Greg McElroy's comments about playing for Alabama

[Capstone46]

"Players Have Homework for Spring Break"

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20090315/NEWS/903152955&tc=email_newsletter

Note Greg McElroy's attitude towards playing for Alabama. He may not earn the starter's job but I knew this kid was a winner the first time I met him and his family. Very impressive.


The bottom line is that even on spring break, football is never far away for UA players.
“A lot of guys are looking forward to spring break, but we understand this comes first,” McElroy said. “We signed up to play here, and this is the sacrifice we like to make.
“Fortunately for us we get to put on a helmet and play football for Alabama, so it’s worth the sacrifices.”

 

[kayakerjess]

That looks like a cast on Kareem's left wrist. I don't remember seeing his name listed as having off-season surgery? :conf2:

 

[mlh]

Three years ago we had players showing up for the start of fall practice overweight and out of shape. Now they're talking about where and how often they're going to workout during spring break. I love it.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

How can you not pull for this kid to get the starting job? My goodness look at the leadership skills and the will to win. This kid has the kind of attitude champions are made of. I know he doesn't have the Peyton Manning type arm but I guarantee you he won't step on the field unprepared.

 

[swoop10]

That looks like a cast on Kareem's left wrist. I don't remember seeing his name listed as having off-season surgery? :conf2:

Per BOL he had surgery and will wear the cast all spring. They didn't really say what the problem was, wrist or hand. The closest thing they said was that he had a cast on his hand.

 

[wastedmason]

I certainly won't be upset if Greg wins the starting QB spot. He most likely will do it too. I would like to see Star play more than Greg did last season though. We need both guys ready for 2010, for our national championship run.

Then Star and AJ will take up where they leave off for the 2011 NC. That will probably be the last NC for anyone because the world will come to an end before the New Years and NC game in 2013.

At least that is what I seen on the History channel, that in December 2012 its predicted to happen by just about every ancient civilization's calendar. Of course if it don't a three peat will be even funner!!')

 

[BurnTheBarnDown]

How can you not pull for this kid to get the starting job? My goodness look at the leadership skills and the will to win. This kid has the kind of attitude champions are made of. I know he doesn't have the Peyton Manning type arm but I guarantee you he won't step on the field unprepared.

I want whatever is best for Alabama football, whether that be Greg McElroy, Star Jackson, or one of the other QBs on the team. That being said, I am with you 100%. I will be cheering for McElroy to win the starting job. Nobody knows just how well he will do, but there is just something about him that gets me excited to see what he can do on the field.:BigA:

 

[bayoutider]

McElroy: Sat behind Chase Daniel (National HS Player of the Year) at Carrol HS for two years and only started at QB his senior year. He racked up 321 completions on 450 attempts for 4,687 yards passing, 700 yards rushing, and 68 TDs (12 of them running) against 9 INTs (holds Texas HS record for TDs). MVP of the Texas 5A Championship Game with 21 of 31 passing for 328 yards and 4 TDs.

Star Jackson: 3,000 yards passing and 32 TDs for his three year career. His senior stats were 97 completions on 180 attempts for 1,677 yards and 13 TDs. Rushed for over 750 yds and was named All County.

I'm sure a lot of this is the spread offense that Carrol HS runs but 68 TDs and over 5,000 yards of offense, McElroy could be something special. Plus he is on the Dean's List.

 

[buzzincuzzin]

This is a future coach. A good one. I look for him to have a very good year.

 

[derek4tide]

Already a leader on and off of the field. I'm even more impressed with him after reading that - thx for posting.:BigA:

 

[BigAl5833]

Sounds like all the players are going to do what they need to do this spring. If a few key positions get filled in nicely this could be another special team.

 

[crimson_blood]

I'm becoming a big fan of this kid and his attitude...I'm behind him 100% as our starting QB. He'll take his lumps and make some mistakes because of his inexperience...but I think he's going to be very productive.

I think Star's going to be a whale of a QB too, but I don't think he's anywhere close to G-Mac mentally and maturity-wise right now.

 

[bayoutider]

I think the real battle might be between Jackson and Darrah to see who the #1 backup might be. The starting job is McElroy's to lose and McCarron is almost a certainty to redshirt. I believe we will be good at QB this season, very good next season and the sky is the limit after that.

 

[G-VilleTider]

That looks like a cast on Kareem's left wrist. I don't remember seeing his name listed as having off-season surgery? :conf2:

He did, but he has already been cleared for full contact. Not sure how long he will need the cast though.

 

[M2J]

I can't wait to see how this QB battle plays out. I just want the best guy for the job in there. If he's got the talent I'd love to see GM be able to lead this team, but I really want to see Stars talent level on the field as long as he's mature enough to not try and be a superhuman and takes what the defense gives.

They both seem to be good kids, they've both basically been under this offense of coach Mac's the same amount of time (though GM did get last spring too). And I think both guys could handle the simplified version of this offense like JP, so I don't really have too much worry about how we'll perform next season at the QB position (at least not now that I have a blind eye ). But I can't help but think that if GM was the next Chase Daniels he'd have taken over for JP in 07 or last year considering the word was he may have known the offense even better than JP, that plus what I've seen of him on the field makes me feel like his ceiling is a slightly better JPW (and that is in no way shape or form a bad thing). I would like to see the more talented player on the field and try to get a playmaker at the position, and one thing that I'm excited about with Star is his legs give us another weapon and has the stronger arm. It'll come down to decision making for him. But again, considering what coach Mac did with JP last year I don't doubt he could even help a youngster play at least safely in his system.

 

[Alasippi]

I believe Mcelroy will be second team All-SEC next year behind Tebow.

I think he's going to surprise everybody with his ability to read defenses, find and hit the open receiver.

 

[buzzincuzzin]

Darrah is the one with the arm.

 

[BAMAFEVER50]

how can you not pull for this kid to get the starting job? My goodness look at the leadership skills and the will to win. This kid has the kind of attitude champions are made of. I know he doesn't have the peyton manning type arm but i guarantee you he won't step on the field unprepared.

could not have put it any better bamab, there is something to this kid and i can't wait to see it on the field. Humility is a rare trait in any athlete these days. Go get em' greg, it's your time to shine!

 

[BAMAFEVER50]

that will probably be the last nc for anyone because the world will come to an end before the new years and nc game in 2013.

At least that is what i seen on the history channel, that in december 2012 its predicted to happen by just about every ancient civilization's calendar. Of course if it don't a three peat will be even funner!!')

now thats funny, maybe the mayan calender has a soft spot for tide football..........good post.

 

[bayoutider]

Darrah is the one with the arm.

Darrah is going to try to win the starting job, he has been training with some pro players in the off season. Darrah isn't chopped liver, the competition will be fierce.