02-26-2013, 01:23 PM
After reading Darren Thomas' explanation, his departure actually made sense. After 2 years as the starter, what more was he going to do/learn in a third year? His stats were not going to improve and Chip Kelly wasn't going to change the offense to allow Darren to show more NFL QB skills. He had his degree from Oregon. There really was no value to coming back, from a development perspective. Some speculate that he saw how good Mariota was and that he may be passed on the depth chart. Maybe, but the first rationale makes sense.
Maybe Toilolo felt that he wasn't going to develop any more either (which would be a bad sign to an NFL GM) or that with his history of injury, it was better to roll the dice now. It is surprising and his performance at the Combine makes it an even bigger headscratcher.
As for going back to school after the Combine, doesn't the NFL provide a service whereby you can be evaluated for draftability? I'm not sure how accurate that is, but I imagine it takes into account more than just your "measurables" so that should be more informed that Combine performance, I would think. Also, I think most players need to sign with an agent to get the financial support and resources to do the training for the Combine, etc, so I would imagine that would preclude them from returning. Plus, they've take off school to do so, which would put academic progress at risk. BUt I guess if you did the training on your own dime and stayed academically eligible, it would make sense to have the option to return.
Maybe Toilolo felt that he wasn't going to develop any more either (which would be a bad sign to an NFL GM) or that with his history of injury, it was better to roll the dice now. It is surprising and his performance at the Combine makes it an even bigger headscratcher.
As for going back to school after the Combine, doesn't the NFL provide a service whereby you can be evaluated for draftability? I'm not sure how accurate that is, but I imagine it takes into account more than just your "measurables" so that should be more informed that Combine performance, I would think. Also, I think most players need to sign with an agent to get the financial support and resources to do the training for the Combine, etc, so I would imagine that would preclude them from returning. Plus, they've take off school to do so, which would put academic progress at risk. BUt I guess if you did the training on your own dime and stayed academically eligible, it would make sense to have the option to return.