2014 NFL Draft Thread

[ctcf]

Good for him. Hard to say bc he was already a tweener but he's probably cost himself millions. Hopefully it makes the path easier for others sooner than later.

 

it really sounds like this was about to come out anyway, so it's hard to argue he cost himself money. might as well do it your way if the decision is going to be (unfortunately) forced upon you.

 

also, if peter king's source is right and this guy goes undrafted, i'm going to have a hard time talking myself into sticking with the nfl. i don't know what it says about me that i can abide watching young men destroy their brains but not this. either way, i'd find it awfully crushing if they just blacklisted this guy.

 

I'd be pretty [expletive] disgusted with the NFL if that happened. That would be one of the most cowardly things I can think of.

[ctcf]

This is going to be a seriously bizarre article to read in 5-10 years (not that it isn't already): http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/college-football/news/20140209/michael-sam-draft-stock/

[Tracer Bullet]

Good for him. Hard to say bc he was already a tweener but he's probably cost himself millions. Hopefully it makes the path easier for others sooner than later.

 

it really sounds like this was about to come out anyway, so it's hard to argue he cost himself money. might as well do it your way if the decision is going to be (unfortunately) forced upon you.

 

also, if peter king's source is right and this guy goes undrafted, i'm going to have a hard time talking myself into sticking with the nfl. i don't know what it says about me that i can abide watching young men destroy their brains but not this. either way, i'd find it awfully crushing if they just blacklisted this guy.

 

true. but, an unconfirmed rumor that he's gay probably drops him, maybe a lot. coming out a few months before the draft could result in him being undrafted. I think he falls a long way sadly. I hope I'm wrong and some GM is secure enough to draft him. But I doubt a GM that isn't absolutely sure about his job would draft Sam right now. Seems pretty clear that homophobia, or at least the remnants of it, is still common in the NFL.

[ConstableRabbit]

My sister went to Mizzou with Sam and said he was more or less out. Or rather, didn't try to hide anything.

 

IMO, him being gay isn't really a distraction I'd be concerned about as a GM. The constant media onslaught that will take place, however, is a distraction.

[Formerly Snayke]

But I doubt a GM that isn't absolutely sure about his job would draft Sam right now. Seems pretty clear that homophobia, or at least the remnants of it, is still common in the NFL.

 

Sadly, you're correct. I believe it was the SI story that said Sam would be well off in an organization like Pittsburgh or Green Bay, but I think being in a low-profile organization like St. Louis, Arizona or Jacksonville would also work.

[Banedon]

But I doubt a GM that isn't absolutely sure about his job would draft Sam right now. Seems pretty clear that homophobia, or at least the remnants of it, is still common in the NFL.

 

Sadly, you're correct. I believe it was the SI story that said Sam would be well off in an organization like Pittsburgh or Green Bay, but I think being in a low-profile organization like St. Louis, Arizona or Jacksonville would also work.

 

I dunno...on those teams he'd really be THE story. Really, what else would Jacksonville beat reporters have to talk about? But put him on a team that has other storylines, and maybe he can get a little "lost".

[abohnhoff]

Seems like a good fit in NE. Stable locker room and coaching staff.

[OleMissCub]

New Orleans would definitely accept him. They need some pass rushers in the worst way.

[Formerly Snayke]

I dunno...on those teams he'd really be THE story. Really, what else would Jacksonville beat reporters have to talk about? But put him on a team that has other storylines, and maybe he can get a little "lost".

 

Honestly, I'm not sure how this is going to play out six months from now because it's completely unprecedented.

[Guest]

My sister went to Mizzou with Sam and said he was more or less out. Or rather, didn't try to hide anything.

 

IMO, him being gay isn't really a distraction I'd be concerned about as a GM. The constant media onslaught that will take place, however, is a distraction.

I'm trying to think of a reason for him timing his announcement, and I guess he maybe wanted to get ahead of the game before the combine. But maybe he just wanted a challenge. Either way, he needs to play in the NFL.

[Old Style]

I can't wait for the day when the whole "being gay" thing is a non-issue like it should be. I give Sam credit for coming out before the draft. I hope it doesn't negatively affect his draft position too much.

[KingCubsFan]

My sister went to Mizzou with Sam and said he was more or less out. Or rather, didn't try to hide anything.

 

IMO, him being gay isn't really a distraction I'd be concerned about as a GM. The constant media onslaught that will take place, however, is a distraction.

With the way news cycles work these days, I think people are really overestimating the amount of attention this would bring to a team. My guess is that it would be a big story when training camp started, and then people would move onto the next thing, especially considering that, since he's a mid-round pick, he won't be a major player on the team.

[jersey cubs fan]

My sister went to Mizzou with Sam and said he was more or less out. Or rather, didn't try to hide anything.

 

IMO, him being gay isn't really a distraction I'd be concerned about as a GM. The constant media onslaught that will take place, however, is a distraction.

I'm trying to think of a reason for him timing his announcement, and I guess he maybe wanted to get ahead of the game before the combine. But maybe he just wanted a challenge. Either way, he needs to play in the NFL.

Outsports had a "how this happened" story and basically, they wanted to give teams as much time as possible to process the information and move on. So many people knew that it was impossible to keep a secret through the draft process anyway.

[Banedon]

My sister went to Mizzou with Sam and said he was more or less out. Or rather, didn't try to hide anything.

 

IMO, him being gay isn't really a distraction I'd be concerned about as a GM. The constant media onslaught that will take place, however, is a distraction.

