Jeff Samardzija (signs with Cubs)

[TexanSam]

I'm assuming he's a first round guy, but he was also drafted by the Cubs to play baseball. I read that he hasn't chosen which one he has decided to play. How much do you think this hurts his draft status? Getting drafted by the Cubs should be reason enough not to play baseball but obviously he hasn't realized that. If he hasn't decided by the combine or the draft, could he possibly fall to the 2nd day? Or at least to the 3rd round?

[beerlover]

I would doubt he lasts past the Bears in the 2nd. most likey other teams will take a look before the Bears.

[Please_Evolve]

My understanding he wants to play both. I think prolly late second third round maybe. The guy reminds me of a white Keyshawn Johnson.

[threetoedpete]

Texas Sam...I'm in your camp also. As good as I think he'll be, he hasn't come out yet and said...I'm not playing baseball. So anyone who's got the guy in a non baseball city, I dismiss that mock out of hand. Yes he could be there in the second. Most of the moss backs are not going to foget the Elway Buffalo/Denver fiasco. The only way he stays in the first round is if he fishes or cuts bait on the baseball. OR, someone really falls in love with him and the two owners cut a deal on his services. They say he has a liget fastball. And he's more than a fair prospect. But if he wants to do both what do you do with the guy ? He could drop to the bottom of the second. Who knows maybe he wants to play in Chicago ? I bet something on this leeks at the combine. I mean if you were an NFL GM and the guy walked into the room and told you he's going to play both, what would you do ? What do you do in the spring and fall when the two sports schedules clash ? I'm not the baseball expert for sure. But doesn't it take a strating pitcher a couple of days for the arm to recover after a start ? Yeah I'm with you he could fall. ..Hard.

[mexican_texan]

If some of you older people could explain, how did Deion Sanders and Bo Jackson do it?

[Heywood]

i'll be curious to see how he runs- i can't recall him running by anyone in college.

if you can play baseball, then you play baseball. the benefits aren't even close.

[threetoedpete]

Originally Posted by mexican_texan

If some of you older people could explain, how did Deion Sanders and Bo Jackson do it?

They were two of the best players at their position to ever put on a uniform. That tends to make an owner and GM make a few consesions. Bo hadn't of got the freak bone injury, he had a better than fair shot to catch Sweetness, Walter Payton. Deion was the best DB of his generation.

[Silver Oak]

Originally Posted by mexican_texan

If some of you older people could explain, how did Deion Sanders and Bo Jackson do it?

Deion was a horrible baseball player. No bat, bad fielder, just speed. Shouldn't have even wasted baseball's time with those skills.

However, if I recall correctly, they were just allowed to join their NFL team when the baseball season was over. Baseball took priority over scheduling.

[Coach C.]

If Shark is smart he will try and play both and make those dollars while he can get away with it. He was probably a second rounder if he did not want to play baseball though. If he has to make a decision, you go baseball, better money-longer career. Hell, if he does not succeed at baseball he could always come back to football.

[Texan_Aggie222]

Yeah he is a really good pitcher and does have a shot to go to the majors if he really works on it. I beleive he pitched last summer in Boise or South Dakota at one of the Cubs Rookie clubs, I'm not sure which one, but had a very decent ERA.

Personally I have no respect for Samardzija. He is a great two-sport athelete and competitor, but he is one of the cockiest players I know in college football. He makes big plays in the clutch, but he is a show-off and he thinks the world of himself. I never admired athletes who presented himself like he does. I think he had a personal foul penalty in the Sugar Bowl? Great player, bad sportsman.

[Bubbajwp]

I could easily see him going in the third round or later know that all of the Juniors declared.

I think all of these WR will go ahead of JS
Calvin Johnson
Dwayne Jarrett
Ted Ginn Jr
Robert Meachem
Sidney Rice
Johnnie Lee Higgins
Dwayne Bowe
Anthony Gonzalez
Paul Williams
And Maybe Steve Smith
Then Jeff Samardzija

[baba ganoush]

Originally Posted by Texan_Aggie222

Yeah he is a really good pitcher and does have a shot to go to the majors if he really works on it. I beleive he pitched last summer in Boise or South Dakota at one of the Cubs Rookie clubs, I'm not sure which one, but had a very decent ERA.

