Who will opt out of the bowl game?

[PSUFTG2]

Players opt out of Bowls now for one simple reason - it has become "acceptable".

It was just a few years ago that the talking heads were all aglow jabbering about the RB from Stanford "opting out" of a bowl game (even though, IIRC, he had some nagging injuries).
Now? It has become an accepted practice.

This, despite it being no more rational or reasoned than a player simply dropping out at any time during the season. ie: What rationale would there be for, say, Fashanu, dropping out of the Bowl game - but not having dropped out of the games vs Rutgers and MSU? Aside from one being more acceptable to all the talking heads and social media-ites? There is none.

Players opting out is, without question, a selfish/self-centered action. Whenever they do it. The question is: "Is it OK for them to be selfish?"

Generally, as sports fans/media, we have become accepting of that vav Bowl Games - but not, as of yet, with just shutting things down at some point in the middle of the season (though that may come soon enough). But, rationally, there is no difference between one and the other.
As "College Football" moves more and more to being viewed as a "minor league audition for the NFL" (that is, for all intents and purposes what it is now - at least in the minds of players at the big $$$ programs, but just not yet viewed by most as being that), more and more cases of shutting it down will certainly occur.

 

[Tom_PSU]

This discussion makes one wonder how the spectators in the Roman Coliseum felt when a truly murderous gladiator gained his freedom.

 

[Midnighter]

I’d argue that it would be rather difficult to “tone down” the actions of players trying to improve their draft status. Money talks and suggestions don’t.

I don’t really don’t have strong feelings about whether a player should opt out of bowl games or not. Everyone should do what’s best for them. That in itself is a reason for playing in NFL sponsored and run games. I’m sorry, it’s just that playing in one and avoiding the other just doesn’t appear logical bye logics definition, even if one assumes that it benefits them. But I also understand that what i believe isn’t a controlling factor.

Argue all you like - they have special rules for the game (such as limiting kickoffs) etc. Some are to simplify the game to allow for better evaluation, others are for safety. Here are some examples:

A quick look at Senior Bowl rules for Saturday’s game

This is not a normal football game, it’s more of a scrimmage. Many rules you may be familiar with are altered, so let’s look at the full list.

www.ninersnation.com

I. OFFENSE

Personnel

Offensive personnel packages will be limited to three (3):

(2) Running Backs, (1) Tight End, (2) Wide Receivers

(1) Running Back, (2) Tight Ends, (2) Wide Receivers

(1) Running Back, (1) Tight End, (3) Wide Receivers

Other sub-packages, i.e., short yardage or goal line, are not permitted.

a. Must break the huddle and align in final formation. Motion or shifts by eligible receivers is not permitted.

b. Open formations must be balanced. Three eligible receivers aligned on the same side (Trips) is not permitted.

c. Running backs are permitted to break the formation and align in a flex position provided the formation remains balanced.

d. There will be no intentional grounding called. It is permissible for the passer to throw the ball away in an effort to save loss of yardage.

Blocking

All blocks below the waist are prohibited.

 

[Corner Room Breakfast]

This discussion makes one wonder how the spectators in the Roman Coliseum felt when a truly murderous gladiator gained his freedom.

Sometimes Nero would throw a section of spectators to the animals.

 

[bdgan]

Parker Washington made a huge mistake IMO. He would have made this PSU offense much better this year. He got drafted by the Jags, but I’m not sure he has even been active on game days yet.

Parker Washington signed a four-year contract worth $4,032,264 with the Jaguars on May 3, 2023. The contract has $192,264 in guarantees, and he received a signing bonus worth $192,264.

Bottom line is he got some money and some want it now instead of waiting and hoping for better.

 

[bdgan]

After how he looked against Harrison, I cannot see King being drafted in the first round. I could see Dixon being drafted ahead of him.

King could fall to the second round but he'll certainly get drafted.

The top second-round pick will sign a deal estimated to be a four-year, $8.68 million contract which includes a $3.87 million signing bonus

 

[bdgan]

I’m actually surprised more guys haven’t taken the Parsons approach of skipping their third collegiate year altogether if they think they’ve done enough.

