Alabama's Greg McElroy: Why the Senior Bowl Is So Important To Him

Larry Burton (Syndicated Writer) Greg McElroy is a great young man. In interviews, he's polite, humble and team-focused.

Yes, he ran the Nick Saban system to perfection and won a national championship in his first year as a starter, and yes, he was a Johnny Unitas Award candidate and a Rhodes Scholar finalist.

So why is no one talking about the fact that he's a darn good quarterback and would be a jewel for some team to snag in the upcoming NFL draft?

The Saban System

Nothing hurts a quarterback more than being labeled a system quarterback and that moniker hangs onto McElroy's name like an anvil.

But is that a bad thing? Yes, Saban plays a run-oriented offense with mostly safe throws, but that doesn't mean McElroy is not capable of running a wide-open, pro-style passing offense.

He had a role handed to him and he played it. That is not a bad thing.

Lining Him Up in Big Games Against Big Names

Well, against Tim Tebow, he out-threw Tebow and even beat him at his own game rushing by hopping on one leg down the sideline for a critical first down.

Simply put, he made Tebow look like the second-string QB.

Ryan Mallett Wishes He Had McElroy's Performance:

In the first of two meetings, Arkansas stacked the line and dared McElroy to win the game in a duel with Mallett. Point, game, McElroy. Over 300 yards later he made Mallet look like a clueless QB while McElroy put on a Heisman worthy performance.

In the second game, Mallett threw three picks and McElroy mostly won on timely first downs and managing the game in a close win for McElroy.

He Outplayed This Year's Heisman Winner

Auburn may have won the game, but McElroy clearly showed who the best passer was on that day by passing for 377 yards to Cam Newton's 216.

Toughness Colt McCoy Wished He Had

In the national championship game, Colt McCoy was knocked out with the first hit and never returned because of a numb arm.

Meanwhile, McElroy played the entire game with broken ribs in that big win.

Looking at the Big Picture

Turnovers? Greg is known for not having many. He is very low in interception percentage, and he isn't a fumbler when sacked.

Deep Ball? Greg McElroy led the nation in completion percentage of balls over 40 yards thrown downfield.

Game Smarts? His high winning percentage attests to the fact that he can adjust to what the defense will give him and exploit it.

Plus, the guy's a darn Rhodes Scholar, so it's not just game smarts here; it's total smarts.

Leadership? I've interviewed almost every major player on the Alabama team and all attest to the fact that Greg McElroy is their undisputed leader.

Heir apparent A.J. McCarron told me after the Capital One Bowl Game that not only was Greg a great leader, but the best mentor he could have possibly had.

Arm Strength? Ok, he may not have the cannon that many possess. Neither did Joe Montana. It's all about accuracy, timing and finding the right guy with McElroy. That's something most coaches desire over arm strength.

The Importance of the Senior Bowl

The Senior Bowl may not break a reputation. If it did, Tim Tebow would never have been drafted. At the Senior Bowl last year, Tebow had a horrible day.

But it does make a lasting impression on many of the scouts, and as the old saying goes, you only have to impress one team to make it in the NFL.

Greg needs to showcase that he can do the same things with different players that he did with his own team at Alabama and do it against an All-Star defense as well.

A good day at the Senior Bowl will bolster his draft status immensely, but still won't get him up to the point he deserves.

The sad thing is that he shouldn't have to have that killer day to have a lofty draft status.

Why?

Greg McElroy is a Winner

Coach Bear Bryant said it best, "I ain't nothin' but a winner." McElroy could say that too, but he's a bit too humble.

Other quarterbacks have been described by their coaches by saying, "He doesn't scramble well, his arm strength leaves much to be desired, and he may throw the occasional pick. In fact, the only thing he does right is win."

I wouldn't put Greg McElroy in that category, because does many things well, but he is a winner, and in the end, is there anything more you want of your quarterback?

In his first year at the Manning Passing Academy, after McElroy dazzled the onlookers and won many of the contests against the best of the best, one scout commented, "This is a guy under most people's radar for great quarterbacks, but he'd be my first pick out of this bunch."

For McElroy's sake, I hope that scout is still employed and has a voice in the upcoming draft.

I have no doubt that one day Greg McElroy will either be a top coach or an NFL general manager. He has the brains for that.

But let's enjoy his skills as a quarterback just a little while longer. He deserves that and as fans, so do we.