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        the Gridiron >> between the 20's >>  Clarett - NFL Draft eligibility saga!
        
(Message started by: BarnabyWilde on Feb 5^th, 2004, 10:58am)

Title: Clarett - NFL Draft eligibility saga!
Post by BarnabyWilde on Feb 5^th, 2004, 10:58am

I'd rank him behind Jackson, and the Jones boys (Kevin and Greg) but ahead of Chris Perry.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylc=X3oDMTBpNWZic251BF9TAzI1NjY0ODI1BHNlYwN0aA--?slug=ap-clarett-nfl&prov=ap&type=lgns

http://cbs.sportsline.com/nfl/story/7065027

Title: Re: Clarett ruled eligible for the NFL draft!!
Post by Philly on Feb 5^th, 2004, 12:51pm

The question now is: Does Clarett enter the draft or return to Ohio State (as he said he might do)?

I think the judge made the only decision she could. But I still don't agree with it. I like the system the way it was.

Anyway, Clarett is clearly not a first-round pick. He had injury issues as a freshman at OSU and has off-field concerns as well. I think he could go in the second round, but would not be surprised to see him drop to the third round.

---

Here is another take on the situation from Pat Kirwan (of nfl.com). I really like his work and think he nailed this one.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/6630186

Title: Re: Clarett ruled eligible for the NFL draft!!
Post by DirkDiggler on Feb 5^th, 2004, 7:00pm

I would agree with the ranking of 4th best back.

I see him going early in the second round. Can you say Oakland Raiders?

Title: Re: Clarett ruled eligible for the NFL draft!!
Post by StegRock on Feb 6^th, 2004, 7:21am

Well, let's not speak too quickly! Here is the latest from "The REAL Feed (http://www.fantasyfootballer.com/newsstand.htm)":

NFL plans to appeal Maurice Clarett ruling
NFL.com (05.02.2004 21:12)

It sounds to me like the NFL has very just basis to have this ruling overturned. It really opens a Pandora's Box. I can empathize with the NFL's position.

Title: Re: Clarett ruled eligible for the NFL draft!!
Post by DirkDiggler on Feb 6^th, 2004, 8:25am

on 02/06/04 at 07:21:39, StegRock wrote:

You can empathize all you want. I tend to empathize with them too. However, Legally they are going to lose.

I believe the only way to stop Sophmores and Freshman LEGALLY from entering the draft is to put it in the Collective Bargaining Agreement(CBA). I am not sure it would make it in or not. Obviously the older veterans would be in favor of it, but I doubt the younger players would.

This is going to be an interesting off-season.

Title: Re: Clarett ruled eligible for the NFL draft!!
Post by bakes781 on Feb 6^th, 2004, 8:38am

I think if he were eligible last year Clarett would have easily been a 1st round pick maybe even ahead of McGahee. But that was a VERY weak RB class. This year it's a much different story.

Title: Re: Clarett ruled eligible for the NFL draft!!
Post by Philly on Feb 6^th, 2004, 11:05am

This year's RB class isn't all that strong. You have two studs and then a lot of questions.

Anyway, it will be interesting since the NFL is appealing the decision. I expect the courts to uphold the initial ruling, but the NFL will certainly encourage its owners to blackball Clarett during the draft. (Jerry Jones and Al Davis, both owners who could use a RB, however, don't always do what the league encourages them to do.)

It will be fun to watch.

Title: Re: Clarett ruled eligible for the NFL draft!!
Post by StegRock on Feb 15^th, 2004, 9:55pm

You were right DD... From "The REAL Feed":

The saga continues: Clarett entering NFL Draft
The Sports Network: NFL (11.02.2004 15:46)

Stay for NFL refused; Clarett to enter draft
ESPN: NFL (11.02.2004 15:36)

Judge denies NFL's request in Clarett case
NFL.com (11.02.2004 14:41)

:-/

Title: Re: Clarett ruled eligible for the NFL draft!!
Post by StegRock on Mar 6^th, 2004, 6:55pm

The fallout... Currently second on "The REAL Feed":

Six high schoolers apply for NFL Draft
SI.com: NFL (06.03.2004 18:12)

[smiley=no.gif]

Title: Re: Clarett ruled eligible for the NFL draft!!
Post by StegRock on Mar 31^st, 2004, 11:53am

