Nick Saban Should Lead By Example With Agents

Alabama coach Nick Saban is not one to hold back when asked pointed questions. In fact, he's down right ornery in most interview situations. So it's no surprise to read his comments in this report from ESPN, where he talks about his university's investigation into a potential violation committed by one of its players who allegedly attended an agent's party in Miami earlier this summer.

Saban says in the report: "I'm about ready for college football to say, 'Let's just throw the NFL out. Don't let them evaluate players. Don't let them talk to players. Let them do it at the combine.' If they are not going to help us, why should we help them?"

Well said, Nick. Now do something about it.

Lead the way by banning NFL evaluators from the University of Alabama's football facilities for the year. Alabama is considered one of the most accommodating schools to NFL scouts and "personnel," so posing that ban will send a message.

Will it hurt his players' chances with the NFL? No. Talent is talent. Period. What it will do is send a message that clearly states "We (the university, athletics department, etc.) are not going to accommodate you people if these kinds of situations keep coming up year after year."

That will force the hand of the NFLPA and the league to get tougher on agents and those associated with the meat market that is professional football.

Or maybe it won't. The NFL and it's associates largely do whatever they want, regardless of rules or laws.

However, it will resonate in college football and that's where real change can take place.

Nick Saban is successful in his own on-the-field campaigns. It's time for this power broker in college football to throw his reputation and weight around a bit in order to start the process of changing this once and for all.

Article Author: J. Newcastle

J. Newcastle writes for BC Sports. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/j_newcastle

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