Looks like Coach belittle has a new recruiting tool........

[The Prowler]

"come to bama son, eventhough you won't get any exposure to any NFL Scouts, therefore hindering your desire somewhat to get to the next level."

Source: Florida hasn't shut out NFL scouts, yet
Posted by Mike Florio
August 11, 2010 10:49 AM ET

Contrary to a comment made by an unnamed scout to the Tuscaloosa News (LMFAO!!!!!!!), a league source tells us that the University of Florida has not informed NFL teams to stay away.

Yet.

Meanwhile, two more teams have confirmed that Alabama coach Nick Saban has closed practices to scouts until further notice.  As one source explained it, the message was communicated not by letter sent to each team, but via a website that the 32 franchise use to coordinate on-campus visits. 

So, basically, no team is exempt from the Wrath of Saban.   

The move has left some scouts feeling bewildered.  "We are just trying to do our jobs," one high-level scout said by phone earlier this morning.  "We are not the distraction.  How would college coaches feel is this was done to them?"

And that's a great point.  College coaches need access to high school practices in order to decide which players to recruit.  What Saban is doing to NFL scouts is no different than a high school coach Nick Saban to take his golden, forked tongue back to Tuscaloosa.

"It's so misguided," the scout said as to Saban's approach.  "It makes no sense.  We're all trying to play football and promote the game and generate revenue."

As Peter King and Bob Papa explained during my impromptu Wednesday morning visit them on Sirius NFL Radio, Saban needs to consider the impact of his position on recruiting -- and he also needs to take responsibility for his own role in players getting paid while supposedly operate under his watch as amateurs.  (OUCH, that's gonna leave a mark)

Then again, perhaps Saban's overriding strategy is to blame the NFL in the hopes of deflecting attention from his own responsibility for the situation.  (POW!!!! Right In 'Da Kissa')

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/category/rumor-mill/2.php

[AuburnChopper 3.0]

This shit is going to haunt Saban and Alabama at some point.    It's going to be UGLY.   

[Token]

Say what you want, but the man has two BCS championships in the last 10 years.  That goes a long way on the recruiting front.  Alabama may miss out on some players because of the "no NFL" policy, but he'll still get top players to sign.  He's recruited top 10 classes since taking the LSU job however many years ago and it hasn't stopped yet.  If all the media backlash when he came to Alabama didn't keep top players away, neither will his new policy.

Much ado about nothing.

[The Prowler]

Six people, groups of people and/or entity that you don't want to piss off if you're a Bigtime HC at a University (especially if you've been under probation or in the probation window for more than 8 years and counting):

1. God
2. TMZ (They'll follow you into the bathroom and tap your phones)
3. Yahoo Sports (The Investigative Reporters carry a backhoe, unlike the NCAA's garden shovel)
4. NFL Agents (They know more about your program than you do and they know how deep the rabbit trail goes)
5. NCAA (They don't get in any hurry and when dealing with a player's eligibility you can't risk playing said player for risk of having to forfeit or vacate certain wins that he was a part of)
6. Your better half (an explanation really isn't necessary)

[Townhallsavoy]

Six people, groups of people and/or entity that you don't want to piss off if you're a Bigtime HC at a University (especially if you've been under probation or in the probation window for more than 8 years and counting):

1. God
2. TMZ (They'll follow you into the bathroom and tap your phones)
3. Yahoo Sports (The Investigative Reporters carry a backhoe, unlike the NCAA's garden shovel)
4. NFL Agents (They know more about your program than you do and they know how deep the rabbit trail goes)
5. NCAA (They don't get in any hurry and when dealing with a player's eligibility you can't risk playing said player for risk of having to forfeit or vacate certain wins that he was a part of)
6. Your better half (an explanation really isn't necessary)

So basically, you're saying that because he's keeping NFL scouts off of the campus, he's setting himself up to be exposed for cheating?

[The Prowler]

So basically, you're saying that because he's keeping NFL scouts off of the campus, he's setting himself up to be exposed for cheating?

NFL Scouts/Agents don't like having their "meal tickets" taken away from them.

BTW, Token, those recruiting classes....yeah, NFL Scouts/Agents were a part of both programs.  Open door policy to the NFL and whatnot.

[djsimp]

It was reported on ESPN that both bama and Florida have banned NFL scouts from practice.

