šŸ“” Nick Saban lends new insight into Reuben Foster shoulder injury that hurt NFL draft stock

  • Thread starter Thread starter Michael Casagrande |
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Michael Casagrande |

Nick Saban talks to AL.com about Alabama's first round in the NFL draft.

This NFL draft first round was quite a web of connected stories for Alabama's NFL hopefuls.

It took two hours and 16 picks before Marlon Humphrey was the first Crimson Tide name called. Cam Robinson never did as the star left tackle tumbled to the second round.

And the saga of Reuben Foster also took a national stage as the top-10 talent slipped all the way to 31st and San Francisco. Questions about his NFL combine incident and failed drug test were coupled with his lingering shoulder injuries.

Nick Saban spoke to AL.com late Thursday night about several issues related to Alabama's first-round picks. That included Foster's shoulder.

"Look, the way we like for things to get handled, that didn't get handled," Saban told AL.com. "We have the best doctors in the world in Dr. (James) Andrews and Dr. (Lyle) Cain who operate on most NFL players and his agent chose to take him someplace else. I think (Andrews and Cain) have tremendous credibility.

"So, you know, all these choices and decisions that you make have consequences and I hate it for our players when they do it, but he didn't seek my advice in what he should do. So, if that was an issue, that was an issue. It shouldn't have been an issue but if it was, I don't really know much about it."

In the days leading up to the draft, ESPN reported there was a possibility of a second shoulder surgery following a medical recheck in Indianapolis.

Widely considered the top middle linebacker in the draft, Foster was ultimately the third one taken Thursday. Temple's Haason Reddick was a surprise pick at No. 13 to Arizona followed by Florida's Jarrad Davis to Detroit with the 21st pick.

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This is some story to me. It's another of the reasons I don't get caught up in the draft.

Cassagrande suggests it was his shoulder that caused his draft stock to fall. Mike Mayock said the same according to what I've read. Now, Todd McShay puts it on the group of people Reuben hangs out with--his posse. Rapoport says he dropped due to his diluted test.

All the while we're also being told if things would have fallen a little differently, San Fran would have picked Reuben up as their third pick.
 
People he hangs with and shoulder are one in the same here if Coach Saban is correct. Agent (person around him) advised him on another doctor for his shoulder.

What a strange decision considering the reputation Dr. Andrews has. Most would kill to have him operate on them, but Foster goes elsewhere and ultimately falls due to that decision apparently. Very weird situation here.
 
People he hangs with and shoulder are one in the same here if Coach Saban is correct. Agent (person around him) advised him on another doctor for his shoulder.

What a strange decision considering the reputation Dr. Andrews has. Most would kill to have him operate on them, but Foster goes elsewhere and ultimately falls due to that decision apparently. Very weird situation here.

Hell, I'd kill for Andrews to fix my knee...
 
Reports surfaced Friday morning that Foster would need a second surgery on the shoulder, which was a primary reason Foster fell to No. 31. On Friday, Foster said he would not need another surgery.

"I've made progress," Foster said. "I'll be limited at OTAs. Training camp, I will be full go, but if it was my decision I would be ready right now.

49ers took Tide's Foster with Saints on line

Even if not true, the "report" is enough to scare about 15 teams off apparently. Who know's at this point... Wouldn't blame him for doing some agent shopping though.
 
How in the world does Saban not have more credibility with Reuben than his agent on medical care? Reuben has always come off as someone easily influenced by others, maybe it was just the last voice he was listening to.
 
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