NFL Draft 2011: Unfortunate Trend as Many Top Players Avoid Drama and Stay Home

In the ongoing struggle between the NFL owners and the glorified social club that the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) has become, many college athletes are opting to forgo what had become a great tradition.

After years of work and toil, a few select players reach the pinnacle of their game and are invited to attend the draft in New York. When their names are called, their smiles, tears and celebration with their families make for great TV...not to mention a wonderful moment for them on the podium with Roger Goodell.

Granted, there were those awkward cutaways to players that were dropping down the draft boards (I'm sure Jimmy Clausen is glad he stayed home), but by and large televising players at the draft is a good thing.

As tensions were high between the league and the NFLPA, Jake Locker announced earlier this month that he would skip the trip and stay home and watch with family and friends.

”It’s an honor, and I appreciate the invite, but for me, I want to be with the people that have been with me my whole life and helped me get to this point," Locker said, confirming he declined an invite to attend the draft in New York.

"I want to share that experience with them, and not all of them would be able to come to New York with me. So for me, it makes more sense to be at home where I grew up and where this all started.”

Nate Solder made a similar decision when there was tension between the two sides and the NFLPA was threatening to have a competing draft event.

Today I spoke with another player that is looking at a potential selection in the top half of the draft. Gabe Carimi, OT Wisconsin, has been looked at as a top-15 prospect, and concerns with the health of Tyron Smith, OT USC, could make Carimi the top offensive tackle taken in the draft.

I asked Carimi where he would be on Thursday, and he responded, "I was invited to New York, but I declined that to be able to stay home with family and friends and watch the draft at home."  

Mentioning this approach seems to fit with his personality, Carimi continued, "I try to stay out of the spotlight being a lineman...just that kind of mentality."

While players are not coming out and discussing if the potential for increased drama added to their decisions to stay home, it is hard to picture it not making a difference. Unfortunately, the labor pains will also diminish the drama for fans watching the draft in prime time on Thursday night.

There will still be a strong contingent at the draft, though. While many of the players in attendance are not expected to be drafted in the first round (one may not be drafted until the last day), Goodell did promise the college stars that there will be a season in 2011.

"He said there's going to be football,'' Baylor offensive lineman Danny Watkins said. "Whenever that will be, I don't know. But I'm excited to get to work and get going.''

Von Miller was also receptive to the commissioner's promise. "We all want to play football. The NFL wants us to play football. The players certainly want to play football," Miller said. "I trust both sides. I'm certain we'll get something done. We can all appreciate the struggle that's going on both sides. We understand that both sides are trying their hardest to get this thing done.''

The NFLPA has scheduled events in New York this week, but they will not be competing with what the league has planned. They did contact top recruits and suggest they skip the NFL televised event.

Perhaps Judge Nelson provided just the impetus the owners and players needed to get things moving. The NFLPA did lighten their stance...it just happened a little too late to get some of the top talent to the party.

Players that are in New York for Thursday's draft:

Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
Akeem Ayers, LB, UCLA
Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
Randall Cobb, WR, Kentucky
Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama
Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
Mark Herzlich, LB, Boston College
Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
Cameron Jordan, DE, Cal
Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue
Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois
Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M
Rahim Moore, S, UCLA
Cameron Newton, QB, Auburn
Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
Mike Pouncey, G/C, Florida
Aldon Smith, DE, Missouri
Tyron Smith, OT, USC
Phil Taylor, DT, Baylor
Danny Watkins, G, Baylor
J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin
Ryan Williams, RB, Virginia Tech