December 20th, 2018 at 10:24 AM ^
Could just roll an ankle and miss the senior bowl - where NFL scouts will be present all week at practices. That is more important for his stock than a bowl game where an 11th win and a higher ranking are the only positive things at stake. None of these guys would be sitting out if we are in the playoffs. That’s what matters to me. I’ll never begrudge a kid sitting out a bowl game after they saw their teammate potentially lose their career in one just a couple years earlier.
December 20th, 2018 at 10:33 AM ^
Edit: I don't know where you're going with this, so I'm going to respectfully bid you adieu and move along.
December 20th, 2018 at 10:16 AM ^
Funny to use Butt as an excuse, when Jake himself has said many times that he wouldn't change a thing.
December 20th, 2018 at 10:21 AM ^
And? Not everybody is Jake Butt. Some of these kids see an opportunity to fulfill their dream, and even its a 5% chance they get even just a minor injury, they might not deem it worth it.
December 20th, 2018 at 9:47 AM ^
I support his decision, but it seems CFB is on a slippery slope here. If draftable players only decide to play in games that are “worth it” (i.e. with major stakes on the line), I wonder if we’ll start seeing more players begin sitting out regular season games once their team is out of the playoff mix. Seems Ed Oliver may or may not have already started to blaze that trail earlier this year.
*Just saw references to Clowney & Bosa above, which furthers the point.
December 20th, 2018 at 9:50 AM ^
I keep seeing posts like this about players sitting out. has anyone seen or heard anything about Florida players sitting out the bowl game?
December 20th, 2018 at 10:18 AM ^
Two weeks ago Mullen said he had some players considering leaving early but they'd all said they intended to play. I've seen nothing since so I assume that's still true.
December 20th, 2018 at 9:50 AM ^
I hope this puts the analogy for comparing football to war to bed. I respect their very personal and private decision to sit out, but don't compare an event like a battle and players being soldiers, with this trend that is continually growing.
December 20th, 2018 at 9:53 AM ^
Smart career move. He was on the field when Jake Butt went down, that has to be in the back of his mind every day.
December 20th, 2018 at 9:53 AM ^
It's now effectively a preseason game for next year, without the freshman. I'm fine with that.
December 20th, 2018 at 9:54 AM ^
So this is the new thing the reactionaries of the fan base are going PsYcHo over?
Ok cool, ......clowns.
The worst part about this solution is simple:
let Bad Boy Mowers, or whatever sponsor, underwrite the insurance policies for ATHLETES WITHOUT ELIGIBILITY and pay those players an appearance fee. Heck the positive PR alone should be worth it.
December 20th, 2018 at 9:56 AM ^
Smart man
December 20th, 2018 at 9:56 AM ^
Appreciate all that Higdon has done for the team/program, an obvious football warrior with his effort on the field. But, his decision to not play in the Peach Bowl is disappointing from the standpoint that he's a team captain, elected by his fellow players because of the leadership qualities they saw in him and counted on during the course of the season. Once you accept the responsibility of that title, I think you're duty-bound to carry it through to the last game.
December 20th, 2018 at 9:58 AM ^
Expanded playoff might alleviate the problem, but then what happens when players start sitting out playoff games?
December 20th, 2018 at 10:00 AM ^
This makes sense. He has a family to support. Not worth the risk and he already has a large body of work. Best to train for the combine.
Good luck, Karan!
December 20th, 2018 at 10:01 AM ^
I dont see us beating fla without higdon. He was the backbone of our offense. Liked him alot as a player
December 20th, 2018 at 10:01 AM ^
Good for him. He will earn $0 by playing in a meaningless football game that the university and conference will make millions from. There is literally nothing to gain for him except another win on his record.
December 20th, 2018 at 10:36 AM ^
He also earned $0 from playing in the MSU, Indiana, Nebraska, NW, ect game. So those, in theory, are meaningless as well. Do you see where this gets really confusing?
December 20th, 2018 at 12:07 PM ^
It is not confusing at all.
Those games were during a Big Ten Title hunt and a potential shot at the Playoff. He made it through all of that injury-free. Now, we're salty that he isn't playing in the Bowl Game? That bowl game isn't going to win us the division, or conference title. What's done is done, and it's time for him to move onto prepping for the NFL.
With the playoff now, the bowl games outside of it mean much much less and that's how it's viewed.
December 20th, 2018 at 1:04 PM ^
I really can't believe you don't see where this is going.
What is inherently important about a conference title or a national title or the OSU game? Something is only going to be as important as you make it. If it is all about the money, none of that stuff matters.