Personally I have no respect for Samardzija. He is a great two-sport athelete and competitor, but he is one of the cockiest players I know in college football. He makes big plays in the clutch, but he is a show-off and he thinks the world of himself. I never admired athletes who presented himself like he does. I think he had a personal foul penalty in the Sugar Bowl? Great player, bad sportsman.

i hate players like that, but dont you think we could use a guy, not saying him, but a player with some sort of attitude? look at chris henry, hes cocky and gets into trouble but he produces on the field...same thing for smatz..but he doesnt get intot trouble...

[Toro]

I honestly think Shark would go in the first if a GM received a 100 percent committal to football from him.

He's got mid-to-high first round grades in terms of ability. It's this baseball thing that's going to knock him down to the second or high third. As I said to begin with though, if he came out and said "I'm placing all my priorities on football", I honestly think he would be battling Jarrett for the 2nd WR taken after Calvin Johnson.

[yourfavoritetexan42]

Originally Posted by Please_Evolve

My understanding he wants to play both. I think prolly late second third round maybe. The guy reminds me of a white Keyshawn Johnson.

But a lot better attitude and a hell of a work ethic. This kid trains his butt off, and earns a degree at Notre Dame? No way he could be a failure. I would take my chance with this kid.

[bah007]

Originally Posted by Texan_Aggie222

Yeah he is a really good pitcher and does have a shot to go to the majors if he really works on it. I beleive he pitched last summer in Boise or South Dakota at one of the Cubs Rookie clubs, I'm not sure which one, but had a very decent ERA.

Personally I have no respect for Samardzija. He is a great two-sport athelete and competitor, but he is one of the cockiest players I know in college football. He makes big plays in the clutch, but he is a show-off and he thinks the world of himself. I never admired athletes who presented himself like he does. I think he had a personal foul penalty in the Sugar Bowl? Great player, bad sportsman.

I agree. The kid is too cocky. But he is good.

If the kid was smart he would stick to baseball. Make a lot more money with a lower risk of injury.

He has said that he wants to try playing both but I have also heard that if it doesnt work out that way, he is choosing baseball. That is enough to turn me off.

He throws a 99 mph fastball so I dont know why he would even try to play football. All he needs to do is work with some other pitches and he could be in the pros very soon.

[Bubbajwp]

Originally Posted by bah007

I agree. The kid is too cocky. But he is good.

If the kid was smart he would stick to baseball. Make a lot more money with a lower risk of injury.

He has said that he wants to try playing both but I have also heard that if it doesnt work out that way, he is choosing baseball. That is enough to turn me off.

He throws a 99 mph fastball so I dont know why he would even try to play football. All he needs to do is work with some other pitches and he could be in the pros very soon.

its alot harder to make it to the pros in baseball. Even if he is really good it will still take a few years for him to get a good sized contract. If he goes to the NFL he would get his millions a little faster. He would make more in the long run going to baseball more in the short run going to the nfl.

Completly Ignore everything I just said.

[jppaul]

He bailed out. He is just going to play baseball now.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2736354

[Dr. Toro]

Nice decision for Jeff... he got $9 million... gets to play in a sport without risk of debilitating injury and brain damage that is undergoing a salary explosion, especially at his position... a good decision based on future earning potential... a bad decision based on likelihood of ever accomplishing anything at a professional level.

[LORK 88]

Great decision I feel as well. Baseball was threatening his football career, football was threatening his baseball career. He had to pick one or the other and I feel while he had the potential to be a great football player, baseball is a better way to go. Longer career, more money, and he doesn't have to worry about as many serious injuries in baseball. Good luck to him in Chi Town, hopefully he does well!

[Dr. Toro]

Well, in such a deep receiver draft, he wasn't guaranteed a 1st round pick, meaning he'd be looking at a contract like Chad Jackson got, which I think was like 4 yrs, 5mm. Odds say he'll never suit up at Wrigley, but the worst case scenario is he's retired at age 27 with over 5mm in the bank.