After all, they didn't come to college to play school.

 

[bdgan]

They are professional athletes who are well paid. If they skip the bowl they can go **** themselves.

Continuing to talk like they are some amateur athletes doing it for the love of the game is stupid. They drive expensive cars and make big money. They are paid mercenaries with little connection to the University other than that NIL check that they negotiate and cash. If they do not play they should be contractually required to pay back NIL money.

Except that the NIL money doesn't come from the school.

 

[Connorpozlee]

Question. Who should be deemed more selfish? The player who stands to get drafted or the fan who just wants him to play so they can watch?

Why does either one have to be labeled selfish? I understand why a player sits out in order to save himself from potential injury. At the same time, I want to see my team at its best and see the best players playing.

 

[bdgan]

It’s the No Win Bowl - beat them and no one cares, lose to them and it’s an embarrassment.

Beat them and we get a top 10 finish. I think that's worth something.

 

[bdgan]

Who is contributing to the NIL? Not the University. The fans, that is who. Not the University. Not the coaches. The fans. If these paid players want to skip out they should pay the money back. F them.

Since the players and coaches are paid professionals WE DESERVE THE BEST. We pay for the tickets, the merch, the stadium and facilities, and the NIL. Not Penn State University. WE DO. Kraft and his team pray we will keep the money coming in purchases and donations.

I don't buy this they are kids earning degrees and going on to careers nonsense. This is not 1970 or even 2010. The players are well paid and they OWE the people putting putting up the money and giving them the cars they drive.

If the coaches do not give us their best show them the door. Tell them they are Bottom Feeders. Make their lives a living hell until they are gone. They OWE us.

You people who think otherwise must go around with kick me signs taped to your backs. The rest of us want what we pay for, or we will damn well complain. You do not like that? Get lost.

I don't blame the players for doing what they think is in their best interest. I do blame the system that allows this to happen.

 

[Catch1lion]

​

Beat them and we get a top 10 finish. I think that's worth something.

 

[Catch1lion]

This discussion makes one wonder how the spectators in the Roman Coliseum felt when a truly murderous gladiator gained his freedom.

Rumor has it Gladiator II production has been slowed by NIL and the transfer portal . I hear the Amalfi Coast is becoming a popular transfer locale .

 

[LB99]

Parker Washington signed a four-year contract worth $4,032,264 with the Jaguars on May 3, 2023. The contract has $192,264 in guarantees, and he received a signing bonus worth $192,264.

Bottom line is he got some money and some want it now instead of waiting and hoping for better.

I get it. I still think he made a mistake.

 

[johnmpsu]

I don't blame the players for doing what they think is in their best interest. I do blame the system that allows this to happen.

Bingo. This is exactly correct.
Since this is a controversial topic, I think there is only one relatively simple solution. Players accepting renumeration from the school in any way should be required to sign a contract which clearly lays out the schools and the players responsibilities while at that institution. This contract should be an NCAA wide agreement without exception.
I would apply this to all sports.

The one thing that no one seems to mention is that in addition to all the perks provided by the school the biggest one is the opportunity to be seen by professional leagues. So, yes the player does owe the school something. Contracts will define what that is.

 

[MacNit2.0]

Saw this today....

(Photo: © Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports, USA TODAY Sports)
Projected matchup: Penn State vs. Tulane
This is not where Penn State wanted to be in the postseason, but there are numerous programs who would love to finish with double-digit wins and play in the New Year's Six. James Franklin will tell you the same on the record. After playing in the Rose Bowl last season, the Nittany Lions could add a Peach Bowl trophy to their expansive case against our projected Group of Five champion. Ole Miss could get this spot if the Rebels are ranked ahead of Penn State in the final committee rankings. Tulane's a win away from wrapping up another berth in a big-time bowl game under Willie Fritz.

And if Tulane loses?

Bring on the Liberty Fames!?!

 

[MacNit2.0]

I never understood opting out. Football is inherently dangerous. Why play at all once it’s determined you will be a high draft choice.?
I’ve always thought a good solution is for the bowls to buy insurance against injury for all the top players.

Schools already have such insurance.

