@squintz said:

This kid can return to Stanford ANY time he wants for the rest of his life and finish the year on his degree to go design structures.

But what he CAN'T do is guarantee he will be the first pick in the draft in 2012.

It's not something he should risk IMO. I know it still worked out for guys like Bradford, but why place yourself at risk? There is one thing he can't do, and that is IMPROVE his draft position.

I commend him on honoring a contract and all, but if it were me or my son, I'd suggest otherwise.

He will have a BIG target on his knees and back next season. My guess is that he will struggle without Harbaugh as well.

@hoorta said:

As to the $60 million, not gonna happen, and I think I can guarantee that. Sort of a two pronged reason Luck is staying in school. One thing for certain- in the upcoming CBA- the owners and players will have no problem agreeing there's going to be a rookie wage scale- just like in the NBA. It's totally nuts Sam Bradford can earn as much as Peyton Manning without ever playing a down in the NFL. The vets are (justifiably) going to want those dollars going to they players who have proved they're worth them- and they're the guys who will vote on the contract, not the rooks.

Second- who knows if there isn't going to be a player strike or owner lockout this year? Should it happen, Luck is still playing football at Stanford, and hanging out with the hottest Chiquitas on campus, while the NFL players cool their heels. Unlike Pryor at OSU- if Andy needs some cash, dad will provide it- he won't need to sell off any trinkets to impress his girlfriends.

Great analysis of the situation as usual.

@silverbackattack said:

If he drops 10 spots for the 2012 draft, or worse, it will cost

him 10s of millions - he could finish his education whenever,

but with a guaranteed $55-65 mill in the bank. That is a horrendous

decision. I can't believe he would be that stupid. You never walk

away from a guaranteed $60 mill. because whatever happens after

that will be moot. Ask Locker if he should have stayed this year. Compare

a guaranteed $15 mill to $60 mill. and get back to me.

He's knocking on the door of graduation come this spring. I applaud him because contrary to popular opinion money isn't everything. Once he gets that diploma that's something that no one can take from him. As opposed to a NFL career that can be taken away in one play's time. Stupid? I beg to differ.

@silverbackattack said:

career as a top QB; what we are saying is he is likely the first

pick which comes with likely $60 mill in guaranteed $. GUARANTEED.

That means that even if he ends up like Tim Couch, they can never

take his 60 mill away. If he goes out and has a down 2011 or blows a

knee out, he will never see that $.

Um, not exactly. Last point first. Luck's dad certainly has the coin to take out a mega-million insurance policy in the event Andrew DOES have a catastrophic injury.

As to the $60 million, not gonna happen, and I think I can guarantee that. Sort of a two pronged reason Luck is staying in school. One thing for certain- in the upcoming CBA- the owners and players will have no problem agreeing there's going to be a rookie wage scale- just like in the NBA. It's totally nuts Sam Bradford can earn as much as Peyton Manning without ever playing a down in the NFL. The vets are (justifiably) going to want those dollars going to they players who have proved they're worth them- and they're the guys who will vote on the contract, not the rooks.

Second- who knows if there isn't going to be a player strike or owner lockout this year? Should it happen, Luck is still playing football at Stanford, and hanging out with the hottest Chiquitas on campus, while the NFL players cool their heels. Unlike Pryor at OSU- if Andy needs some cash, dad will provide it- he won't need to sell off any trinkets to impress his girlfriends.

@diehardbrownsfan said:

No, you don't get it. We aren't acting like he will have a sure fire

career as a top QB; what we are saying is he is likely the first

pick which comes with likely $60 mill in guaranteed $. GUARANTEED.

That means that even if he ends up like Tim Couch, they can never

take his 60 mill away. If he goes out and has a down 2011 or blows a

knee out, he will never see that $.

@hoorta said:

For those that don't already know- Andrew's father is Oliver Luck, who played a few years in the NFL. And I'd forgotten Oliver was born and grew up in CLEVELAND. Went to St Ignatius. Has a Law degree so he's certainly no dummy, and is currently Athletic Director at West Virginia which isn't too shabby an income.

Oliver Luck Bio

So good for Andrew, I'm sure he's had several long conversations with dad about life in the NFL, and it was a well thought out decision. But it DOES drastically alter the top of the draft, as Luck was the only #1 pick qb this year.

Yea, maybe not too shabby an income as AD for WVU, but the kind of jack

where you pocket $60 mill. guaranteed? Doubt it.

@hoorta said:

me too. I don't think Cam Newton will be top 10 either.. If A.J. green isn't available I would still take a good pass rusher instead of reaching for a WR... We still have many needs and I just wanna make sure we fill some of them..

@the-gipper said:

Here is a possible Top Ten List:

Green of Ga.

Fairly of Auburn

Gabbert of Mizz.

DaQuan Bowers of Clemson

Peterson of LSU

Justin Blackmon of OK St.

Mallet of Ark.

Dareus of Alabama

Amakamura of Nebraska

Cam Newton of Auburn

I'll be shocked if Mallet goes top 10.

Here is a possible Top Ten List:

Green of Ga.

