11/05/24
January 06, 2011
Bad Luck for the Carolina Panthers.: Andrew Luck has announced that he is committed to getting his degree in architecture from Stanford rather than declaring for the NFL draft.
Enter: Ryan Mallett.
posted by basicchannel at 07:39 PM on January 06, 2011
I'm sure this rambling mess of a front office press conference from team owner Jerry Richardson was all the convincing that Andrew Luck needed to stay in school.
posted by NoMich at 07:45 PM on January 06, 2011
I'm so glad. I already believed they tanked this season on purpose, but after that press conference, it is obvious. I feel so sorry for Fox. He was given a bunch of rookies not ready to start in the NFL and kept on only because the owner didn't want to spend the money to buy him out. What a terrible way to run a team!
posted by bperk at 08:02 PM on January 06, 2011
Ummm...Stanford doesn't have an architecture department, and although I haven't searched very hard, I don't see where there's an "architectural design" major under any of their other departments (I checked engineering and art, which seem to be the most logical places). Even so, as an architecture major myself, I don't see how playing football would be in any way compatible. I have more free time working for a living than I did in school, even when I put in overtime.
posted by LionIndex at 10:21 PM on January 06, 2011
Ah. It's in civil engineering.
posted by LionIndex at 10:22 PM on January 06, 2011
Props to Luck for staying in school, but I'm not convinced that an architecture degree is worth $40-$60 million dollars, even from Stanford. Otherwise perhaps I need to switch majors.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 10:42 PM on January 06, 2011
Not having to go back to school after x years to finish an architecture degree would be worth quite a bit of money. I'd guess he just wants to get it done with.
posted by LionIndex at 11:09 PM on January 06, 2011
He might also be calculating that getting his degree in 2011 makes sense if the NFL is locked out (and no players get paid). It's quite possible he could be drafted by Carolina in the spring, but never signed to a contract as the owners might implement a rookie cap (or draft round slot amount) in the new bargaining agreement, so they'd hold off on signing him until it's in place. He'd be in a weird limbo state of being ineligible for the NCAA, but still not getting paid until the NFL lockout is resolved.
But if he stays in Stanford, finishes his degree, adds to his fame/accolades by leading Stanford to another bowl win in 2011, then he keeps his name up in lights (and increases a chance for better endorsements when he does go to the NFL).
posted by grum@work at 12:29 AM on January 07, 2011
The potential money he is walking away from has been described as "life changing" money compared to the "decent" money he would make as a rookie with a slotted and capped salary.
Given who Luck is and who his father is, we're looking at bright, incisive, well-informed people getting good advice and coming to a rational decision on their terms.
The $60 mil Luck is forgoing would be life changing money for anyone. But for any astute person who has a sane and prudent relationship with money, the rookie salary that Luck will eventually earn is also life changing if managed properly.
8 to 10 mil a year is only considered ordinary money if you're someone like Art Schlichter or Derrick Coleman, for whom no amount of money would be enough to ensure sustainable wealth. Anyone with a shred of balance and sense (Ed Pinckney) could change their lives dramatically on their terms with a high seven figure salary.
Unless Luck wants to become the next Sultan of Brunei or something.
It is absurd to say, as some commentators have, that at 8 mil you're doing OK, but at 60 mil, you can set yourself up for life.
If you can't set yourself up for life with a career starting salary level of 8 mil, you have a problem.
posted by beaverboard at 08:47 AM on January 07, 2011
So, what do you do with that first pick if you are the Panthers? Keep in mind that they have no second rounder this this year. To me, Steve Smith and Jonathan Stewart are trade-bait. Steve Smith is incredibly talented, yes, but talk about a cancer in the locker room. Besides, I think his talents are starting to fade a bit, but will still be a great receiver for a gifted QB. Maybe the Chargers would be interested in him.
posted by NoMich at 01:22 PM on January 07, 2011
Just ask William Hewlett and David Packard how much a Stanford degree is worth, and they were not the only ones to sit at the feet of Frederick Terman and learn to start an industry. If you studied Electrical Engineering during the '50s and 60s, chances are you used Terman's textbook, Electronics and Radio Engineering. If Luck is at all academically adept, a degree in architectural design (or whatever) could be worth a lot of bucks over a career.
posted by Howard_T at 04:47 PM on January 07, 2011
Larry Ellison learned a thing or two there, as well, if I'm not mistaken.
posted by tahoemoj at 04:55 PM on January 07, 2011
If Luck is at all academically adept, a degree in architectural design (or whatever) could be worth a lot of bucks over a career.
So could being the first pick in the NFL draft.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 05:29 PM on January 07, 2011
It's a young man making a very mature, adult decision. He's finishing the things he starts. As a dad, I'm damn proud of him.
posted by calcynic at 07:55 PM on January 07, 2011
Hey, I used the same crappy pun in today's huddle. So now the Cardinals, Seahawks, 49'ers, Dolphins and others have something to (not) play for next season.