Clarett considering suing NFL

[James_F]

http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news?slug=ap-ohiost-clarett&prov=ap&type=lgns

I'm torn. I do think people should be allowed to do what they want, but since I don't consider this RB even in the top 5 of college backs, won't he get killed if he goes?

Actually I would like to see him go to the CFL so we don't have to put up with the soap opera.

I can't imagine how tired you must be John? :D

[John Corn]

I have been watching and reading the comments on the Clarett situation for weeks now and have agreed with the views of those who have stuck with Maurice and those who have wanted to cut him loose. The kid is paying a heavy price for his poor judgment. However, with the insertion of Jim Brown in the picture and the articles of the last several days (read today's NY Times article) Clarett has poisoned his relationship with the University and the team. He needs to move on. I am not looking at this as more punishment for him but he cannot recover the good will of his coach or team at this point. He's young and can overcome it and have a good pro career (perhaps). Brown has now inserted race in the mix and that will destroy this program if the source of this ludicrous notion is not given his walking papers. Go Bucks and Go Maurice (as in please leave!)!!

[Timco]

I think he should be allowed to enter the NFL. I think the age restriction is illegal and if you are an adult, you should be allowed to apply for any job. Let the teams decide if he is qualified.
Now, that being said, I think he would get his butt kicked up and down the field. I wouldn't be so quick to run to the NFL if I was him.

[James_F]

Lets say he doesn't want to go to the NFL. Would he have to sit out a year if he transfered to another university?

[Timco]

I believe that if Ohio State hadn't suspended him the NCAA would have. So if he could find a school to transfer to, the NCAA would probably suspend him. I'm hazy on the rules on transfering between universities, but I believe he would have to sit out the year anyway.

[James_F]

So lets say he is suspended this year for the whole year. I'm guessing that does not constitute sitting out a year then huh? So transfering to I don't know, Marshall, would require another year of sitting out? I wouldn't blame him for not wanting to go that route. Missing 2 years would kill his career.

[Timco]

I have no idea how it would work out. If he was able to transfer to another school, I would bet that he just wouldn't be able to play this year only.

[James_F]

I doubt we'll find out since he'll play pro somewhere next year. :D

[DCSholtis]

I believe that IF he went to a division II or lower school he could play next year assuming he is only suspended for this season.......and would not have to sit out a year due to the transfer.....as far as the CFL is concerned their comissioner has already stated on a few occasions that he would not be allowed to pull a "lets go to the CFL until he is NFL eligible" deal....I believe that the NFL is a contributor to the CFL anyway so I believe they would be together on this one......same with Arena Football....(IF he were to transfer to a Division I school...he would have to sit out next year according to the NCAA rules)....:D

[John Corn]

I cannot belive that Maurice could seriously be considering transfering as per Jim Brown statement.

Wouldn't he still have the NCAA to deal with for the violations of bylaws 10 and 12? Wouldn't he also have to sit out a year on top of what ever punishment they hand out for the violations? Wouldn't that put him timeframe wise, past the NFL ineligabilty window (3 years out of high school)?

Wheather he plays another down for Ohio State is still uncertain but I think the transfer talk sounds like an idle threat.

[Hack]

It's time for Ohio State and him to move on. He needs a year to grow up in Div-2 then move on to the NFL. The coach is to blame for this as well. A freshman should be seen and never heard. Some schools or good coaches never let freshman talk and this should have been the case at OSU too.

[SamC]

OK, here are the rules:

He is suspended for THIS SEASON by OSU. They did this to CYA, and if they didn't suspend him, he would have been suspended by the NCAA for the same period.

If he transfers to ANOTHER NCAA Division I-A institution (and Marshall is a I-A school now, it was a I-AA school when Randy Moss transfered a few years ago) he must sit out another year (2004).

If he transfers to a NCAA I-AA or Div II school he must set out only this year. There are about 70 serious schools in I-AA, including the members of the "historically black" conferences (BTW, why do we have such places in 2003???).

Of couse, the NCAA will do NOTHING to Ohio State. Ohio State is located north of that line formed by the Mason-Dixon Line, the Ohio River and the Missouri River, which marks the boundry between places the NCAA sanctions and those it doesn't.

[Hack]

Good points, Sam! OSU and Tressel get away unscathed while securing their future with a ton of money that will probably follow while they knew what kind of person and student Clarett was before they brought him in. As much as I don’t like Clarett he is a victim here as well as the scapegoat. OSU should get a penalty which includes a ban from post season play and a reduction of scholarships.