4/20/2004
THERE IS NO CLARETT PUN IN THIS HEADLINE
This morning on ESPN Radio, Bill Polian (GM of the Indianapolis Colts) presented an angle I hadn’t considered with regards to the NFL’s age-limit for players entering the draft. If, say, a running back fails to pick up a blitz, he puts not only himself at risk, but other players at risk as well. Keeping inexperienced players out of the NFL is a way of minimizing the number of dangerous situations produced.
It’s ultimately a weak argument, however. Just because a player’s been in college for three years–or four–doesn’t mean he’s had lots of game experience. Kurt Warner, for instance, had only one year of starting experience at the I-AA level. And even NFL veterans miss blitzes or blow assignments from time to time. But there’s a kernel of truth in what Polian says; football is a dangerous, violent sport and inexperienced, untalented players put everyone at risk.
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My main concern is the physical development that takes place in the collegiate years for players.
Just look at the high school photos of even first-year NFL players. Most of them have changed tremendously due to the strength training and workouts at the collegiate level.
I think the NFL needs to keep lesser developed players out of the league for fear of not only severe injury, but because I think it damages the product on the field.
Comment by Zygote — 4/20/2004 @ 9:38 pm