Barkley Decision - From Bleacher Report

[psulongago]

Saquon Barkley isn't rushing his announcement regarding a potential declaration for the 2018 NFL draft.

Speaking to reporters Wednesday, the Penn State Nittany Lions running back said he would wait until after his team's showdown against the Washington Huskies in the Fiesta Bowl on Dec. 30 to announce whether he will bolt for the pros.

"Definitely after the bowl game," Barkley said of the timeline, according to Land of 10's Ryan Connors. "I'm definitely going to sit down with my family and just think about life, probably take a little break and see what my family thinks, talk to my coaches and definitely talk to my teammates. I'll have my decision made then."

 

[PrtLng Lion]

Surprised BR didn't try to predict what Saquon was doing. You know, with their insider knowledge and all....

 

[#1 Nittany in VA]

Obviously going pro seems like a forgone conclusion but you have to wonder. Reminds me of Lavar on radio a couple weeks back. College was the best, high school second, pros dead last.

 

[redbyrds]

After seeing what happened to Ryan Shazier this past Monday, anyone with the talent and expected draft position of Saquon should have their head examined if they do not turn pro.

You are always one innocent hit away from leaving the game forever. Achieve your goal of being drafted in the NFL and financially take care of your family for life.

 

[getmyjive11]

It’s decided. He is just handling it the right way.

 

[jmorovich]

As always with Barkley it’s about the team and not him. This is his way of keeping the questions about the game against Washington and not a million about him going pro, where he wants to be drafted, how he’s preparing for the draft, etc.

Instead...Just about PSU football

 

[Lane]

After seeing what happened to Ryan Shazier this past Monday, anyone with the talent and expected draft position of Saquon should have their head examined if they do not turn pro.

You are always one innocent hit away from leaving the game forever. Achieve your goal of being drafted in the NFL and financially take care of your family for life.

Actually, one could go the other way with that line of thinking. Take one look at Shazier and decide that it may be better to get a degree and a regular job that won't destroy your body/brain and realize that money isn't going to buy happiness if you are on the business end of a gun in 20 years like Junior Seau.

 

[hereforthebeer]

That's antiquated thinking. Lloyd's of London or some such will insure Saquon's body for millions. The second contract is the real money-maker, but it looks like Shazier won't get the chance at one anymore.

 

[Judge Smails]

 

[Colorado Man]

Whatever direction he goes, he is a once in a lifetime player. So happy to see him play for PSU. He seems indestructible; however, good luck to him.

 

[Colorado Man]

View embedded media

Thank you Ki-Jana, Curtis Enis, Curt Warner, et. al. Andre Robinson, sorry to see you leave, but wish you the best.

 

[Brad908]

Actually, one could go the other way with that line of thinking. Take one look at Shazier and decide that it may be better to get a degree and a regular job that won't destroy your body/brain and realize that money isn't going to buy happiness if you are on the business end of a gun in 20 years like Junior Seau.

Or take the guaranteed millions for a top10 pick like Barkley and return to school for a degree if needed.

Not really much of a decision. You can always go back for a degree.

 

[TheGLOV]

Saquon Barkley isn't rushing his announcement regarding a potential declaration for the 2018 NFL draft.

Speaking to reporters Wednesday, the Penn State Nittany Lions running back said he would wait until after his team's showdown against the Washington Huskies in the Fiesta Bowl on Dec. 30 to announce whether he will bolt for the pros.

"Definitely after the bowl game," Barkley said of the timeline, according to Land of 10's Ryan Connors. "I'm definitely going to sit down with my family and just think about life, probably take a little break and see what my family thinks, talk to my coaches and definitely talk to my teammates. I'll have my decision made then."

I think Joe knows.

 

[NittanyLion15]

Or take the guaranteed millions for a top10 pick like Barkley and return to school for a degree if needed.

Not really much of a decision. You can always go back for a degree.

But most never do.

That said, Barkley is not like most. So I think his decision may throw a lot of people off.


I wouldn't be surprised one bit if he decides to stay, Barkley isn't going to follow the statistics of what others have done in his shoes because he's a legend and is different. I think whichever he chooses he will go down as making the right decision.

I'm not sure I've ever been more proud of the integrity of our football program. All of them have bought into Franklin's methodology, when it was a revolving door at Penn State. I think it also, says a hell of a lot about Franklin, and how lucky we are right now to have him lead the lions.

The worst sanctions ever dived out by the NCAA and we never even had a losing season.

 

[ThePennsyOracle]

But most never do.

That said, Barkley is not like most. So I think his decision may throw a lot of people off.


I wouldn't be surprised one bit if he decides to stay, Barkley isn't going to follow the statistics of what others have done in his shoes because he's a legend and is different. I think whichever he chooses he will go down as making the right decision.

