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Brian Kelly on value of bowl games for departing players: Some things are more important than trying to work on your 40 time
By Andrew Olson
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In recent years, it has become common for NFL-bound players to opt-out of participating in non-Playoff bowl games such as the Citrus Bowl.
Brian Kelly’s LSU squad is gearing up to play Purdue in the Citrus Bowl Monday. Sunday, Kelly was asked for his thoughts on the importance of bowl games that aren’t tied to the national championship. Kelly’s message to players is that good game film goes further than numbers from the NFL Scouting Combine like the 40-yard dash.
“Those that choose not to play in the game, that is their choice, but there is another side to this. Those that are making decisions on who goes on to the next level and where they are drafted, this game is watched, okay. This game matters.
“So if you are putting film out there, if you are developing and you are getting a chance to practice, that is a whole lot more important than trying to work on your 40 time. A lot of guys don’t see that, because they just hear, hey, you have to run a good time at the Combine. What they need to do is put good film out there.”
In the same press conference, Kelly discussed LSU WR Kayshon Boutte’s decision to declare for the NFL Draft, skipping the bowl game. LSU and Purdue are set for a 1 p.m. ET kickoff on Monday. The Citrus Bowl game airs on ABC.
Brian Kelly explains the importance a Bowl Game has on a players career .. (#LSU, #CitrusBowl) pic.twitter.com/l77AUfA58L
— The Verdin Verdict (@verdinverdict) January 1, 2023
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
