quote:
An NFC West scout told College Football 24/7 he doesn't expect the decisions of Fournette or McCaffrey to be viewed as a negative by scouts, and pointed to Smith's situation, as well. "I don't view it as a big deal for players of Fournette and McCaffrey's caliber," the scout said. "You know Jaylon Smith has to wish he had sat out the Fiesta Bowl. I would say it's a smart decision." NFL Network analyst Steve Mariucci said he hopes the practice doesn't become more common. "If it's based on (injuries), I get it, no question about it," Mariucci told The Rich Eisen Show on Monday. "I hope it doesn't start a trend where the premiere players who think they're going to be top-10 picks say 'I'm not going to play because I don't want to get hurt.' Jaylon Smith is an example, I know that. It happens in every sport." Dallas Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott weighed in Monday calling for prospects to compete in bowl games, but like Mariucci, he expressed understanding for players who have been injured. Both Fournette and McCaffrey dealt with injury problems this season, particularly Fournette, who missed four games. "I've talked to a dozen scouts who went through there (LSU), did their due diligence, and there's no doubt he was legitimately hurt," said NFL.com analyst Daniel Jeremiah. College Football 24/7 Hot Topics: Who'll end up with draft's top pick? Top 10 Heisman candidates for 2017 Tracking underclassmen intentions for draft 2016 bowl schedule Brooks and Jeremiah agreed that Fournette and McCaffrey won't be thought of any less by NFL scouts. But that doesn't mean the decision that's right for them would be right for any underclassman under any circumstance. "For guys viewed as first-round picks that have a large body of work, it's one thing," Jeremiah said. "Now if you're a one-year starter viewed as a third- or fourth-round pick, you'd be missing out on an opportunity to help yourself. But those elite players can't really help themselves in a setting like the Sun Bowl."

the only difference is you and others seem to think it's a big deal that he isn't on the sidelines eating cheetos joking it up with the scout players.

This won't matter to NFL GM's-period. Moving on.