December 20th, 2018 at 1:06 PM ^
This is such a terrible take. Those games helped NFL teams assess his draftability.
if he feels like another game won’t help in that vs the risk associated with playing that game, then he should leave. He is making a business decision in a sport where we are asking only the players to not make business decisions.
Its the right move 10 out of 10 times. This isn’t war. No one is dying. No one is being betrayed. People need to get over their sense of entitlement and let these young men get on with their lives.
December 20th, 2018 at 1:39 PM ^
But I thought the Senior Bowl that he's playing in was to assess his draftability? It's been told here by numerous people that he has to practice and play in the SB to improve his draft stock. So which is it exactly? It's hard to keep up with all you flip floppers who take minor details and turn them into non negotiable talking points.
December 20th, 2018 at 3:39 PM ^
You are acting juvenile by calling people flip floppers. And you are building your own straw man. Let me lay it out simply in terms that are irrefutable.
It is his choice. He can determine what events he participates in to advance his career. He believes the senior bowl will do this for him. To say playing in one is just like playing in the other is demonstrably false. But even if it wasn’t, it doesn’t matter. It’s his choice and his opinion that matters.
December 20th, 2018 at 1:28 PM ^
His senior year tape is filled with great highlights in a run to compete for the CFP title. His regular season awards are won. He now needs to prepare for the Senior Bowl and the Combine. The bowl game is not meaningless, but it adds minimal value to his pro prospects and means nothing to a CFP title run. Non-CFP bowl games are merely exhibitions and a chance for the rising stars to shine and get starter reps. It is a great opportunity for his replacements to add film to their resume and rep for the 2019 season ... which hopefully is another run at titles.
Getting "paid" is a function of being drafted as high as possible. The bowl game entails way more downside than upside, so sitting out is a smart business decision.
December 20th, 2018 at 10:01 AM ^
Good Luck to Karan!
Hopefully he impresses at the Senior Bowl!
December 20th, 2018 at 10:01 AM ^
I thought we knew this and had this debate already?
December 20th, 2018 at 10:06 AM ^
I like Higdon and I don't really want to be critical, but how does it make sense to sit the Peach Bowl and play the Senior Bowl?
December 20th, 2018 at 10:16 AM ^
Senior Bowl is not really a "bowl" it is an extended job interview -- it is filled with NFL coaches and scouts.
The practices/workouts for the Senior Bowl are as important as the game. Just watch ESPN / BTN / etc around that time. You'll start hearing "So-so really impressed on Tuesday, as he was dominating some of the top players from the..."
December 20th, 2018 at 11:30 AM ^
In theory, the Peach Bowl would be another oppportunity for a job interview. He could go out and rush for 200 yards, increase his stock, and get drafted even higher!
December 20th, 2018 at 11:38 AM ^
Certainly the Peach Bowl is another opportunity, but it is not remotely the same type in terms of NFL importance -- the Senior Bowl coaches are literally current NFL coaches. Beyond that, hundreds upon hundreds of scouts, coaches, etc from all the other NFL teams come down to watch everything.
It's like a another combine -- essential for a player like Higdon who needs to boost his draft stock.
December 20th, 2018 at 12:28 PM ^
So the injury risk there is worth it? Huh?
There won't be a TON of scouts at the Peach Bowl?
Wrong answer.
December 20th, 2018 at 1:12 PM ^
There is no wrong answer. It’s his decision. He weighs the risk of injury in a setting like the Senior Bowl as a risk worth taking. You may disagree because you are blinded by your fandom, but I’m guessing people who are invested in this would recommend the senior bowl and combine focus vs Peach bowl.
December 20th, 2018 at 10:09 AM ^
That's fine. I hope the stuff about doing this out of spite because his family is mad at Harbaugh isn't true, though.
December 20th, 2018 at 10:09 AM ^
I don't like this trend of players skipping the bowl game. Get the insurance policy so you're covered in the rare case of injury. Go be a Captain for your TEAM.
How-ev-er, Higdon came back for his senior season. He had a real chance to go last year so that does play into my feelings in his case.
December 20th, 2018 at 10:13 AM ^
Hidgon didn't do us any favors by coming back. He was a mediocre college RB with bad blocking last year. He would have been lucky to get drafted.
December 20th, 2018 at 10:10 AM ^
If any person told me how I should live my life and or what I should do with my career without knowing one thing about myself or my circumstances, I would have to tell that person to politely kick rocks.
