Distored Views

NFL teams were willing to take a chance on players with questionable backgrounds because of character and legal issues. The Pats were criticized for drafting TE Aaron Hernandez who admitted to flunking a drug test for marijuana.

Teams passed on Safety Myron Rolle of Florida State until the 6th round. Coaches, scouts, genernal managers and other "experts" openly questioned his commitment to play in the NFL. What was Rolle guilty of ? He decided to skip his 4th years of eligibility and attend Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar. He graduated from Florida State in 2 1/2 years and decided to pursue a master's degree in medical anthropology. He has openly stated that he plans to attend medical school when his playing days end.

At the Senior Bowl, Tampa Bay coach Raheem Morris asked him directly how he felt about "quitting " on his team. Quitting meant going to Oxford because he was a Rhodes Scholar and leaving his team after three seasons.

The NFL is distorted in so many ways. They select players with questionable character, but pass on a guy who should be a model for young men.

The same happened to TE Scott Sicko from the University of New Hampshire. He was considered to be a late round pick. He stated before the draft that he would not pursue a NFL career unless he was drafted. He would attend graduate school and study for a mater's degree in history. His pursuit of education scared many teams on draft day. He was not selected, but did agree to sign as an undrafted free-agent with the Dallas Cowboys.

Both of these players will be under a microscope, not for their behavior, but to determine whether they are truly committed to play in the NFL.

Once again, the NFL has their priorities out of order.