So Clarett sued the NFL today

[spanky]

By all accounts, the NFL are going to be into a dogfight on draft age eligibility as a result and Claret might just win this one.

This is a really scary issue. IMHO, all was right before and now with the potential of sophmores entering the draft, I think PANDORA'S BOX has now been opened.

NFL calibre football is a game played by big, fast, mean individuals whose bodies have matured and are more likely ready to assume the physical rigors of the game. An eighteen or nineteen year old is going to get killed against these mammoths. Don't get me wrong, basketball is a physically challenging sport, but those that move into the pros from high school, if they are good enough, can at least compete size wise.......and in basketball, Shaq is not running down the court with the sole intention of smashing into someone and taking him out of the game.

Hockey allows for 19 year olds to enter the draft but unless you are Wayne Gretzky, there are developmental leagues to get you started in before going to the big dance. Same with baseball.

Clarett is pushing an envelope that he should'nt . And for the wrong reasons.......after all, we wouldn't have heard boo about this if he hadn't gotten into trouble (again, age and maturity) at OSU and they discipline him by making him sit out for a year.His parents should be ashamed.

 

[Ryanwb]

He needs to just go play for Grambling and be done with it. He F'ed up and now he has to pay the price for his actions

 

[Russ Smith]

Originally posted by spanky
Hockey allows for 19 year olds to enter the draft but unless you are Wayne Gretzky, there are developmental leagues to get you started in before going to the big dance. Same with baseball.

Clarett is pushing an envelope that he should'nt . And for the wrong reasons.......after all, we wouldn't have heard boo about this if he hadn't gotten into trouble (again, age and maturity) at OSU and they discipline him by making him sit out for a year.His parents should be ashamed.

It's inevitable someone will challenge it. Woodson talked about it at Michigan, even Daylon McCutcheon said as a soph at USC(he was rated a first rounder at the time) that he was interested in going to the NFL. That was more coaching they were asking him to return kicks and possibly move to RB when he knew his future was as a CB.

I suspect the NFL will settle with Clarett and let him in without opening the door to everyone else.

But if he goes to court and wins I agree with you the door is open and a lot of negatives will occur as a result.

 

[EndZone]

Re: Re: So Clarett sued the NFL today

Originally posted by Russ Smith
It's inevitable someone will challenge it. Woodson talked about it at Michigan, even Daylon McCutcheon said as a soph at USC(he was rated a first rounder at the time) that he was interested in going to the NFL. That was more coaching they were asking him to return kicks and possibly move to RB when he knew his future was as a CB.

I suspect the NFL will settle with Clarett and let him in without opening the door to everyone else.

But if he goes to court and wins I agree with you the door is open and a lot of negatives will occur as a result.

If that happens it sets a precedent, if they let him in they might as well just let everyone else in because everyone else will sue and win on the precedent they set with Clarett.

 

[Russ Smith]

Re: Re: Re: So Clarett sued the NFL today

Originally posted by EndZone
If that happens it sets a precedent, if they let him in they might as well just let everyone else in because everyone else will sue and win on the precedent they set with Clarett.

Depends. Clarett is in an unusual situation because I don't think he CAN play college football in the near future. I think the NCAA sanctions follow him if he goes to a D1 school, so he either moves down, or goes pro.

I think that's what the NFL will ultimately say he's a special case.

If they just say we don't want to go to court so welcome, you're right that will open the door for everyone else using the same tactic.

I like Clarett a lot as a player but the best case scenario if he makes the NFL is a major bust, that will dissuade others from following suit, if he comes in and plays well, look out other Fools rush in.

 

[Dback Jon]

Re: Re: Re: Re: So Clarett sued the NFL today

Originally posted by Russ Smith
Depends. Clarett is in an unusual situation because I don't think he CAN play college football in the near future. I think the NCAA sanctions follow him if he goes to a D1 school, so he either moves down, or goes pro.

I think that's what the NFL will ultimately say he's a special case.

So then what happens when the next stud player cheats on purpose, so the NCAA declares him ineligble too?

It would be rewarding cheating.

 

[Assface]

If Clarett gains draft elegibility where do you think he gets drafted. He's only played one year and didn't even make it through a college season healthy. He's got the ability but do any teams want to risk an early pick on him? IF he does drop really far after all the hype does he sue for collusion saying the owners "ganged up" to keep him from being the early pick he deserves to be?

 

[Northern Card]

Re: Re: So Clarett sued the NFL today

Originally posted by Russ Smith
.

I suspect the NFL will settle with Clarett and let him in without opening the door to everyone else.

RUSS, this would be a de-facto precedent that would lead to the "negatives" you later mentioned.

