Does Alabama have a future stud QB on its hands?

Fri May 18, 2012 12:00pm
By the National Football Post

The Breakdown

QB AJ McCarron: Alabama (6-4, 210)

What I like…

McCarron ICONMcCarron will stand tall in the pocket.

- Has the pedigree of being a former big time recruit, but has not been babied during his time at Alabama.
- Showcased the ability to play early in the SEC, winning a National Championship as a sophomore.
- Is willing to be grinded on day in and day out by an NFL caliber coaching staff.
- Can take critical feedback.
- Possesses good size for the position and the ball comes out over his ear.
- Holds the football at his chest plate in his drop and doesn’t have a ton of wasted motion in his delivery.
- Possesses solid arm strength, isn’t going the throw the football through a wall, but possesses more than enough arm to make all the throws.
- Showcases above-average touch on all levels of the field.
- Is comfortable taking a bit off throws in the underneath pass game and exhibits “plus” ball placement both inside and outside the numbers allowing his target to run through the pass.
- Showcases the ability to find secondary receivers across the field when going through his progressions.
- Routinely understands where his secondary/ “hot” read will be underneath.
- Works well off play action, snaps his head around quickly and exhibits “plus” touch down the field when asked to drop the ball into tight ears.
- Isn’t afraid to throw the football into coverage, exhibits enough ball placement to put throws where only his target can make a play.
- Balances himself well in his drop from under center, keeps a wide base in his lower half and can transfer his weight well when the ball needs to come out on his back foot in the three and five step game.
- Uses his eyes well to manipulate defenses at times, looks off safeties and stays in balance when coming back across the field with a throw.
- When his feet are set showcases good accuracy and timing in the short/intermediate pass game.
- Has some sneaky athleticism to his game when asked to boot outside the pocket and throw on the move.
- Is a smart kid who has battled through adversity while playing vs. a high level of competition early in his college career. The best is still to come.

What I didn’t like…

- Still doesn’t look completely comfortable with what he sees in the pocket.
- Looks tentative at times to really cut the ball lose, plays not to make mistakes instead of trying to make a play.
- Has a tendency to hold onto the football too long in the pocket waiting for a receivers to uncover.
- Needs to improve his mental clock in the pocket and when the football needs to come out.
- Gets too narrow with his footwork at times and routinely is forced to take a step into throws, even on passes that don’t require it, causing his timing with the receiver to be a step late.
- Doesn’t generate a ton of torque off his back leg because of his upright base at times when standing in the pocket.
- Gets caught bouncing on his toes in the pocket and isn’t always set and ready to deliver the football.
- Will make up his mind pre-snap at times and force throws into coverage.
- Has yet to take that next step as a big time NFL prospect, but showed glimpses of it in the 2012 National Championship game.

The Breakdown…

A lot can be said about the fact that he’s already won a National Championship before his junior year all while handling the tough love of the Alabama coaching staff. Nevertheless, he’s battled the adversity well, showed significant improvement during the 2011 season and has the skill set to make all the throws with zip and accuracy in the NFL.

I still want to see him mature into a more poised pocket passer, trust what he sees and not be afraid to cut the football lose. However, that is something that should take place during the next season or two if he’s willing to put in the work.

And after all he’s faced during his first two years at Alabama, I can see McCarron maturing into a very solid NFL quarterback prospect, better than the likes of former Crimson Tide signal callers Brodie Croyle (3rd round) Greg McElroy (7th round) and John Parker Wilson (undrafted)

Check out the NFP Draft page here...

Follow @footballpost on Twitter for the latest news

Fantasy Football Player Notes RSS FeedPLAYER NOTES

Zach ErtzMay 24 11:42a

Philadelphia Eagles TE Zach Ertz, the team's second-round draft pick, is unable to participate in organized team activities because of NFL rules until he graduates from college at Stanford.

Tramon WilliamsMay 24 10:52a

Green Bay Packers CB Tramon Williams' (shoulder) nerve damage in his shoulder has drastically healed due to a workout regimen that includes yoga and jump ropes.

Joseph MorganMay 24 10:32a

New Orleans Saints WR Joe Morgan said he'll have to work on his intermediate route running to win the No. 3 receiver spot. Six of his 10 receptions last [ More ]

Greg HardyMay 24 09:22a

Carolina Panthers DE Greg Hardy dropped 15 pounds in the offseason hoping to improve his speed rush. Hardy broke out with 11 sacks in 2012 after having seven combined in his first two years.

Mike WilliamsMay 24 08:42a

Free-agent WR Mike X. Williams (Seahawks) is attempting another comeback after signing with the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL.

Pierre GarconMay 24 08:22a

Updating previous reports, Washington Redskins WR Pierre Garcon (shoulder, foot) underwent minor labrum surgery in January. He has recovered from the surgery and should be ready for training camp.

