this points out a big problem for Owl U - we don't have a masters program that is available to entice our CC's to come back and play one more year. The Jones school isn't an option in that its a total immersion program. Only accounting offers a fifth year BSci degree, and if you ain't a bean counter then thats not really a preference.

I wish we could have a special dispensation/configuration of our MBA program to accomodate these special situations. Seems it would be easy enough to figure out.

(01-06-2015 05:53 PM)davidw Wrote:  this points out a big problem for Owl U - we don't have a masters program that is available to entice our CC's to come back and play one more year. The Jones school isn't an option in that its a total immersion program. Only accounting offers a fifth year BSci degree, and if you ain't a bean counter then thats not really a preference.

I wish we could have a special dispensation/configuration of our MBA program to accomodate these special situations. Seems it would be easy enough to figure out.

Dillard did a fifth season as a grad student. Poli Sci IIRC. Covington is a Kinesiology major, no idea what the grad implications are for that

(01-06-2015 11:53 AM)Middle Ages Wrote:  I am excited for him, but I have to say I don't like this decision. I agree with the draft board- with his injury questions and probable inability to do much in the way of pre-draft workouts I think he is a mid-late round pick. Big difference in that money and 1-2 rounder, which I think he would be with a good, injury free year next year. I don't know what his family financial situation is, so maybe that is a driver, but this feels wrong to me. The most recent comparison would be James Casey, who probably wouldn't have come out early if he knew where he would get drafted. He would have been the star of the (admittedly bad) team his senior year and could have really improved his position. Same deal with CC- he would be the absolute star of a pretty good defense next year and could seriously move up the board.
I am a firm believer that unless you are certain of a 1-2 round outcome, then you wait. Again, everybody's personal situation is different, so maybe there are other factors.

All that notwithstanding- good luck young man. I hope you are a huge star in the NFL for many years. From everything I have seen you are a great representative of Rice U.

James Casey made the right decision because of his advanced age (25 maybe when he declared?). He got the big contract from Philly due to his tenure in the league - now I think he made the wrong decision to go to the Eagles because I think he would have received some money from another team and perhaps got to play meaningful minutes, and now you have to wonder if his NFL days are nearing the end. Plus the lifespan of a DT in the NFL is much different. Quality DL guys can easily stay in the league 10-plus years and in fact, don't really peak in the league until their late 20's. So I'm with the others in wondering if Covington is making the right decision. But he does have the CFL as an option as others have said.

(01-06-2015 08:32 AM)Afflicted Wrote:  I love Chris Thurmond. When our defense turned around, our fortunes turned around.

Easily Best coach on staff

(01-07-2015 10:54 PM)SaintsOwl Wrote:  

(01-06-2015 08:32 AM)Afflicted Wrote:  I love Chris Thurmond. When our defense turned around, our fortunes turned around.

Easily Best coach on staff

Offense sells tickets, defense wins games, the kicking game wins championships.

That's not a knock on offense, by the way. For this program right now, selling tickets is as important as winning games.

He made the announcement today.

http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com...nfl-draft/

Interesting list of players who have declared early for the draft in today's Chronicle. Covington is omitted...Might be the first indication that this move is ill advised. (In fact, this move is the definition of ill-advised).

(01-10-2015 10:50 AM)Houston Owl Wrote:  Interesting list of players who have declared early for the draft in today's Chronicle. Covington is omitted...Might be the first indication that this move is ill advised. (In fact, this move is the definition of ill-advised).

He isn't an idiot. he has to know something we don't, or needs to go pro, or has some good reason to do so. I cannot imagine Covington doing this against all reason.

If reports of him getting his degree this year are true, then I can definitely make the case for doing this.

The fact is, while he might have the potential to be a first or second round pick, the odds are stacked against him getting back there with 2 seasons of getting nicked up/hurt. He certainly oozes potential, but even coming out now, he can probably make up the difference if he gets to his second contract - even a young rotation DT can make $3M+ per year. That extra year (and a year sooner to that next contract) is the difference between a high 2nd rounder and a lower round pick in earning potential, plus maybe a year quicker to free agency/second contract.

Plus, he's now 100% focused on learning his profession and getting rehabbed.

(01-06-2015 05:53 PM)davidw Wrote:  Only accounting offers a fifth year BSci degree, and if you ain't a bean counter then thats not really a preference.

Here are 19 non-thesis master's degrees offered at Rice outside the Jones School:
http://www.profms.rice.edu
http://engineering.rice.edu/profmasters/
http://mga.rice.edu/admissions/fifth-year-option.aspx

There may be many others, but the School of Engineering and School of Natural Sciences had the easiest information to find.