I'.

 

[maxxedout]

He’s leaving but as always I’d a class act. Team, team, team.

 

[PennSt8er]

Saquon is going to announce his candidacy for the Presidency. He's got my vote.

 

[NittanyLion15]

Saquon is going to announce his candidacy for the Presidency. He's got my vote.

I honestly think he stays.

Unfinished Business

 

[RTLH]

Saquon Barkley isn't rushing his announcement regarding a potential declaration for the 2018 NFL draft.

Speaking to reporters Wednesday, the Penn State Nittany Lions running back said he would wait until after his team's showdown against the Washington Huskies in the Fiesta Bowl on Dec. 30 to announce whether he will bolt for the pros.

"Definitely after the bowl game," Barkley said of the timeline, according to Land of 10's Ryan Connors. "I'm definitely going to sit down with my family and just think about life, probably take a little break and see what my family thinks, talk to my coaches and definitely talk to my teammates. I'll have my decision made then."

I think he knows what he is going to do. There is no sense in making the announcement now. Do it after the bowl game. We don't want to see this but let's just say he gets hurt, he has another season or 2 as a safety valve or insurance to play just in case.

 

[interrobang]

People put too much stock in those insurance plans. It's not easy to collect on them unless there's a very extreme injury.

Barkley's signing bonus will be much more than he'd ever collect from an insurance policy (short of a life-altering injury)

 

[PSU_1991]

I heard him on the Paul Finebaum show yesterday. He stressed that he’s going to get his degree no matter what. It’s something that’s very important to him. He said he’s close to getting it and Coach Franklin and his mom will make sure he does so.

 

[ThePennsyOracle]

I honestly think he stays.

Unfinished Business

And you are honestly delusional.

 

[Lion78]

Obviously going pro seems like a forgone conclusion but you have to wonder. Reminds me of Lavar on radio a couple weeks back. College was the best, high school second, pros dead last.

While I don't doubt that most would say the same thing, Lavar had Danny Snyder to deal with. Some obstacles are impossible to overcome.

 

[interrobang]

I heard him on the Paul Finebaum show yesterday. He stressed that he’s going to get his degree no matter what. It’s something that’s very important to him. He said he’s close to getting it and Coach Franklin and his mom will make sure he does so.

So he'll take classes in the NFL offseason.

 

[RTLH]

While I don't doubt that most would say the same thing, Lavar had Danny Snyder to deal with. Some obstacles are impossible to overcome.

Such as getting drafted by the Cleveland Browns.

 

[LurkerLazarus]

As I've said before, JF should basically forbid him to stay. If he came back, every time he got tackled we'd hold our collective breaths. And as the poster above said, Shazier's incident reminded everyone just how short an athlete's career can be. It's time for him to get on with it.

I mean, what the hell. The guy's at the top, or near the top, of every single draft board. He's done what he came to do.

 

[NittanyLion15]

And you are honestly delusional.

I honestly wouldn't know if I was delusional.

 

[PSUcup1]

As I've said before, JF should basically forbid him to stay. If he came back, every time he got tackled we'd hold our collective breaths. And as the poster above said, Shazier's incident reminded everyone just how short an athlete's career can be. It's time for him to get on with it.

I mean, what the hell. The guy's at the top, or near the top, of every single draft board. He's done what he came to do.

This. Imo there is no way CJF lets him come back.

 

[marshall23]

Tough choice.....I can come back, get my body pounded into hamburger and possibly win a hunk of metal with my name on it......or I can declare for the draft, get pounded and become a multi millionaire and never have to worry about finances (if I'm smart) or injury the rest of my life.
QBs can on occasion, enhance their draft status etc. with an additional season.....RBs not so much. If you love SB you need to hope he goes.

 

[psualum10]

Saquon is actually on track to get his degree either at the end of this semester or at the end of May. I'm pretty sure it's May to be honest. Either way he'd be a grad student next year if he played here (which he won't he's gone). But yea he's at least doing it the right way and he'll have his degree.

 

[Sooner Lion]

I think Joe knows.

Did you grow up in McKees Rocks? Montour or Sto-Rox?

 

[christoph]

Kijana, Enis etc seemed once in a lifetime players too. Look at their pro careers as tailback. There is more to life than money. Health happiness and longevity without terrible pain rank right up there. Being 28 after pro and being bored not the greatest fate either.

 

[marshall23]

Kijana, Enis etc seemed once in a lifetime players too. Look at their pro careers as tailback. There is more to life than money. Health happiness and longevity without terrible pain rank right up there. Being 28 after pro and being bored not the greatest fate either.

