Notre Dame WR Jeff Samardzija to stick with Baseball

[ggower]

I heard this on ESPN Radio. Dan Patrick had someone on from Chicago with breaking news, apparenly he is going to sign a 5 year deal worth arounf $9 million and forgo his NFL career.

 

[GoshenGipper]

If the guy was from Chicago, then it was probably Bruce Levine. That guys is an insider if I've ever seen one. He is almost always right, and he also seems to be the one breaking any big baseball news comming out of Chicago.

 

[bayernarsch]

wise decision given the money thrown at terrible pitchers in the bigs. wr's are dime a dozen in the nfl, starting rotation pitchers are gold in mlb. i hope he has a long and prosperous career.

 

[jgrnd07]

This would not surprise me at all after his play this year....5 year deal worth 5 mil is a joke though...he would make half of that as a signing bonus in the NFL. Like my uncle said the Shark looked like a goldfish this year maybe he should stick to baseball!

 

[CharlotteND]

Baseball contracts are guaranteed money, NFL contracts aren't.

Also the longevity in baseball has to help, assuming you can make it out of the minors that is.

 

[FleaFlicker]

wise decision given the money thrown at terrible pitchers in the bigs. wr's are dime a dozen in the nfl, starting rotation pitchers are gold in mlb. i hope he has a long and prosperous career.

I think a part of the decision was that NFL careers for the average WR probably last a lot shorter than they do to pitchers. WR get injured more often, etc.

And he wants to be close to home.

If he would have known he would have been playing for the Bears, this would be a different story.

 

[goldenechoes]

Even bad pitchers can have lucrative, decades-long careers in baseball.

Its a smart move.

 

[Junkhead]

5yrs $10mil might be less than a 1st round pick in the NFL, but its not bad. I don't think I'd like the MLB schedule, too many games!

 

[nd1]

smart move. If he's as good as they say he is then he can ton of cash in the coming and can play longer.

 

[WalshND]

Here's a link.
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6385348?FSO1&ATT=HMA

I think baseball has always been his dream. Follow your heart Shark! Thanks for the great memories I'm now a Cub fan!

 

[IrishRamMan10]

Well I will miss him on the gridiron... but i hope to see him on the diamond in a year or two... Best wishes to Jeff.

 

[Mare426]

If true then I guess I have just started rooting for the Cubs.

 

[nshope]

Don't get it. I love baseball, but if I had my choice as a WR, I'd pick football. There is less travel involved, he'll get more money going as a 1st/2nd round pick with bonus money, and I think WRs are one of those positions where injuries aren't inflicted by other people. Most WRs get hamstring injuries and things like that, but there aren't too many injuries from contact, which means that there isn't that much more physical risk than baseball. Plus, he'd be a high-round draft pick in football meaning that he'd almost be guarenteed a spot on an NFL roster and see a good amount of playing time. As a pitcher, he has to prove he can pitch on that level and make it through the minor leagues.

I'm still not sure why he doesn't try both. Heck, if Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders did it, why not?

 

[jboxer562]

He doesn't seem commited enough... you could tell by his play this season... but dont get me wrong he had a great year

 

[onenybrother]

I have to wish my Mets take him deep if we face him in the future

 

[goirish#1]

Smardzija signs with Cubs

Smardzija signs with Cubs

Wide Out Jeff Smardzija would have been a fist round raft pick for sure! Notre Dame's main man choose's baseball over football. I was disappointed to see that someone with that talent and those hands would not be playing in the NFL. He signed a ten million dollar deal to play for the Cubs. It's hard to believe he turned down the money he would be making in football, but baseball must be where he wants to be. It was fun watching him make the great plays for the Blue and Gold but now he's got to deal with the cuse of the Cubs, no longer the luck of the Irish. It won't be long before his in the big leagues because the cubs need all the help they can get. We won't soon forget UCLA and what could have been for a great NFL Reciever. He is a great athlete and I'm sure he will do well. My favorite player with the hair:
Jeff Smardzija

 

[irishX25]

i personally dont think that he would have been a very good NFL receiver. he has good hands and has the build for a good receiver, but he is too slow for that level. I think that at most, he would be a third down or red zone receiver where they could use his height to toss up a jump ball. in baseball he will have a good 15-20 years in the MLB getting paid huge amounts of money to start for a team he loves. i think baseball is a good decision for him. just me though

 

[solo]

I think this was a smart move. More guaranteed money in baseball and probably a longer career. I viewed him as a possesion receiver in the NFL as he doesn't have blazing speed.

 

[nd1]

There's no doubt this was the right choice. He can make a ton of money and not get killed doing it. Will be able to play longer and the money is guaranteed.

 

[Satans Little Helper]

There's no doubt this was the right choice. He can make a ton of money and not get killed doing it. Will be able to play longer and the money is guaranteed.

also 10 mil for what 60 days worth of real work in the bigs. I would take that over the ass pounding in the NFL 9 months out of the year.

 

[weisbankaccount]

anybody think a team will use a 7th rd pick to secure his rights? Wouldnt be too bad of a insurance pick

 

[Vince Young]

anybody think a team will use a 7th rd pick to secure his rights? Wouldnt be too bad of a insurance pick

That's not a bad thought, actually. The way the Cubbies go through pitchers, it's possible Jeff's pitching arm will be blown out by July. But even if he couldn't rehab his arm back into pitching shape, he could certainly get his arm into good enough shape to play wide receiver again.

 

[IrishRamMan10]

ya... i was thinkin about that 7th round thing too... i see it at possible... as long as they contact the shark before hand

 

[Stalking_Eagle]

I really wish him the best. Looks like I will have to trade away to bring him into B-More so i can play with him on the Orioles when the Baseball games start to come out for our video game systems.

 

[GoshenGipper]

That's not a bad thought, actually. The way the Cubbies go through pitchers, it's possible Jeff's pitching arm will be blown out by July.

Ha Ha, you're so funny. hwhateve Dusty Baker is such a moron.

anybody think a team will use a 7th rd pick to secure his rights? Wouldnt be too bad of a insurance pick

I've actually had the same thought, but not necessarily this year. Maybe down the road if baseball isn't working out, ala Drew Henson.