 

[psuro]

Sometimes Nero would throw a section of spectators to the animals.

This is what happens to those who didn't observe the "down in front" rules.

 

[PSU89er]

Parker Washington signed a four-year contract worth $4,032,264 with the Jaguars on May 3, 2023. The contract has $192,264 in guarantees, and he received a signing bonus worth $192,264.

Bottom line is he got some money and some want it now instead of waiting and hoping for better.

So really, Washington got $192,264, which he probably could have made in NIL had he stayed at PSU. The result of the contract money is boderline meaningless since the Jags can walk away from the contract at any time. The big money in contracts for everyone except top picks is the second contract, not the first. In leaving, hes a year closer to that.

 

[PSU89er]

King could fall to the second round but he'll certainly get drafted.

The top second-round pick will sign a deal estimated to be a four-year, $8.68 million contract which includes a $3.87 million signing bonus

So if Washington stayed at PSU and jumped into this range, he would have been looking at 3.87 million as a signing bonus.

You can argue a lot of things, but with Washington getting hurt late last year and not being able to go full out at the combine. With the way things are, he probably did make a mistake not staying for another year, assuming he could stay healthy and go to the combine this year and show what he could do.

Thats the risk he would have taken. All I know is Washington was very strong had really good hands and if he does stay healthy he'll stay in the league for a while, and he could have been higher draft pick, but there is risk involved in staying or leaving.

 

[Tom_PSU]

This is what happens to those who didn't observe the "down in front" rules.

I would imagine that “ticket scalping” also had a more ominous connotation.

 

[marshall23]

Why does either one have to be labeled selfish? I understand why a player sits out in order to save himself from potential injury. At the same time, I want to see my team at its best and see the best players playing.

I'm going to take a leap of faith here.....and assume everyone who participates here wants to see PSU at its best. But being realistic about the program is not always a strong point by many here. Opt outs are a reality and they aren't going away. I will be disappointed to hear about those who decide not to play, but I don't begrudge them their right to make that decision.
Penn State is probably one of the better programs in terms of limiting bowl opt outs (if its a NY6). But fans who make all sorts of proclamations about "letting their teammates down," need to realize that isn't the case or the perception shared by those who are actually impacted. View it as an opportunity for some of the younger guys to shine. I hope I'm wrong but I think there will be 3-6 opt outs.....not including a few that will have hit the portal.

 

[marshall23]

I don't blame the players for doing what they think is in their best interest. I do blame the system that allows this to happen.

I think its pretty clear, college football is "The Wild West." Free agency and pay for play ....just different names, but same impact.
We are all better to understand the game we grew up with and learned to love ain't coming back.

 

[Connorpozlee]

I'm going to take a leap of faith here.....and assume everyone who participates here wants to see PSU at its best. But being realistic about the program is not always a strong point by many here. Opt outs are a reality and they aren't going away. I will be disappointed to hear about those who decide not to play, but I don't begrudge them their right to make that decision.
Penn State is probably one of the better programs in terms of limiting bowl opt outs (if it’s a NY6). But fans who make all sorts of proclamations about "letting their teammates down," need to realize that isn't the case or the perception shared by those who are actually impacted. View it as an opportunity for some of the younger guys to shine. I hope I'm wrong but I think there will be 3-6 opt outs.....not including a few that will have hit the portal.

OK. I still don’t see selfishness out of fans wanting to see their team’s best players play. You said it here about yourself being disappointed to hear players have opted out, unless you are saying you are also selfish.

 

[marshall23]

OK. I still don’t see selfishness out of fans wanting to see their team’s best players play. You said it here about yourself being disappointed to hear players have opted out, unless you are saying you are also selfish.

Nope. Just understanding that players that opt out are doing so to position themselves to make life changing money. We should be happy for them. Being disappointed that we can't see them in blue and white again, is in my opinion, only natural. Bad mouthing them and concocting ideas like they are letting fans or teammates down, is selfish.

 

[PSU89er]

Nope. Just understanding that players that opt out are doing so to position themselves to make life changing money. We should be happy for them. Being disappointed that we can't see them in blue and white again, is in my opinion, only natural. Bad mouthing them and concocting ideas like they are letting fans or teammates down, is selfish.