I'm trying to think of a reason for him timing his announcement, and I guess he maybe wanted to get ahead of the game before the combine. But maybe he just wanted a challenge. Either way, he needs to play in the NFL.

Outsports had a "how this happened" story and basically, they wanted to give teams as much time as possible to process the information and move on. So many people knew that it was impossible to keep a secret through the draft process anyway.

 

Yeah, and there was plenty of rumors...some reporters already knew and were keeping it under wraps...it was going to get out on its own before the draft.

[imb]

I have to believe one of the 32 nfl teams that exist sees what a giant opportunity drafting this guy will be for them, provided they handle it right.

[ConstableRabbit]

My sister went to Mizzou with Sam and said he was more or less out. Or rather, didn't try to hide anything.

 

IMO, him being gay isn't really a distraction I'd be concerned about as a GM. The constant media onslaught that will take place, however, is a distraction.

With the way news cycles work these days, I think people are really overestimating the amount of attention this would bring to a team. My guess is that it would be a big story when training camp started, and then people would move onto the next thing, especially considering that, since he's a mid-round pick, he won't be a major player on the team.

I agree that it would die down over the course of the season, but it would be HUGE during training camp and the beginning of the season. I think he'd really have to be a good value pick for it to be worth it to a team.

[Sammy Sofa]

I have to believe one of the 32 nfl teams that exist sees what a giant opportunity drafting this guy will be for them, provided they handle it right.

 

I agree with this, and then remember that Kerry Rhodes is still inexplicably out of work, and that was just over rumors.

[ConstableRabbit]

I have to believe one of the 32 nfl teams that exist sees what a giant opportunity drafting this guy will be for them, provided they handle it right.

 

I agree with this, and then remember that Kerry Rhodes is still inexplicably out of work, and that was just over rumors.

If GMs are in fact afraid of the media circus more than the locker room, this might get Rhodes a job.

[Soul]

If he drops because of this, it will be a huge story on draft day too. Could get kind of ugly, actually.

 

I'd like to think that a guy like Emery -- desperate for defensive talent, especially on the D Line -- would find it very difficult to pass up a high value pick like this if he falls to, say, the 5th round or so.

 

Of course, what I'd like to think vs. what will actually happen: probably two different things.

[rawaction]

I think Sam has the potential to be a Tebow/Te'o type of distraction. Moreso like Te'o. I could see Sam having a press conference at the combine to answer any questions and then it should be a non-factor by training camp. Some players will tease him in camp, but it seems like he won't completely wuss out at the teasing like Jon Martin.

 

I had him as about a 4th round pick, if he goes any lower than the 5th, it's because of his sexuality. I guarantee there will be teams that completely takes him off their board because of this. But I'd imagine he'll get drafted. He's easily one of the top 270 or however many players that get drafted.

 

I will say any money he might have lost by coming out, he'll make up easily with endorsements, especially the longer he stays in the league and more he produces.

 

It's complete [expletive] that this is even an issue. But the timing is perfect for Sam. Teams can process it before the combine. He can address it in interviews instead of being asked about it by teams in private meetings and then having to either come out on their terms or flat out lie about it. Gives it time to die down by camp. Not that he needs my support, but I fully support Michael Sam and hope he has a long NFL career. I think the game and professional sports needs this. It's about time for this stupidity to end. Maybe he gets others to come out. Maybe he gets others to stop being ignorant about his lifestyle. Either way, I look forward to the positive coming out of this situation.

[rawaction]

If he drops because of this, it will be a huge story on draft day too. Could get kind of ugly, actually.

 

I'd like to think that a guy like Emery -- desperate for defensive talent, especially on the D Line -- would find it very difficult to pass up a high value pick like this if he falls to, say, the 5th round or so.

 

Of course, what I'd like to think vs. what will actually happen: probably two different things.

 

I personally don't think Emery wants the media circus that may come with drafting Sam. He doesn't want the team on Hard Knocks. He cut one of his own draft picks that brought negative attention to the team. I don't think he'd pass on a great value though, so it'll be interesting.

[jersey cubs fan]

If he drops because of this, it will be a huge story on draft day too. Could get kind of ugly, actually.

 

I'd like to think that a guy like Emery -- desperate for defensive talent, especially on the D Line -- would find it very difficult to pass up a high value pick like this if he falls to, say, the 5th round or so.

 

Of course, what I'd like to think vs. what will actually happen: probably two different things.

 

I personally don't think Emery wants the media circus that may come with drafting Sam. He doesn't want the team on Hard Knocks. He cut one of his own draft picks that brought negative attention to the team. I don't think he'd pass on a great value though, so it'll be interesting.

 

Well, he cut a guy who was routinely in trouble with the law, and not any good. I don't think it's the same issue at all.

[Soul]

I could have sworn I read that Sam was projected 3rd round before the announcement. Now I'm seeing 3rd - 5th.

[imb]

I could have sworn I read that Sam was projected 3rd round before the announcement. Now I'm seeing 3rd - 5th.

 

Yeah, all the talk about "how will at effect his draft stock" is cracking me up, considering the first story I saw last night said "possible first rounder" and now it's "projected third to fifth rounder"

[jersey cubs fan]

I could have sworn I read that Sam was projected 3rd round before the announcement. Now I'm seeing 3rd - 5th.

 

Every story I read as it happened was 4th - 7th. But one said, "early in the draft".