During “The Great Pimp Brouhaha of 2010” last month, Nick Saban threatened to restrict access to NFL teams if the league did nothing to curb rogue player-agents and their minions running roughshod across college campuses.
Apparently, it was more than just an idle threat.
Our buddies/stepsisters over at PFT are reporting this evening that, according to multiple NFL sources, some NFL teams have been informed that their scouts are no longer welcome at the Tuscaloosa school. Customarily, Saban has allowed any and all NFL scouts to view practices, and, in the past, have been near-daily spectators during summer camps.
This year, however, is different as Gentry Estes of the Birmingham News writes that “NFL reps [have] not been spotted on Alabama’s practice field, at least from this reporter’s vantage point, so far this preseason.”
As noted by Estes, Saban warned anyone who would listen during the SEC’s media days that the NFL’s access could be stripped.
“We treat the NFL as well as anybody in the United States when they come to the University of Alabama. If something doesn’t go on from their end of it to control what they’re doing to affect our players, then I’m not sure that same hospitality will be welcomed in the future.”
Florio also reported that Saban may temporarily rescind the ban at some point in the next week or so.
At first I was going to give props to Saban on this one. Then I got to the last sentence and realized that this is probably all an empty symbolic gesture on Saban’s part. Oh well. Serves me right for having faith in humanity.
@ overratedgators:
I’m sure Florio is just throwing that in as the last sentence also says “MAY”, you know thats as big a word as “IF”.
You are so right that it serves you well for having faith in humanity, lets not give that up just yet shall we…..