NFL Draft Gives Spurrier A Teaching Opportunity
posted by Scott Hood, Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Hopefully, what happened to Captain Munnerlyn and Emanuel Cook will serve as a warning to future players that there are no guarantees when it comes to pro football, no matter what agents or family members or anyone else tells them.
Clearly, Spurrier’s biggest challenge with regards to the NFL Draft is eliminating the “three years and I’m gone” mentality that permeates throughout the program.
It started with Troy Williamson in 2005, continued with Ko Simpson and Johnathan Joseph in 2006 and extended into the following year with Sidney Rice. This year, three players left early, and only one (Jared Cook) was picked anywhere close to where he thought he would land.
Obviously, every player’s life situation is unique, and each has their own reasons for leaving school early. But there are also immense benefits to staying, as well.
I’m sure Munnerlyn and Cook wish they could jump into a time machine and change their decisions. But they can’t. Once they signed with an agent there was no turning back. It was sink or swim at that point, and let’s just say I hope they were wearing a life preserver.
I agree with Spurrier that the players are “misled” by agents and other regarding their draft status. What boggles my mind is they ignored the advice of their coaches and chose to believe people who are simply chasing their wallets.
By all accounts, Munnerlyn, and possibly Cook too, decided before the 2008 season started that it would be his final season. He proceeded to go out and register the grand total of zero interceptions as a cornerback. Yet, he still thought he would be a high-round draft pick based on his 40 time.
Right now, the best thing for USC is for Eric Norwood to enjoy a sensational senior season, collect all the All-SEC honors he can carry on his back, and then be picked in the upper half of the first round next April.
If that scenario unfolds, I believe more players would be convinced of the personal and financial incentives for staying that one additional year in college. Norwood is possibly the most respected player on the team, and his decision to return to school won’t go unnoticed by future players.
In short, if you’re a Gamecock fan, more players will follow Norwood’s lead when they have to sit down and decide whether to go pro early. That's important because USC will have a number of juniors next season that must decide when the appropriate time comes to stay or go, including Chris Culliver, Clifton Geathers, Cliff Matthews and Weslye Saunders.
Compare USC’s plight with, well, the “other” USC, better known as Southern California.
The Trojans had 11 players drafted by NFL clubs this past weekend, more than any other school by a comfortable margin. Eight of the 11 players were picked in the first four rounds, a testament to the recruiting and coaching ability of Pete Carroll and his staff.
But there’s something else about those 11 drafted players you should know – 10 of them were seniors. The only Trojan who left with eligibility remaining was quarterback Mark Sanchez and he was a redshirt junior, meaning he was part of the Southern Cal program for four years. And he graduated.
Clearly, these Southern Cal players felt a sense of loyalty – and possibly a sense of duty – to their school to postpone lucrative pro careers.
So, how does Spurrier eradicate the “three and out” mentality from the USC program? Winning more games would help, of course. Making the college experience more enjoyable. Recruiting quality kids who appear to be team-first players.
Of course, I understand you can’t compare the traditions of USC and Southern Cal, and that everything can work the other way as well.
Do you think James Davis, Cullen Harper and Aaron Kelly of Clemson are happy they returned for their senior seasons? Had they come out last year, all three of them would have likely been picked. This year, only Davis was selected, and that was in the sixth round.
Hindsight, indeed, is 20-20.
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If he’s willing, last weekend’s NFL Draft should provide a potentially valuable teaching opportunity for Steve Spurrier.
Hopefully, what happened to Captain Munnerlyn and Emanuel Cook will serve as a warning to future players that there are no guarantees when it comes to pro football, no matter what agents or family members or anyone else tells them.
Clearly, Spurrier’s biggest challenge with regards to the NFL Draft is eliminating the “three years and I’m gone” mentality that permeates throughout the program.
It started with Troy Williamson in 2005, continued with Ko Simpson and Johnathan Joseph in 2006 and extended into the following year with Sidney Rice. This year, three players left early, and only one (Jared Cook) was picked anywhere close to where he thought he would land.
Obviously, every player’s life situation is unique, and each has their own reasons for leaving school early. But there are also immense benefits to staying, as well.
I’m sure Munnerlyn and Cook wish they could jump into a time machine and change their decisions. But they can’t. Once they signed with an agent there was no turning back. It was sink or swim at that point, and let’s just say I hope they were wearing a life preserver.
I agree with Spurrier that the players are “misled” by agents and other regarding their draft status. What boggles my mind is they ignored the advice of their coaches and chose to believe people who are simply chasing their wallets.
By all accounts, Munnerlyn, and possibly Cook too, decided before the 2008 season started that it would be his final season. He proceeded to go out and register the grand total of zero interceptions as a cornerback. Yet, he still thought he would be a high-round draft pick based on his 40 time.
Right now, the best thing for USC is for Eric Norwood to enjoy a sensational senior season, collect all the All-SEC honors he can carry on his back, and then be picked in the upper half of the first round next April.
If that scenario unfolds, I believe more players would be convinced of the personal and financial incentives for staying that one additional year in college. Norwood is possibly the most respected player on the team, and his decision to return to school won’t go unnoticed by future players.
In short, if you’re a Gamecock fan, more players will follow Norwood’s lead when they have to sit down and decide whether to go pro early. That's important because USC will have a number of juniors next season that must decide when the appropriate time comes to stay or go, including Chris Culliver, Clifton Geathers, Cliff Matthews and Weslye Saunders.
Compare USC’s plight with, well, the “other” USC, better known as Southern California.
The Trojans had 11 players drafted by NFL clubs this past weekend, more than any other school by a comfortable margin. Eight of the 11 players were picked in the first four rounds, a testament to the recruiting and coaching ability of Pete Carroll and his staff.
But there’s something else about those 11 drafted players you should know – 10 of them were seniors. The only Trojan who left with eligibility remaining was quarterback Mark Sanchez and he was a redshirt junior, meaning he was part of the Southern Cal program for four years. And he graduated.
Clearly, these Southern Cal players felt a sense of loyalty – and possibly a sense of duty – to their school to postpone lucrative pro careers.
So, how does Spurrier eradicate the “three and out” mentality from the USC program? Winning more games would help, of course. Making the college experience more enjoyable. Recruiting quality kids who appear to be team-first players.
Of course, I understand you can’t compare the traditions of USC and Southern Cal, and that everything can work the other way as well.
Do you think James Davis, Cullen Harper and Aaron Kelly of Clemson are happy they returned for their senior seasons? Had they come out last year, all three of them would have likely been picked. This year, only Davis was selected, and that was in the sixth round.
Hindsight, indeed, is 20-20.
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Scott Hood. Since February of 2005, Scott has covered the South Carolina football, men's basketball and baseball programs for GamecockCentral. He may be reached by email at scottblog(at)gamecockcentral.com. Replace (at) with @.