[Hogskin]

Daseal, actually, I don't believe it is really a liability issue. I believe he could play at 18 if he graduated high school at 15. The NFL and NCAA have structured the system in a way that helps them both financially, and is GREATLY beneficial to many, many people.

First, the NFL gets a free minor league structure.

Next the NCAA schools make a ton off the games. If NFL teams were allowed to raid the college crop, their concern is that the quality of their product would be greatly diminished.

With the income from the football programs, colleges make FREE educations available to thousands of people - many who could not afford it, or would not go for other reasons. This gives them a much better shot at a financially successful life.

For the hundreds that DO get to the NFL, most would not have been ready before they were draftable anyway. The few Clarett's out there that "MIGHT" be ready continue to get that free education while they finish their preparation for the NFL. Personally, I believe that a guy like Clarett is much better off for having to wait. If he has enough sense to take advantage of the educational opportunity while he is waiting for his "time", he will have something to fall back on if he fails in the NFL.

Anyway, that seems to be the thinking of some that support the existing system.