It's at times like these I am reminded of the sage philosophy of former Alabama basketball coach Wimp Sanderson. Once asked how many players he graduated while coach of the Crimson Tide, Sanderson replied, "All of them that wanted to."
To some, the response might sound like a cop-out. Instead, it is filled with truth. The opportunities are there for those who earn athletic scholarships. If an athlete truly wants to graduate, he or she can do so. The responsibility belongs to them. Do the work. Make it happen. That's a simplistic approach, but no less true.
So as the NFL draft approaches this week, much of the talk surrounds which player will be selected with the first pick. What team is the best fit for each of the star members of the Class of 2011? Will the Carolina Panthers select Cam Newton with the first overall pick, or will they select Marcell Dareus of Alabama? Will they trade the pick in an effort to collect more picks (and perhaps save some of the money it will take to sign the No. 1 selection)? Or is there another player the team prefers at that spot?
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