This whole press conference thing is getting out of control. Just yesterday, Ohio State quarterback Cardale Jones called a press conference to -- sound the trumpets -- announce whether or not he would declare for the NFL draft after leading Ohio State to the national championship.
ESPN hustled a camera crew to cover this "mega-event". Their talking heads back in the studio were meticulously dissecting and diagnosing every conceivable pro and con regarding Jones' decision.
[Idle thought: These guys missed their true calling. Had they been in the field of medical research, a cure for cancer might have been found long ago.]
The local town elders were on hand. Even a preacher was present to exhort the masses and whip them into a frenzy of soul-moving excitement. Glory hallelujah. Praise be to Cardale Jones.
And then Jones calmly stepped to the microphone and said he would be returning to Ohio State for at least one more year.
So what was all the hype about? And either way, turn pro or stay in skool, why is a press conference needed anyway? A text to a local sports columnist was all that was necessary. His/her media comrades would take care of the rest. In this day and age, word would spread faster than automotive recalls. Good grief, when then future Hall of Famer Barry Sanders suddenly decided to walk away from the Detroit Lions, leaving countless millions of dollars on the table -- and likely the all-time NFL rushing record -- he let it be known by way of a simple written statement. No choreographed press conference with family, friends, and the usual gang of suspects showing up for photo-ops. No camera crew, no preacher and no TV talking heads hyperventilating for hours agonizing over various possibilities. When he decided to call it quits, that was it. Done. Over. Quietly. And that was sure as hell bigger news than anything Cardale Jones has to say these days.
Granted, CJ isn't the brightest star in the universe, and even he seemed perplexed over the hoopla generated by others over his "decision". And as they say, any publicity is a good thing, right? Unless your name happens to be Aaron Hernandez, Ray Rice, Lance Armstrong, O.J. Simpson -- well -- you get the idea.
Yet just for kicks, let's consider what likely would have happened had Jones went the other way and declared himself eligible for the NFL draft. What would come next?
The above-mentioned talking heads and "experts", who fully expected him to "come out", weighed in on where he would be drafted. First round? Not a chance. Second round unlikely as well. Their collective wisdom had him going somewhere between the third and fifth rounds of the draft. Not exactly big guaranteed money territory.
After all, while Jones was impressive in wins over Wisconsin, Alabama, and Oregon, starting a grand total of three college games does not a "good-to-go" NFL resume make. At best, he would be considered a "project", likely starting off his pro career as a third-string QB with a serious learning curve to face.
But as long as we're in the fantasy world, consider another possibility if Jones had gone pro. The New England Patriots. If Jones was still "on the board" come the fourth round or so, Bill Bellichick might have picked him. Insanity, you say? Not so fast. Over the years, the mad genius and his staff have been known to take other "less worthy" players and quickly mold them into starters. Would anybody seriously argue with their track record? And even if a fourth-rounder goes bust, it's not that big of a deal. It happens all the time around the league.
And here's the kicker. All-everything QB Tom Brady is now 37 years old. He might have a couple years left in his tank, but surely not much more. What better scenario could Cardale Jones have than learning under Tom Brady for the next couple years? Food for thought, if only imaginary.
But in the meantime, these overblown worthless press conferences really need to stop. I mean, what's next? Some sophomore point guard, with all his bros and kinfolk in tow, summoning a preacher, local politicos, and film crews to announce he just changed his university major from "Phys Ed" to "General Studies"? Could we then infer the exams were too hard for him in gym class?
Barry Sanders had it right, and did it with class. When it's time to make a big decison -- make it. But there's no need to turn it into a circus. A simple statement away from the cameras will do just fine.
The difference between Sanders and today's athletes? Barry was always comfortable with himself. Still is. He didn't need everybody else fawning all over him and telling him how great he was.
But times have changed. Now, even jocks making $10-20 million a year can't resist getting in front of the cameras for stupid commercial endorsements to get even MORE bucks they obviously don't need.
Progress is a good thing, but it has its drawbacks. Sometimes the old ways are still better......
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