CB Denzel 'Hurt! My! Feelings!' Ward (All B1G, All-American, Pro Bowl, Cleveland Browns)

[Elephant]

Need to look at it from a different point of view. Him sitting probably made us a better team next year. Now Okudah has a start under his belt against an excellent passing offense in a serious game situation. That experience is invaluable. I feel better about the start of next season now having seen that in action and the players probably do to.

Kid is a top 15 pick in this draft coming up, his decision doesnt bother me.

Would you feel this way had USC kicked our ass and Okudah torched?

 

[Bestbuck36]

Would you feel this way had USC kicked our ass and Okudah torched?

Ward wasnt coming back either way so kid needed the experience. Game didnt matter other than it was another Buckeye chance to win, which I always love. But as far as this team going forward, the bowl games are the chance for all the young guys to play meaningful minutes and get a ton more practice time for the next year. Short answer is, probably.

 

[Buckeye513]

Is there a difference in him sitting out a non playoff game vs final four game? Does anyone’s opinion change to “he doesn’t give a [Mark May] about Ohio State and his teammates”?

To me, no. It would be unfortunate, because I like Ohio State and I want them to win, but it's just football.

I guarantee that if Ward were guaranteed to have a rookie season identical to Marshon Lattimore's, zero NFL GMs with any ambition would give a single gigglefuck about him sitting out a playoff game.

 

[OSU_Buckguy]

If it starts affecting CFP ratings and revenue, the NCAA will definitely step in and create a bylaw requiring participation.

nobody can require participation. the players would just become "sick" or "injured," a la gerbil preppers last year. and any bylaw would certainly result in a lawsuit. nothing can be done about players if they so wish not to play in their final game. for better and for worse, it's completely their call... as it should be.

 

[OSU_Buckguy]

Is there a difference in him sitting out a non playoff game vs final four game? Does anyone’s opinion change to “he doesn’t give a [Mark May] about Ohio State and his teammates”?

that's a rather pointless comparison. the risk of serious injury during a single basketball game ain't even remotely close to the risk of serious injury during a single football game. moreover, why compare a non-playoff game to a final four game? a much better football-to-basketball comparison would be a non-playoff game to an nit game.

 

[Elephant]

that's a rather pointless comparison. the risk of serious injury during a single basketball game ain't even remotely close to the risk of serious injury during a single football game. moreover, why compare a non-playoff game to a final four game? a much better football-to-basketball comparison would be a non-playoff game to an nit game.

I compared the two because at some point it’s coming. Those same people that “respected” his decision to skip a pointless game will be asked the same question when the game has significant value (playoffs). Will their responses be the same?

 

[Jagdaddy]

How a player does these things matters to me a bit. I would hope (and tend to assume) that as soon as Wiscy was vanquished, he let the staff know that he wouldn't be playing so that others could get the practice reps (and so he wouldn't get hurt in practice either). If he made the decision shortly before the game I, and I would think his coaches and team mates, would be less happy with him about it. While it will never happen for a variety of reasons, I'd be OK with players who don't intend to play for this reason not making the trip or getting the swag bag and attending the fun events at all . . . although I suppose he was probably "coaching up" Okudah and the other DBs. At any rate, I'm glad that his absence didn't affect the outcome.

 

[sparcboxbuck]

I guess what I’m asking is when is the red line crossed with some of you? A playoff game?

Billmac great example and I figured that’s what I would see...but...your not a scout. You really can’t put yourself in the NFLs shoes (from their standpoint). We assume missing the playoffs would financially hurt or be unwise but we really don’t know. Iv seen the NFL take known druggies without hesitation so I don’t think taking someone who is “selfish” would be that far off.

I can say that in LAX it’s not uncommon for a kid to continue to play club ball after he’s locked in to a school but then not play or play limited minutes in tourneys to give their teammates shifts in front of college coaches / get good tape. Even see it in games at times where a kid will have a highlight reel day and then spend the rest of their time on the field facilitating teammates.

Sure, it’s different, but just a different perspective. For the record, college LAX is realistically the terminal level of lacrosse. Professional lacrosse for all but like five guys is a hobby.

 

[OSU_Buckguy]

I compared the two because at some point it’s coming. Those same people that “respected” his decision to skip a pointless game will be asked the same question when the game has significant value (playoffs). Will their responses be the same?

okay, but that has absolutely squat to do with ward. i'm not going to call out ward because some player in the future may hold himself out of a completely different game.

also, plenty have already addressed exactly this. you just need to read more. many have said that they are okay with a player holding himself out of a non-playoff game but would have a problem with a player holding himself out of a playoff game. the differences are obvious, which is why the slippery slope tactic is largely pointless. do you really not see the massive differences between a possible national title and, say, a #5 finish or a #15 finish? the economic boost alone for a national title game versus a cotton, outback, or cheribundi tart cherry boca taton bowl (yes, that's a real bowl) is massive.

 

[Onebuckfan]

nobody can require participation. the players would just become "sick" or "injured," a la gerbil preppers last year. and any bylaw would certainly result in a lawsuit. nothing can be done about players if they so wish not to play in their final game. for better and for worse, it's completely their call... as it should be.

That’s why I say make Declaration day Dec 15 and those that declare are ineligible. Those that decide not to go in the draft can decide to play or not.

 

[OSU_Buckguy]

That’s why I say make Declaration day Dec 15 and those that declare are ineligible. Those that decide not to go in the draft can decide to play or not.

ain't no school going to elect to be a part of a system where a key player can't change his mind and decide a day or two before the game that he instead wants to play.

and, again, all that would happen is that players who are thinking about leaving will just choose not to declare early but become "injured" if they ultimately decide to declare and not play in the last game. there is an easy end-around to the hard-and-fast declaration date.

 

[Fungo Squiggly]

If his teammates and coaches aren't out there bitching about it, I don't see why I have any reason to.

 

[Elephant]

If his teammates and coaches aren't out there bitching about it, I don't see why I have any reason to.

No coach in their right mind would use the media to bitch about it openly. I’m in the middle...totally understand Ward but something does not feel right. Ten years ago I would have flipped but now other adventures in life take up my time and emotions.

 

[OSU_Buckguy]

a refresher for those who think they're justified for questioning ward:


may 2016:

Denzel's father passed away unexpectedly last night....thoughts and prayers with the Ward family. RIP.

http://www.wkyc.com/mb/news/local/bedford-community-mourning-loss-of-beloved-principal/166616827

nobody here has walked in ward's shoes. nobody here knows if something that weighs heavily on denzel's mind is making 100% sure that his mom is taken care of for the rest of her life.

for those who hint at ward or players like ward being selfish, shut your freakin' piehole and get over yourself. these players owe you nothing. not a damn thing.

 

[OSU_Buckguy]

... but something does not feel right.