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Aaron Rodgers said that he plans to play this week against Chicago, with something along the lines of "if you have competitive greatness in your heard and your head (or something), you play." Basically saying that if physically able, sitting out is not an option.
Sure hope Mordecai and Rice view it the same way.

I would bet that some NFL GMs and Coaches may not hold it against a player that he skipped a bowl game, but that at least some (maybe many) would look favorably upon those players that do play in bowl games. If that is true, it can help a player's stock by playing.

If I were an NFL GM or Coach I would be much less interested in a player's performance in a bowl game and more that they displayed the competitive juices and "motor" to play the game. For some NFL teams the draft process has long since become way too much of an assessment of a player's physical and physical performance "measurables", to the point that it appeared to have overshadowed their assessment of the player's game performance and toughness. Identifying the "freak" athlete during the combine that comes out of no where should raise as many red flags as it does raise eyebrows...(if a player is so physically capable, you'd expect that the performance on the college field shows that. If it doesn't, you're foolish to think you'll see it at the NFL level). It seems in the last couple of drafts more NFL teams are doing less drooling at the NFL combine and focusing a bit more on players' achievements, the consistency of their play, and the degree to which they have a drive to compete.

Again, it could be hard to really call a player's competitive drive into question for sitting out a bowl game that is in a sea of meaningless bowl games (in the big picture). But, a player that shows he's wired to play and to fight with his team mates despite that could factor into draft evaluations.

I like that analysis. Agreed that combine results are overrated.

Mordecai added some levity to the football season by declaring for the NFL draft proving that he is better suited to stand up comedy than quarterbacking.

geezerdonk wrote:Mordecai added some levity to the football season by declaring for the NFL draft proving that he is better suited to stand up comedy than quarterbacking.

You are neither...just a jerk.

I wish him good luck. He's got the size and the arm strength. Not sure he'll get drafted, but certainly will be a free agent pick up by someone. There are a lot of teams with OK quarterbacks that are always looking for a better QB.

geezerdonk wrote:Mordecai added some levity to the football season by declaring for the NFL draft proving that he is better suited to stand up comedy than quarterbacking.

I have talked to several NFL scouts who said Mordecai is an NFL quarterback. Opinions from scouts ranged from undrafted free agent who "definitely will get into camp, and at least make a practice squad" to several who said he is a draftable player. Several said in the middle rounds.