Should Linderbaum opt out of bowl

Well, he and his family and advisers, not an agent yet, I hope have an injury insurance policy on him for at least $5 mil. ... He probably wants to play
 
People make too big of a deal of what happen to Jake Butt and Jaylen Smith. Those 2 became the poster children for opting out of bowl games. What people don't look at is the number of potential first and second round picks that do play in these bowl games and don't get hurt.

I totally get why Linderbaum will play. I get why he wants to play. It is a risk, but it is a small risk.
 
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I would, but I’m a 41 year old who doesn’t like to take risks anymore.
I am also a 41 year old who doesn't take risks and who probably enjoys cheese far too much to be good for me. But given the chance to suit up in January to play gunner on kick offs for the Hawks, I would do it in a heartbeat.

Some people grow up dreaming of wearing the Black and Gold. Those people don't sit out bowl games and they also have a real decision to make about whether they go make millions or stay living their childhood dreams one more season.

Those of us internet quarterbacks who say he should go make his millions are well past the possibility of living our childhood dreams out on The Duke. The fact that he had/has to really think about it means he is not.

Good luck out their Lindy, and follow your heart on this one. We'll support you either way.
 
Tough call.

He got us here....give him props for that.
But don't be blinded by a false-sense of loyalty.

"Next man in" says it all regarding programs' attitude towards players.
 
I am also a 41 year old who doesn't take risks and who probably enjoys cheese far too much to be good for me. But given the chance to suit up in January to play gunner on kick offs for the Hawks, I would do it in a heartbeat.

Some people grow up dreaming of wearing the Black and Gold. Those people don't sit out bowl games and they also have a real decision to make about whether they go make millions or stay living their childhood dreams one more season.

Those of us internet quarterbacks who say he should go make his millions are well past the possibility of living our childhood dreams out on The Duke. The fact that he had/has to really think about it means he is not.

Good luck out their Lindy, and follow your heart on this one. We'll support you either way.
Linderbaum will make enough money guaranteed to set him and all of his kids up for life. No mortgages, no student loans, no car loans, no nothing. Ever. He’s smart enough to invest in a way that will probably set his grandkids up as well depending on how many. With a first round pick the signing bonus will be approaching $30M guaranteed no matter what. If he gets drafted, blows a knee out in camp, and never plays a down of football he still gets all that.

A 5 million dollar insurance policy and the chance of a Jake Butt injury is not worth it imo. But thankfully that decision isn’t up to me.
 
The last couple of years I've come to terms with the fact that I'm good with whatever the player decides. If its prep for the draft, it's not something I'd do but it's their choice and I support it as they're the ones with something to lose. That said, I always cheer louder for those that want to suit up in black and gold for that last bowl game. I think it speaks exponentially about how they feel about the program and their teammates.
 
His decision. I like that he's playing....one tough SOB. He'll buy the insurance (career ending injury is a loooooong shot) and be good either way.
 
I wanted to say this was a dumb question, but most folks seem to think he should quit, so I guess its not. If he was my son, I would take out the biggest insurance policy I could get, but look my son in the eye and say you committed to your coaches and your teammates to play football this season and the season is not over. Money isn't everything. He could blow his knee prepping for the combine or get into a car wreck. Life is about collecting amazing experiences, and playing in your last collegiate bowl game on New Years Day is a great experience he will be able to share with his kids and grandkids.

In the end, and having played team sports, I cannot imagine abandoning my teammates because there is a small chance I might make a little bit less money in the future.
 
He'll play. He's a captain and a leader.

The whole premise of opting out of bowl games is ridiculous. Playing in bowl games is part of the implied contract that the player agrees to when he accepts the scholarship, and now the NIL money.
 
He'll play. He's a captain and a leader.

The whole premise of opting out of bowl games is ridiculous. Playing in bowl games is part of the implied contract that the player agrees to when he accepts the scholarship, and now the NIL money.
If it's ok for a coach to leave prior to a bowl game on their own terms, then why shouldn't it be ok for a player to do the same? I'm not saying its a right or wrong decision, but it should be their decision to make.
 

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