And, the saga continues... HOT off "The REAL Feed":

Early NFL Draft entrees possibly in jeopardy
The Sports Network: NFL (31.03.2004 01:53)

Talk about havin' the red... tape rolled out for ya! [smiley=hellyeafunny.gif]

Title: Re: Clarett ruled eligible for the NFL draft!!
Post by StegRock on Apr 1^st, 2004, 8:02pm

Just updating... The most recent report on "The REAL Feed" regarding this:

Court to hear NFL's Clarett appeal before draft
ESPN: NFL (01.04.2004 19:59)

Title: Re: Clarett ruled eligible for the NFL draft!!
Post by StegRock on Apr 6^th, 2004, 1:59pm

[offtopic]There had been at the time back in early February a reason justifying this thread's remaining in "the Red Zone" and not being moved to "between the 20's". That reason has long passed. As such, I am now going to move this thread to the "between the 20's" board where it is, at least at this point, more appropriate. Thank you for your anticipatively understanding. [smiley=bow.gif][/offtopic]

Title: Re: Clarett ruled eligible for the NFL draft!!
Post by StegRock on Apr 16^th, 2004, 6:00pm

Here's the absolute latest, currently atop of "The REAL Feed":

NCAA files brief favoring NFL in Clarett case (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=1780937)
ESPN: NFL (16.04.2004 14:23)

Worth taking a look-see at the NCAA's perspective.

Title: Re: Clarett ruled eligible for the NFL draft!!
Post by Philly on Apr 19^th, 2004, 3:47pm

The Clarett decision is reversed!

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/7267101

Title: Re: Clarett ruled eligible for the NFL draft!!
Post by DirkDiggler on Apr 19^th, 2004, 5:05pm

on 04/19/04 at 15:47:42, Philly wrote:

The Clarett decision is reversed!

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/7267101

Clarification...the lower court ruling is stayed. The judges decided the NFL might have a case. This stay can easily be lifted on appeals. IMO, Clarett and Williams WILL be in the NFL draft.

Title: Re: Clarett ruled eligible for the NFL draft!!
Post by StegRock on Apr 19^th, 2004, 6:39pm

Here is more on this "latest" ruling from ESPN, available on "the Gridiron Newsstand":

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfldraft/draft04/news/story?id=1785560.

Title: Re: Clarett - NFL Draft eligibility saga!
Post by StegRock on Apr 20^th, 2004, 10:47am

More details on this latest ruling from the top of "The REAL Feed":

Court reverses field on Clarett
Miami Herald: Sports (20.04.2004 02:55)
Overturning an earlier decision allowing young football players to enter the draft, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals supports the NFL's right to set guidelines.Running back Maurice Clarett's hopes of an early release from school were dashed Monday, at least for the moment, along with the Dol...

Title: Re: Clarett - NFL Draft eligibility saga!
Post by Mossaholic on Apr 22^nd, 2004, 2:57pm

Supreme Court says Clarett won't be in this weekends draft [smiley=laugh.gif]

http://cbs.sportsline.com/nfl/story/7274470

Title: Re: Clarett - NFL Draft eligibility saga!
Post by DOLFAN on Apr 22^nd, 2004, 10:09pm

This is a bunch of BS! The laws and our court system are hard at work swimming in red tape.
They need to let the teams decide who the best players are by who goes on the field.
(Cryin') Ryan Leaf is a turd and Lawrence Phillips retired Steve Young all on his own.
Let them play and decide it on the field.

More on this later.

Title: Re: Clarett - NFL Draft eligibility saga!
Post by DirkDiggler on Apr 22^nd, 2004, 11:08pm

on 04/22/04 at 22:09:51, DOLFAN wrote:

?.?.? ?.?.? ?.?.?

Huh? What does Ryan Leaf, Lawrence Phillips, or Steve Young have to do with this? And how did Lawrence Phillips retire Steve Young?

Title: Re: Clarett - NFL Draft eligibility saga!
Post by StegRock on Apr 23^rd, 2004, 1:09am

I'm in China boiling up some water for some tea. ;)

Title: Re: Clarett - NFL Draft eligibility saga!
Post by StegRock on Apr 23^rd, 2004, 1:23am

Back to the task at hand... The latest off "The REAL Feed":

Supreme Court turns down Clarett's request
NFL.com (22.04.2004 14:33)
Maurice Clarett's bid to enter the NFL draft was turned down by the Supreme Court.

