Leinart staying at USC

[GoSkins!]

You guys crack me up. You talk as if you take it personally that he wants to stay in college for his last year, like he is stealing a year of his usefulness from the NFL. The fact is he can get more prepared for a pro career by staying in school one more year, and he can have fun doing it.
I think that he is probably smart enough to take some kind of insurance policy out in case he gets hurt (the same way Manning did). Also, when did football become all about money? Yes, he could cost himself millions if he gets hurt or his team doesn't perform... or... the NFL could restructure its salary cap with the new TV agreements being reached with disney, Matt and USC have a great year, and he makes millions more.
If I were a player, I'd follow the Manning example. Stay in school, insure yourself, hone the more precise passing in the senior year so that the NFL leap wont be as difficult, and work on any weaknesses.
It sounds like a "Gibbs guy" doesn't it? The football and records are way more important than the money. I'd like a whole team full of guys that think like that.

[Defensewins]

Originally Posted by GoSkins!

You guys crack me up. You talk as if you take it personally that he wants to stay in college for his last year, like he is stealing a year of his usefulness from the NFL. The fact is he can get more prepared for a pro career by staying in school one more year, and he can have fun doing it.
I think that he is probably smart enough to take some kind of insurance policy out in case he gets hurt (the same way Manning did). Also, when did football become all about money? Yes, he could cost himself millions if he gets hurt or his team doesn't perform... or... the NFL could restructure its salary cap with the new TV agreements being reached with disney, Matt and USC have a great year, and he makes millions more.
If I were a player, I'd follow the Manning example. Stay in school, insure yourself, hone the more precise passing in the senior year so that the NFL leap wont be as difficult, and work on any weaknesses.
It sounds like a "Gibbs guy" doesn't it? The football and records are way more important than the money. I'd like a whole team full of guys that think like that.

I am not taking it personally, I am just giving my own opinion. Did I sound angry?
An insurance policy only covers for career ending inury, not an injury that will lower his draft position and cost him millions (see Willis McGahee).
Playing well and dominating in college football does not translate into playing well in the NFL. In fact the example you gave of Peyton Manning, he did not have a great rookie year, 26TD's and 28 INT's. It took a full year of NFL experience before he became great. In contrast Ben Roethlisberger came out his junior year is having a great rookie year. So serving all four years in college does not mean you will have a smaller learning curve.
The only way to become a great NFL QB is by gaining experience against the great and complex NFL defense's as soon as you are physically and mentally ready. The sooner the better.
Plus the offensive system you run at your college may not be the same that your NFL team will be running, so you most likley will have learn a whole new system.

[Daseal]

I agree, how many powderpuff teams does the normal team see in a football season in college? All the big schools have at least 4-5 guys they should beat with their 3rd string guys in. I think he may be trying to save the glory before his name is one notch behind Ryan Leafs. Honestly, if someone does great in the college ranks but fails in the pro's we often don't annoint them a great player. I think if he goes to the Pro's and makes it he will be seen as a great player.

[GoSkins!]

Originally Posted by Defensewins

He is holding back his development in a serious way for selfish reasons.."so he can say he won three titles and 2 Heisman trophies.
The main reason I do not like his choice is... a players body only has so much football mileage in it. The average NFL football players career is something like 3.5 years. He is trading one year of college for one year less of NFL. Not a smart trade off. Plus an NFL title has more weight than a NCAA title.

These were the comments I thought were a little off base.
Selfish? For what? Staying in college and holding off from the NFL for one more year is not selfish.

Also, good NFL QB's have a longer shelf life than 3.5 years. So, are we concerned about the money one more NFL year will deliver or the chance for more accomplishments at the NFL level? In my opinion, money wont be a problem for him and where he wants to accomplish things is certainly a choice that he can make.

I disagree with the idea that because the college defenses are easier to exploit, he needs to jump right into the NFL. Take for example Calculus. To really be able to exploit Calculus, you have to have a total mastery of Algebra, Trig, and other Math fundamentals. If you are pretty good at the lower level stuff, you can usually learn Calculus, but you really can't exploit what it can do. In other words you end up going through the motions, getting the problems right, but not really learning how to open it up to it's full potential. I think that playing QB is the same thing. You have to have a complete mastery of the basics at every level below the NFL to fully exploit the NFL QB position. It all about how comfortable can you get in a complicated system and I disagree with someone saying that the best option is to jump ahead. At best, jumping ahead is a crap shoot.

I do agree with you guys that the NFL is where he will really develop his skills. The talent is, of course, much better and there are few powderpuff teams (if any). Performing at the pro level will determine if he is truely a great player. When he decides to make that leap, we will see. If he is a Ryan Leaf or a Heath Schuller (sp) , he will be glad he set the records in college so that he can look back at those successes.

[Daseal]

Couldn't one argue he understands the fundamentals after a Heisman and a National Championship?

[Defensewins]

Originally Posted by GoSkins!

......Take for example Calculus. To really be able to exploit Calculus, you have to have a total mastery of Algebra, Trig, and other Math fundamentals. If you are pretty good at the lower level stuff, you can usually learn Calculus, but you really can't exploit what it can do. ....

I have to agree with Daseal, he won two national champioships and the heisman trophy (awarded to the "best" college football player in the nation). There is only one direction to go when you are at the top, that is down.

Regarding your Calculus comparison, if you take all the math fundamentals and get an "A+" excellent, top scores in your class, you are wasting your time repeating those courses again. Why take Algebra 2 with trig for a second time if you scored an A+?

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by Cush

guess he didn't want to go to SF

It's interesting you say that because it's possible that that's true. Maybe just like Manning last year told the Chargers trade me, Leinart is thinking "I'd rather stay another year than play for the Niners"

[GoSkins!]

Originally Posted by Defensewins

I have to agree with Daseal, he won two national champioships and the heisman trophy (awarded to the "best" college football player in the nation). There is only one direction to go when you are at the top, that is down.

Regarding your Calculus comparison, if you take all the math fundamentals and get an "A+" excellent, top scores in your class, you are wasting your time repeating those courses again. Why take Algebra 2 with trig for a second time if you scored an A+?

Good points! I agree that he seems ready to move up. Of course he understands the fundamentals. Reinforcing them to a point where they are second nature, where you don't have to think, only react is different. He may not feel that he is at that point yet. And yes, he may be wrong, his accomplishments seem to prove otherwise. I dont think I'd repeat the class either, maybe he feels like he still has some things to learn/prove. I dont know. I just don't think it could hurt him to complete his senior year, especially considering the level of coaching at USC. I bet he consulted some people/coaches that gave him some perspective to make his decision. Maybe it is as simple as he doesn't want to be in SanFran:thumb:

[Daseal]

All in all, it's his life and his decesion. If I had the money and time I'd do nothing but take college classes and be the oldest member in the frat by 30 years when all is said and done. However, I'm not a great athlete (Cpayne05 may disagree) so I wouldn't be passing up the millions he is. I think he's fooling himself if he's trying to get away from san fran - they'll have that pick next year too!

[Defensewins]

Originally Posted by Daseal

I think he's fooling himself if he's trying to get away from san fran - they'll have that pick next year too!

LOL
That is true. What ever team he goes to is going to suck.