Redskins' Guice denies reported altercation with Eagles at combine
Washington Redskins running back Derrius Guice emerged as one of the stories of the 2018 NFL Draft for dubious reasons.
Guice was billed as a first-round pick and considered by many to be the second-best running back from the 2018 cohort next to Saquon Barkley, who went second overall to the New York Giants.
However, the former LSU standout, who was reportedly involved in an altercation with members of the Philadelphia Eagles during a meeting at the NFL Scouting Combine, fell dramatically. He was taken in the second round with the No. 59 selection.
Speaking to reporters Friday after being selected, Guice categorically denied any altercation between him and the team.
"My trip to the Eagles was great. There wasn't an altercation when I went. It was great. They were also like family. And me and (running backs coach Duce Staley) have a great relationship," Guice said.
Redskins head coach Jay Gruden also revealed that Guice told him he wasn't involved in a conflict with the Eagles.
"Yeah, we don't know anything about that, quite honestly. These reports that come out after the pick - unfortunately, we don't get access to every report on the player, so we'll wait and see and talk to Derrius, but he's assured us there was no altercation there at all," Gruden told reporters.
The coach added that he'd keep a close eye on Guice, but said he was impressed by the 20-year-old during the pre-draft process.
"I think when we're talking about pre-draft visits, what we're trying to accomplish here is how they can learn the game and how he would fit with our football team. Get to know him as a kid, number one. See how he can learn, number two. We feel confident that he can learn our stuff. We'll keep a close eye on him like we do with all our players, without a doubt. He's a young kid, but he's a physical runner and I think he's a very good football player, and at the end of the day, it's our job to surround him with good people. We have great leaders in place here. I think he'll fit right in."
NFL Network's Mike Mayock provided more insight during the broadcast into Guice's slide.
"He's a first-round talent,” Mayock said of Guice. "He had several issues getting to different buildings and meeting with teams. He missed some flights. They didn't like his attitude. The NFL investigated and cleared him. He fired his agent. It was a tumultuous offseason for this young man. He did not put his best foot forward. Now today I've had several text messages from general managers telling me there's another investigation out there that could be potentially highly embarrassing to the kid and maybe to the team that selects him. That's why he's sliding now."
Guice could become the Redskins' starting running back, but there will certainly be further scrutiny upon him as his rookie season begins in earnest.