Alabama's A.J. McCarron Confident in Himself and Future of Alabama Championships

Larry Burton (Syndicated Writer) If A.J. McCarron has any apprehension over the upcoming season, it's just about missing his good friend Greg McElroy, not in whether he'll win the starting job or if Alabama will get back to the BCS Championship Game.

When I interviewed him quickly after the Capital One Bowl Game, I couldn't help but ask if he would have his hands full this spring. What I meant was with red shirt Phillip Sims pushing him for the starting job.

But that was not how A.J. took it and the only thing he thought it could have meant is that he would have his hands full being the new starter and having his timing down with the receivers.

I know A.J. well enough now to know that this is not a slight on Sims at all. Previously, McCarron has said how lucky Alabama is to have a player with Sims' capabilities and athleticism. And off camera he told me that he's looking forward to being the kind of mentor to the other quarterbacks that Greg McElory was to him.

In the video clip that follows, you can see both a respectful and confident A.J. At the end of the interview you will see just a little emotion over life without his good friend and mentor, Greg McElroy.

It's clear from the interview he gave me that he not only considers himself the new leader on offense, but the mentor to the receivers as well. There was no question or doubt in his mind that the receivers were going to stay this summer and work out with him on routes and so forth.

In fact, an offensive lineman I spoke to about having a new starting quarterback next year said, "We all have confidence in A.J. and aren't worried at all him stepping in." And then he said that maybe he shouldn't be predicting who the quarterback will be and could I not quote him by name on that?

So I'll honor his anonymity on that one as I understand it completely.

And it's not that A.J. is just confident in himself, but if you listen closely, you'll see him say that he thinks next year could be the best year yet.

Certainly a solid offensive line will help and an almost returning defense to boot could certainly make A.J.'s claim seem less boastful and more reasonable.