Archives > Southlake Times > Sports
Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
RSS
Share
Alabama QB McElroy waiting in the wings
Richard C. White , Special to the Times
As the backup quarterback for the Alabama Crimson Tide, Carroll graduate Greg McElroy knows it’s only a matter of time until he’s the starter for arguably college football’s most storied program and its unprecedented 12 national championships.
“It’s going to bring a newfound pressure to my game,” McElroy said. “It’s going to be tough at first, and obviously I’m going to have some butterflies the first time I start warming up to go into the game. I think about that moment every time I’m working out. That’s what gets me through. I’m just thinking about that first time I go onto that field with that crimson jersey on and the crimson helmet with my number on the side. It’ll be a special feeling.”
“I’ll be preparing every week like I’m the starter. I’m just one play away, and if something were to happen to John Parker then the next play is mine and this team is mine all of a sudden,” he said. “With Wilson and myself, I think we’re comparable in our abilities.”
McElroy says the only difference between him and Wilson are the two extra seasons of experience Wilson has. Freshman offensive lineman Taylor Pharr agrees that it’s merely a matter of experience and not athletic ability that has McElroy supporting Wilson and not the other way around.
“Greg’s learning and he’s doing real well. He knows the plays just as well, if not better, than John Parker, but it’s just an experience factor,” Pharr said. “If Greg were to come into a game right now, if John Parker went down on day one, we wouldn’t miss a beat as an offense with him coming in and playing.”
After red-shirting his freshman season in 2006, McElroy didn’t hesitate to show new head coach Nick Saban why he should entrust him with the backup position during spring workouts.
“After going through the spring, I think coach Saban gained more and more confidence in me, and he solidified my spot as the backup quarterback,” he said. “It’s a pretty neat deal because as a freshman, I’m the number two quarterback on the University of Alabama football team. And I’m not going to lie, it’s an awfully popular position on campus because people tend to shy away from the starter a little because as soon as he does something bad, it seems like everyone jumps on the backup’s bandwagon, so it’s kind of a unique deal.”
Although he is the backup, McElroy doesn’t expect to be sitting on the sidelines all season.
“I expect to earn a significant amount of playing time,” he said. “There are a lot of opportunities for me to see the field, and coach Saban has talked to me, and he wants me to prepare throughout the summer like I’m the starter.”
Despite the immense popularity he’s receiving, McElroy is not letting the glory of his new position as Wilson’s heir apparent go to his head. Rather than bask in the glow of his growing fame, he’s accepted a measured and practical understanding of his new reputation around campus.
“Sometimes you get treated a little differently because you’re an athlete, and I hope that’s not the case. I hope people like me for me and not just because of my status on the football team,” he said. “It’s a double-edged sword. It feels good to be respected and well-liked. That’s a good feeling for any player, and when that’s the way you’re treated around campus, it’s great. But at the same time, as soon as you make a mistake on the field, you don’t want all those people turning on you, and that tends to be kind of the trend when it happens, especially out here with football being as serious and as important as it is.”
McElroy’s teammates respect his character and the many leadership qualities he displays off the football field, traits they say will help him when he does become the starter.
“If I’m having a situation or something, Greg will always come in and tell me what he thinks and what will be in my best interest,” Pharr said. “You watch how he lives his life and helps the people around him and you want to live like that because that’s the right way to be.”
McElroy, along with the rest of his teammates, are excited about this upcoming season. Despite playing in what is commonly seen as the toughest conference in the nation in the SEC, coupled with a disappointing 6-7 record in 2006, Alabama has nothing but the highest possible expectations for 2007. It all stems from the program’s hiring of national championship head coach Saban.
“My immediate reaction was that now we got the leader we need, now we got the guy who will pull it all together,” McElroy said. “With him comes championships and a lot of wins.”
Saban made the biggest splash of the college football off-season with his decision to join the Crimson Tide after being released from his contract with the Miami Dolphins. With many names having been considered as Mike Shula’s replacement, McElroy will never forget the day he heard the news Saban had joined the team.
“The ultimate person we all wanted was Saban,” he said. “All of us on the team saw it as kind of a pipe dream. It just didn’t seem possible. I still remember the day. I was at home during Christmas break and my mom woke me up and she said, ‘You won’t believe what’s going on right now. The Dolphins are about to hold a press conference announcing that coach Saban will be leaving for the Crimson Tide.’ I jumped out of bed and my mom and I were glued to the television set.”
McElroy says the reaction in Tuscaloosa has been nothing short of epic. Alabama made national headlines when nearly 100,000 fans showed up to watch McElroy and his teammates play in their annual spring game in April. In truth, the hysteria began even before Saban stepped foot in Alabama.
“Now that he’s here, he’s idolized,” McElroy said. “They had 10,000 people waving at the airport for him, and they had parades and all kinds of stuff for him.”
Winning the 5A State Championship and the 5A Offensive Player of the Year honors with the Carroll Dragons in 2005, McElroy knows what it takes to win. His proven history as a winner is another reason why his teammates believe he’ll fit right in when it’s his turn to lead the team on breezy, crisp Saturdays one upcoming autumn.
“I think it’s great that he came from that type of prestigious high school because you get a guy like Greg who works hard and knows how to win and what it takes to get there,” Pharr said. “If he just keeps working and continuing, Greg’s going to make a real name for himself here.”
With Saban as the head coach, McElroy believes it’s only a matter of time before he and his teammates restore glory to a football program as rich in history as Alabama.
“The way we’re working right now and the athletes we’re recruiting and the pieces we already have in place, there’s no reason why we can’t win a national championship before I leave this place.”
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
Billy wrote on Jul 25, 2007 4:05 PM:
" Roll Tide, Greg. Looking forward to seeing you play alot in '07. "
Bamaflash wrote on Jul 25, 2007 4:13 PM:
" RTR! Greg! Can't wait to see Ring #13 on your finger man.
Keep working hard! "
Jim Smith wrote on Jul 25, 2007 7:22 PM:
" Exceptional article, well written with excellent content. Job well done Thanks, Jim "
Jim C. wrote on Jul 25, 2007 8:49 PM:
" I have been a Bama fan since 1957 when Coach Bryant returned, and I have enjoyed watching the players immensly. Greg was outstanding in the A Day Game. He is going to be a great QB for the Tide. My daughter is a Sophomore at UA and she said that Greg is a well like student and has great character. I know his home town and his family are proud of him. You should be. We are proud to have him wearing the Crimson jersey. Roll Tide!!! "
You must register with a valid email to post comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here:
Become a Registered User
- Return to: Sports «
- Home «
- Top of Page ^
