Scarbinsky: First start a good start for new Alabama QB

Bob Sims | By Bob Sims | The Birmingham News
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on April 19, 2009 at 1:00 AM, updated April 19, 2009 at 1:22 AM

Crimson team quarterback Greg McElroy (12) brings down white team LB Dont'a Hightower (30) after he intercepted a pass thrown by McElroy in the first half.

TUSCALOOSA -- The first read was the tight end underneath, but the tight end was covered, so Greg McElroy waited.


The third read was the split end on a back-side streak, and the split end was Julio Jones, so McElroy didn't hesitate.


It's no surprise that McElroy took his time on that play, on the second snap of his second possession of Saturday's A-Day Game, and made the play.

He's one of the most patient football players in America.

If good things come to he who waits, good things are waiting for this quarterback and this team come the fall.

Has anyone, in high school or college, worked harder and waited longer to become the starting quarterback than McElroy?

''You can't be given that position," he said. ''You have to work for it and earn it."

At Southlake Carroll High School in Texas, he waited patiently and productively behind Chase Daniel. McElroy waited until his senior year, until Daniel was off to college at Missouri, to become the starter.

McElroy started just one year, but it was a big year. He set the Texas state record with 56 touchdown passes. He led his team to its third state title in four years and to a mythical high school national championship.

McElroy came to Alabama in 2006 and got in line again, this time behind Wilson. It wasn't a long line, but it was another long wait.

It's not true that the last time a quarterback other than Wilson started a game for Alabama, Legion Field was the largest stadium in the state. And football players wore leather helmets. And dinosaurs roamed the earth.

It just feels that way.

Imagine how it feels for McElroy.

It wasn't until Wilson exhausted his eligibility that McElroy was able to seize the opportunity.

Seize it, he has.

He didn't have big numbers Saturday - 16-of-30 for 189 yards, with two TD passes and two interceptions - but made big plays. It was obvious that the only real quarterback competition here is between Star Jackson and Thomas Darrah for the back-up role, ''Everybody knows" McElroy is the starter, coach Nick Saban said.

''He's far and away our best quarterback right now. He knows somebody's gotta beat him out. You know that. I know that."

There are some other things you should know about McElroy. He doesn't just think fast, as he did on the 52-yard TD pass to Jones.

He also talks fast, like he has a lot of things to say and very little time to say them, like he's been held hostage for years and the gag just came off and his mouth is trying to make up for lost time.

Listen to him talk about having two more years to be the Alabama quarterback.

''Feels like a lifetime," he said. ''Feels like an eternity, knowing I have a lot of time left and a lot of things left to prove and yet to accomplish. I'm really looking forward to the opportunity to play for the next two years."

McElroy is a fast learner, too. He's only been at Alabama for three years, but he's on track to graduate in August, so while he plays his first season as the starting quarterback, he'll also be working toward his MBA.

Should be quite an education on both fronts.

If A-Day is any indication, if his line holds up and his backs come back healthy, don't be surprised if he passes every test.