So if you're James Conner...

[rpost3]

...do you come back?
I'm thinking yes.

If he leaves, he's probably a 3rd round pick at best b/c of the injury and b/c he's never shown he can catch the ball or pass protect, which is what would make him a high pick according to the scouts interviewed all preseason.

Barring another freak I jury which would be very rare, I think he can only help himself by returning next year. It's not like he'd fall into the 4th or 5th round but he may end up moving up to 2 or 1.

 

[Las Panteras]

wrong on every count.

He is gone...and would be a monumental mistake to play at Pitt next year.

 

[PittBaller]

If he leaves, he's a 5th or 6th round pick. He'll come back, as he should.

 

[melwood]

...do you come back?
I'm thinking yes.

If he leaves, he's probably a 3rd round pick at best b/c of the injury and b/c he's never shown he can catch the ball or pass protect, which is what would make him a high pick according to the scouts interviewed all preseason.

Barring another freak I jury which would be very rare, I think he can only help himself by returning next year. It's not like he'd fall into the 4th or 5th round but he may end up moving up to 2 or 1.

He's gone. He'd be crazy to return. He'll tear it up at the combine and be taken in the first 2-3 rounds.

 

[rpost3]

I'll be pretty surprised if a RB who's never shown he can catch or block and doesn't have great speed gets taken in the top 3 rounds coming off MCL rehab. Will he even be ready to go in time for the NFL combine? It's only 8 months away.

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

He's gone. He has to be. If I am Narduzzi, if I am his dad, his family, I would tell him to go. Another position, maybe not. But RB, definitely. There are only so many carries in those bodies anyway. Secondly, few RB's are drafted in Rd 2, let alone Rd 1 anymore, so it is not like he is going to miss major $$$ by dropping the a 4th rd.

He can't take the risk. He should be fully recovered and will have 250-330 less carries now going into next year's draft.

 

[Piranha]

It depends - you need to see how he runs and cuts. If he is not 100% and putting up good times, then come back.

 

[Jpripper88]

...do you come back?
I'm thinking yes.

If he leaves, he's probably a 3rd round pick at best b/c of the injury and b/c he's never shown he can catch the ball or pass protect, which is what would make him a high pick according to the scouts interviewed all preseason.

Barring another freak I jury which would be very rare, I think he can only help himself by returning next year. It's not like he'd fall into the 4th or 5th round but he may end up moving up to 2 or 1.

Could not disagree more with each observation. I don't think there is a chance anyone would spend a #1 pick on him. His ceiling was 2nd and with this injury he can be 100% by combine and still get there. He could easily fall into the 4th or 5th because he may struggle with the agility measurables. If he came back and got seriously injured again, he might be lucky to get drafted at all with a best case of 4th round.

I think he leaves and is selected somewhere rounds 3-4.

 

[BURGHBOY]

Isn't top 4 rounds guaranteed money?

Running backs drafted lower in value at this time in today's NFL, but if he can project into guaranteed money, he is gone.

 

[psbroderick]

I can't think of a good reason for him to come back. NFL teams have tape of him performing well and his injury shouldn't be a concern long-term. What's left to prove?

 

[bwh05]

He should leave. Getting the hell kicked out of him for another year in college is pointless as long as he's healthy for the combine.

 

[SoufOaklin4Life]

The money is in the second contract.

He has to go .

 

[TIGER-PAUL]

gone

 

[Dr. von Yinzer]

I'd go and I wouldn't think twice about it. A RB's window of opportunity is incredibly small - especially a physical runner like Conner. There is literally no upside at all to staying and so many potential pitfalls to staying.

I love what the kid has done for Pitt and I was really hoping to see more of the same for one more season. Unfortunately, it didn't work out. That sucks for all concerned but the best move going forward is for him to rest his knee, rehab like hell, and then try to show well in Indy.

If I'm Narduzzi, I make a big show of how much I am putting his future ahead of that of the program. That will play well in future players' living rooms. Nard Dog appears to be thinking along those same lines. Now go get Miles Sanders.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

Isn't top 4 rounds guaranteed money?

No.

 

[fivetoolprospect]

He's gone. He'd be crazy to return. He'll tear it up at the combine and be taken in the first 2-3 rounds.

