jonanthans
LES f**g MILES
We all have heard the arguments for and against Gabbert, Newton, Locker and Mallett. Some people believe there is a franchise Qb in that group, others don't want any of them.
I have been looking at some of the lesser known Qbs in this years draft, and one guy that keeps intriguing me is Greg McElroy, from Alabama. Watching tape of him, he reminds me of Chad Pennington in a lot of ways.
He is bigger than what I originally thought he was, at 6'3 and 225 lbs. He does not have the rocket arm but can make most of the throws on the field. He is a field general, has the attitude and confidence it takes to lead a team. He is tough, playing behind a patchwork O-Line this year that gave up 30 sacks this year and 18 sacks in 2009. He has awareness in the pocket but is not a real running threat Qb, usually stepping up or to the side while keeping his eyes down the field.
He goes through his progressions well, doesn't lock onto receivers, and reads defenses well. He was given the authority to call audibles by Saban after only his second career start as the 'Bama Qb.
He throws with touch, Julio Jones stated he throws the most "catchable" passes of anyone he has ever seen. He is smart with the ball, hangs in the pocket and doesn't force passes. He completed over 70% of his passes this season, had almost 3,000 yards passing, 20 TDs and only 5 interceptions while playing against the best defenses in college football week in and week out.
He is an extremely intelligent person as well, ranked the #20th smartest athletes on the Sporting News report that includes ALL athletes, college and pro combined. He is a Rhodes Scholar nominee and on the SEC Academic Honor Roll 4 years, as well as the Deans list and the Presidents list. He was also the 2010 Playboys Anson Mount award winner this year, as the Top Scholar-Athlete in the nation.
Researching through everything on him, the average arm strength is the only knock I can find on the guy. Everything else he does really well. To me, he is a Chad Pennington clone. And with no one noticing him so far, he may end up being a steal in the 5th/6th round of the draft.
edit to add: His Dad is a Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing with the Dallas Cowboys, so Sparano likely has more familiarity with him than most HC.
thanks to jnewmant for the heads-up on that!
I have been looking at some of the lesser known Qbs in this years draft, and one guy that keeps intriguing me is Greg McElroy, from Alabama. Watching tape of him, he reminds me of Chad Pennington in a lot of ways.
He is bigger than what I originally thought he was, at 6'3 and 225 lbs. He does not have the rocket arm but can make most of the throws on the field. He is a field general, has the attitude and confidence it takes to lead a team. He is tough, playing behind a patchwork O-Line this year that gave up 30 sacks this year and 18 sacks in 2009. He has awareness in the pocket but is not a real running threat Qb, usually stepping up or to the side while keeping his eyes down the field.
He goes through his progressions well, doesn't lock onto receivers, and reads defenses well. He was given the authority to call audibles by Saban after only his second career start as the 'Bama Qb.
He throws with touch, Julio Jones stated he throws the most "catchable" passes of anyone he has ever seen. He is smart with the ball, hangs in the pocket and doesn't force passes. He completed over 70% of his passes this season, had almost 3,000 yards passing, 20 TDs and only 5 interceptions while playing against the best defenses in college football week in and week out.
He is an extremely intelligent person as well, ranked the #20th smartest athletes on the Sporting News report that includes ALL athletes, college and pro combined. He is a Rhodes Scholar nominee and on the SEC Academic Honor Roll 4 years, as well as the Deans list and the Presidents list. He was also the 2010 Playboys Anson Mount award winner this year, as the Top Scholar-Athlete in the nation.
Researching through everything on him, the average arm strength is the only knock I can find on the guy. Everything else he does really well. To me, he is a Chad Pennington clone. And with no one noticing him so far, he may end up being a steal in the 5th/6th round of the draft.
edit to add: His Dad is a Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing with the Dallas Cowboys, so Sparano likely has more familiarity with him than most HC.
thanks to jnewmant for the heads-up on that!
