams and only 53 rosters spots and 7 rounds in the draft. Over a 100+ FBS teams alone. I feel like you guys are talking about the Trent Richardsons/Andrew Lucks of the world. Not the borderline late round picks that get cut and that's it.

[Jr.]

Re: NFL Off Topic 2012

And for every Bill Gates, there's hundreds of others that don't turn into million/billionaires. Lets not forget there are 32 NFL teams and only 53 rosters spots and 7 rounds in the draft. Over a 100+ FBS teams alone. I feel like you guys are talking about the Trent Richardsons/Andrew Lucks of the world. Not the borderline late round picks that get cut and that's it.

Referring to the article, it actually is just talking about the Andrew Lucks/Trent Richardsons of college football.

I don't think there is anyone that questions that Jadaveon Clowney and Marquise Lee are ready for the NFL this year.

No one could stop Jevan Sneed when he left Ole Miss after starting only 1 year (when he clearly wasn't ready for the NFL), but guys that are ready aren't allowed because they haven't been out of HS long enough?

I know it's an exception and not the rule, but look at Lattimore. Many people thought he was NFL ready after his freshman season. Who knows if he would've gone had he had the chance, but now his career will never be the same after 2 devastating knee injuries in successive years. He didn't get the chance to make his millions while he was healthy.

I love college football and college sports, don't get me wrong. But if I was a sure-thing top 15 pick, there is no way I would play a snap/play/second more than I needed to.

[wwharton]

Re: NFL Off Topic 2012

I think you can. You have to do certain things before you can go to nursing school, before you can take the bar, before you do most things you go to college for. Why can't that be applied to sports? Would they not be better prepared w/ 4-5 years experience versus 3-4?

But you can't major in football. All of your examples require you to do things directly related to the field you're about to go in. That's why sports is very different. People also need to look at the other side of the equation. There are tons of athletes not paying a dime to go to universities and take up roster spots when all they really do is play their sport. They don't go to class, don't take anything seriously... they're just there.

Personally I don't even think this should be a discussion here. It's more appropriate in the basketball forum imo (and even there I think kids should be required to go for 3 years if they go at all). But the difference between this and basketball is there are other options for HS kids that want to play basketball before the NBA AND it's more likely to be physically ready to play professional basketball at 19 than football.

[Kaiser Wilhelm]

Re: NFL Off Topic 2012

Count me in for the rule being have a B.A. (or its equivalency) or no eligibility. It would be a fairly progressive policy by the NFL to ensure that these kids have some fall back plan. Force them to hit the books more.

Of course, this also means colleges need to maintain academic honesty in the student-athlete community and athletic departments. A B.A. is not much to ask for, particularly a B.A. in Liberal Arts.

[Kaiser Wilhelm]

Re: NFL Off Topic 2012

But you can't major in football. All of your examples require you to do things directly related to the field you're about to go in. That's why sports is very different. People also need to look at the other side of the equation. There are tons of athletes not paying a dime to go to universities and take up roster spots when all they really do is play their sport. They don't go to class, don't take anything seriously... they're just there.

Personally I don't even think this should be a discussion here. It's more appropriate in the basketball forum imo (and even there I think kids should be required to go for 3 years if they go at all). But the difference between this and basketball is there are other options for HS kids that want to play basketball before the NBA AND it's more likely to be physically ready to play professional basketball at 19 than football.

Many businesses will not employ persons without an B.A. even if it has nothing to do with the profession. These are government mandated requirements for the professions the other poster stated, but private firms also have degrees, self-imposed, as a requisite.

[kingkilla56]

Re: NFL Off Topic 2012

What part about having a BA in liberal arts will help a guy catch a ball? Quite frankly it isnt the leagues responsibility that these guys have backup plans or degrees. The same way these schools dont force their players (keyword: players) to finish out their commitments if they chose to leave for the pros.

[Kaiser Wilhelm]

Re: NFL Off Topic 2012

What part about having a BA in liberal arts will help a guy catch a ball? Quite frankly it isnt the leagues responsibility that these guys have backup plans or degrees. The same way these schools dont force their players (keyword: players) to finish out their commitments if they chose to leave for the pros.

Will it help them catch a ball? No. Will it make them more well rounded human beings? Well, popular perception of education would say yes. The NFL could use more well rounded individuals.