Clarett eligible?

[Twisted]

No link yet, but ESPN just reported that a fed judge just sided w/ Clarett in his anti-trust lawsuit and says he will be eligible. This is not good. Now high schoolers will be trying to come into the league. I really hope this gets overturned soon.

[Twisted]

Here we go:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=1727856

Thursday, February 5, 2004


Associated Press
NEW YORK -- Suspended Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett was ruled eligible for the NFL draft Thursday by a federal judge who concluded that the league's rule violates antitrust laws.


U.S. District Judge Shira A. Scheindlin ordered the NFL to let Clarett enter April's draft.


Clarett played just one season at Ohio State, leading the Buckeyes to the 2002 national championship. He was barred from playing in the 2003 season for accepting improper benefits from a family friend and then lying about it to investigators.


Clarett sued the NFL last summer to challenge the league rule that a player must be out of high school three years for draft eligibility. Thursday's ruling, if not successfully appealed, could allow teenage football stars to take advantage of the marketing and business opportunities available to young athletes in other sports.


The league had argued that Clarett should not be eligible because its rule resulted from a collective bargaining agreement with the players and is immune from antitrust scrutiny. The NFL also argued that its rule is reasonable and that Clarett cannot bring such a lawsuit.


"While, ordinarily, the best offense is a good defense, none of these defenses hold the line," the judge wrote in a 70-page ruling.


She said Clarett could bring the lawsuit because he was fighting a policy that excludes all players in his position from selling their services to the only viable buyer -- the NFL.


"The NFL has not justified Clarett's exclusion by demonstrating that the rule enhances competition. Indeed, Clarett has alleged the very type of injury -- a complete bar to entry into the market for this services -- that the antitrust laws are designed to prevent," she said.

[RabidRaider]

As expected this will make Larry Fitzgerald eligible also...

[Twisted]

Yeah, but if it stands, it'll make every HS graduate eligible also. Bad, bad precedent.

[RaiderBaby]

This is so sad, instead of that boy staying in school and gettin' an education, he's being allowed to come into the NFL draft, (with his stoopid self) and land big monee....I bet he don't even go in the first or second round.... JMHO

[Twisted]

Someone will grab him in 2 if the league can't get this overturned. I hope this idiot judge will be satisfied when Ray Lewis or Rodney Harrison puts this boy in a wheelchair for the rest of his life.

[Raiders Own You]

Mel Kiper said that Clarett will be a 2nd round pick If he is there when the Raiders pick id draft him he could be a big steal in the 2nd round

[liebo84]

Originally posted by Raiders Own You
Mel Kiper said that Clarett will be a 2nd round pick If he is there when the Raiders pick id draft him he could be a big steal in the 2nd round

If anyone was to pick someone like that its Al. I absolutely think he will take forever to develop, and Id rather have his cousin Reyes in the 2005 draft. But he puts asses in the NET, which has been impossible as of late. Clarett and Fitz...

[crizpynutz]

Originally posted by RaiderBaby
This is so sad, instead of that boy staying in school and gettin' an education, he's being allowed to come into the NFL draft, (with his stoopid self) and land big monee....I bet he don't even go in the first or second round.... JMHO

It is sad. This ruling is only going to hurt the players/kids and college football (dilution of talent). The NFL is going to be fine, the best players will play no matter if they're 18 or 48 years-old. There is a shortage of jobs in the NFL and an abundance of players. All this ruling has done, is increased the number of players while the jobs remain.

I foresee kids coming to the NFL not making it and then what do you have? 18-19 year-old kids with no job, no education and no money; instead they'll be spending their time trying to find a way to scrap up a few nickels to pay for a degree at My Future Is ****ed Community College.

I'm all for a man and his ability to work, to make a living and I understand that these same 18-year olds could be off somewhere fighting for our country, risking their lives. Joining the Armed Forces is a choice, and let's face it, it's not like you're going to lose your job due to other competition. Plus, your education is paid for, or virtually paid for when you complete your commitment. The similarities are there, but the NFL and the Armed Forces are really different animals.

I don't like it, but I'm not affected by it so oh well. The NFL game isn't going to be hurt. If anything, this may actually improve the NFL from a financial standpoint. Leagues like Arena, NFL Europe, might actually see an increase in talent and support from the NFL now that the college ranks are going to be diluted considerably.

[liebo84]

The dude has some baggage though, he hasnt played a healthy season since his highschool freshman year, but he still may even go late first round. Look at McGahee last year. Man, if people are willing to take a cripple like McGahee Clarrett seems like a safe pick (which he isnt) Hes got bust written all over him actually, hes gonna be one of those NBA players who left early, and had off the field baggage, got beat up on the court, and got suspended and **** off the court.

[Twisted]

Originally posted by Raiders Own You
Mel Kiper said that Clarett will be a 2nd round pick If he is there when the Raiders pick id draft him he could be a big steal in the 2nd round

God awful choice. Last thing we need is a cancer w/ the biggest target on his head since, well, ever.

He'll never play a full season and may get killed this season.