Did Manning's meeting with Saban cross the line?

[mikey23545]

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Peyton Manning's never-ending quest to hone his game and Nick Saban's desire to decipher fast-paced offenses led to a recent meeting that the Crimson Tide coach called mutually beneficial.

It also might have violated NFL rules because, according to Saban, Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase also was in attendance.

The league doesn't allow players and their coaches to meet before the start of offseason workouts, which for the Broncos begin Monday. On-field instruction won't start until mid-May.

The Associated Press left messages with the team and the NFL on Friday seeking comment.

Gase, one of the rising young stars in the NFL coaching ranks, and Saban go way back. Gase worked under Saban at Michigan State in the late 1990s and followed him to LSU as a graduate assistant in 2000.

Saban also has known Manning for a long time and is friends with his father, Archie.

Saban said after Thursday's practice that Manning and Gase were "making some visits" and stopped by Tuscaloosa, Ala., a couple of weeks ago.

"To be honest with you, he was just trying to learn so he could be a better player," Saban said of the five-time MVP who led the Broncos to the Super Bowl, where they were soundly beaten by Seattle.

With Gase calling the shots, Manning set NFL records by throwing for 55 touchdowns and 5,447 yards in 2013 as the Broncos became the first team in league history to score more than 600 points in a season.

Saban picked their brains about the no-huddle, something Alabama has had trouble with, and Manning picked up pointers from one of the brightest minds in coaching.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports...-line/7895165/



Hey, he's Peyton Manning, and they're the Denver Broncos, so what can the NFL say?

[cosmo20002]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

This is more an indictment on the ridiculous NCAA rules than it is Peyton and the Broncos. Much as I'd love to ding the Broncos, this is just plain stupid.

I think this is an NFL rule. Its probably something the players union wanted so that players couldn't be pressured to start practice/work outs/etc. too early. Otherwise, you would have teams controlling players year-round. I'm guessing that's the reason behind it.

[RedDread]

I'd be irate if I was a Tennessee fan.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by SPchief

How is this a NCAA rules violation? Did you actually read the article?

Nope, I was drunk. Just read it -- more an indictment on dumb CBA rules.

[BlackHelicopters]

No1curr

[Big Tedd]

Originally Posted by Stanley Nickels

Honest question: do you think Rivers is a HOF quarterback?

No. Not even close IMO.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Gase really coached up that offense probably came up with that gay little apple apple call but that is probably it

[JD10367]

I misread the thread title as Satan. That would have made for a more interesting thread.

[Simplicity]

Originally Posted by JD10367

I misread the thread title as Satan. That would have made for a more interesting thread.

All the same person.

[KcMizzou]

Yeah, same thing.

[TEX]

Originally Posted by Big Tedd

No. Not even close IMO.

This

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by cosmo20002

I think this is an NFL rule. Its probably something the players union wanted so that players couldn't be pressured to start practice/work outs/etc. too early. Otherwise, you would have teams controlling players year-round. I'm guessing that's the reason behind it.

I've been watching those draft recaps on NFL Network, and they're pretty cool. When they covered the 1964 draft, they offered some trivia that I didn't know. Apparently in those days the draft actually occurred during the NFL season. The reason was that the NFL was truly a part-time job, and everyone went home after the season, including the front office. I thought that was pretty cool.

[BigCatDaddy]

Originally Posted by Big Tedd

No. Not even close IMO.

That's reeruned. He's going to end up in the top 10 in most statistical categories when he retires. He may not get in, but it will most certainly be debated.