There are a lot of reasons to have an unfavorable impression of Maurice Clarett. He has behaved badly on many occasions in his short time at Ohio State.
But don't be ticked off at him for bucking a badly flawed system. Clarett should not be a target of scorn for forcing the NFL to change its perhaps well-intentioned but blatantly illegal rules.
As long as the NFL is the only viable professional football league, then what are gifted football prospects who don't want to go to college supposed to do during the three years the NFL requires them to wait? Some folks just aren't cut out for college, and there's nothing wrong with that; there are other constructive ways to live after high school besides indulging in neverending frat parties.
Yet the NFL has made it virtually mandatory to attend college for three years in order to play in the league. Exactly what aspect of college, besides playing college football, is preparation for the NFL? The NFL needs to establish a viable minor league, something similar to the NBDL (the NBA's minor league) and stop relying on the NCAA as its feeder system.
Someone was going to challenge the NFL and win eventually, so don't hound Clarett. Professional football is a tough way to make a living, as Clarett will find out. Attending college first is the best move for most prospects, but it should not be a prerequisite.
Seminoles finally standing tall in ACC basketball
The best thing about playing basketball in the ACC is regularly testing your mettle against the likes of North Carolina, Duke, 2002 national champion Maryland and traditionally tough teams Wake Forest, Georgia Tech, N.C. State and Virginia.
The worst thing is having those schools smash your self-esteem regularly.
When Florida State joined the ACC in the early 1990s, its program was at a high mark. Standouts such as Doug Edwards, Bob Sura and Charlie Ward helped the Seminoles compile a 23-9 ACC regular-season record their first two seasons. Ever since, however, FSU has slogged near or at the bottom. Over the past 10 seasons, FSU's best record in ACC play is 6-10.
Leonard Hamilton is changing things. After resurrecting programs at Oklahoma State and Miami, Hamilton is doing the same in his second season at FSU. The 'Noles are 16-6, 4-4 in the ACC with three wins over teams ranked No. 15 or better. FSU hoops is pulling alongside Florida, which is gunning for its sixth straight season with 22 or more wins and an NCAA bid.
The Sunshine State might always be noted for its football prowess, and FSU might forever be known as a football school. But Hamilton and his players are proving basketball also can thrive in Tallahassee, even against the ACC's best.
