🏈 Reports: AJ McCarron rubbed NFL teams 'the wrong way' in pre-draft interviews

[BAMANEWSBOT]

As the Heisman runner up and a three-time national champion, AJ McCarron has all the credentials.

But as Day 3 began in the NFL Draft, questions about his standing with team executives and scouts were voiced. Through 135 picks early Saturday afternoon, McCarron was not among the seven quarterbacks taken.

McCarron, the Alabama starter the past three seasons, predicted a first- or second-round selection. That "rubbed (teams) the wrong way," ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on the draft broadcast.

His on-field performance is strong, but individual interviews with teams were also an issue.

Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network said he spoke with general managers and scouts throughout the draft process about McCarron. He said there were some "personality issues," in the evaluation process.

"Questions from evaluators: How much do teammates really like him? How much did he really follow him," Rapoport said live on the NFL Network broadcast.

A few voices spoke up in support of McCarron.

NFL Network analyst Charles Davis is on his side.

"When people say he's surrounded by so much talent, he didn't have to do anything, I don't think that's totally the case," he said. "I plug in some game tape and you can't tell me Texas A&M this year he was surrounded by talent and they won the game and he was just along for the ride. I thought he made a lot of big time plays to get that done.

"You go back to his sophomore year when they won the national championship game. It may have been the most boring national championship game ever played — LSU and Alabama — AJ McCarron was the difference in that game."

McCarron completed 20 of 29 passes for 334 yards and four touchdowns in the 49-42 win over Johnny Manziel and Texas A&M on Sept. 14.

Stanford coach David Shaw also appeared on the NFL Network broadcast.

"There's no question, you talk about guys who's played in big moment, this guy has played in big moment after big moment, after big moment and not just taken care of the ball, but made some great throws and some great plays," Shaw said.

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[BAMANEWSBOT]

 

[PhillyGirl]

Remember when he said he was told he would be a first round pick? As high as 16?

 

[JoshB]

"A little cocky" and "whether teammates really followed him" and the "reality show" and him skipping the Senior Bowl (he had foot surgery) were reasons that were just given on NFL Network that they heard... my god this unbelievable. There have been players so far that have been drafted that have been arrested for: assault, sexual harassment, theft, DUI, drugs, and gun charges... next time AJ instead of being "cocky" just go beat someone up and steal their laptop. You'd be a first round pick.

 

[ElephantStomp]

"A little cocky" and "whether teammates really followed him" and the "reality show" and him skipping the Senior Bowl (he had foot surgery) were reasons that were just given on NFL Network that they heard... my god this unbelievable. There have been players so far that have been drafted that have been arrested for: assault, sexual harassment, theft, DUI, drugs, and gun charges... next time AJ instead of being "cocky" just go beat someone up and steal their laptop. You'd be a first round pick.

He skipped the senior bowl because he wanted a break is what I read, shoulder fatigue from it being jammed earlier in the year. His foot surgery was a minor procedure on his toe from being stepped on.

 

[psychojoe]

Even though it was likely true, I did not care for him calling out his onetime teammates after the season about being entitled. Maybe it is ok, but I have always felt such comments should be done mano a mano in private.

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

Regardless whether he was hurt or not, he could have (and should have) gone to Mobile and took part in interviews and such. Players that don't play in the game do that every year. It rubbed many the wrong way that he didn't. But then again, when he finally did sit down and talk in Indy, he still came off unlikable. Maybe that's why later on he just blew off a meeting with the Titans all together... He may have graded out as a winner on the field, but his personality (and poor decisions/strategy) was his albatross.

 

[ElephantStomp]

@Brandon Van de Graaff It didn't take AJ long to pull out the 'playing with a chip' thing. Apparently I wasn't the only one that thought he was being a bit pompous. I agree with you that he should've at least gone to Mobile and interviewed and all that.

I hope AJ does well and hopefully his draft fall will humble him.

 

[PhillyGirl]

I was g

Regardless whether he was hurt or not, he could have (and should have) gone to Mobile and took part in interviews and such. Players that don't play in the game do that every year. It rubbed many the wrong way that he didn't. But then again, when he finally did sit down and talk in Indy, he still came off unlikable. Maybe that's why later on he just blew off a meeting with the Titans all together... He may have graded out as a winner on the field, but his personality (and poor decisions/strategy) was his albatross.

Maybe I am just naive because I am not a championship-winning CFB QB, but I would think that regardless of one's body of work, that one would try everything they could possibly do to boost their chances in the draft. It just seems like he put very little effort into it, like he just assumed his records and statistics in college were enough to get by on.

 

[riz]

In reality, NFL execs prolly looked at that awful tattoo mess of his and questioned his judgement.

 

[mrchase]

funny that the last pic is Sims and not Ha-Ha