If you ask me, this means even more to the future of the team in the long run as many will see the success of the players and how they improved as players over the course of their career while under coach B's tutelage.Absolutely. The regular season games matter to get the team into a better bowl game, therefore these guys played. The bowl games results don’t really matter for the future success of the team, so it doesn’t matter if these guys play. If these guys get hurt in this game it could cost them draft position and literally millions of dollars. They’ve proved everything need to at this point. I can guarantee that the majority of the team has no problem with it and want to see these guys get paid.
One game doesn't change the body of work a player has already put in. If a DB got lit up by C.J. Stroud while trying to cover the OSU receivers it's just one time. On the other side if the DB shuts him down, he's not going to jump from the 3rd round to the 1st. Teams look at it but it's only one part of the whole. If he had a great game then lays an egg at the combine what did it mean? Jaxon Smith-Njigba missed most of the year but he's still a first round pick on most boards.What sucks is bowl games are supposed to be a BIG deal! Isnt it a final stamp and an opportunity to show you are the better team against a similar successful team? A huge showing in a bowl game can raise your draft status as well.
Let's be very clear, the NFL's collective bargaining agreement caps player compensation at 48% of the league's revenue, so ownership's labor costs are definitionally controlled relative to the money they bring in. The NBA and NHL do it the same way. In MLB player's share of league revenues have been rapidly falling for years.the average joe would agree that 300$ a seat NFL tickets has made the experience almost impossible for a lot of folks. 20$ beer and 50$ parking is all because of the inflated salaries and all that.
Depends on the player. For Bosa at O$U sitting part of his senior year was smart or Oregon star DL last year. If you know for sure you are a top 10 draft pick do what you need to to solidify your draft pick and be ready for the combine.For all those supporting this would you have supported them sitting out Northwestern?
Pro sports owners really are good at public relations. By prominently publicizing player salaries while being secretive about their own massive profits, the owners are able to extract more and more out of fans and then get those same fans to blame employee wages, all the while pocketing more and more money every year.Thats a little extreme there buddy. But the average joe would agree that 300$ a seat NFL tickets has made the experience almost impossible for a lot of folks. 20$ beer and 50$ parking is all because of the inflated salaries and all that. Then all the influence Vegas has had on sports and tampering. Id say $$$ has a huge negative effect as well.
Yeah i agree. But a QB who was looked at as possible UDFA lights up a top level D for 400+ yards it can most certainly boost his draft stock. A couple of amazing plays can separate you from the packOne game doesn't change the body of work a player has already put in. If a DB got lit up by C.J. Stroud while trying to cover the OSU receivers it's just one time. On the other side if the DB shuts him down, he's not going to jump from the 3rd round to the 1st. Teams look at it but it's only one part of the whole. If he had a great game then lays an egg at the combine what did it mean? Jaxon Smith-Njigba missed most of the year but he's still a first round pick on most boards.
I could care less owners or players. The whole system is inflated beyond belief! And also having tax payers pay for stadiums while they pocket millions/billions. Its the fans fault. If we quit paying that kind of money for a seat at the stadium and steak dinner prices for hot dogs they wouldnt have a choice but to lower ticket prices or whatever. The price for a day at the ballpark is outrageous. Thats why I watch from the chair 99.9% of the time for pro sports. If I do go its because I was invited or won some tickets or something.Pro sports owners really are good at public relations. By prominently publicizing player salaries while being secretive about their own massive profits, the owners are able to extract more and more out of fans and then get those same fans to blame employee wages, all the while pocketing more and more money every year.
One person mentioned McGahee. Name some others if there s a huge list. Since you guys love analytics so much lets get a % of kids that actually play in a bowl game on the draft boards that get hurt. Most likely less than 1% of players get hurt the last game before the draft. Its a money grab by agents to start it I guarantee. Look, they have that right and thats fine. I will support them and hope they are badasses in the NFL. I can still be sour they dont want to suit up for the Illini 1 last go.The entire rest of the team will be playing and we can still support them. I'm going to the game for the experience and to celebrate the team having a great season. I really couldn't care less about the results.
As for why players skip its because there are several high profile examples of players getting hurt in bowl games causing their draft stock to drop and losing MILLIONS of dollars as a result. Yes MILLIONS of dollars. That's not being greedy or selfish to sit out. I would honestly think it's too risky a gamble to take to even play in the game if you are a guaranteed draft pick.
Congrats to Devon and Syd on great Illini careers! Go raise the profile of the program and go get your money!
Who's getting money?Its a money grab by agents to start it I guarantee.
every bowl season i think of Willis McGahee, he paid a horrible price
Yeah but statistics for a group don't mean a lot for 1 person where it is either 0 or 100%.One person mentioned McGahee. Name some others if there s a huge list. Since you guys love analytics so much lets get a % of kids that actually play in a bowl game on the draft boards that get hurt. Most likely less than 1% of players get hurt the last game before the draft. Its a money grab by agents to start it I guarantee. Look, they have that right and thats fine. I will support them and hope they are badasses in the NFL. I can still be sour they dont want to suit up for the Illini 1 last go.
No disagreement. I only meant it usually takes more than 1 game. Not playing doesn't seem to move players down any longer.Yeah i agree. But a QB who was looked at as possible UDFA lights up a top level D for 400+ yards it can most certainly boost his draft stock. A couple of amazing plays can separate you from the pack
I understand the decision from a business standpoint, but from a personal standpoint, this is a wonderful memory that they will miss out on..Hard disagree on this take. It is better having them stay healthy get a good draft pick and have announcers on Sunday say they went to Illinois
Bowl games mean nothing to a player who can play at the next level. It is an early spring game to showcase new talent for next year plus get 3 weeks of extra practice
Vikings could sure use a shut down corner. Just sayin….."It's a bittersweet moment as my time here comes to an end.."