Mark Sanchez won't attend NFL Draft

[SBR Lou]

USC's Sanchez passes on N.Y. invite for draft

Nine pro prospects will be heading to New York for the NFL draft, but USC quarterback Mark Sanchez will not be among them.

Sanchez was invited to attend, his brother said today, but decided against it because he wants to be with family and friends for the April 25-26 draft. He is expected to be among the first 10 players selected; The Times' latest mock draft has him going eighth to Jacksonville.

You're about to be a multi-millionaire, can you at least show up in a suit and not dishonor the tradition by watching in your blue jeans with your friends and family?

[ryanspeer2001]

Its a move made with good intention for him (maybe) I believe and his loved ones. But I agree that he should be there to shake the hand of his check-signer and hold up his new home jersey.

[SBR Lou]

Its a move made with good intention for him (maybe) I believe and his loved ones. But I agree that he should be there to shake the hand of his check-signer and hold up his new home jersey.

He should definitely be there, for the organization, his fans, and for the integrity of the game.

This could foreshadow a host of problems for him going forward, maybe as a rookie his attendance is high but it isn't a stretch to see him bailing on team meetings at some point. If you can't show up when it is to cement yourself as a millionaire, what makes an organization think you won't be arbitrarily tardy in the future for team events?

[daggerkobe]

So?

Joe Thomas went fishing on his draft day and no one seemed to care.

[BTTNext]

It's embarrassing for a team to pick someone top 10 who isn't there. Bad move.

[SBR Lou]

It's embarrassing for a team to pick someone top 10 who isn't there. Bad move.

I hope he slides like Brady Quinn did and it's later revealed that the most likely team passed on him in part because of this.

[element1286]

Complete non story.

[element1286]

He should definitely be there, for the organization, his fans, and for the integrity of the game.

This could foreshadow a host of problems for him going forward, maybe as a rookie his attendance is high but it isn't a stretch to see him bailing on team meetings at some point. If you can't show up when it is to cement yourself as a millionaire, what makes an organization think you won't be arbitrarily tardy in the future for team events?

You can't be serious.

[VegasDave]

He should definitely be there, for the organization, his fans, and for the integrity of the game.

This could foreshadow a host of problems for him going forward, maybe as a rookie his attendance is high but it isn't a stretch to see him bailing on team meetings at some point. If you can't show up when it is to cement yourself as a millionaire, what makes an organization think you won't be arbitrarily tardy in the future for team events?

This seems like a bit of an overreaction.

Biggest day of this kid's life, and he wants to spend it with his family. I'm sure the organization won't mind, and neither will the fans.

[daggerkobe]

Crazyl is right... I mean look at Joe Thomas.... selected #3 overall but instead went fishing. Now he's a huge problem child for the Browns. 2 Pro Bowls in 2 seasons.

[smitch124]

Guys are better off anyway when they slide down in the draft. They end up with a better organization, having a better career and making more overall money in their careers.

[crisp]

who gives a fukk?

[element1286]

Guys are better off anyway when they slide down in the draft. They end up with a better organization, having a better career and making more overall money in their careers.

In general I agree.

[Doc JS]

You're about to be a multi-millionaire, can you at least show up in a suit and not dishonor the tradition by watching in your blue jeans with your friends and family?

Couldn't disagree more, Lou.

Really loved Joe Thomas when he said he was going fishing with his dad.

Sanchez doens't want to risk the chance of being the next Brady Quinn...ie sitting there for HOURS while you slide down the draft board.

There are important things about becoming an NFL player...sitting in the ready room waiting for your name to be called isnt one of them...

Doc

[Doc JS]

Crazyl is right... I mean look at Joe Thomas.... selected #3 overall but instead went fishing. Now he's a huge problem child for the Browns. 2 Pro Bowls in 2 seasons.

Winner!!!!

Doc

[SBR Lou]

This is the best response so far, very eloquently written.

Still though, I think you want a leader as a quarterback and you want him to be there standing tall when his name is called, holding his jersey up, shaking the commissioners hand, and accepting his new role in person.

Watching the ordeal play out while eating BBQ wings is just a slap in the face to the entire process, including the fans.