I think you can make an argument regarding a player leaving early versus staying, either way every time. I know last year I really hoped that Fashanu would make the jump to a top 3 pick, because it would have more than justified him staying when everyone was saying he probably was a top ten pick last year. Maybe that still happens, but who knows. I am sure we don’t know the satisfaction he got to graduate, play one more year, insert other reason that Olu has that we don’t know about here.

I know many on here have vented on Deion Barnes for leaving early, and blasted him and Larry Johnson for it. I’ve always said Barnes left when he was ready to go. He got his shot in two different training camps and maybe he was just ready to be done with school. I will say this, had he left a year later it moves everything for him in his life. Question, Is he a young dline coach here that the players seem to love if he stayed that last year? I doubt it. A lot of times, things do work out for the best (in coaching, timing is a huge issue), and for a lot of these guys, you just got to hope they make the best out of it.

 

[Connorpozlee]

Nope. Just understanding that players that opt out are doing so to position themselves to make life changing money. We should be happy for them. Being disappointed that we can't see them in blue and white again, is in my opinion, only natural. Bad mouthing them and concocting ideas like they are letting fans or teammates down, is selfish.

It’s still not selfish. Childish maybe, but not selfish.
Would you be OK with a player bailing out after game #6 if they felt like they’d done enough to ensure their draft position?

 

[marshall23]

It’s still not selfish. Childish maybe, but not selfish.
Would you be OK with a player bailing out after game #6 if they felt like they’d done enough to ensure their draft position?

Again, its matters not what I'm okay with. What gives me the insight or the right to judge their situation? Selfish or childish? Do we really want to debate this?

 

[Nitt1300]

Sometimes Nero would throw a section of spectators to the animals.

great idea

 

[Connorpozlee]

Again, its matters not what I'm okay with. What gives me the insight or the right to judge their situation? Selfish or childish? Do we really want to debate this?

You’re judging posters in here. Why not judge the players as well?
My question was a simple, straight forward one. Would you be OK with a player bailing out after game #6 if they felt like they’d done enough to ensure their draft position?

 

[marshall23]

You’re judging posters in here. Why not judge the players as well?
My question was a simple, straight forward one. Would you be OK with a player bailing out after game #6 if they felt like they’d done enough to ensure their draft position?

I'd be disappointed. But I wouldn't join the internet posse trashing him. I don't know about others, but I've lived my life, made mostly good decisions and some I wish I had a second chance. These young men make the decisions they think best. What is so hard about accepting this?

 

[s1uggo72]

I'd be disappointed. But I wouldn't join the internet posse trashing him. I don't know about others, but I've lived my life, made mostly good decisions and some I wish I had a second chance. These young men make the decisions they think best. What is so hard about accepting this?

my problem with this is the 'team' concept. I ask, what happened to Team, you know , there is no I in team, etc? its always about the WIIFM, and I do not like that.

 

[Connorpozlee]

I'd be disappointed. But I wouldn't join the internet posse trashing him. I don't know about others, but I've lived my life, made mostly good decisions and some I wish I had a second chance. These young men make the decisions they think best. What is so hard about accepting this?

I certainly don’t see a “posse” trashing these decisions. I see some people who have an opinion different than yours and mine, but I certainly don’t see a “posse”.

 

[marshall23]

my problem with this is the 'team' concept. I ask, what happened to Team, you know , there is no I in team, etc? its always about the WIIFM, and I do not like that.

High school. College players don't view business decisions as a betrayal.

 

[s1uggo72]

High school. College players don't view business decisions as a betrayal.

So HS is the only place for a team concept? Don’t have one in college? Or the pros?
idk but it is something I miss.
team

 

[marshall23]

I certainly don’t see a “posse” trashing these decisions. I see some people who have an opinion different than yours and mine, but I certainly don’t see a “posse”.

Again, semantics.

So HS is the only place for a team concept? Don’t have one in college? Or the pros?
idk but it is something I miss.
team

I get it. Team is still a thing...but life changing money is the paramount goal for p5 players. Your perspective in life is determined by where you stand.