[RWS]

If it hurts us in recruiting, why are you guys so concerned? What should Alabama do? They already have classes for these guys to take about agents, going pro, etc. Apparently that didn't work out too well. This, for the most part, fixes the problem. Alabama is taking a proactive step, and it's getting slammed. For that matter, I think the NCAA is going to come out with some additional rules soon in regards to agents, their attendance at practices, etc.

Really, I don't think this will damage recruiting all that much. If a kid is talented, he will go to the NFL. After the whole Andre Smith thing, according to you guys, all they do is take the coach's word anyway. All the evaluation and history in the world apparently doesn't trump a coach's word anyway, right?

[AUChizad]

It was reported on ESPN that both bama and Florida have banned NFL scouts from practice.

Shane Youngblood the compulsive liar is likely the one to blame for that misinformation as well.

Contrary to a comment made by an unnamed scout to the Tuscaloosa News, a league source tells us that the University of Florida has not informed NFL teams to stay away.

If it hurts us in recruiting, why are you guys so concerned?

Which one of us works for NBCSports.com? Again, you fail to distinguish between "concern" and pointing and laughing.

Really, I don't think this will damage recruiting all that much. If a kid is talented, he will go to the NFL. After the whole Andre Smith thing, according to you guys, all they do is take the coach's word anyway. All the evaluation and history in the world apparently doesn't trump a coach's word anyway, right?

Wha? If anything, the situation you're referencing would compact the problem for an NFL hopeful from uat. They obviously don't take Saban's word for much, after the whole Andre Smith thing. This doesn't help keep him in their good graces either.
[/quote]

[The Prowler]

Shane Youngblood the compulsive liar is likely the one to blame for that misinformation as well.Which one of us works for NBCSports.com? Again, you fail to distinguish between "concern" and pointing and laughing.
Wha? If anything, the situation you're referencing would compact the problem for an NFL hopeful from uat. They obviously don't take Saban's word for much, after the whole Andre Smith thing. This doesn't help keep him in their good graces either.

Now....That's what you call getting snot bubbled.

[Token]

BTW, Token, those recruiting classes....yeah, NFL Scouts/Agents were a part of both programs.  Open door policy to the NFL and whatnot.

Come February, Bama will sign another top 10 class. 

As long as Saban stays in college football, he'll recruit top 10 classes.  At Alabama or not.  Just like he'll keep winning....Alabama or not.

Much ado about nothing.

[AUTiger1]

What should Alabama do? They already have classes for these guys to take about agents, going pro, etc. Apparently that didn't work out too well.

Do you want an honest answer? Lets all take off our school colored glasses for a moment, shall we?  This goes for any program, including AU. 

How many times in the past has something like this happened across the country?  How many times have student athletes heard the rules and have had them explained to them?  How many times have student athletes seen others get in trouble and seen their programs get in trouble for the same reason?  How many times have they been told to use sound judgment?   Too many to count I am sure.  At some point you need to also hold the student athlete responsible for his/her own actions.  If it even has the sent of an agent or another high profile athlete (hey to Dez Bryant) then stay your ass away.  If you don't then pick your shit up at the front door of the dorm b/c you no longer have a place on the team. 

College football is a business, and you can't allow one player to do something that stupid to jeopardize the entire program.  The program should always be bigger than one person.  They are representatives of the university, their team and should act in such a manner that they don't allow their own wants and actions to reflect poorly upon themselves, their team and their university.   I for one would have a no tolerance policy towards anything that could possibly bring down the NCAA hammer.   /rant

[JR4AU]

If it hurts us in recruiting, why are you guys so concerned?

Aw, you're better than that.  That's so Patrick!  Thinking we're "so concerned" because we're talking about a news item.  Come on man!  Just because it's the net doesn't mean you have to act like a typical net goober.

[RWS]

Aw, you're better than that.  That's so Patrick!  Thinking we're "so concerned" because we're talking about a news item.  Come on man!  Just because it's the net doesn't mean you have to act like a typical net goober.

When Prowler specifically mentions how it will hurt recruiting, that seems like he is concerned about it. I'm with Token; I just really don't think we have much to be concerned about. And for that matter, I don't see where Saban should take personal responsibility for "his role" in this. The writer says this is his way of deflecting blame. I didn't know Saban should be held responsible in the first place. They teach these kids to make the right decisions. They hold their hands, for the most part, and try to make them act right. At what point is the player not responsible if he does something stupid?

