[Goose]

[quote author=Goose link=topic=18255.msg216928#msg216928 date=1512361775]
I could start a discussion about what would be "best" for Love, but that is exactly what we should not do. We should encourage him to do what he thinks is best for HIMSELF.

Except that you did partake in that discussion above. You wrote that if Love wants to enter the NFL draft Shaw should tell him that "he isn't going to play in the bowl game" so he can rest/heal up for NFL workouts; and if Love wants to return to Stanford then Shaw should "do the same thing for different reasons. We want him healthy for next year. "
It seems you think it is best for Love if he does not play in San Antonio.

I understand its a weird thing to talk about. It's hard to explore the issue without sounding like one is preaching.

For me, I simply won't have an opinion as to whether Love should declare for the NFL draft (it depends upon complex issues of what he is looking for both now and later, which I cannot know), and have no opinion on whether he should play on December 28 (it depends on details of his medical condition four weeks from now, which I do no know).
[/quote]
OK, you got me.  :) I do think I know that high ankle sprains can take a long time to heal. Love has pretty clearly not gotten any better playing in all but one of the games since he got hurt. One could argue that was OK, as we needed him, he wanted to play, and it wouldn't do any long term damage. However, it is now getting close enough to the combine that he may not have enough time to heal if he doesn't shut down for a month. Granted, I don't know this. However, the doctors probably can't tell him that "it will take 26.5 days for you to heal" with any degree of certainty either. Therefore the risk to his NFL status (if he is going to declare) is becoming more significant. At some point, this risk becomes "too great", but it is probably impossible to know when. I do feel that the team and the fans should let Love know that he can evaluate that risk and decide not to play with our full support.
If he doesn't intend to declare, the situation is a bit different. I must admit that my emotions came into play here. There is a "team" ethos that says you do what is necessary for the team's sake. Love has done that. However, the team also owes it's members loyalty as well. Particularly at the college level (as opposed to the NFL), you shouldn't "use players up". Sometimes, guys need to sit so they can play well next year. It is a balancing act. While we had a chance at the PAC-12 title, playing Love could be justified, even in as much pain as he had to endure. I don't think that the Alamo bowl is "meaningless", but winning it matters much less (to me anyway) than winning the PAC-12 title would have. So, unless Love is 98% well in three weeks, I think he should should be held out, coach's decision. This is my opinion, not a "fact".
I have to admit that I am influenced by what happened to a player I knew in high school who basically did get "used up". At some point, the obligation of the team to the player trumps the player's obligation to the team. I think that point has been reached. Others probably do not agree.

[Goose]

[quote author=Goose link=topic=18255.msg216928#msg216928 date=1512361775]
I could start a discussion about what would be "best" for Love, but that is exactly what we should not do. We should encourage him to do what he thinks is best for HIMSELF.

Except that you did partake in that discussion above. You wrote that if Love wants to enter the NFL draft Shaw should tell him that "he isn't going to play in the bowl game" so he can rest/heal up for NFL workouts; and if Love wants to return to Stanford then Shaw should "do the same thing for different reasons. We want him healthy for next year. "
It seems you think it is best for Love if he does not play in San Antonio.

I understand its a weird thing to talk about. It's hard to explore the issue without sounding like one is preaching.

For me, I simply won't have an opinion as to whether Love should declare for the NFL draft (it depends upon complex issues of what he is looking for both now and later, which I cannot know), and have no opinion on whether he should play on December 28 (it depends on details of his medical condition four weeks from now, which I do no know).
[/quote]
OK, you got me.  :) I do think I know that high ankle sprains can take a long time to heal. Love has pretty clearly not gotten any better playing in all but one of the games since he got hurt. One could argue that was OK, as we needed him, he wanted to play, and it wouldn't do any long term damage. However, it is now getting close enough to the combine that he may not have enough time to heal if he doesn't shut down for a month. Granted, I don't know this. However, the doctors probably can't tell him that "it will take 26.5 days for you to heal" with any degree of certainty either. Therefore the risk to his NFL status (if he is going to declare) is becoming more significant. At some point, this risk becomes "too great", but it is probably impossible to know when. I do feel that the team and the fans should let Love know that he can evaluate that risk and decide not to play with our full support.
If he doesn't intend to declare, the situation is a bit different. I must admit that my emotions came into play here. There is a "team" ethos that says you do what is necessary for the team's sake. Love has done that. However, the team also owes it's members loyalty as well. Particularly at the college level (as opposed to the NFL), you shouldn't "use players up". Sometimes, guys need to sit so they can play well next year. It is a balancing act. While we had a chance at the PAC-12 title, playing Love could be justified, even in as much pain as he had to endure. I don't think that the Alamo bowl is "meaningless", but winning it matters much less (to me anyway) than winning the PAC-12 title would have. So, unless Love is 98% well in three weeks, I think he should should be held out, coach's decision. This is my opinion, not a "fact".
I have to admit that I am influenced by what happened to a player I knew in high school who basically did get "used up". At some point, the obligation of the team to the player trumps the player's obligation to the team. I think that point has been reached. Others probably do not agree.