In passing: CLARETT is on the negotiation list of the Montreal Alouettes of the CFL... and they've expressed an interest in offering him a contract for their next season.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Clarett's problem(well,he has lots of them) is that he thinks that he's a top 5 pick.He's not.I've read numerous accounts that don't even have him a 1st round pick.The NFL could send a message by setting up a supplemental draft and picking him in 3rd-4th round.That wouldn't collusion.There are questions about his age,durability,character,and speed to play in the NFL.You don't think he'll be a holdout every year his contract is up?I hope the NFL fights him and he has to wait until 05 and then is a 5th round pick.I hate seeing a guy who lies,cheats,and steals and then gets rewarded for it.

 

[Russ Smith]

Originally posted by Floridacard
If Clarett gains draft elegibility where do you think he gets drafted. He's only played one year and didn't even make it through a college season healthy. He's got the ability but do any teams want to risk an early pick on him? IF he does drop really far after all the hype does he sue for collusion saying the owners "ganged up" to keep him from being the early pick he deserves to be?

On ESPN they all said round 2 because NFL teams will be scared of his reaction to being handed first round money.

he's got real talent, he's a very gifted runner for his size, but as you said one year, several injuries, I think he'll go later than he expects if he's in the draft.

 

[Dback Jon]

Originally posted by Russ Smith
On ESPN they all said round 2 because NFL teams will be scared of his reaction to being handed first round money.

he's got real talent, he's a very gifted runner for his size, but as you said one year, several injuries, I think he'll go later than he expects if he's in the draft.

Apparently, Maurice is good friends with LeBron James. Seeing all the loot James has gotten has really turned Maurices' head, and he wants his. Thing is, he will never get James' type money (or endorsement deals).

 

[green machine]

I keep reading how they are saying Clarett has a chance because there is nothing written in the collective bargaining agreement, that was signed by the players, that talks about draft age.

How does this apply to Clarett? He's not a part of the player's union until he is in the league, right?

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

i'm going to try to remember some of my sports law class from 8 years ago . . .

first, clarett will win his case. only baseball has an antitrust exemption, the remainder of all the sports leagues are subject to the sherman act. a few courts (see Leon Wood) have ruled that most leagues are defacto monopolies. it has just been a waiting game 'til someone in football tested the waters.

as for the question about the union, once a player applies for the draft they are in a collective bargaining class. the class is allowed to bargain for future members. it's a very esoteric analysis of law that i don't remember off the top of my head, but trust me, it holds up in a court of law.

as for his draft status - i realize he's talented, but couldn't help but wonder all last season just how talented he really was. he never seemed to show me special barry sanderslike shake or flat breakaway speed and his power is good, but not great. don't think he'd be a great one. still think mcgahee has the possibility of being better in the long run. maybe even the back at florida state too.

 

[LVCARDFREAK]

I dont know Guys...He has that rare combo of size and speed that makes him a valuable commodity!

Do I think he has the talent to succeed? Absolutley!

Does he have the mentality to succed? NO!

I like Clarett and feel like he should be allowed to join the NFL . The whole 'age' thing is bothersome on any level. No one can stop you from making a living because your only 19, why should he not be able to???

I think if the right team drafts him and gives him time to develop he can be a great one!!

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

I think all of the doomsayers about Clarett,if he's ruled elgible, ruining the landscape of college football are wrong.College football will be fine.Rarely does a freshman in college play, much less star.There are a few but it's not the norm.It usually takes a guy 3 years to establish himself anyway.So, i think it will have a minimal effect.Rb's are probably the only position that can realistically make the jump.

 

[Rats]

Originally posted by Cbus cardsfan
I think all of the doomsayers about Clarett,if he's ruled elgible, ruining the landscape of college football are wrong.College football will be fine.Rarely does a freshman in college play, much less star.There are a few but it's not the norm.It usually takes a guy 3 years to establish himself anyway.So, i think it will have a minimal effect.Rb's are probably the only position that can realistically make the jump.

I disagree...there are many examples of players at key impact positions starting there freshman year and I feel as many do that if these players get the opportunity to leave early they will thus, upsetting the balance that has been established over the years. College Football while a giant in it's own right is the greatest farm system ever created for a professional league. They make stars and carry them forward into the Pros...If this goes down...it will be a monsterous....debacle. Players that have no business going pro will try to...and things in college sports from a football standpoint will never be as good.

 

[ajcardfan]

Originally posted by Rats
I disagree...there are many examples of players at key impact positions starting there freshman year and I feel as many do that if these players get the opportunity to leave early they will thus, upsetting the balance that has been established over the years. College Football while a giant in it's own right is the greatest farm system ever created for a professional league. They make stars and carry them forward into the Pros...If this goes down...it will be a monsterous....debacle. Players that have no business going pro will try to...and things in college sports from a football standpoint will never be as good.

While I don't think comparing the NBA situation to the NFL is 100% accurate, I do think such a comparison backs up the point you are making to a large extent.

