The Palm Beach Post’s Jorge Milian penned a piece on Thursday discussing Miami’s five early departees and the money they left on the table by not returning for one more year. The biggest “loser”? Wide receiver Tommy Streeter, who might have cost himself upwards of $2M by coming out early.
Some draft analysts graded the 6-foot-5, 219-pound Streeter as a second-round pick, mostly due to his 4.4 time in the forty-yard dash at February’s NFL Combine. By the time last week’s draft arrived, Streeter’s stock had plummeted, with questions over his route-running, as well as the notion he was an NCAA “one year wonder”, having only seen significant playing time his junior season.
Milian stated that according to a long-time NFL agent, with access to contract information, the average second-rounder in 2011 earned $2.2M in guaranteed while a sixth-rounder was in the $101,000 range.
According to ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay, Streeter made a crucial mistake.
“Tommy Streeter should have come back to school. He knew the risks. I thought he could have used more time.”
Lamar Miller was another draft day loser. Once pegged as a top five running back and potential first rounder by ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr., Miller went in the fourth round due to concerns over his surgically-repaired shoulder. He too fell into that “one year wonder” category as Streeter, showcasing his talents in 2011, but never before.
Milian wrote that blame begins with the players, which is a comforting assessment as so many have pointed the finger at agent Drew Rosenhaus, which has been the scapegoat for fans and outsiders alike.
Again it was stated that UM players chose not to petition the NFL Draft Advisory Board before making their decision – something that still confuses head coach Al Golden.
“In fifteen years of coaching, I’ve never seen that,” Golden said weeks back. “It’s a function of what the young person is listening to.”
Seems this story isn’t going to go away anytime soon, despite the pleas from some UM supporters to drop it and move on. As the paths of Streeter, Miller and the other three early departees rolls on – Olivier Vernon, Brandon Washington and Marcus Forston – there will always be that ‘what if’ question.
Not only did they hurt themselves and lose out on big money, the loss of all five will directly impact the 2012 Hurricanes on the field this fall, which was the last thing a depth-challenged program needed as it looks to rebuild.