Danario AlexanderMay 24 01:15a

San Diego Chargers WR Danario Alexander looked fluid in making back-shoulder catches in practice Monday, May 20. He claims he's at full speed, a contrast to his injured May [ More ]

Joe McKnightMay 24 01:15a

New York Jets RB Chris Ivory impressed in practice Wednesday, May 22, and is lining up to be the feature back. Mike Goodson's legal troubles are jeopardizing his future [ More ]

Jared AllenMay 24 01:02a

Minnesota Vikings DE Jared Allen (knee, shoulder), who's a free agent after this year, has 'absolutely no idea' where he'll wind up in 2014. 'Best-case scenario would have been [ More ]

Robert MeachemMay 24 01:02a

If San Diego Chargers WR Robert Meachem has a strong preseason, the club could see if there's an active trade market for him. His $6.875 million cap number, however, [ More ]

B. MeriweatherMay 23 10:02p

Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan said he expects FS Brandon Meriweather (knee) to be a full participant once training camp begins.

Pierre GarconMay 23 09:52p

Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan said WR Pierre Garcon (foot) is about 90 percent recovered from his foot surgery and that he expects Davis to sit out until training camp.

Fred DavisMay 23 09:52p

Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan said TE Fred Davis (Achilles') is about 90 percent recovered from his Achilles' tendon injury and that he expects Davis to sit out until training camp.

London FletcherMay 23 09:52p

Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan said he told LB London Fletcher (elbow, ankle) that he could sit out the rest of the organized team activities, but Fletcher told [ More ]

Brian OrakpoMay 23 09:42p

Washington Redskins LB Brian Orakpo (pectoral) and DT Chris Neild (knee) were able to fully participate in organized team activities Thursday, May 23.

Quentin GrovesMay 23 09:22p

Cleveland Browns LB Jabaal Sheard said he believes he can be part of an impactful outside linebacker rotation with LB Barkevious Mingo, LB Paul Kruger and LB Quentin Groves [ More ]

Dion LewisMay 23 09:22p

Cleveland Browns special teams coordinator Chris Tabor said the team is giving CB Buster Skrine and S Johnson Bademosi reps as kick returners during organized team activities. Tabor said [ More ]

Sam BradfordMay 23 09:12p

St. Louis Rams QB Sam Bradford has been working on routes and throws with WRs Tavon Austin and Stedman Bailey during offseason workouts.

Matt JohnsonMay 23 08:52p

Dallas Cowboys FS Matt Johnson said he believes he suffered hamstring injuries last season because he was using too much weight while doing squats in the weight room and [ More ]

Roy MillerMay 23 08:42p

Jacksonville Jaguars DT Roy Miller (knee) was limited to individual drills during organized team activities Thursday, May 23, because of knee tendonitis.

Tony MoeakiMay 23 07:22p

Kansas City Chiefs TE Tony Moeaki (knee) is unlikely to be on the practice field until training camp in July. Moeaki has been watching from the sidelines during organized team activities this week.

DeSean JacksonMay 23 06:32p

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly confirmed that he prefers larger and taller players at most positions on his team, but he's in favor of protecting his smaller players [ More ]

Pierre GarconMay 23 04:32p

Washington Redskins WR Pierre Garcon (shoulder) underwent minor labrum surgery in January but has fully recovered. He was held out of team drills during organized team activities Thursday, May 23, as a precaution.

Greg RomeusMay 23 03:43p

The New Orleans Saints have waived DE Greg Romeus.

Scott ChandlerMay 23 03:43p

Buffalo Bills TE Scott Chandler (knee) has been running well at offseason workouts and believes he could be ready for the start of training camp. Chandler has started running [ More ]

Brian UrlacherMay 23 03:32p

Retired LB Brian Urlacher said the Dallas Cowboys were one of the team's that intrigued him if he were to have signed with another team other than the Chicago [ More ]

Trent RichardsonMay 23 03:23p

Cleveland Browns head coach Rob Chudzinski said RB Trent Richardson (leg) will not participate in organized team activities next week and could sit out the team minicamp in early [ More ]

Stephen NicholasMay 23 03:12p

Atlanta Falcons LB Stephen Nicholas (hernia) and LB Sean Weatherspoon (knee) will not be able to participate in organized team activities next week because they are recovering from offseason [ More ]

Jon BeasonMay 23 03:02p

Carolina Panthers LB Jon Beason (knee, shoulder) was able to participate in individual drills during organized team activities Thursday, May 23.

Charles BrownMay 23 02:53p

New Orleans Saints OT Charles Brown (undisclosed) did not participate in organized team activities Thursday, May 23, because of an undisclosed injury. Head coach Sean Payton would not specify [ More ]

Maurice HurtMay 23 02:52p

Washington Redskins OG Josh LeRibeus (groin) and OT Maurice Hurt (groin) did not participate in organized team activities Thursday, May 23, because of groin injuries.

Keenan LewisMay 23 02:42p

New Orleans Saints CBs Keenan Lewis and Patrick Robinson worked with the first-team defense during organized team activities Thursday, May 23. Head coach Sean Payton said people should not [ More ]

RSS Feeds

NFL News:
 
Player Notes:
 
Forum Posts:
 

© 2013 RealTime Fantasy Sports, Inc.
Email Us  ·  Call Us 636.447.1170  ·  Lost Password
Advertising represented by USA Today Sports Media Group