[djsimp]

I agree, the players should be held accountable even if they're not longer in school. I do believe both Auburn and Alabama can detest to that. Look at Reggie Bush. It will take 6 to 7 yrs for them to fully recover from his bs. This kind of shit is really stupid. What happened to Bush? Well, he pretty much lost his integrity for sure but as far as punishment, USC is trying to create distance b/w them and his Heisman is taken away. Boo whoo, crying me a freaking river. He does not care. He is still making tons of dollar bills while a whole slew of kids are left with the garbage.

[Snaggletiger]

I agree, the players should be held accountable even if they're not longer in school. I do believe both Auburn and Alabama can detest to that. Look at Reggie Bush. It will take 6 to 7 yrs for them to fully recover from his bs. This kind of shit is really stupid. What happened to Bush? Well, he pretty much lost his integrity for sure but as far as punishment, USC is trying to create distance b/w them and his Heisman is taken away. Boo whoo, crying me a freaking river. He does not care. He is still making tons of dollar bills while a whole slew of kids are left with the garbage.

The last line is what gets me about the NCAA and the types of sanctions they dole out.  Everyone else is left with the garbage.  Everyone else is punished. Add to the fact that 30 scholarships are stripped from the school. Yes, that's a great way to keep a football program down, but guess what..you've also taken away the opportunity for a certain number of kids to go to college.  The schollies aren't taken away and given to other schools.  They're just gone.  Let's face it, there's a huge percentage of guys on football and basketball scholarships who otherwise would never have the chance to go to college.  Some take advantage of it and some don't but why would you just wipe out those opportunities because Reggie and his moms and pops got greedy

[AUTiger1]

How could one go about punishing someone like a Reggie Bush?  Is there any kind of criminal charges that could be brought against them?    That part of it pisses me off too.

[djsimp]

The last line is what gets me about the NCAA and the types of sanctions they dole out.  Everyone else is left with the garbage.  Everyone else is punished. Add to the fact that 30 scholarships are stripped from the school. Yes, that's a great way to keep a football program down, but guess what..you've also taken away the opportunity for a certain number of kids to go to college.  The schollies aren't taken away and given to other schools.  They're just gone.  Let's face it, there's a huge percentage of guys on football and basketball scholarships who otherwise would never have the chance to go to college.  Some take advantage of it and some don't but why would you just wipe out those opportunities because Reggie and his moms and pops got greedy

I couldn't have said it any better. Tons of kids are now left in the dark or forced to go somewhere else and that somewhere else just became a harder goal to reach. How is it fixed? I don't know but there has to be a better way to ensue punishment to the ones that screw things up for the ones that do the right thing. The kids know what the hell they are doing, there aint no me in team.

[AUTailgatingRules]

Here is a National Media take from CBS Sportsline

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/story/13744901/bamas-scouting-stance-could-raise-profiles-of-auburn-prospects


'Bama's scouting stance could raise profiles of Auburn prospects
Aug. 12, 2010
By Chris Steuber
The Sports Xchange/CBSSports.com
Tell Chris your opinion!   
 
     
 
 
 
 

Auburn has something archrival and defending national champion Alabama does not -- NFL scouts attending practice.

Just as pro scouts began traveling the country to uncover the next cornerstone player, Alabama coach Nick Saban was eliminating scouts' access to Crimson Tide practices due to the behavior of pro agents. Saban said in July he wouldn't want to make the unprecedented move because it could hurt his players, but he feared a complete closed-door policy was the only way to keep agents at bay if the NFL wasn't going to act first.

   
Running back Mario Fannin is one of several Tigers who could benefit from some added exposure. (Getty Images)   
"I've never had one minute of our practice ever restricted to NFL scouts, anything we do, in benefit of our players," Saban said during his press conference at media day. "I would absolutely hate to do this. But I would also hope that the NFL and the NFL Players Association would do something about this without us having to do that."

Three teams made it a point to visit Auburn to witness what the Tigers have in store for 2010. NFLDraftScout.com confirmed that a scout from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers attended Auburn's practice on Monday, and evaluators from the Houston Texans and St. Louis Rams were there Tuesday.

The presence of the Buccaneers, Texans and Rams at Auburn's practice doesn't signal anything. Most every team will come to the campus, many will make repeat visits, and this is likely no more than teams doing their "due diligence" as fall practice sessions begin.

Alabama might not be the only SEC school to eliminate scouts' access. Reports have said the University of Florida might consider adjusting its policy regarding scouts attending practices, although coach Urban Meyer said Wednesday the school's policy was unchanged. At the SEC media days, Saban stated that he was willing to limit access over the recent dealings of unscrupulous player agents and their illegal involvement with collegiate athletes. One of those athletes was Alabama junior defensive end Marcell Dareus.

