🏈 McElroy's promise

[joeman546]

http://blog.al.com/solomon/2009/10/alabama-south_carolina_recap_g.html

OK, it's not exactly Tim Tebow's promise after losing to Ole Miss last year. For that matter, Greg McElroy is glad it doesn't have to issue a promise quite that because Alabama is still undefeated. But it hasn't been pretty in the passing game the past two games.
So if McElroy turns it around in a national championship season, Alabama fans may remember these words from their quarterback:

"I haven't been playing real confidently. I haven't been stepping into my throws like I had been in weeks past. But we'll get it figured out. I promise. I promised my fans and promised the coaches and promised to the players that I will get it figured out and we will get it straightened out. .... I don't care if I spend every second and sleep in the football complex. I will do that to figure this thing out. I have all the confidence in the world in myself and my teammates that we can come back and dominate opponents, just like we did against Arkansas and against other teams."
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Alabama got spoiled by McElroy's fast start this season. That's not to say he can't return to that level. But the past two games have been a reminder that McElroy is still a first-year starter in the SEC seeing all kinds of looks he hasn't seen before.

"Obviously, this is my first time being in the woods, guys," McElroy said. "This is my first time in the SEC and I'm going to have some ups and downs, and I knew that coming in. This is new territory for me. I've never really struggled in the past."
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In the past two games, McElroy has been a 46 percent passer with no touchdowns and 119.5 passing yards per game and four turnovers. McElroy started the first five games of the season by completing 66 percent of his throws for 217.2 yards per game and nine touchdowns and one interception.

"I think everything is about timing and confidence and reading the defense and throwing the ball to the right place, which has been his strength," Alabama coach Nick Saban said. "In the last two games he just hasn't had that same confidence in terms of where to go with the ball and what to do with it. We definitely need to get that back because he's too good a player and he's certainly capable. We just need to do a better job getting him prepared to take it to the field so he has the confidence."
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I am glad our QB has been humbled by his poor performance these last few games. Its coming at a convenient time, when it isn't costing us games. We have seen McElroy put this team on his shoulders when nothing was working, and lead the team to impressive victories.

None of us should forget that we know what he is capable of doing.​

This is similar to a hotshot rookie in baseball, he comes in and blows everyone away, but then after a few weeks the defense makes an adjustment and the rookie slumps. Its up to the rookie to make an adjustment to that. Unfortunately, not all rookies are willing to compromise and make the adjustment to make themselves a better player.​

McElroy is a levelheaded guy, and I haven't left the bandwagon on him as a great one. He is going to carry this team again sometime in the future when he works out of this.​

 

[Victory]

Thank you for posting this......After last night, I needed to read it for myself.

 

[4th-and-1]

i think gmac just needs to let his hair down..

 

[BamaFan425]

This just gave me chills. McElroy is a true leader. He has bought into the system Saban is selling. I love it! You got my support GMac!

 

[UAgrad93]

Being a QB is alot like being the cleanup hitter on the diamond, when your on fire, the speed of the game slows down and you can't miss, while when you start cold or your timing is off, then you look pretty dazed. Greg is a true leader and he realizes that he is in a funk and he will work his way out of it.

 

[ElephantStomp]

I'm sorry that I was so critical of Greg after yesterday's game. After reading that I now know just what kind of a person we have as our starting QB. I now have all the confidence in the world as to where he can takes us.

Thank you for posting that!

Cory

 

[planomateo]

I'm not bashing him... just saying, talk is cheap, I wanna see some actions against Tennessee - I want to see him have a breakout game.

 

[Mosby]

He is obviously a true leader and an asset to this team. I think he pulls out of his two game slump next week. :elephant:

 

[BelieveInUA]

In TOTAL Agreement.

I can't agree with your more, joeman. We are a family. We are a team, We are BAMA!!! Just like the first half of the Virginia Tech game, Greg was mechanical but you could see the wheels turning. 2nd half? He went from mechanical to flow... we ALL do it in EVERY aspect of life when learning skill and art! He WILL be back into the "flow" again whenever all the data he needs has come in. Greg WILL have that needed confidence without arrogance which is the sign of a great leader. We're in the "2nd half" of the season... Forget the stats! Forget the propaganda!!! My advice to Greg is Get back into "loving it" without the pressure of HAVING to perform. Everything else will come. Trust in your training and DARE the opponent to give your their "best shot"... then you can flow!!! You DEFINITELY can hang! We see it in you... See it in yourself! You've got one of the greatest offensive and defensive lines right there with you... go have fun man!!! Go have fun...:a:

http://blog.al.com/solomon/2009/10/alabama-south_carolina_recap_g.html
I am glad our QB has been humbled by his poor performance these last few games. Its coming at a convenient time, when it isn't costing us games. We have seen McElroy put this team on his shoulders when nothing was working, and lead the team to impressive victories.

None of us should forget that we know what he is capable of doing.​

This is similar to a hotshot rookie in baseball, he comes in and blows everyone away, but then after a few weeks the defense makes an adjustment and the rookie slumps. Its up to the rookie to make an adjustment to that. Unfortunately, not all rookies are willing to compromise and make the adjustment to make themselves a better player.​

McElroy is a levelheaded guy, and I haven't left the bandwagon on him as a great one. He is going to carry this team again sometime in the future when he works out of this.​

 

[BAMA JAMMA]

Yup GMAC continues to impress me. I for one am glad he is our starting QB!

 

[Southern Bama]

His recent play has not been impressive...but is attitude and his sense of wanting to get things right is very professional.....not to mention it takes some guts to give a public statement like that. Hey....its not like hes a first time starter for an SEC powerhouse and going out to play infront of 98,000 people or anything....:shock: Hopefully he will pull through this and get on track again...:a:

 

[psychojoe]

He needs to get his confidence back. He will once again be facing a team with very good defensive tallent and a terrific defensive coordinator. I don't want him to feel like he has to take this team on his back now. That kind of thinking could get us beat. Just get back to being the Greg that takes what is there in the passing game.

 

[Swamptick]

I'm not bashing him... just saying, talk is cheap, I wanna see some actions against Tennessee - I want to see him have a breakout game.

I don't think breakout is the right term. He has had some really impressive games. Breakout is a term reserved for someone who has yet to do something great.

I hope we do see him have another great game against UT.

 

[bama29fan]

after his recent performance (wether his fault or not) ther were a few times Saturday night when i thought to myself that we needed to try something (someone) different at QB.

But then i thought of who we would put in there and remebered that like it or not Greg gives us our best chance at winning. he is a pretty good QB, had some good games agains some inferior oppopnents and has struggled since hitting the SEC schedule. once he gets comfortable with seeing the field with a better defense in his face he will be just fine.

While typing that it made me think of something else....doesn't he face the best defense everday in practice?

 

[bamanaf]

admitting his flaws & owning up to his lack of performance is half the battle, hopefully we'll witness his words put into action during the next game time. The talent is definitely there guys, just needs to settle down.