MSU Red Cedar Message Board

I've been thinking the same thing, but when someone's got the opportunity to be an early-round draft pick, I won't be made at him for taking it.

Nobody owes anybody anything. The focus should be on whats best for those kids.

CBD brings up a really interesting point re: Bell that I hadn't considered. Conventional wisdom always seems to be - his stock was hurt this year (since early on he was projected as one of the top RBs on the board), he needs to come back to improve it.

However, when you look at it from his perspective, how is he going to improve it by coming back? Scouts aren't dumb. Some of the ways they think seem antiquated to me, but they're not dumb. Bell could have had a BETTER year with a healthier, more consistent OL and passing game, but he's still had a good year and the tape doesn't lie - he's a skilled, agile, big RB who can play the game.

Bell's stock was going to be hurt at the combine regardless of whether he ran for 2400 yards this year or 1400. He's simply not going to showcase elite speed. Is the 40 time overrated for the RB position? In my opinion, hell yeah it is. But Bell coming back next year isn't going to change the fact that he'll probably run in the 4.7 range and that's going to hurt his stock rather significantly.

Add in the fact that another year (behind a relatively shitty OL) will put more wear and tear on him and risk additional injury and I'm starting to think a lot differently about this than I did when I woke up this morning.

I think Gholston will return. He's not ready and he's had a subpar season...

Bell and Sims are gone. Bullough will return.

"Universally known" by the RCMB "wisdom"??? The guy has been good for us this year-- except for the fact that he consistently misses blitz pick-ups that will cause your QB to be killed in the NFL, has been inconsistent in pass catching and does not do particularly well in "manufacturing" yardage. If our OL improves next year (and with Jackson and Fou coming back, one would assume that would be so), Bell's stock will improve significantly running behind a line that actually opens holes.

Bell would likely not improve his draft stock by staying. He's not going to suddenly get a lot faster and any injury would be devastating. I doubt his numbers would improve very drastically. Only thing would be if the RB draft class is weak but there is always RB talent. I think he goes and he might be smart to.

Sims I would say 50/50.

Gholston I think will stay. He could improve his stock considerably with a big senior season. He would most benefit of the 3 by staying by a considerable margin.

He's a great pass blocker. Just watch the film. I have no doubt he's missed a block or has had to decide who to take because our oline sucks. But his pass blocking will make him mire valuable to NFL scouts, not less. He's the best I've seen at MSU. Smart well balanced good technique

If Bell were to come back, how is he going to signicantly improve his draft stock?

Scouts aren't going to be more impressed with him next year if he has better stats. They have 3 years of film on him already and they know his pros and cons. The only thing scouts would be more impressed with him is if he improves his speed and that's something that rarely happens to a 4th year college player.

He improves it by running behind a better OL than this year with Jackson and Fou back. Seems to me unless you can improve your draft by moving up at least 1 round you leave. He wouldn't want to take on the workload of next season and move up 2 draft picks. Not worth for the risk of injury.

I selfishly don't wish for any to leave but to make lemonade, if they all left we then can add to spartans in the nfl and help recruiting. Come to east lansing and be the next...he's in the nfl now.

I think all three will leave. Gholston goes first in draft. Bell goes last.

While I do agree, I am just trying to look at the positives if they leave.

Side note:

I defer to D. Wags too, which is why his post on coaching carousel wowed me.

All gone.