McElroy solid in role as backup

TUSCALAOOSA | You see him, and the difference is striking. Is this really the skinny freckle-faced kid who was recruited out of Southlake, Texas, in 2006?

You talk to him, and his poise is impressive. The word 'I' almost never comes out of his mouth, and everything is about the team or teammates and what they want to accomplish.

You hear him, and wonder if sophomore Greg McElroy might run a company when his football career concludes, although that may not be for a while.

For the immediate future, he is the University of Alabama's 'Plan B' in case should something happen to senior quarterback John Parker Wilson this season.

'Real, real smart,' senior center Antoine Caldwell said. 'Real smart. He kind of sees a lot of plays even before they happen. He's big for J.P. I see he and John Parker talking together a lot ,and they talk a lot about things McElroy sees. He's been great for J.P. and he's been good for us.

'Especially for a backup quarterback, you don't see that often. You kind of see guys who have egos, but he's a great team guy and that's what we need. He's definitely one of the leaders on this team, and one of the hardest working guys.'

Although for the first time in years the Crimson Tide has a full compliment of quarterbacks on the roster, there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of jockeying for position at the top of the eventual depth chart. Wilson is the third-year starter and McElroy is still well ahead of the others, including sophomore Nick Fanuzzi, true freshman Star Jackson and redshirt freshman walk-on Thomas Darrah.

Next year that could change, but in the meantime there are no plans for Alabama to unleash its Big Mac attack (with offensive coordinator Jim McElwain, McElroy and junior receiver Mike McCoy).

'Quite frankly, that's not really up for any discussion. As far as players are concerned, it's up to the coaches,' McElroy said. 'I know I'm going to go out there and work every day toward our team goal in '08.

'Quite frankly, a year down the road seems like too much time to think ahead. I just want to make my best impression and help the team the best way I can.'

For now, that means helping Wilson while working to improve his own personal game. While that included extra focus on both his footwork and decision making over the spring and summer, McElroy also hit the weight room and got up to 228 pounds (up from 212 when he first reported in 2006), which shows.

However, the intangibles appear to be already there.

He's in control in the huddle, scores well in the classroom and is diplomatic to the media. Already among his mainstay words is 'opportunity,' and McElroy frequently gives credit to teammates when things go right, like with 'guys are making plays for me.'

'There's a lot of room for improvement,' he said. 'There are a lot of opportunities to go around, and as quarterbacks we want to make the most of them.'

For his collegiate career, McElroy has attempted just nine passes, with eight completions, for 73 yards and one touchdown. The plan was to get him on the field more last season, but with the Tide playing down to a number of opponents he was one of a number of backups who lost out on valuable game experience.

Coaches hope that won't be the case this season, but feel both quarterbacks have a good grasp of the offense, which hardly changed despite the addition of McElwain.

'We're going to throw to the open guy, whether it's a running back or a wide receiver or a lineman down field. Who knows?' McElroy said. 'We're going to give the ball to the guy with no defense around.'

'We just have to get more consistent,' Wilson said.

Saturday, in the Tide's final fall scrimmage, neither quarterback had an interception. Wilson was 14-for-25 for 255 yards and two touchdowns, while McElroy completed 19 of 38 passes for 198 yards.

That maybe the only time this year that McElroy attempts more passes than Wilson.

'Everyone has the mind-set of being ready to play,' he said.

Reach Christopher Walsh at christopher.walsh@tuscaloosanews.com or 205-722-0196.