Looks like Clarett and Williams will not be part of this weekend's festivities.

Any other info or thoughts?

Title: Re: Clarett - NFL Draft eligibility saga!
Post by Philly on Apr 23^rd, 2004, 6:56am

I support the decision. Younger players, for the most part, are not physically ready to play in the NFL. Of course there are exceptions, but if the NFL wants to have a certain eligibility rule, then they have every right to do so. I have no desire to see the NFL become overladen with ill-prepared high-schoolers.

I mean, if the NFL is guilty of age discrimination (which it isn't), then so is every Pop Warner football league which has certain age and weight requirements.

Title: Re: Clarett - NFL Draft eligibility saga!
Post by KillerKingSting on May 4^th, 2004, 5:46am

I have mixed feelings on this. If you can put a gun in the hands of an 18 yr old and ask him to fight for his country - to DIE for his country - why then, can he not play pro-Football for his country?
Yes I know they are 2 entirely different situations BUT, that also is a matter of perspective.
However, I DO like the NFL's system the way it is - it keeps the rookie draft balanced IMO.
Also, I don't like to see hardworking VETs lose their job over a rookie whose going to be sitting on a bench because he doesn't have nearly enough polish in his game to really make a difference in his drafted year.

Title: Re: Clarett - NFL Draft eligibility saga!
Post by Philly on May 4^th, 2004, 9:15am

on 05/04/04 at 05:46:42, KillerKingSting wrote:

He can play pro football for his country. The Arena League is a very successful league that has been the stepping stone for a number of future NFL players.

Title: Re: Clarett - NFL Draft eligibility saga!
Post by KillerKingSting on May 4^th, 2004, 11:43am

There are enough players that enter the NFL on a yearly basis. I'm kool w/ the way it is. Though, the philosophical part of it (clarett & williams) really is just a matter of perspective.
Clarett didn't even take the workouts too seriously and didn't have a CLUE as to what it means by "staying in shape" because, those big boys in the NFL "ain't" playin round. He might ought to thank his injury prone bones that, he doesn't have to face NFL-Caliber type competition this year (yes, yet to still be determined).
But with that said, I still like Mike Williams and think he might get burnt in this whole deal. That would be a shame and I hope it doesn't happen or at least, give him some type of "out" in this whole deal.

Title: Re: Clarett - NFL Draft eligibility saga!
Post by StegRock on May 24^th, 2004, 9:03pm

And, the latest and probably last chapter of this saga, from "The REAL Feed":

Appeals court dents Clarett's NFL plans (http://www.sportsnetwork.com/default.asp?c=sportsnetwork&page=nfl/news/ABN3251065.htm)
The Sports Network: NFL (24.05.2004 18:21)

Title: Re: Clarett - NFL Draft eligibility saga!
Post by StegRock on May 26^th, 2004, 7:56pm

Or maybe not... [smiley=no.gif] From "The REAL Feed":

Clarett to fight latest court rejection of NFL bid (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=1808438&CMP=OTC-DT9705204233)
ESPN: NFL (26.05.2004 17:37)
Clarett to appeal three-judge ruling against early-entryCOLUMBUS, Ohio -- Despite another setback, former Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett is continuing his legal fight for a chance to play in the NFL next seasonClarett's attorney Alan C. Milstein told ESPN's Sal Paolontonio on Monday that...

Oh, brother! Can anybody spell "do over"? ::) Could this be more kindergarten?

Title: Re: Clarett - NFL Draft eligibility saga!
Post by StegRock on May 28^th, 2004, 12:32am

And, the wheel in the sky keeps on turnin'... [smiley=yinandyang.gif] From "The REAL Feed":

NFL union backs three-year rule in next CBA (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=1810603&CMP=OTC-DT9705204233)
ESPN: NFL (27.05.2004 18:44)
Upshaw: It will be in writingWASHINGTON -- Gene Upshaw, executive director of the players' union, said Wednesday that the next labor contract with the NFL will specifically bar players from entering the league until three years after high school.In a meeting with editors and reporters at The Wash...