I think it comes down to betting on himself. does he feel he can come back and improve his stock or is this the highest his stock will go. personally if he comes back, I think he can be a first rd pick, otherwise late 2 or 3rd rd pick. maybe a 3. shady McCoy went in the 2nd rd and he absolutely was the man when he was here. never seen him going in the 2nd rd

 

[fivetoolprospect]

I'd go and I wouldn't think twice about it. A RB's window of opportunity is incredibly small - especially a physical runner like Conner. There is literally no upside at all to staying and so many potential pitfalls to staying.

I love what the kid has done for Pitt and I was really hoping to see more of the same for one more season. Unfortunately, it didn't work out. That sucks for all concerned but the best move going forward is for him to rest his knee, rehab like hell, and then try to show well in Indy.

If I'm Narduzzi, I make a big show of how much I am putting his future ahead of that of the program. That will play well in future players' living rooms. Nard Dog appears to be thinking along those same lines. Now go get Miles Sanders.

I think miles is a bit overrated honestly

 

[Dr. von Yinzer]

Then pick another prospect. The message still applies.

 

[bwh05]

I disagree about Sanders

 

[pbrad]

Curtis Martin was a 3rd round pick, Barry Sanders a 2nd rounder. What is your point?

 

[Dr. von Yinzer]

Barry Sanders was the third pick of the 1989 draft. For my money, he remains the best running back I've ever seen.

 

[upj87]

I'll be pretty surprised if a RB who's never shown he can catch or block and doesn't have great speed gets taken in the top 3 rounds coming off MCL rehab. Will he even be ready to go in time for the NFL combine? It's only 8 months away.

if he has not shown these things in two years why would these skills come to light in a third year...As far as the MCL goes... minor in the realm of knee injuries. Easily ready to go by the combine.... If he comes back he goes in rounds 3-5. If he leaves he goes in rounds 3-5. Hmm, I'm guessing he goes....

 

[JohnnyGossamer]

Barry Sanders was the third pick of the 1989 draft. For my money, he remains the best running back I've ever seen.

Only football jersey I've ever owned.

 

[rpost3]

if he has not shown these things in two years why would these skills come to light in a third year...As far as the MCL goes... minor in the realm of knee injuries. Easily ready to go by the combine.... If he comes back he goes in rounds 3-5. If he leaves he goes in rounds 3-5. Hmm, I'm guessing he goes....

An ortho friend who does knee and ankle and has worked for the Mets confirms you're right about the knee. 1 - 2 month recovery even for a Grade 3 tear.
As for the blocking and catching, he was going to stay in on 3rd downs this year according to coaches. Lots of scouts telling media outlets all summer he can go from a 3rd to a high 2nd or 1st rd pick if he showed those 2 skills.

 

[rpost3]

FYI just read Conner wants to come back this season and is aiming for the UNC game on 10/29. Coach says no way, but obviously that means nothing right now. Sorry, can't link on phone. See Trib.

 

[JohnnyGossamer]

FYI just read Conner wants to come back this season and is aiming for the UNC game on 10/29. Coach says no way, but obviously that means nothing right now. Sorry, can't link on phone. See Trib.

I read that too... It's my understanding that an OL can actually rehab much more quickly from MCL surgery than a RB and a WR due to the lack extreme cutting in the open field, backfield and play to play. Such being, usually takes RB/WR at least two months once rehab begins. Who knows... But, it seems unlikely he returns this season. I'd say the absolute best case scenario is the Notre Dame game on 11/7. No way his family, the team doctor or Duzz let him back if he's not 100% recovered and the ligament's even stronger.

 

[rpost3]

No way his family, the team doctor or Duzz let him back if he's not 100% recovered and the ligament's even stronger.

If anything, they'll be overly cautious...as they should. Would be nice to see him get the opportunity to show scouts he has the skill set to be a 20-40th overall pick. He's earned that even if Ollison turns out as good as expected.

 

[9nationalchampionships]

Why not go through the workouts/tryouts and see where you may fall ahead of the decision?

Also, don’t listen to any slim ball agents ( this means all of them)~

 

[JohnnyGossamer]

He's going to go to workouts and if he and his family are confident he's a 4th round pick of higher, he's going to enter the draft. Otherwise, I expect him back at Pitt next season.

 

[Jpripper88]

FYI just read Conner wants to come back this season and is aiming for the UNC game on 10/29. Coach says no way, but obviously that means nothing right now. Sorry, can't link on phone. See Trib.

Man, would I love to have James Conner, but I agree with CPN that there is no way I would let him back on the field this year, save maybe a big time bowl game, which is obviously unlikely to happen.