(01-11-2015 11:41 AM)georgewebb Wrote:  

(01-06-2015 05:53 PM)davidw Wrote:  Only accounting offers a fifth year BSci degree, and if you ain't a bean counter then thats not really a preference.

Here are 19 non-thesis master's degrees offered at Rice outside the Jones School:
http://www.profms.rice.edu
http://engineering.rice.edu/profmasters/
http://mga.rice.edu/admissions/fifth-year-option.aspx

There may be many others, but the School of Engineering and School of Natural Sciences had the easiest information to find.

We were told that Rice will not pay for a master's program through an athletic scholarship. So I can see why someone with a 5th year of eligibility and have already completed their undergraduate degree would not stay. Way too expensive. Is this true? I know other schools do pay.

(01-11-2015 11:50 AM)OwlMom15 Wrote:  We were told that Rice will not pay for a master's program through an athletic scholarship. So I can see why someone with a 5th year of eligibility and have already completed their undergraduate degree would not stay. Way too expensive. Is this true?

That I don't know.

(01-11-2015 11:50 AM)OwlMom15 Wrote:  

(01-11-2015 11:41 AM)georgewebb Wrote:  

(01-06-2015 05:53 PM)davidw Wrote:  Only accounting offers a fifth year BSci degree, and if you ain't a bean counter then thats not really a preference.

Here are 19 non-thesis master's degrees offered at Rice outside the Jones School:
http://www.profms.rice.edu
http://engineering.rice.edu/profmasters/
http://mga.rice.edu/admissions/fifth-year-option.aspx

There may be many others, but the School of Engineering and School of Natural Sciences had the easiest information to find.

We were told that Rice will not pay for a master's program through an athletic scholarship. So I can see why someone with a 5th year of eligibility and have already completed their undergraduate degree would not stay. Way too expensive. Is this true? I know other schools do pay.

I think that is false because it has been publicly stated that James Hairston is enrolled in statistics masters program.

Some interesting options there, although I think some sort of business or pre-law related would be more relevant.

Not covering tuition for a fifth yr masters athlete who is willing to take another year out of his life to come back and play for us of course epitomizes the insanity of those brainiacs down at the other end of the campus. Its not an out of pocket expense (other than meals and utlitilies), and there are only a handful of kids who would take advantage of this opportunity. Yet the benefit to the team would be immense. They are concerned about lack of attendance ? Give me a break. How about winning some games ?

(01-11-2015 02:35 PM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote:  

(01-11-2015 11:50 AM)OwlMom15 Wrote:  

(01-11-2015 11:41 AM)georgewebb Wrote:  

(01-06-2015 05:53 PM)davidw Wrote:  Only accounting offers a fifth year BSci degree, and if you ain't a bean counter then thats not really a preference.

Here are 19 non-thesis master's degrees offered at Rice outside the Jones School:
http://www.profms.rice.edu
http://engineering.rice.edu/profmasters/
http://mga.rice.edu/admissions/fifth-year-option.aspx

There may be many others, but the School of Engineering and School of Natural Sciences had the easiest information to find.

We were told that Rice will not pay for a master's program through an athletic scholarship. So I can see why someone with a 5th year of eligibility and have already completed their undergraduate degree would not stay. Way too expensive. Is this true? I know other schools do pay.

I think that is false because it has been publicly stated that James Hairston is enrolled in statistics masters program.

I hope this is the case. I hope he isn't playing because he has eligibility and is paying his own way. Maybe I misunderstood when I asked the question.

(01-11-2015 02:40 PM)davidw Wrote:  Not covering tuition for a fifth yr masters athlete who is willing to take another year out of his life to come back and play for us of course epitomizes the insanity of those brainiacs down at the other end of the campus. Its not an out of pocket expense (other than meals and utlitilies), and there are only a handful of kids who would take advantage of this opportunity. Yet the benefit to the team would be immense. They are concerned about lack of attendance ? Give me a break. How about winning some games ?

It's fun to be indignant, but when it's not even known whether it's true, much less who the decision-makers are, the situation may not be quite ripe for that tone.

(01-11-2015 03:17 PM)georgewebb Wrote:  

(01-11-2015 02:40 PM)davidw Wrote:  Not covering tuition for a fifth yr masters athlete who is willing to take another year out of his life to come back and play for us of course epitomizes the insanity of those brainiacs down at the other end of the campus. Its not an out of pocket expense (other than meals and utlitilies), and there are only a handful of kids who would take advantage of this opportunity. Yet the benefit to the team would be immense. They are concerned about lack of attendance ? Give me a break. How about winning some games ?

It's fun to be indignant, but when it's not even known whether it's true, much less who the decision-makers are, the situation may not be quite ripe for that tone.

But taking an us-vs-them tone is always so much more fun!

well................the thought of it pisses me off, anyway.