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Permalink Reply by KSN on December 14, 2009 at 4:27pm

So does anybody have an opinion on the subject? I know it's been discussed some on here but to hear Derrick's words it sounds like he is a goner. I can't blame him and I know a lot of people will say he isn't ready. I don't think this is as much about being ready as trying to take care of himself and his family. I would love to see Locke in uniform for another year but I don't think we will.

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Permalink Reply by JBR on December 14, 2009 at 7:33pm

Honestly, it is tough to blame someone for trying to improve their lives, but there is also some logic that needs to be involved. Now, I will be the first to tell you, that I would love to see Locke back in blue next year. With that being said, I can absolutely argue that he SHOULD be back in blue next year. This is nothing more than a lottery, with a little better odds than the Powerball.

There are many more good, solid football players than, say basketball players. More guys that are good in college, but only certain ones excel in the pros. Locke is smallish for an NFL back. He certainly has the speed, but has not had a break-out season, and will probably be evaluated more for special teams than for RB. Remember how great Abney was at UK...how much PT did he get in the NFL? Some, but not much. Yes, Locke has the speed, but also an affinity for injuries, which may make many NFL teams to want to see him play healthy for a year. If he can stay healthy, I think that he makes a huge stride next year by coming back. AND, a big AND...he comes back and does get hurt, he has a college degree, and won't be gambling his future away. I know some folks would jump at that chance, the more "risk-takers", but logic just does not support it in this case, even if I really WANT him back.

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Permalink Reply by rphelps on December 14, 2009 at 7:42pm

Half of Locke's messages on Twitter are about his son. I think that he will do whatever he feels is best for his family because he sounds like a responsible father. The fan in me wants to see him back next year but I think he is gone. I wonder if losing Conner and most of the starters on the OLine will play a role in his decision? It would for me.

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Permalink Reply by JBR on December 14, 2009 at 9:19pm

I completely agree. I don't think he is being greedy or anything at all. I understand his situation, but, no matter the context, I am a person that thinks a college degree is sort of necessary in today's world, and important to young people. I mean, worst case if he comes back...he gets his education payed for, and will taken care of as a beloved alumni and land a good job somewhere. The only way him leaving makes sense is if he is projected in a pretty good, secure position (which I doubt)...or he has completely bombed in school and is not looking at finishing his degree regardless. I guess I'm more concerned about him making a logical decision for his and his kid's future. If he goes, and goes high, I will be the first to be happy for him.

rphelps said:

Half of Locke's messages on Twitter are about his son. I think that he will do whatever he feels is best for his family because he sounds like a responsible father. The fan in me wants to see him back next year but I think he is gone. I wonder if losing Conner and most of the starters on the OLine will play a role in his decision? It would for me.

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Permalink Reply by The Fake Dermontti Dawson on December 14, 2009 at 11:33pm

I've had the pleasure to meet Derrick quite a few times, and I'll start by saying he's a great young man. I don't want anyone to construe anything I type here as criticism towards Derrick, I'm just going to chime in my opinion and call it like I see it.

I think Locke would be a fourth or fifth round pick in the NFL draft at this point and I think he should go. Now, I do not WANT him to go, but I think he should. The shelf life for a running back is shorter than that of every other position. Rarely are backs effective after their 30's have struck and they need to make as much as they can in the eight years or so they'll have as professional athletes. Locke is what he is, and he will probably never be an every-down running back at any level because of his size. Yes, Darren Sproles has proved to be a very good player, but he is splitting carries with Tomlinson and playing special teams primarily. Locke will probably fill a similar role. If he can't be a workhorse back in college, why would he be one in the NFL? He can return kicks and play a support role to a bigger stronger back and cash in to provide a better life for his family than he probably ever thought he could. In all reality, I don't think UK will be much worse off without him next season either. He provides a great spark, but the staff has brought in some talented young runners and there are still two big time backs out there considering UK in Rajaan Bennett and DJ Howard. I want Locke to return, and I'd love to see him finish his career and get his degree at UK, but if he chooses to go, I'll support his decision as well.