Not allowing scouts to attend practice at certain universities could hurt how NFL teams arrange schedules and how they evaluate talent at the collegiate level. Most teams assign college scouts a particular region -- take the state of Alabama as an example. On a trip to Alabama, a scout would attempt to visit Alabama, Auburn, Troy and UAB. And, as one former NFL player and current scout with an AFC team stated, "If they shut down practice and still allow access to film and talking to coaches we can still get the information we need. But, if they take everything away from us, they're only hurting their players."

Alabama is famous for elite prospects -- as is Florida, among other SEC schools -- but with practice being held under wraps it allows a school like Auburn to take center stage in the SEC. The impact on recruiting alone could be significant.

The Tigers have a handful of seniors who will pique the interest of NFL teams: RB Mario Fannin, OT Lee Ziemba, DT Mike Blanc and LBs Josh Bynes and Craig Stevens. In addition to the seniors, Auburn also features some highly touted juniors who will catch the eye of scouts: QB Cameron Newton, WR Darvin Adams, LB Eltoro Freeman and CBs Neiko Thorpe and Drew Cole. Only the teams' presence was confirmed. But we have a hunch which players each team was checking out:

Buccaneers

The last Auburn player that the Buccaneers selected in the draft was Cadillac Williams with the fifth overall pick in 2005. Interestingly enough, the Bucs could be in the market for a running back in next year's draft, after they scored a pathetic five touchdowns on the ground and finished 23rd in the league in rushing yards per game (101.6) last season. Williams, who signed a one-year contract this offseason, has suffered numerous injuries during his career, and as he enters his fifth-year in the league, it appears that he will share the load with 2009 free-agent disappointment Derrick Ward this year.

Auburn's top prospect, Fannin, isn't as highly regarded as Williams was when he left Auburn, but he's a typical Tigers running back, who has an NFL body at 5-foot-11, 228 pounds, runs strong between the tackles, has some elusiveness on the edge and in the open field and flashes reliable hands out of the backfield. Fannin has never been a featured back in Auburn's attack and has only received 172 carries in his career, but he will get his opportunity this season as he replaces current Houston Texan Ben Tate, a back he's been compared to. Currently, Fannin is NFLDraftScout.com's No. 6-rated senior RB and is projected to be a third- or fourth-round pick.

Rams

The Rams are likely focusing on Fannin. Beyond Steven Jackson, the Rams are very thin at the running back position; Kenneth Darby is currently the team's backup. Jackson has been one of the better RBs in the league since he was drafted in the first-round of the 2004 draft. And, despite being hampered by injuries in recent years, he's coming off one of his better rushing seasons as he amassed 1,416 yards. However, it's uncertain how much longer Jackson can keep up this pace and still be a workhorse-like runner. That's why drafting a RB high in next year's draft has to be a high priority. Even if Fannin isn't the selection, it appears that the Rams scouting department is concerned about the lack of depth at the position and is trying to get an early edge on the competition.

Another player who will interest the Rams, if he declares, is Thorpe, who is a complete CB who brings a physical approach to the game and also has the ability to be a ballhawk in the secondary.

Texans

With the Texans drafting Tate in the second-round this year, Fannin isn't a fit in Houston. But, adding depth to the offensive line with Ziemba or to the linebacker corps with Bynes makes sense in the mid-to-late rounds. Entering his fourth-year as a starter for the Tigers, the 6-6, 320-pound Ziemba is currently NFLDraftScout.com's 10th-rated OT and is projected to be a fourth-round prospect. Bynes (6-2, 240), who led Auburn in tackles last season with 104, checks in on NFLDraftScout.com's rankings as the 10th-rated inside linebacker and is projected to be a sixth-round prospect.

An intriguing prospect the Texans could have an eye on is former Florida Gators recruit/quarterback Cameron Newton. After spending two seasons (one controversial, due to an off-the-field incident) as a backup to Tim Tebow, Newton decided to transfer to Blinn College in Texas during the '09 season. After capturing the NJCAA National Football Championship for Blinn, Newton decided to enroll at Auburn and was named the team's starting quarterback during the offseason.

At 6-6, 246, Newton, who is currently NFLDraftScout.com's No. 6-rated junior QB, has the size and upside that scouts covet. And for a team like the Texans, who don't have much depth at the QB position behind Matt Schaub, he could be a guy they could develop for the future if he decides to forego his senior season.

 

[Snaggletiger]

Drew Cole?