MY OWN OPINION ON LUCK AND HARBAUGH

Everyone is talking about why Luck went back to school ("to get his degree") instead of taking possibly $50 million dollars from Carolina (or whomever picks first).  We hear talk of him getting hurt, losing value, look at what happened to Leinart, look at what happened to Locker this year, etc., etc. 

I'm going to look at this from a different point of view.  All the talk of him going back for another year - he's a sophmore so technically, he has TWO more years.  But if he carries more credits and finishes early, that's not here or there. 

The difference I feel between Luck and Harbaugh.  Why Luck stayed and why Harbaugh doesn't.

Luck is a kid.  I'm sorry to all of you 20-year-olds out there, but just because you're 20 doesn't mean anything.  He's still a kid.  And in a 20-year-old's mind (MY OPINION, I MUST STRESS), nothing can go wrong.  No harm can happen to you.  It's like the movie, "Fame" - "Im gonna live forever . . . ."  He loves the college life.  His sister is a freshman at Stanford.  He loves her, loves his family, loves his professors.  How many of you can REALLY look into your own hearts and say, "Yeah, I loved ALL of my professors."?  Not many, I'm sure.

He doesn't think of his life being like some kind of a clock or hour glass.  He doesn't see his life ticking away.  He has his whole life ahead of him and the money will always be there.  It will be there next year.  So what if it's not $50 million (rookie salary cap? maybe).  What's the difference should he "settle" for $25 million. 

This is a once-in-a-lifetime achievement for him.  DON'T FORGET WHAT HE REALLY WANTS - even though he didn't say it - academics go great with a Heisman Trophy.   He will never get this chance again.  Oh, he could get his degree ANYTIME.  I did.  I posted yesterday, I believe, that I went back to college 17 years after graduating from high school.  I appreciated it so much more at an "older" age.  I just didn't "get a degree"  -  NO - I EARNED IT.  Luck wants to do that and he loves the college life.  That's why I believe he's staying. 

Now, for Harbaugh.  Why is he leaving?  Just the opposite of young Mr. Luck.  He's older.  He realizes that yes, there may be an opportunity down the road.  He's still young; he's in his 40's.  But, unlike Mr. Luck, he knows what his life is like.  He knows of the clock and/or hour glass of his life.  Harbaugh, in a way, does not have the time to pass up $5 or $6 million dollars.  He's a hot commodity right now.  Will he be like this next year?  Suppose Stanford goes through a losing spell?  Tell me, who would you choose?  A coach with a record of 12-1 or 8-5?  I know who I would choose. 

That's my opinion of why Luck is staying and why Harbaugh is leaving.  One is loving life, not caring about tomorrow yet as far as the financial aspect of his life.  He knows he'll get something.  He knows he's good.  And maybe, since he's ONLY A SOPHMORE, maybe he'll get even better next year or his final senior year.  The other one - he had his time in the spotlight.  Now, he wants to capitalize on it.  He has a family; word is his wife just had a baby (how long ago, I don't know).  He's aware of the hour glass filling up.