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Well, here's an interesting rule that could see Reggie McKenzie in a little trouble. According to Pro Football Talk, McKenzie violated league rules about speaking publicly of a potential drafted player prior to that player officially declaring eligible for the draft when he spoke of Johnny Manziel in a session with local media on Thursday. That official declaration happens Saturday but McKenzie responded to a question in a media session Thursday.
Here is what McKenzie said of Manziel as reported by Jerry McDonald of the Bay Area News Group:
"He's a playmaker," said McKenzie. "Whether it's him or any of these other guys, when you can add a playmaker to your team that's what you're shooting for.''
The rule according to PFT is as follows:
"Club personnel who make public comments about the football ability or NFL potential of underclassmen who have not yet been officially declared eligible for the draft will be subject to discipline by the Commissioner."
The rule is ridiculous considering some 96 underclassmen have already declared for the draft. The technicality is that it isn't "official" until this Saturday. PFT believes there is a possibility the league could make an example of McKenzie as some form of olive branch gesture to the NCAA. The thing is, if the league were to make an example of McKenzie, they would be hard pressed to stop there as many general managers and coaches are asked about college talent often.
For example, Texans owner, Bob McNair, recently spoke glowingly of South Carolina defensive end, JaDaveon Clowney in an interview for the team's official website. And that was on camera. McKenzie's comments were behind closed doors.
"He is a remarkable player," McNair said of Clowney. "He's one of these players that's really a once-in-every-10-years kind of physical specimen that comes along."
The league may just want to let this one slide. Unless they are intentionally looking to open a can of worms as a way of sending a message.
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