Sam Montgomery was at it again last Saturday, doing what he does best (besides devouring quarterbacks for dinner): speaking the truth.
Only this time, what the former LSU defensive end had to say was not what most people, certainly not Tiger fans or NFL general managers, wanted to hear.
Speaking to the media during what amounts to a days-long job interview at the NFL Scouting Combine last weekend, Montgomery acknowledged he played at less than 100-percent effort against less-talented teams.
“You know, some weeks when we didn’t have to play the harder teams, there were some times when effort was not needed,” Montgomery said. “But when we had the big boys coming in — the ’Bamas or the South Carolinas — I grabbed close to those guys and went all out.”
Hold on a second here. So you’re telling me, Sam, that you didn’t play as hard against the Towson Tigers of the Colonial Athletic Association as you did against reigning BCS National Champion Alabama? You don’t say?
Anyone who watched that Towson game, or any LSU game before the Florida loss, didn’t need Montgomery to vocalize a lack of effort.
It was evident. But of course, it sends a red flag to future employers looking to spend millions of dollars for his abilities.
Montgomery has always been honest, and it’s something I appreciate. Too many athletes and coaches these days give the stock answer, or the company spin, to avoid publicity like this. This is simply a case where Montgomery’s honesty seems to have backfired.
But what if he had lied? His answer came in response to a question about reports that his coaches were less than happy with his effort. One particular report by DraftInsider.net’s Tony Pauline, who also writes draft analysis for Sports Illustrated, says Montgomery’s coaches at LSU have been “slamming” him, that his “attitude and personality did not sit well with a number of his former teammates or coaches.”
It would’ve been too easy for him to lie, like most athletes do to cover their asses. But this report was out there, and he took it head-on. It would’ve looked worse to NFL teams, who are in contact with these coaches more closely than the media, had he just written it off. Remember the photo that surfaced late in the season with a list of players, Montgomery included, hanging in LSU strength coach Tommy Moffitt’s office, warning pro scouts of their lack of effort?
None of this is new, and it’s obviously not restricted to Montgomery. If his teammates didn’t appreciate his effort, they’re almost undoubtedly hypocrites, or they have to be slamming other teammates as well. In addition to the list, I quoted former lineman Josh Dworaczyk, LSU’s other open book, in my story previewing the Florida game as saying the team has been playing down to opponents. This was a culture problem, and it cost the Tigers a chance at berths in highly regarded bowls early in the season.
And if he’s being torn down by those he’s played for and with for the past few years, you’d have never known before he declared it, aside from the photo. Montgomery has consistently been lauded as a leader by his coaches and teammates. Now he’s a villain?
This is all a convoluted mess, and the only one coming clean in the whole situation is Montgomery himself. He’s owned up to his mistakes, and that’s the best thing he could’ve done.
Should he have given 100 percent effort while he was here? Absolutely.
Should he have lied about his lack of effort to the media? I don’t think so.
Will this debacle cause him to drop out of the first round? No way.
NFL Network’s Mike Mayock, one of the most highly regarded talent analysts in the media, seems to think Montgomery “brings it every snap more than [former teammate and fellow defensive end Barkevious] Mingo does.” Most draft experts expect Mingo to be taken before Montgomery.
Montgomery’s honesty obviously scares some people, even though he’s giving voice to something that’s readily apparent. Nevertheless, he defended himself in the news conference by saying that he’s matured since he left LSU.
I say he’s more mature than most.