December 20th, 2018 at 10:18 AM ^
Seriously, if you commit to play for a school you should play in all games you are healthy to play in. Rashan I get guy has been playing injured all year and is a first rounder, when is higdon projected to go rounds 5-7? Unless your saquon rbs are a dime a dozen in the nfl. Best of luck to you Karan.
December 20th, 2018 at 10:38 AM ^
Karan
December 20th, 2018 at 10:19 AM ^
Dude won't be playing on Sundays next year anyhow. Man I really don't understand what this board sees about his game that translates to the next level.
Practice squad is probably his destination IMO. But hey I don't have a problem with him skipping the Peach Bowl. Good luck.
December 20th, 2018 at 10:24 AM ^
I dislike when an uninjured, senior captain, 3rd day draft pick does this, but it's up to him. I think even from a "it's strictly business" scenario it's not the best move, as a great performance could help his draft stock, but he certainly has plenty of tape, so it likely wouldn't make a significant difference.
The one positive is everyone who actually plays the Peach Bowl should be motivated -- the vast majority are playing for spots next year, even Shea (unlikely, but Dylan is no slouch). If someone lays an egg, with this big top 8 class coming in, you can get replaced in a hurry and you want all the good performances in front of the coaches that you can get.
Hopefully, they'll want to win the game for its own sake and for Michigan, but self-interest should also work in our favor.
December 20th, 2018 at 10:39 AM ^
Should not have been a captain.
December 20th, 2018 at 10:50 AM ^
I understand and respect his right to make this decision. I hate it for 2 reasons.
1. You have accepted the invitation to play in the Senior Bowl. I dont understand where the line is when you elect to play in that yet not play in the bowl game with your team/your brothers. He may change his mind and not play in the senior bowl. I honestly hope he does. He has nothing else to prove in my opinion. I also understand the benefits that come with playing in it.
2. You are a voted team captain. Your teammates thought enough of you to make you a team captain at Michigan. Your picture will hang in Schembechler hall forever because of that honor. I respect the decision. I understand the rationale. Now, Please be the best teammate you can be, be the best leader you can be, and go WITH the team to the Peach Bowl. Be there WITH them. Not in the stands and cheering FOR them. Be there WITH them as their leader and captain. To me, there is a difference in being there FOR the team and being there WITH the team. In my opinion, I feel no one will be able to say anything negative to or about him if he is in ATL with his team.
December 20th, 2018 at 10:58 AM ^
Higdon has earned his right to sit out the bowl with what he has done for the team the last few years. The bigger question is why he has a daughter at his age with a baby momma. Use a condom dude!
December 20th, 2018 at 11:05 AM ^
Everybody thinks they are NFL caliber these days..BAD decision and I HATE that the Bowl games are now meaningless unless its the final Four...Those who STAY will be Champions not those that selfishly leave
December 20th, 2018 at 11:43 AM ^
Higdon is a champion of what exactly? Didn’t win a Big Ten title, didn’t win a national championship. When that phrase is used, those are the championships that fit that narrative. He didn’t win either. So please quit using that out of date and quite meaningless phrase.
December 20th, 2018 at 11:08 AM ^
I actually am all for this. There is zero reason for a kid to risk injury in a meaningless bowl game in the grand scheme of things. Had they been in the playoffs I would be mad.
This is good for 2 reasons...He gets to prepare for his future and the football teams gets to prepare for their future. A young player gets to get reps and the team gets to get some film on them for the next year.
December 20th, 2018 at 11:16 AM ^
I for one support his decision. When it comes to the violent game we call football, I can't sit in the comfort of my living room and question what anyone should do as it relates to their future Wish him well. Like many have stated, the bowl game will not make one bit of difference in his draft. The Senior bowl could elevate his status a bit based on being seen by just about every NFL scouting team for two weeks.
December 20th, 2018 at 11:21 AM ^
Serious question...do you think this could trickle down to true sophomores?
Say you are a stud soph, and your team is playing in a bowl game but not playoffs. If you get hurt, there is a good chance you miss offseason workouts, perhaps part of the season, and do not get back to yourself until middle or late into your junior year (if at all). Do those types of guys start to sit out bowl games?
I am aware that players can get hurt at any time, in any game...just throwing this out.
December 20th, 2018 at 11:28 AM ^
No, because a pissed off coach can sit that guy for his entire junior year - hurting his draft stock badly.
December 20th, 2018 at 11:47 AM ^
If every RB ran as hard as Higdon, they would increase their production by a lot. Had a great career at Michigan. Would love to see him in the bowl game for selfish reasons. Hoping to see him on Sundays. Good luck Karan!!
GO BLUE!!