So coming back and playing another season at PSU will ensure health, happiness and longevity?
SB has nothing to gain by returning.....nothing except being some sort of security blanket to some fan boys.
Let him go.....I promise you it will be okay.
I didn't speculate he would have a long and successful NFL career. I will speculate that he will be drafted high and sign a contract with a significant sum of money in bonus and guaranteed salary. If he ends up being an elite NFL player so much the better.
Most of us have daydreamed about running out of the tunnel at Beaver Stadium to the roar and adulation of 107.000 fans......Barkley has been there and done that......

 

[Marylovesthelions]

???? No news here. PS. The sun will rise in the east tommoro.

 

[PSUFBFAN]

This. Imo there is no way CJF lets him come back.

Franklin and Barkley have already made the decision that Saquon is going pro because CJF has his players' best interest as his first priority, unlike a few fanboys (Nittanylion15) on this site who want him to return because they think PSU has a better chance of winning more games next year if Saquon were to return. There was a recent interview with CJF where he practically came right out and told everyone that he had discussions with SB and his family before the year about his (SB) future and there is no doubt it was about going pro at the end of this year, assuming everything fell into place as expected (which it has). CJF even recited an example that if there was an undergrad student who was being offered $12 million to leave school at the end of his junior year by a major company, nobody would expect the undergrad to turn that offer down.

Not only is SB leaving, don't be surprised if he doesn't play in the bowl game or if CJF limits his playing time significantly. Now, before everyone starts jumping on me about "but Saquon says he is going to play in the bowl and he is all about the team .... blah ...blah ... blah". I know what SB said and I am sure he feels that way. But, I think CJF may very well sit down with SB and his parents and talk them out of his playing in the bowl game or at a minimum, limit his plays. Sometime, parents have to make the right decision for their kids, not the one the kids want to make themselves.

SB is a top 1-3 draft choice with a probable $30 million contract in front of him in a few months. This could be the one and only time in CJF's career that he has a player with that high of a draft pick and that much $$ in front of him. CJF knows that money will provide financial security for SB and his family for the rest of their lives and CJF would really regret playing him if a serious injury in a "meaningless" bowl game changes that financial outlook for SB and his family.

No matter what SB does in the bowl game, he isn't going to improve his draft position (unlike Chris Godwin last year). Even though the risk of injury may be minimal, playing in the bowl game is all risk and no reward for SB. The risk could literally be calculated in millions of dollars if SB blows out a knee. Not a gamble worth taking.

 

[marshall23]

Franklin and Barkley have already made the decision that Saquon is going pro because CJF has his players' best interest as his first priority, unlike a few fanboys (Nittanylion15) on this site who want him to return because they think PSU has a better chance of winning more games next year if Saquon were to return. There was a recent interview with CJF where he practically came right out and told everyone that he had discussions with SB and his family before the year about his (SB) future and there is no doubt it was about going pro at the end of this year, assuming everything fell into place as expected (which it has). CJF even recited an example that if there was an undergrad student who was being offered $12 million to leave school at the end of his junior year by a major company, nobody would expect the undergrad to turn that offer down.

Not only is SB leaving, don't be surprised if he doesn't play in the bowl game or if CJF limits his playing time significantly. Now, before everyone starts jumping on me about "but Saquon says he is going to play in the bowl and he is all about the team .... blah ...blah ... blah". I know what SB said and I am sure he feels that way. But, I think CJF may very well sit down with SB and his parents and talk them out of his playing in the bowl game or at a minimum, limit his plays. Sometime, parents have to make the right decision for their kids, not the one the kids want to make themselves.

SB is a top 1-3 draft choice with a probable $30 million contract in front of him in a few months. This could be the only and only time in CJF's career that he has a player with that high of a draft pick and that much $$ in front of him. CJF knows that money will provide financial security for SB and his family for the rest of their lives and CJF would really regret playing him if a serious injury in a "meaningless" bowl game changes that financial outlook for SB and his family.

No matter what SB does in the bowl game, he isn't going to improve his draft position (unlike Chris Godwin last year). Even though the risk of injury may be minimal, playing in the bowl game is all risk and no reward for SB. The risk could literally be calculated in millions of dollars if SB blows out a knee. Not a gamble worth taking.

Well said, but be forewarned you will be castigated for stating the facts.

 

[AWS1022]

Well said, but be forewarned you will be castigated for stating the facts.

Seems to be more opinion than fact in his post (unless he is tight with Franklin and on the inside, which I doubt).

 

[PSUFBFAN]

Seems to be more opinion than fact in his post (unless he is tight with Franklin and on the inside, which I doubt).

It's my opinion that everything I stated was a fact!

 

[Judge Smails]

Come on folks. You're better than this. He gone. 100%.

 

[PSU_1991]