NFL Rumors: Nick Saban defends A.J. McCarron, says he doesn’t think he’s cocky
By Josh Hill
One of the bigger stories to follow during the draft was the epic fall of the SEC quarterbacks as A.J. McCarron, Zach Mettenberger and Aaron Murray all slid to the third day of the draft. The Cincinnati Bengals eventually drafted McCarron but they did so amend questions about his attitude and his cockiness.
McCarron’s former head coach Nick Saban has tuck up for his quarterback, saying all the reports of McCarron’s cockiness wasn’t anything he saw while at Alabama.
"“It does surprise me because he was never that way to me and I think that if you asked a lot of his teammates, they would probably say the same. I think that AJ is a very good person. And regardless of what he ever said to you and whatever way he left you with an impression, if he could do something to help you, he’d be the first person to be there to do it. He is a good person and in the long run, he will certainly get the chance to prove that he can be a good leader and a good quarterback in the National Football League.”"
Many will be quick to point out the irony of Saban sticking up for McCarron, but it was bound to happen. McCarron will need to change hearts and minds on the field rather than having his college coach fight his battles for him, and only time will tell if he has a place in the NFL.