The Blue Board

I'm sure hes a good dude, but a decent rookie contract can set the smart person up for life.

High character and making a smart career choice are not mutually exclusive.

Scurred of Ball, Buckeyes?

He said the NFL people told him he needs to be a little bigger, as he is not a burner. So he is going to gain 10 LBs of muscle while maintaining his explosiveness. In theory this will make him more attractive to NFL (as you know they seem to be obsessed with measurables).

We actually return 2 starters on the OL, plus two guys who filled in for parts of this season and last. He won't score 39 TDs, but he should do alright.

Beyond the risk of getting injured, that rookie contract for a RB is what matters. It seems few teams will resign a guy for more money after 4 or 5 years, so that first contract has to be maxed out. A risk for sure, but a justifiable risk.

Without the threat of Wilson and Toon, defenses will stack the box against Ball and take their risks with Abbrederis. Stupid decision to return.

defenses stacked the box all this year anyway. what is the difference? if anything Ball and OL made Wilson and Toon look better. Truthfully Abbrederis was the more consistant reciever all year and we have Pederson and some other talented TE's back. Hell it wasn't like a year ago Tolzien was putting fear into defenses.

Why would they be scared? They're banned from postseason play for his one season left.

His low draft status is also because he's a Wisconsin running back and they have a poor reputation in the NFL. It's a system they run in Wisconsin. Play 4 awful OOC opponents and run up the score. Play about 4 average to crappy Big Ten teams like Purdue, Minnesota, Indiana, and/or Northwestern and run up the score. Play another 4 solid to good teams like MSU, Iowa, UM, PSU, and/or OSU and do what you can.

That's how you get 1900 yards and 39 touchdowns.

despite what the earlier MSU hater said there is truth to RB situation here. Some have had limited success, some have flamed out, and some have totally busted. I think Montee is somewhat different, but still has something to prove to the skeptics. Have to remember he was 3rd string at one time last year and changed his body this season. Either way he may still be a back that if in the right system could look look like a top 15 pick, but also look look like a practice squad player in the wrong setup. Much like Dayne and the Giants. Funny how the system we run doesn't seem to hurt the guys blocking for him. Our backups go on to be starters.

The argument about RBs leaving because they can only take so many hits makes sense, but let's not confuse Montee Ball with Ron Dayne or Kevin Smith. He's had 568 carries in 3 years, and I would take the under on 300 carries for next year, as James White will probably improve.

What's confusing about Ball staying is that other than actually winning the Rose Bowl, and a Heisman Trophy, there is little left for him to do in his college career.

Also, Ball is not at all like Dayne or Clay. Comparing him to Brian Calhoun doesn't make any sense either, as the Lions were dumb for drafting him in the first place.

Overall, Ball should have left. I don't see how he can improve his draft stock, unless he starts running faster.

To be fair, He could easily add that muscle before the combine. I'm shocked that he is graded as a third rounder after the year he had. He could add ten pounds of muscle in a month easily and still have almost three months before the combine to learn how to keep his speed and explosiveness with that added weight. Without Wilson and a couple of OL'men he is not going to have the year he had this year. If all he needs is to bulk up, I would suggest he just do that and show out at the combine.

Pretty sure it's only healthy to gain or lose like 1-2 pounds a week when you're already that fit.

Well then without even pushing it your talking 8lbs in a month isn't some exaggeration. Like I said, I don't know what kind of shape the guy is in at this point though. I've only watched a couple of Wisconsin games this year. When is the combine again? I don't honestly know but it's 2.5 months away or so right?