Great discussion on Mike & Mike this morning that got me to thinking. Tom Herman was giving an interview the other morning, saying he's happy at Houston...not going anywhere...no discussions, blah blah, coachspeak blah... Three hours later, he's named as the new HC at Texas. No big news there concerning his or any other corch's denials. We all know how it works. The point of the discussion though, was that Tom Herman won't be coaching Houston in their bowl game. Why? Because he did what's best for Tom Herman. Again, that's the way things are.
But what if more players began doing what's best for them? A couple of weeks back, Oklahoma DT, Charles Walker, left the team to focus on getting ready for the combine. Granted, he had some concussion issues and may have been limited in his playing time anyway. But here we are at the point in the season when a week from now, we'll pretty much know who the last 4 standing are. Which means that about 120 other teams in college football have little or nothing to play for except bragging rights in a meaningless bowl game. What if, Carl Lawson and Montravelocity Adams and maybe Alex Kozan or Rudy Ford etc. decided, "You know what? Why would I risk ripping a knee up or tearing up my shoulder while playing in a meaningless bowl game? I think I'll sit this one out and get ready for my future."
Think about it. Most of the guys who have a legit shot (Not saying all those above do) at going in the 3rd round or higher, are looking at a one year paycheck that could set them up for life. Charles Walker just said, screw it, I'm walking. We've all seen several examples of players pretty much tanking it to avoid career threatening injuries right here at our beloved Auburn and at numerous other places. Clowney anyone? I see more of this coming.
Would you rather a player be skrate up and announce he's not risking it? Or, would you rather watch our bowl game wondering why Lawson has only been in for 3 total plays? Not singling out CL or even saying he would. But did you wonder just how nicked up Sammie Coates was against Wisconsin a couple of years ago?