Idea for captains going forward
First of all, I do not fault players who skip bowl games to focus on their careers. That’s their future, and they should do what is best for them.
THAT SAID, team captains absolutely have to be team-first players. They have to be the first players on the practice field and the last ones off it. They need to get in other players’ faces when they aren’t giving their all. They need to fight tooth-and-nail for their teammates no matter what.
And they cannot leave their teammates high and dry, even if it means risking their draft prospects. That’s what a captain needs to be.
Going forward when evaluating potential captains, Harbaugh needs to ask them if they would possibly sit out any game to focus on the draft. If the answer is not a firm no, pick someone else.
December 30th, 2018 at 6:08 AM ^
He respects it is there choice to make, but he vehemently disagrees with it.
He did NOT discuss leaving San Francisco until their season was over.
He did NOT discuss leaving Stanford until their season was over.
The decisions of these players are in distinct contrast to Harbaugh’s DNA.
December 30th, 2018 at 12:18 PM ^
Did you hear him say that he vehemently disagreed with their choices? I didn't. I didn't even hear him say, "While I respect that it is their decision to make, I am disappointed with the decision they have made." On the contrary, what I heard him doing was ingratiating himself with players that had abandoned the team.
December 30th, 2018 at 9:10 AM ^
I have a feeling that the “sitting out” phenomenon is becoming something of a status symbol for players and that they will do it as a way to show their NFL bona fides. It will only increase.
December 30th, 2018 at 11:29 AM ^
I have a feeling that the players don't like Harbaugh and aren't willing to do anything to help him, or his team, out. Hidgon's dad basically said as much.
December 30th, 2018 at 9:34 AM ^
Preferably ones that don't quit on the team school and fans
December 30th, 2018 at 9:41 AM ^
captain America
December 30th, 2018 at 9:43 AM ^
The TEAM THE TEAM THE NFL. Quiting on your team is shameful. They didn't even show up for support. Shameful.
December 30th, 2018 at 11:22 AM ^
Wondering how any healthy player that decides to sit out their bowl game will answer for it in an NFL interview. Character matters - even in the NFL.
December 30th, 2018 at 11:30 AM ^
Being an elite athlete matters in the NFL. Not getting videotaped stomping the shit out of a woman matters in the NFL. That's not character.
December 30th, 2018 at 1:14 PM ^
Of course being an elite athlete matters. Character also matters. A team rostered with the likes of Chase Winovich will destroy teams with better athletes that only play when they want.
December 30th, 2018 at 12:19 PM ^
Are you sure about that?
December 30th, 2018 at 11:36 AM ^
Obviously you'd want your captains to play in the bowl game, but I don't know how you'd realistically know who's going to sit out the bowl game until the season plays out. I'd bet Higdon didn't plan on sitting out the game before the season began.
I don't think Higdon makes much of a difference in this game anyway. Gary wasn't much of a factor this year. I think we absolutely missed Bush, but I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt that he didn't choose to miss the game. The players-sitting-out excuse as the reasoning for this most recent embarrassment is way overblown.