Fairly of Auburn

Gabbert of Mizz.

DaQuan Bowers of Clemson

Peterson of LSU

Justin Blackmon of OK St.

Mallet of Ark.

Dareus of Alabama

Amakamura of Nebraska

Cam Newton of Auburn

@ballpeen said:

He says he would be in line to graduate in June 2012.

@ballpeen said:

I'll bet he has a insurance policy protecting his NFL draftability against injury.

Good for him.

Yeah, I have no doubt his dad has a few million stashed away.

For those that don't already know- Andrew's father is Oliver Luck, who played a few years in the NFL. And I'd forgotten Oliver was born and grew up in CLEVELAND. Went to St Ignatius. Has a Law degree so he's certainly no dummy, and is currently Athletic Director at West Virginia which isn't too shabby an income.

Oliver Luck Bio

So good for Andrew, I'm sure he's had several long conversations with dad about life in the NFL, and it was a well thought out decision. But it DOES drastically alter the top of the draft, as Luck was the only #1 pick qb this year.

Peyton Manning was projected #1 in 1997 to complete his degree. He then went #1 in 1998. Just hope Luck doesn't get injured. Seems like a guy with class.

@squintz said:

And boy is he using that degree to it's fullest!

Manning using that degree? Sure is- it's in Speech Communication- helps him make all those effective SONY commercials.

BTW, Sporting News had Peyton listed in their top 20 smartest athletes. Ryan Fitzpatrick of the Bills beats him out in that category though- honors grad at Harvard. Fitz missed a perfect score on the SAT by probably one question- had a 1580, and aced the Wunderlich.

@theclevelandsound said:

Maybe u need to go to Stanford

they have other boards set just in case something like this happens still no big deal...unless of course were the Carolina panthers.

It's truly amazing & refreshing that he wouldn't be swayed by money, fame, & public opinion. With character THAT strong, Andrew Luck will be successful in whatever he does.

Good for him!

Mike

@ballpeen said:

Yeah he is, but why leave? Im with you..

They can take away the fancy cars, they can take away the money but they can never take away your education!

@wrrebel said:

Even more the reason, though academically he is probably further along than a sophomore.

@pikeym27 said:

Architectural design degree out of Stanford + 65mil/10 years from NFL team = running architectural design firm at age 30 through 65 = 175-300 mil over lifetime.

300,000,000 > 65,000,000 is what he's thinking. Smart guy.

Unless the nfl as part of it's labor agreement institutes rookie salary limits

Then what does his decision look like?

@silverbackattack said:

risking it. He could be one hit away from not even making the NFL. You don't

blow off $60 mill when it is right there for the taking and may never be there

again. You just don't do that.

He just did, so you don't have to take it from a guy who didn't have 60 mil on the line with my last reply.

Some people know they are going to make it OK without winning the lottery.

There are plenty of Stanford boosters who make big bucks who have made it clear to him they appreciate his efforts at Stanford and will see to it he isn't living on skid row if he gets hurt.

If the guy gets his leg ripped off next season and he can never walk again, he is still going to make 20 mil over the course of the next 40 years.

it may not be the money you mention, but it will be money enough.

Then you add that in to it being a job v being the BMOC with a lot of girls in the experimentation phase of life...and that goes for a guy like me (you, i am not sure), not to mention his potential earning ability, it adds up to a fun senior year.

My attitude is if you don't need to go to work because you need the money, put it off as long as possible.

My attitude is when you are young, have fun, have as much sex as possible, and worry about tomorrow the day after tomorrow.

@ballpeen said:

For some people it is about accomplishment, pride, and team spirit.

Luck has plenty of money in his future even if he never plays a down of NFL football.

He can still accomplish as much, with pride, etc. with $60 mill. guaranteed over

risking it. He could be one hit away from not even making the NFL. You don't

blow off $60 mill when it is right there for the taking and may never be there

again. You just don't do that.

@silverbackattack said:

If he drops 10 spots for the 2012 draft, or worse, it will cost

him 10s of millions - he could finish his education whenever,

but with a guaranteed $55-65 mill in the bank. That is a horrendous

decision. I can't believe he would be that stupid. You never walk

away from a guaranteed $60 mill. because whatever happens after

that will be moot. Ask Locker if he should have stayed this year. Compare

a guaranteed $15 mill to $60 mill. and get back to me.

it isn't always about the money dude.

For some people it is about accomplishment, pride, and team spirit.

Luck has plenty of money in his future even if he never plays a down of NFL football.

@squintz said:

This kid can return to Stanford ANY time he wants for the rest of his life and finish the year on his degree to go design structures.

But what he CAN'T do is guarantee he will be the first pick in the draft in 2012.

It's not something he should risk IMO. I know it still worked out for guys like Bradford, but why place yourself at risk? There is one thing he can't do, and that is IMPROVE his draft position.

I commend him on honoring a contract and all, but if it were me or my son, I'd suggest otherwise.

True. His folks have the bucks, or found them.

I'll bet he has a insurance policy protecting his NFL draftability against injury.

Good for him.