Chris Patrick Leaving NU For Supplemental Draft
7 comments so far
March 9, 2007 by
Questions have swirled around Chris Patrick's future as a Husker for a few weeks. Today, he made his future plans clear. The Husker's starting left tackle will forego his senior season at NU and make himself available for the NFL's supplemental draft. While this choice brings a moment of clarity concerning Patrick's future, it raises even more questions. How will this affect NU at the important left tackle position? And since the supplemental draft is not the most common path taken, what is his motivation for this rather odd choice?
The Roster Effect
Examining NU's potential at offensive line for next season made me very optimistic. NU has talented players like Matt Slauson and Carl Nicks set to man many of the spots on the offensive line. The one question mark was who would emerge at left tackle. As a 14-game starter at that position, Patrick's departure hurts NU. Yes, fans can point to young and talented players like Lydon Murtha, DJ Jones or others and have reason to hope. But, when your most experienced lineman leaves the team, there is only so much you can do to spin it positively.
Why This Choice, and Why Now?
Patrick's future has been in question for some time. Why did he choose this rather odd route of the supplemental draft and not April's larger draft? The official word from him is that he was considering his options and thinks the supplemental draft will give him more attention from scouts. That's fine to say, but I have a hard time buying it.
Experience with kids leaving the team has shown it often boils down to one of two things - they were dismissed from the team or they choose to leave because of competition for playing time. I honestly don't know if something caused him to be kicked off of the team. Things like personality clashes and failed drug tests are not things that schools and players run out and tell the media.
Nor will a player ever really admit to worrying about losing their position. And, from last season's rotation, there was clearly competition between Patrick and Murtha for that left tackle spot. And, NU does have a pretty serious group of young tackles developing.
Can We Avoid a Blame Game?
With the ridiculously heightened sensitivity of some fans (and a newspaper columnist) concerning the way NU's program is being run, I suspect some will try to chalk Patrick's departure up to Callahan's "NFL mentality" or "Pederson not understanding", or some other line of junk reasoning.
The fact is, players leave programs these days. They do so often because they are looking out for their best interests. Programs also look out for their best interests when they dismiss players. And, if those two sides don't have best interests that coincide, it is best to just have courage and move on. Maybe that is the case with Mr. Patrick. I wish him luck in the NFL's supplemental draft.
» Enjoy this article?
Send it to your friend or get Husker news by email!
Related Stories: Off the Field
Post a comment
Husker Mike Mar 09 07
Why the Supplemental Draft? Well, it's too late for the NFL draft. The date to declare for that was back in January. The NFL needs time to evaluate players.
As to what Patrick's motivation is, that's a valid question as well. The Journal-Star's blog makes it sound like it's personal and financial. If that's the case, fine. But that's not quite the way Callahan and Patrick made it sound a couple of weeks ago when this story first emerged, when both men essentially pointed at each other and said "No comment".
Andrew Mar 11 07
I am of a firm mind and belief, that a bad apple spoils the pot. I think we have a classic case of that, and if both parties can keep it quite all the better. Good luck to Chris, I hope you make one more Husker in the NFL!
And Bill do what you can to clean up this program, it is starting to have a funny smell.
Gregory Mar 11 07
As an "Agent Provocateur" on the Journal Star blogs, (flimflamfan) I hope he makes it in the League, but he's a little undersized for a
Left Tackle. So, he'd have to move over. Who's the last Nebraska player to play Left Tackle in the NFL? Ed Weir?
As for Nebraska, the physical "talent on the hoof" is so much better than two years ago, if not the over all numbers. A good, but inexperienced player will be found. A really good opportunity for Lydon Murtha to step up as a 4th year junior.
'Sa Blang Thang Mar 12 07
Greggy,
s'what, ya post the same stuff over here that ya do on 'life in da House, uh, 'Red'? That ain't rah-ght, ain't even orig'nl. Unless Murtha starts feeding on tiger meat or something, he'll be the same 'man child', soft/slow, illegal procedure prone, 'screen' blocker(like a screen, that is, let's stuff thru), "that we thought he was/is". O.k., maybe I'm bein' too hard on the l'il feller. He ain't sooo bad, was a little better this year, but has got too TOUGHEN UP!
Zac Mar 23 07
I think that chris had a good 3 years at Neb. and i think he'll have a time in the pro's. You know i was just up at the high school were he's from. Ithaca high in Ithaca Mich and there was some Quarterback workouts going on and there are 3 good QB that will be coming out of Ithaca and i would not be suppreised if all 3 of them are playind division 1 ball somewere.Someone should come take a look at them.(Jared Cline an senior next yaer and next years J.V. Drew loomis and Fresman Alex Niznak.)
Bob Mar 28 07
Patrick would have benefitted from another year at NU. Time to gain more needed size and experience for the pros. I don't think anyone buys his explanation for leaving when he did. Probably got on the wrong side of the coach.
Michelle Ferrer Feb 10 08
Chris was Finally signed on February 8th 2008 [edited by BRN]