Rolled Tide
Recently, while on the “Dan Patrick Show” the South Carolina Gamecocks Head Coach Steve Spurrier, was quoted as saying about Football Powerhouse Alabama “Gosh, they look like they could beat a couple of those NFL teams that I’ve watched on Sundays…I think a lot of the odds makers out there, that usually know what’s going on, I’d guess Alabama would be favored by a little bit.” He should know better.
This argument seems to pop up every year or so, when some dominant SEC team or other completely rolls its opponents. It sneaks up in conversation about “Pro-style” offense and how most members of the starting squads are NFL ready. But do you know why it’s called “Pro-Style?” Cause it ain’t Pro. Much like when you go to a restaurant that offers “home-style” meals, you can rest assured that it is not any ones’ home.
No one is debating Steve Spurriers credentials. As a coach Steve Spurrier knows what it takes to win at the College level (206-77-2) and knows what it takes to lose at the NFL Level (12-20). What makes this interesting is not only the not-so-subtle jab at teams like the Jets and Jags but that Spurrier is crowing about someone else’s team. As if somehow, if any College team could beat any NFL team, it would somehow validate him. He should know better.
Let’s get down to WHY this needs to stop being brought up. By anyone. Ever again.
College players are children. They are generally aged between 18 and 22. Some of these young men may not even be fully developed Adults.
If (for the sake of argument) a single college team produces 9 players in one draft that would mean that there about 60+ people on that team that are either ineligible or unable to make it in the NFL.. And that’s the BEST team. And again, if only for the sake of argument, that those 9 players are divided by 4 on offense and 5 on defense, then that teams opponents are playing against a team with half a squad of NFL caliber players.
Just about everyone that plays in the NFL now, was at one time in college, absolutely freaking amazing. The guys that are bad in the NFL were still pretty dang good in college. Let’s take a look at a random player who isn’t very good. I’ll stay local and pick a NY Jet, since most of their offense fits that description. Chaz Shilens played 3 years at San Diego State averaging approximately 500 yards on 34 receptions for 2 touchdowns as a deep threat. His 2007 tally of 19.4 yards per reception was 1st in the Mountain West Conference and 8th in the NCAA. You see that, he was 8th in the NCAA in YPC and yet his longest career catch as a pro, 60 yards in 2008 serves as almost 6% of his total career yardage.
But why pick on bench players that didn’t quite pan out. Let’s take on the cream of the crop. The Heisman Winners. These are the best that College Football has to offer. And yes Archie Griffin won. And yes, so did O.J. Simpson. And Bo Jackson. And Roger Staubach. And Herschel Walker. But you know who else won the highest honor in Collegiate Football? Gino Torretta. And Danny Wuerfful. And Tim Tebow. And Charlie Ward, who was drafted by the New York Knicks and the New York Yankees. And Troy Smith, who eventually lost his job with The Ravens to NCAA Division 2 Rookie Joe Flacco (who incidentally played D-2 because he was backing up Tyler Palko at Pitt) Great College talents all, but not much NFL success.
And you know who else won the Heisman and never quite found great NFL success? Steve Spurrier. He had a nice career, but never started a full season, mostly serving as a back-up QB.
Steve Spurrier has been around this game a long time. He is one the greats of the college game as both a player and a coach. But saying any NCAA team could beat an NFL squad? After his career in the NFL? He should know better.
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