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Adams: A fifth year of eligibility? Game deserves it
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College football practically has a one-issue obsession. It's all about playoffs.
And it's all talk.
The biggest talker this post-season has been University of Georgia president Michael Adams, who suddenly started lobbying for an eight-team playoff after the Bulldogs didn't qualify for the national championship game. What a coincidence?
The talk has gone on for decades. In a good year, the discussion might make it to a committee. In an average year, it just leads to more discussion.
It's not my intention to add to the discussion. If a playoff ever comes to fruition, I'll celebrate with the rest of you. Until then, I'll look elsewhere for causes, some of which make just as much sense as a playoff but might be more attainable.
More than one college football fan has told me the 2007 season was the most exciting in history. I wouldn't argue.
After such an entertaining season, isn't it time to do something for the entertainers?
Don't get ahead of me. I'm not proposing college football players should be paid. You don't have to pay them to help them.
Is another weekend off too much to ask? Or how about a fifth year of eligibility? Or, dare I suggest, a few more scholarships per team?
Next season, because of how the schedule falls, teams will have two open dates. But with a 12-game schedule, that should be the rule, not the exception.
Not only has the game become more entertaining, it has become more demanding. The players are stronger and faster than ever. They're also producing more NFL-level collisions, which of course lead to more attrition.
Look at all the national championship contenders whose seasons were impacted by injuries. The quarterback injuries alone were staggering.
For example, take the Pac-10. Cal's season unraveled when quarterback Nate Longshore was injured. Southern Cal lost to 41-point underdog Stanford when quarterback John David Booty suffered an injury to a finger on his throwing hand. Oregon was being hailed as the best team in the country until quarterback Dennis Dixon went out with a knee injury.
An open date wouldn't prevent injuries. But it would at least give minor injuries more time to heal.
A fifth-year of eligibility would help more than depth. Under current rules, players have five years to complete four years of eligibility, which leads to redshirting. What would it hurt to let them play all five years?
College football players take an average of 4.7 years to graduate anyway. Moreover, teams would benefit from the extra depth, and coaches wouldn't have to worry about whom to redshirt.
More coaches have spoken out on the advantages of five years of eligibility since the NCAA went to a 12-game schedule. The subject also has come up for discussion at NCAA meetings.
It's hard to even get a good discussion going on increased scholarships, which seem more farfetched than a playoff. But they shouldn't be.
Football generates more money and publicity than any other college sport. After it gave us one of the greatest seasons ever, why not give it something in return?
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knews.com.
© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Posted by pdhuff on January 19, 2008 at 1:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why not let them play until they're ready for the NFL or at least till they kids are in the 4th grade?
Some make it thru school in 4 yrs, believe it or not.
Posted by TommyJack on January 19, 2008 at 1:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Did he mean "coincidence"?
Posted by GerryOP on January 19, 2008 at 1:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Doldrums....
Posted by Einstein on January 19, 2008 at 1:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes JommyJack he meant "coincidence" if he understands English. However since it was John Adams who knows.
Posted by givehim6 on January 19, 2008 at 1:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think thatis one reason kids go to the NFL there senior year, there afraid thay will get hurt in collage and will not get to the pro's. going to 5 years might make kids more cautious there 4th & 5th years.
Posted by ctownvol on January 19, 2008 at 1:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
pdhuff- What a novel idea you have stumbled upon! Graduating college in 4 years? Brilliant! (Please note sarcasm)
Posted by Pullingguard on January 19, 2008 at 2:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
A good idea for 5th year of eligibility...Some people refer to NFL, but we must remember that less than 5% of players are drafted from 98% of the college teams, most college players never make it to NFL. You will always lose couple of players who want to test NFL in fear of getting hurt in College, but no big deal on this, the other 95% can play the 5th year and build on their talents and maybe give them better chance of NFL money. It would also give most players opportunity and time to get the degree.. Probably the colleges do not want this due to expense involved, for we must remember it is a big business for the major colleges...
Posted by danthemanwells on January 19, 2008 at 2:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
listen boys, graduating in 4 years isn't the same as it used to be. i'm in college as a biomedical engineering student with a 3.7 GPA and I'm not graduating in 4 years. it would require almost 18 hours a semester, and it's just not worth it. the hope scholarship is being extended to 5 hours to keep up with the stringent requirements that universities are putting on different majors. those who graduate in 4 years are in the minority now, and it's not due to slacking or not doing the work... it's due to increased hours required to graduate and increased intensity in the classes.
Posted by danthemanwells on January 19, 2008 at 3 p.m. (Suggest removal)
and by 5 hours, i meant 5 years. my bad
Posted by brdteton on January 19, 2008 at 3:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Does that mean we would of had 'Rick' Clausen another year????
Then I am not for it.
Posted by etvolfan on January 20, 2008 at 1:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
How about a 5th year of Corey Anderson? I would of loved another fumble through the endzone against Alabama.
Posted by txsvol on January 20, 2008 at 10:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
DTMW, thanks for adding informed perspective to otherwise mindless postings here. I had started a post yesterday, outlining the demographic changes and reduction in the numbers of students/campus when compared with the baby boomer years, and thus, the rising tuition costs, difficulty in changing majors without losing credits, difficulty in scheduling prerequisites before taking certain core curriculula etc., but I was/am working, and had too little time to organize thoughts. University administration is big business, and administrators want to maximize their cash flow. They might like to graduate the scholarship players quickly, but it is revenue enhancement to keep undergrads on campus for longer than four years. SAVol
Posted by etvolfan on January 20, 2008 at 1:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Granted the comments are right on with the demands of college work. The average student seldom graduates in less than 4 years unless your Peyton Manning. I'm not sure if a 5th year of eligibility is even feasable though. The average NFL career is less than 5 years. For every Bret Favre there are a 100 Heath Shulers that only make it a couple of years. The players that are good enough are cutting out after 3 years. Too much money on the table.
Most schools don't readshirt much anymore. It is more of a business and if a school has the athletes then they have to play them. There is to much pressure on the coaches to afford the luxury of a student to sit one year and learn to adapt to a college envioronment. Could you imagine if Fulmer sat Eric Berry this year? A fifth year could help a few players like Ryan Karl that are never going to see an NFL field the luxury of having that extra year to wear the orange. They're arguments for both on this matter.
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