Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
On Tuesday, former NFL general manager turned television analyst Charlie Casserly lit into Kyler Murray for having bad leadership and interviewing poorly at the combine. Murray’s coach at Oklahoma, Lincoln Riley, disputed that narrative vehemently on Wednesday morning.
Riley also contradicted Casserly’s comments about Murray being a poor leader.
A few things are worth noting here.
The first is that Riley was going to defend Murray, regardless of what really did or did not happen at the combine. That’s his guy, and he isn’t going to let him be dragged through the mud.
Secondly, the report fed to Casserly could very well have been put out there by a team that actually wants Murray but doesn’t want to overpay when it comes time to trade up (assuming Arizona does not take him No. 1 overall).
Finally, Casserly wasn’t the only person who heard bad things about Murray’s interviews at the combine.
It’s officially lying season around the NFL, and it won’t end until the draft is over.