I'd also love to see him eventual develop into an every-down back in the NFL at some point and prove me wrong.

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Permalink Reply by JBR on December 15, 2009 at 2:27am

Hope you are right TFDD...I hope for the best for him...I have read (somewhere?) that he could even go undrafted and be a free agent. I will admit that I am a huge football guy that has never really paid a lot of attention to the NFL draft after the first round, so you know a lot more about that than me. His injury situation just scares me a little. If he were to make that jump, and fail...with a family, it would be tough to come back and get a degree trying to support a child. He has done a lot for this program, and I fully hope that he makes the right decision for his future.

The Fake Dermontti Dawson said:

I've had the pleasure to meet Derrick quite a few times, and I'll start by saying he's a great young man. I don't want anyone to construe anything I type here as criticism towards Derrick, I'm just going to chime in my opinion and call it like I see it.

I think Locke would be a fourth or fifth round pick in the NFL draft at this point and I think he should go. Now, I do not WANT him to go, but I think he should. The shelf life for a running back is shorter than that of every other position. Rarely are backs effective after their 30's have struck and they need to make as much as they can in the eight years or so they'll have as professional athletes. Locke is what he is, and he will probably never be an every-down running back at any level because of his size. Yes, Darren Sproles has proved to be a very good player, but he is splitting carries with Tomlinson and playing special teams primarily. Locke will probably fill a similar role. If he can't be a workhorse back in college, why would he be one in the NFL? He can return kicks and play a support role to a bigger stronger back and cash in to provide a better life for his family than he probably ever thought he could. In all reality, I don't think UK will be much worse off without him next season either. He provides a great spark, but the staff has brought in some talented young runners and there are still two big time backs out there considering UK in Rajaan Bennett and DJ Howard. I want Locke to return, and I'd love to see him finish his career and get his degree at UK, but if he chooses to go, I'll support his decision as well.

I'd also love to see him eventual develop into an every-down back in the NFL at some point and prove me wrong.

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Permalink Reply by Blue Blood 00 on December 16, 2009 at 3:33pm

I agree with everything, when it comes to not blaming someone when they are trying to better themselves, along with family. The only thing with me, is that it is not the whole not ready thing, but I just can't see him being an everyday back in the NFL. Not at his size. I know there is smaller backs in the league, such as Warrick Dunn and so on. But with Locke not even weighing in over 200lbs. It would be a rough go for him. Because, Coach Brooks and the staff spoke often about all the therapy that Locke and Cobb had to go through each in every week to keep them ready to play the next week, because of the beating there smalller frames had took from previous games. I think we all know the SEC is tough, but when it's guys like Lewis, Freeney, and such that is laying the lumber on you each week, that is a whole different story. At the next level, there are guys in the secondary that can knock you to the next week, like you wouldn't believe!! Let a Polamalu or the hard hitting Antoine Winfield on the Vikings meet you on the field, and they have been known to make big strong backs limp off in agony!! Which, I always expected Locke, to be a special teams player for the most part. He could do some big damage on the right team as there return man, and even though we have not seen him do it a lot, due to Cobb, I could see him excelling returning punts as well. With his break away speed, and really good vision, he could make a lot of big plays on Sunday's, as a returner, and occasional back to give your team another look, such as the quick screens and such to try and get him on the outside with as close to one on one matchups as they can get him, and he can really help a team. But, I will never count Locke out, coming in as a track star not a divison 1 football recruit, It wouldn't surprise me if his success in the backfield carried over to the next level!

Even though it sounds like he is a goner at this point, I think we will get him back for one more year! If we don't, I wish him luck, and I think we have some worthy replacements!

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Permalink Reply by sugarshane on December 17, 2009 at 5:41am

i think he is going to stay in the draft - know what i'm sayin'?

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