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AJ McCarron is finally saying the right things ... well, more or less

Former Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron works out during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Former Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron works out during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Joe Robbins / Getty Images)
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AJ McCarron might have come off as a bit arrogant before last week’s NFL draft, predicting that he would be picked somewhere in the first or early in the second round.

Well, that didn’t quite happen. The former Alabama quarterback slipped all the way to the fifth round, finally going to Cincinnati with the 164th overall pick.

So now that McCarron finds himself behind Bengals starter Andy Dalton (and possibly veteran Jason Campbell) on the depth chart, the man who led the Crimson Tide to two national titles as starting quarterback says he is fine with taking on a lesser role -- perhaps a much lesser role -- for the time being.

“I know my role. I’m a rookie on this team and I respect Andy Dalton with everything,” McCarron said in a teleconference with reporters. “He’s the guy and I want to learn everything I can from him to better myself for the future. I’m just looking forward to it.”

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McCarron added: “If that means me holding the clipboard for a couple of years and giving Andy reports during the week and watching film with him and helping him in any way I can, I’m just ready to do it.”

Nothing like a little humility to endear yourself to a new team and fan base. Unfortunately for McCarron, though, some other comments he made on Sunday didn’t sit well with some members of his previous fan base.

“A lot of people don’t realize I wasn’t healthy at Alabama,” McCarron told SiriusXM NFL radio. “I sacrificed a lot to play for Coach Saban and that university. I played through a lot of injuries and we never leaked it because that’s just the way it is.

“I’ve played through a lot, just try to fight through for my teammates and my team.”

Apparently some people perceived those comments as a snub toward his college coach and team, because McCarron took to Twitter on Sunday in an attempt to clear up the situation.

“I never said I didn’t love my time at Bama I said myself & other guys played through a lot of injuries for our great university & for fans,” he tweeted.

“People need to understand I wasn’t bashing anybody at all or coach. He’s like a dad to me all I was saying was us as players give a lot so To hear people make up rumors ab you that aren’t true. That’s what [stinks] when you sacrificed so much for your team & university while there!”

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