Nick Saban put some of the blame for Alabama’s loss to Ohio State on NFL Draft grades that were handed out
On Wednesday as the SEC Media Days wrap up, it was time for the one man that most were waiting for to take the podium — Alabama head coach Nick Saban. Every year Saban is a hot commodity at the event, and he becomes an even hotter commodity when Alabama doesn’t win the national title the previous year.
After the way Alabama bowed out of the first round in the College Football Playoff this past January with the loss to Ohio State, people were looking to see whether or not he had any excuses to throw around. Well, he pretty much did.
At one point during his session this morning, Saban pointed out that he’d like to see NFL Draft grades handed out a little later in the process. He said this because he believes that with the grades handed out early in December, some of his players with playing the Sugar Bowl not to get hurt rather than advance on to play Oregon.
Saban wants players not to receive NFL Draft grades until after their final college game. Also wants date moved back week to 10 days
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) July 15, 2015
Saban: “We’re trying to get ready for a game and all the sudden a guy finds out he’s a 1st round pick"
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) July 15, 2015
Well, now, that’s not going to go over pretty well with anyone outside of the Tuscaloosa bubble. In a sense he’s correct, but it’s also not as if Alabama was playing in a regular bowl game. They were playing in a contest that would earn them the right to play for the national championship, which is what you go to Alabama to do in the first place.
Saban also said that something affected the team’s chemistry for the Sugar Bowl as well.
Saban on draft grade timing: “Our team chemistry from the SEC championship game to the playoff game was affected by something.”
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) July 15, 2015
Yeah, Coach, his name was Ezekiel Elliott.