I like both. But if I were Dotson, I would decline to play in any mediocre bowl game Penn State gets offered. No reason for Jahan to risk getting a serious injury and hurt his NFL future for a meaningless game.
As for Sean, I personally would love to have him come back. But if I were Sean, I would declare for the draft. A 6 year college player (age 24 or 25 after next year) is not appealing to NFL teams as a draft pick unless he is a superstar. Sean isn't so he would do better (IMHO) to go pro this year.
Time for Sean to move on IMO. I thank him for his service and dedication but I feel it is time for him to move on to the next chapter of his life. I think that is the right thing for him as well as PSU.
No one cares if a QB is 23 or 24, they care if he is good enough to draft. Clifford would not get drafted if he leaves, so if he declares he will sign as a UA somewhere.
I hate to see kids not playing for teammates. It is self centered, I don't know how it looks to the teams drafting them. But for some reason I'm almost OK with Dotson sitting. Maybe there is a middle ground where he plays 1/3 after talking to JF.
On Clifford? Always good to have a stable but he may not be #1. Either way his draft status isn't much affected.
No one cares if a QB is 23 or 24, they care if he is good enough to draft. Clifford would not get drafted if he leaves, so if he declares he will sign as a UA somewhere.
I would add to that, much of Clifford's success was Washington and Lambert-Smith but in particular Dotson making spectacular plays.
I hate to see kids not playing for teammates. It is self centered, I don't know how it looks to the teams drafting them. But for some reason I'm almost OK with Dotson sitting. Maybe there is a middle ground where he plays 1/3 after talking to JF.
On Clifford? Always good to have a stable but he may not be #1. Either way his draft status isn't much affected.
I think that is projecting your beliefs onto the players. In all likelihood I would bet that the PSU players would fully understand his decision. In fact, I think some may actually encourage him to sit.
Players on a team aren't just thinking about "the team". They are people, and they want what is best for their fellow teammates. If that means sitting out a game, I seriously doubt anyone on the team cares that someone with an NFL career ahead of them is missing the Music City Bowl.
Bottom line is, sometimes it is just time to move on and now is one of those times. Keeping the fodder does nothing more than giving an excuse or goat for the next time up. Re-tool, man up and get on with it.
Then why should Dotson have played this game? Team was bowl eligible, why play against Rutgers? Where does it end? And then about half the pro games don't matter so even though he is a paid entertainer does he really need to risk getting hurt?
I'm sure he will talk it over with the infamous team council or whatever JF keeps talking to.
But I guess he deserves to play safe as much as any player I can think of. If they are not going to play do you let them travel withb the team?
Then why should Dotson have played this game? Team was bowl eligible, why play against Rutgers? Where does it end? And then about half the pro games don't matter so even though he is a paid entertainer does he really need to risk getting hurt?
I'm sure he will talk it over with the infamous team council or whatever JF keeps talking to.
But I guess he deserves to play safe as much as any player I can think of. If they are not going to play do you let them travel withb the team?
If they are not going to play what would be the purpose of traveling with the team? No, you decide you are not playing, you stay home. Who the hell wants that distraction in today's day and age. Freaking move on! This is not about feelings, its about the future and NFL scouts have already seen what they need to see with top notch players. Hell they don't want to see the player get hurt either.
I guess we will see what he does. Clifford also, and everyone elso that is going pro and not playing in the final 4. If everyone that is going pro and not playing for the NC sits then my projected beliefs would be wrong....
Or maybe the thinking is that the only reason to play in a lower level bowl is to improve your draft status...no other.
Or maybe the metrics everyone makes decisions by now has a probability of getting injured vs improving your draft status statistic risk/reward.
Because lower bowl games are meaningless against teams you don't have rivalries with, or count towards conference place.
They are literally meaningless other than pride or getting youngsters ready for next year. Conference games mean you are still playing for something.
Not really the same in my mind.
@underlion, you said "And then about half the pro games don't matter so even though he is a paid entertainer does he really need to risk getting hurt?
You ever been to a NFL preseason game? The starters play maybe 1 or 2 series if that.
How about at the end of the season when they have their play off berth clinched. You telling me that they don't sit players?
Everyone gets bent when a player sits out from a lesser bowl but the Pro's so it every year!
Oh, and you don't pay less admission to the preseason games because the starters aren't playing....
Clifford needs to enter the portal (gag, gag) and move on to a school with an OL so he can show what he can do and hopefully improve his pro prospects.
@rip Clifford is one tough dude brother but I don’t believe he’s got it for the NFL. Different breed up there. I hope he makes it though even if it’s a practice squad so he can put a little money in his pocket
First thing I would do if I was Jahan would be to sign up for the Trademark and rename myself JaHands Dotson - I know it was someone here on this board that came up with it, but it's perfect!
Clifford needs to enter the portal (gag, gag) and move on to a school with an OL so he can show what he can do and hopefully improve his pro prospects.
I also believe he should enter the portal as should most of our RB's.
Prog
We need to bring in some good OLs via the portal
Ain't gonna happen.
