Nick Saban says Peyton Manning, Adam Gase visits were separate

On Friday, Nick Saban shared the news that he met with Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning and offensive coordinator Adam Gase last week to exchange some knowledge about the no-huddle offense and how Manning can continue to get better on the field.

As soon as that became public knowledge, the NFL said that they would look into the situation to see whether or not the meeting violated offseason rules preventing players from meeting with coaches before the start of offseason workouts.

It would appear on the surface that this was a violation, but Saban was quick to defend Manning and Gase saying that the visits came at a separate time.

When Saban was asked if Manning and Gase were in the visit at the same time, he said, “Only to say hello.

“I am surprised to hear that anyone thought that what they were doing was in any way wrong. That’s what people get for assuming,” Saban told the Denver Post. “We did not talk Broncos football at all, other than Peyton asking questions about how he could get better as a player.”

Saban’s latest comments should help the Broncos avoid being slapped with any league punishment for a potential offseason violation, which is what you would expect him to do for guys who are apparently his friends.

It is very likely that Saban was unaware his comments would spark any controversy, so he is working hard to help bury the hatchet.