About 15 years ago, the NBA was a GREAT game. It's steadily declined since then. While there is more than one reason for it, I think the foundational reason is that too many young players are coming into the league. Instead of having the basic skills that used to be a given (solid jump shot, team play, moving your feet on defense, etc) on entering the league, they are trying to learn them after they are pros. That's why we're seeing more and more European players, they have basic skills that are not a given with American players anymore.

 

[Evil Ash]

Originally posted by Cbus cardsfan
I think all of the doomsayers about Clarett,if he's ruled elgible, ruining the landscape of college football are wrong.College football will be fine.Rarely does a freshman in college play, much less star.There are a few but it's not the norm.It usually takes a guy 3 years to establish himself anyway.So, i think it will have a minimal effect.Rb's are probably the only position that can realistically make the jump.

True but it won't be the problem of those that are actually ready for play in the NFL (those are few an far between at that age). The problem will be when agents than start convincing kids that they are ready for the NFL when in truth ... they aren't even close.

This lawsuit is absolutely pointless! Why? Because by the time that the decision is made on this ... Clarett will be draft eligible anyways.

 

[jmt]

Everything you guys say mey be true. From a fan's point of view this is not a good thing for the NFL and overall high schoolers have been bad for the NBA. But it's all about money and that's the American way. i don't see how anyone can justify denying a young man the opportunity to make a living playing football based on age. Any and all efforts to end discrimination are okay by me.

 

[8ndkorner]

I must be missing something here. The NFL teams do their homework before deciding to pay someone millions of dollars. If the guy can cut it in the NFL then what's the problem. If on the other hand he is an immature player that can't stay out of trouble with the law then why would they take the chance?
If fhe falls into the later rounds he won't be such a gamble. Tha'ts what I assume would happen to Clarret.
I would also assume that college football would be affected more then the NFL. They want 3 to 4 years out of their players. Maybe it will change the way colleges recruit in terms of talent plus maturity.
Also, if Clarret doesn't make the roster of an NFL team or is drafted very low, the college guys may not be too hot to leave early. I mean the can't come back to college if they declare correct?

 

[arthurracoon]

Originally posted by Ouchie-Z-Clown
i'm going to try to remember some of my sports law class from 8 years ago . . .

first, clarett will win his case. only baseball has an antitrust exemption, the remainder of all the sports leagues are subject to the sherman act. a few courts (see Leon Wood) have ruled that most leagues are defacto monopolies. it has just been a waiting game 'til someone in football tested the waters.

I also heard on the afternoon sports radio that this is not in the collective-bargaining agreement, and this could come back to bite the NFL. The ag limit would have been so simple to add by the players union. A monumental oversight.

 

[JasonKGME]

A couple of legal points in the NFL's support:


The NFL is not the only "career" that has an age requirement. You cant be president unless you are over 38(i think that is the correct age, I just know for sure you have to be over a specific age and it aint anywhere near 18). There are a number of "hazardous" jobs that have age requirements. In a number of states there is a 21 year law that states you can not sell alchohol if under 21 (i.e. can't work in a bar as a bartender, only as like a dish cleaner).

Plus if the NFL can prove that they have the age requirement due to the nature of the sport being physically detrimental to a player prior to a certain age(i.e. medically prove that the physical development on a player under a certain age has not matured to the appropriate level) then a judge can rule it is legal on the grounds of the NFL is merely protecting themselves from future lawsuits. A good example of this is actually part of the military guidelines. There are actually some jobs in the military that are age restrictive due to the nature of the jobs themselves, this is both must be a minimum age as well as must be a maximum age (this is why Tilman joined the Rangers when he did because if he had waited he would have been too "old" and a court has upheld this age requirment due to the health issues place on the Rangers requiring not to be above a certain age)

So I'm not so sure this would be as slam dunk as alot of the legal "experts" say it is.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

I just read on ESPN that OSU lists Clarett at 6'0 230.Some scouts were saying he 's closer to 5'10 and that they project him to run a 4.5-4.6 forty.As much stock as the NFL puts in size/speed stats,i can't see Clarett being any higher than a late 2 early 3 pick.

 

[Russ Smith]

Originally posted by Cbus cardsfan
I just read on ESPN that OSU lists Clarett at 6'0 230.Some scouts were saying he 's closer to 5'10 and that they project him to run a 4.5-4.6 forty.As much stock as the NFL puts in size/speed stats,i can't see Clarett being any higher than a late 2 early 3 pick.

Clayton said this morning lock first rounder maybe top 10 if he works out hard and impresses. Yesterday ESPN was saying round 2 because of maturity concerns.

I don't think they know yet either!

 

[Mr.Dibbs]

I reall hope the NFL doen't turn into the NBA and starts letting "kids" play the game! I don't see why people think the NFL will lose. It's their business, they make the rules, and they don't discriminate.