February 06, 2004

THE FLOODGATES OPEN: It's a

THE FLOODGATES OPEN: It's a bad day for both college football fans and strict constructionists, as New York Judge Shira Scheindlen yesterday decreed that Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett is eligible for the NFL Draft, despite having only graduated from high school two years ago. The decision may also cause "dozens" of other underclassmen to declare for the draft as well, dealing what could be a crippling blow to college football.
Much like the 1992 decision (Freeman McNeil v. NFL) that awarded free agency to NFL players, a major change in pro football's personnel rules has been achieved not by collective bargaining but by the whim of a judge. And while some short-term gain may be seen in the quality of NFL play, we're also likely about to see many of the same problems, both at the college and pro levels, that have plagued basketball in the last couple of decades- too many players arriving in the pros with a profound lack of experience, maturity, and fundamentals, and the college ranks, in turn, being reduced to a shell of their formal self.
While I have some sympathy for the argument that it's a "restraint of trade" to keep certain players out of the draft, I really feel that this sort of thing should be decided in collective bargaining, not by the courts. And I have trouble going along with Clarett's lawyers painting his quest to enter the draft as some sort of civil rights issue- that it's certainly not.
At any rate, Mel Kiper Jr.'s "busy time of year" just got a lot busier.

Posted by Stephen Silver at February 6, 2004 05:25 AM
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