Su’a Cravens says no thanks to private workout requests

AP

For USC linebacker/safety Su’a Cravens, the hay is in the barn. Cravens won’t be doing any private workouts for teams, his agent Fadde Mikhail tells PFT.

The reason? Cravens is getting a glut of requests.

“There have been too many teams that have called to set up private workouts,” Mikhail said, “and I think Su’a’s body of work on film speaks for itself. Su’a is a football player. He is a playmaker at whatever position he’s at, whether it’s safety or linebacker. Su’a has three years of film while an All-American at USC, plus he did the Combine and did everything at his Pro Day on March 23 where all 32 NFL clubs were present.”

The decision not to work out for teams is gradually becoming more popular with some agents, who believe the reward of potentially increased draft positioning doesn’t justify the risk of injury that arises every time a guy runs and cuts and otherwise does once again the things he already has done once or twice since successfully (and healthily) completing a college football career.

Although Cravens played much of 2015 as a linebacker, many view Cravens as a safety at the next level. NBC draft analyst Josh Norris sees Cravens as a high second-round pick, with the possibility of going in round one.

45 responses to “Su’a Cravens says no thanks to private workout requests

  1. Risk of injury? During a private workout? Really?

    What happens when you draft him, then ask him to practice? Does he refuse to do that, too?

    BECAUSE YOU KNOW I COULD GET HURT COACH

    Get a new agent, kid. This one is costing you money.

  2. LB in college projecting to safety on Sundays is right in Oakland’s wheelhouse. They are missing a big piece there, and Jalen Ramsey will be long gone at 14.

  3. This is sensible.

    Maybe he can just fly in for dinners and interviews. Man, that would be worth it to network your way around the league.

    The teams get to see what your made of character-wise.

  4. officialgame says:
    Mar 29, 2016 10:01 PM
    How many players have been injured in private workouts with teams, answer none.

    and
    derekgorgonstar says:
    Mar 29, 2016 9:49 PM
    Risk of injury? During a private workout? Really?

    Brandon Thomas tore an ACL on a private workout with the Saints in 2014. He dropped at least a round in the draft.

  5. This kid makes plays. Lays lumber. Films show plenty of that. Hope he drops to the Pats.

  6. I don’t blame him one bit. What can a team make him do that he didn’t show them on his pro day? He has everything to lose and not much to gain.

  7. Perfect fit for what ails the Packers on defense, a undersized LBer who excels in coverage. A team who right or wrong hardly ever brings in top prospects for private workouts, they prefer to use those for medical checks and lower level UDFA types who get to pick their teams out of college.

  8. He could easily do a video conference with each team without ever leaving his house and at least give them that part of what they’d get along with a private workout.

  9. Most teams are just taking notes on the kids weaknesses for future. It’s recon. They have no intention on drafting him. I applaud him. Pay if you want a look. No free lap dances.

  10. This appears like a no brainer to me. What is the point when they have the combine and pro day to ask for additional workouts? Heck with that. He tears and ACL then all of a sudden he plummets. The agent is smart in this one. In fact all agents should do this. Teams over analyze this stuff anyway.

  11. The underwear olymics are a joke. Look at the tape and move on.
    For those of you that want to watch guys run the 40 or bench press 235 or whatever it is, feel free.
    Wake me up come draft time.

  12. A lot of people seem to be missing the point of the combine. It came about so the teams would have one place to see the players-and now we have it AND a bunch of private workouts. What a joke and good for him for saying “No”. And yes, players have gotten injured during private workouts and it costs them real money. You don’t see the team they were working out for stepping in and offering to make up the difference.

  13. Tough position to be in but…….

    I wouldnt what to piss anyone off.

    A “visit” to certain teams may get you 1st round money instead of 2nd!

    Private workouts for most are really personal interviews to see if you fit personalitywise……or do our coaches like you more than they already do…..

  14. officialgame says:
    Mar 29, 2016 10:01 PM
    How many players have been injured in private workouts with teams, answer none.

    Look up a guy named Brandon Thomas from Clemson.
    Tore an ACL working out for the Saints in a Pre-Draft workout.
    It happens…..

  15. To any player not willing to do private workouts they are either trying to hide something or they are being a diva. Teams beware if youre a competitor you will show what you can do anytime any place.

  16. steeltownpride says:
    Mar 29, 2016 10:55 PM
    Taylor Mays 2.0 ?

    They are completely different players. Cravens is an instinctual player that is somewhat limited athletically and Taylor Mays is an athletic freak with horrible instincts.

  17. He’s done all he needs to do.

    Played well at USC, plenty of tape.
    Combine.
    Pro Day.

    Enough is enough. Good for him to take a stand.

  18. Other than attending the same University, Su’a Cravens is nothing like Taylor Mays.

    Cravens was a playmaker, not a head hunter. He was exceptional at stopping the run and covering any intermediate and deep routes.

    Also, Mays played on a deep defense which enabled him to roam free – little responsibility.

  19. His agent could definitely be costing him money. Sometimes these teams bring them in not only for the workout but to just get to know them better and get a feel for their true personality.

  20. Normally I would say that it is no big deal, however it is for Cravens. He is a tweeter and teams want to see if they think he is better as a linebacker or a safety. If teams can’t get to work him out to see which they feel he is best at they are less likely to take a chance on him. Would not be surprised if this hurts his draft stock.

  21. I like this tactic. If you know that you’re getting interest from, if not the whole league, the vast majority of teams you don’t need to go to meetings and pump up your value with clubs you don’t want to play for. You’re better off dripping to low in the first round and playing for a competitive team.

  22. I can see wanting to see a QB throw live in some drills you are running that are particularly suited to what you run on offense. That could, at least in theory, be beneficial for both the team and the player. But a linebacker or safety is going to look the same in a group workout or an individual one, so what is the point?

  23. for the people saying you can’t get hurt during a workout, talk to Brandon Thomas. He was a potential 1st round pick who dropped to the 3rd round after tearing his ACL doing a private workout for the Saints. If you do everything at the combine and your pro day, I don’t see the need for a private workout either.

  24. derekgorgonstar says:
    Mar 29, 2016 9:49 PM
    Risk of injury? During a private workout? Really?

    What happens when you draft him, then ask him to practice? Does he refuse to do that, too?

    BECAUSE YOU KNOW I COULD GET HURT COACH

    Get a new agent, kid. This one is costing you money.

    —————
    Practice? Heck Cam Newton would not even attempt to recover a fumble with the SB on the line because he was afraid to get hurt.

  25. If teams didn’t get enough information on him at the Pro Day then that is their fault. If I were his agent I would take the exact same stance… why chance injury for such a small reward? He is going to be drafted before the end of round 1, so unless it’s believed he will go in the top 10 there is no reason to chance it.

  26. The over kill that is the combine, pro days, and private work outs is over kill and ridiculous for 1st round to even second round players IMO.

    A guy has 2-3 years worth of game film, and all they drill sessions now become more valuable than that? Its quite a stupid notion.

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