Clarett sues NFL over rule

[Cntrygal]

Suspended Ohio State tailback Maurice Clarett sued the NFL on Tuesday, asking a judge to throw out a league rule that prevents him from entering the 2004 draft.

The lawsuit contends the NFL rule prohibiting players from being drafted until they have been out of high school for three years violates antitrust law and harms competition.



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[Cntrygal]

Personally, I don't think an exception should be made for him... or that the rule should be changed.

[The_Philster]

Me neither. The talent in the NBA has gone downhill a lot partially because of kids going straight to the pros out of high school.

[Cntrygal]

Teammates support by Clarett

"You come to college to earn a living. For some people, it's playing football, to go to the next level. Some people, you come to get your degree," starting offensive tackle Shane Olivea said. "But the optimum goal after four or five years is to be able to earn a living."

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[stuckincincy]

Not so sure about his support. A fairly common view here is that he's a Class A Snot.

I don't know if charges have been filed yet regarding his alleged insurance fraud situation.

He's certainlty not to get a job offer from State Farm, Mutual of Omaha etc. anytime soon...

[Cntrygal]

[Cntrygal]

Bills have their say regarding Clarett's pro quest

Drew Bledsoe is skeptical about Maurice Clarett’s chances of becoming an impact player in the NFL as a 19-year-old. But he doesn’t begrudge the former Ohio State star running back for challenging the league’s draft eligibility rules that require players to spend at least three seasons in college.


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[Cntrygal]

Emmitt: Let Clarett play

Emmitt Smith says Maurice Clarett should get his wish to play in the NFL.

"I think a man does have an opportunity to earn a living and shouldn't be restricted," the NFL's leading career rusher said Thursday after the Arizona Cardinals practice. "To be honest with you, I think the NCAA has a great racket going, and you can print that one."



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[Cntrygal]

Barnett hopes bid not successful

Count Buff coach Gary Barnett among that vast majority of football folks who hope Maurice Clarett loses his bid for early entry into the NFL.

Barnett's list of reasons is long. It includes the fact that most college freshmen and sophomores are neither physically or mentally ready for the rigors of the NFL.

In fact, in his 20 years of coaching at the Division I level, Barnett said he can remember just one player who probably could have made the jump.

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[The_Philster]

Rough draft

In taking on the mighty NFL, Clarett faces his biggest challenge yet
Taking on the NCAA, Ohio State University and the Columbus (Ohio) Police Department apparently wasn't enough of a challenge for running back Maurice Clarett. Now the former Buckeyes star is facing off against the NFL, the most formidable litigant in the history of the sports industry.

The 19-year-old sophomore, who was suspended by for the season by OSU after accepting improper extra benefits and then lying to NCAA and school investigators, is challenging the NFL's draft-eligibility law. Claiming the rule, which since 1990 has required players to wait until three years after their high school class has graduated to take part in the draft, violates antitrust laws, Clarett and his attorney, Adam C. Milstein, are attempting to force the NFL to make a major change in one of its crown jewels. The draft is a mechanism that has served the league well since 1935, providing a balance of talent over the years and generating fan interest that is out of proportion with its importance. NFL owners love it, and they'll fight to keep it as is -- on their terms....
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[Brian Griese Rulz]

Can't buy cigarette's unless your 18.
Can't by alcohol unless your 21.
Can't vote unless your 18.
Can't drive until your 16.

Is it ok for OUR government to make up age restrictions but not for a business to do it?

Clarett should not be able to enter the NFL and it shouldn't even be brought to court. Clarett should have to pay the NFL for the cost of defending this B.S. lawsuit.

[Cntrygal]

Originally posted by Brian Griese Rulz
Can't buy cigarette's unless your 18.
Can't by alcohol unless your 21.
Can't vote unless your 18.
Can't drive until your 16.

Is it ok for OUR government to make up age restrictions but not for a business to do it?

Clarett should not be able to enter the NFL and it shouldn't even be brought to court. Clarett should have to pay the NFL for the cost of defending this B.S. lawsuit.

[The_Philster]

Judge hopes to wrap up Clarett-NFL case by Feb. 1

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Lawyers for Maurice Clarett and the NFL met in New York on Tuesday, with the judge saying he hoped to rule by Feb. 1 on the suspended Ohio State tailback's lawsuit against the league.

Clarett is challenging the NFL's rule that a player must be out of high school three years to be eligible for the draft.

Clarett's attorney, Alan C. Milstein, said Tuesday the two sides set a timeline for legal briefs to be filed during a conference with the judge in open court....
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[Cntrygal]

If the Buccaneers' Pro Bowl wide receiver were the NFL commissioner, he would grant the suspended Ohio State sophomore running back's petition for early entry into the league.

But if Johnson were an NFL general manager, he would not draft Clarett because of character issues.

"For me, he has too many red flags already," Johnson said Wednesday at One Buc Place. "The lying, the stealing … whatever the hell he did. I don't even know. It's like every day it's something new with him. But he deserves an opportunity to earn some money."

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