The Case for Greg McElroy

mike86 · 2011-04-23T07:09:43-07:00

It seems like a forgone conclusion that the 49ers are targeting a QB in the late 1st / early 2nd round, but I think this would be a big mistake. Unless Harbaugh is sold that Ponder, Dalton, Kaepernick, etc. are legit potential All Pro QBs, I don't understand the logic of trading picks or using a high, valuable pick on QB that is only moderately talented and doesn't possess all world potential. I've been watching some video of Greg McElroy and this is what I see: Positives +Winner and leader +Short, quick, compact release +Accurate with the football - especially in short-to-intermediate routes (66.3% lifetime completion percentage) +Great pocket awareness, not flustered by pass rush +Keeps eyes downfield and makes plays with the football +Not great, but decent athlete and with solid build (6'1 7/8, 220) +Football junkie, smartest QB in the class and comes from pro style offense Negatives -Not great athlete with sub-optimal height -Just average arm strength http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQPVv4pafN8 http://bit.ly/eHh3xV When I watch these videos I see a kid who reminds me a heck of a lot of Drew Brees. A guy who is a leader and winner, who makes plays despite not having the best measurables or the best arm. To me, he offers just as much as a guy like Ponder or Dalton in terms of ability and maybe more, yet this is a guy who can be had in the 4th or 5th round. What I don't understand is the pressure the 49ers are putting on themselves to find their franchise QB in this years draft when everyone has said that this is a down year for QBs while next year is absolutely LOADED with guys like Andrew Luck, Matt Barkley, Nick Foles, Landry Jones, etc. If I'm the 49ers, I focus on building my defense in round 1-3 and in the 4th round I add Greg McElroy. Then I trade a 4th round pick in the 2012 draft for Josh Johnson who offers a lot in upside and potential and resign Alex Smith. McElroy comes in, gets to learn the system and AT WORST becomes a solid backup that will have a 10 year career in the league while Smith and Johnson compete for the starting QB job. Potentially, one of those guys lights the world on fire and becomes the QB. If not, then in 2012 the 49ers make it the focus to position themselves for one of the elite QBs while McElroy becomes type of efficient QB that you can win with while you wait for your stud to develop. To me, this a no brainer and I really HOPE this is what Harbaugh, Balke & Co. have in mind.

Apr 23, 2011 at 7:37 AM

English
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It may be the webzones foregone conclusion, but that doesnt mean much.

Apr 23, 2011 at 7:45 AM

evil
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Originally posted by mike86:
I trade a 4th round pick in the 2012 draft for Josh Johnson who offers a lot in upside and potential and resign Alex Smith.

What if they want more then a 4th ? What if another team is offering a 3rd ?

Apr 23, 2011 at 8:26 AM

dtg_9er
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Posts: 33,204

Don't see the forgone conclusion either. Most Mocks do not have the 9ers going QB until their 45th pick or later. I like your thinking though, as all the QBs have some questions to them.

Apr 23, 2011 at 9:55 AM

excelsior
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Posts: 1,432

Mike, I like you analysis. I checked on Scott Wright's website and the Combine measurments showed that Dalton is 6020, Ponder is 6020 and McElroy is 6017. This means that McE is less than 1/3 of an inch shorter - de minimus.

Apr 23, 2011 at 10:14 AM

9erguy
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Posts: 3,384

Mike, thanks for the analysis but...

McElroy is a career back up....

You didn't point out nearly enough negatives that are associated with his game:

-time after time he allows himself to get crushed in the pocket..this won't work in pro football, holds on to the ball to long and doesn't throw his receiver open
-he rarely, if ever, steps up and makes big plays to lead his team to victory
-doesn't throw well on the run
-Struggles with accuracy on any throw over ten yards
-Doesn't have good anticipation or timing on his throws

With that said, I like him as a back up for us(would like him on our team) but don't expect much more.

Apr 23, 2011 at 11:02 AM

ncninerfan
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Posts: 584

Good post, Mike86.

Adding a little to the mix, Pro Football Weekly Draft Preview says about McElroy...

Positives: Very smart; well-schooled in NFL style offense; hard worker; tough; protects the ball.

Negatives: Limited arm strength; doesn't improvise well after play breaks down; uses checkdown too often; limited escapability

PFW rates him a late round pick (mid 6th).

[ Edited by ncninerfan on Apr 23, 2011 at 11:04 AM ]

Apr 23, 2011 at 11:06 AM

susweel
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McElroy will be a great career back up QB.

Apr 23, 2011 at 11:23 AM

wysiwyg
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We have plenty of 7ths so lets use one of those on him

I see the 49ers drafting 2 QBs

Apr 24, 2011 at 11:19 AM

m_brockalexander
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Posts: 13,379

Originally posted by wysiwyg:
We have plenty of 7ths so lets use one of those on him

I see the 49ers drafting 2 QBs

I think he will go in the 6th round to the Niners. He will make a great backup in the long run.

Apr 24, 2011 at 11:51 AM

#10

fakers23
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Posts: 1,715

Originally posted by susweel:
McElroy will be a great career back up QB.

He reminds me of Ken Dorsey..

Apr 24, 2011 at 12:22 PM

#11

susweel
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Posts: 122,269

Originally posted by fakers23:
Originally posted by susweel:
McElroy will be a great career back up QB.

He reminds me of Ken Dorsey..

Yah with a slightly stronger arm.

Apr 24, 2011 at 4:02 PM

#12

TheGoldDiggerrrr
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Posts: 5,073

Originally posted by susweel:
Originally posted by fakers23:
Originally posted by susweel:
McElroy will be a great career back up QB.

He reminds me of Ken Dorsey..

Yah with a slightly stronger arm.

Yes but dorsey didn't have a wr like julio jones to make him look better then he is!

Apr 24, 2011 at 6:30 PM

#13

BHulman
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Posts: 4,338

Originally posted by TheGoldDiggerrrr:
Originally posted by susweel:
Originally posted by fakers23:
Originally posted by susweel:
McElroy will be a great career back up QB.

He reminds me of Ken Dorsey..

Yah with a slightly stronger arm.

Yes but dorsey didn't have a wr like julio jones to make him look better then he is!

Dorsey had Andre Johnson and Jeremy Shockey.

Apr 24, 2011 at 9:29 PM

#14

natrone06
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Posts: 3,143

He reminds me of Matt Flynn from a few years back. A proven winner (national champion) who may not have all the measurables but in the the right situation could have a nice career. Like the packers did when they drafted Flynn I wouldn't be opposed to drafting 2 qbs and see how it plays out.

[ Edited by natrone06 on Apr 24, 2011 at 9:29 PM ]