Couldn't disagree more, Lou.

Really loved Joe Thomas when he said he was going fishing with his dad.

Sanchez doens't want to risk the chance of being the next Brady Quinn...ie sitting there for HOURS while you slide down the draft board.

There are important things about becoming an NFL player...sitting in the ready room waiting for your name to be called isnt one of them...

Doc

[BestPlay2day]

I would much rather hang around with family and friends than sit around in a suit for who knows how many hours just to put on a team's cap and hold a jersey. Sanchez and Joe Thomas have the right idea.

[frostno98]

Denver's probably going to take him if the can move up to the 8th spot.

[krk1030]

He has every right to stay home.

Who knows where he gets picked.

I bet Aaron Rodgers wishes he stayed home.

[big joe 1212]

He knows he might slide down the board and he doesnt want the cameras on him every time someone doesnt pick him!

[RageWizard]

This is a good move by Mr. Sanchez. I can't stand it when some dude shows up with the giant head after he is picked number 1 overall, and when they interview him, he acts like he made it. For once I would like to see a dude hanging out at home. Then when they draft his happy ass first, have him say," Yeah, this is great and all, but I don't want to equate my high draft position with the production that I will have on the field, I really hope I can compete and make a spot on the team eventually."

[Tsoprano]

CrazyLu

[ItchyHooHoo]

CrazyLu

Now I see how this cat got 19k posts.

Nonsense.

[Tsoprano]

Your sharp pal

[pico]

what is the big deal about draft anyways. you sit there for hours waiting for your name to be called. kinda boring. he knows he'll get a check, why bother. kind of reminds me of those people who took highschool graduation so seriously that they spend their entire senior year planning it out. good for sanchez. if i were him, i'd probably go fishing.

[SBR Lou]

Rich Cimini of the New York Daily News reports quarterback Mark Sanchez while on a National conference call this morning excused himself , saying he had a flight to catch. Turns out he's coming to New York, according to his Twitter page.

"Early flight to NYC from LAX," he wrote this morning. "Big Apple, baby!"

Why is he coming to New York? It's not to attend the draft.
According to ProFootballTalk.com, Sanchez is headed to New York to promote a new NCAA football video game.

So he cannot attend the draft but can fly to NY the same week to promote a video game, then fly back to hang out with his friends and family in place of attending the draft.

[Mac4Lyfe]

I'd sit at home as well. The draft is getting as awful as national signing day. All we're doing is feeding the mentality of some prima donnas who haven't even done anything on the field yet. The NFL feeds this hype machine and we all buy into it. The QB positions is a crap shoot, everyone knows it. Teams can sour on a QB in the last minute then Sanchez is sitting there twiddling his thumbs, scratching his balls. Good move Mark. Go play some video games.

[Chi_archie]

when Crazylou posts a thread generally he gets 95% that disagree with him...

[slacker00]

Sanchez missing the draft is hopefully a growing trend. I'd prefer a player on my team that shunned the media. Let the kid have his day without shoving a microphone down his throat.

[Mr KLC]

Sanchez is doing the right thing. There is a possibility he might slip in the draft, and if he does, there won't be a camera focused on him wondering when he will be selected. Being with his family seems to be a better public relations move anyway.

[daggerkobe]

He wont slip like Brady and Rodgers though. Too many teams needing QBs in the top 12 such as Seattle, 49ers, Jags and Broncos. So the only plausible reason he's staying home is he genuinely wants to share the special occasion with his family and friends.

[slacker00]

Family values, imagine that. F*ck the media.

[daggerkobe]

Now its being reported the Redskins want to trade up to #4 and draft Sanchez. Browns want to trade Brady and draft Sanchez. Also the Jets looking to trade up to get him. If he lasts past the 12th pick it'll be a shocker.

Kinda weird all this interest in Sanchez but Stafford still projected to go #1.

[slacker00]

Detroit should trade the #1 pick. With all of these teams jockeying for position to get Sanchez, it seems like the #1 slot can be traded. Maybe Sanchez goes #1 overall.

[SBR Lou]

Maybe Sanchez goes #1 overall.

No chance.