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Greg McElroy, the former Alabama Crimson Tide and New York Jets quarterback, is now a football analyst for SEC Network. He conducted an AMA (Ask Me Anything) on Reddit on Wednesday. Here are his responses to serious, and not so serious, questions from fans.
Rumondo7
1. You went to Alabama after Tebow turned them down, played against him in college in two SEC championships, played with him for the Jets, and now you’re paired on SEC Nation, are you two soulmates and does the universe just keep bringing you two together?
2. If you could be Justin Timberlake, Derek Jeter, or Vladimir Putin who would you choose and why?
Greg McElroy
1. Our worlds seem to collide all the time.
2. I ask myself this all the time, gotta go with Jeter.
Schmoopee
What was the first thing Nick Saban said to the team when he came in after Mike Shula?
Greg McElroy
I don’t remember his exact message. I was too nervous to concentrate.
BamaPride95
What do you think about the Kirby Smart hire for Georgia?
Greg McElroy
It will be interesting to follow the story. Also anxious to see if he decides to coach in the Playoff/Championship if he takes the job this week. Tom Herman from Ohio St. stayed with the team prior to going to Houston last year.
I think Kirby will do well. Great coach and good temperament. Been groomed for this opportunity.
Fan
I’m also curious if he thinks that that Cochran will go with Kirby, if he does go?
Greg McElroy
Mark Hocke is the Strength Coach there now, he is a former Cocheran assistant. So if they don’t keep him, I do think that Cocheran would be a possibility.
bobrasher
How do you defend the SEC Network’s blatant SEC Bias?
Greg McElroy
Is this a serious question?
bobrasher
It is not. I have wasted your time and shamed my family.
RebelNutt18
We always hear about how serious and studious coach Saban is, but what’s the funniest/stupidest thing you’ve seen him do?
The question also works for Tim Tebow as well. Thanks for doing the AMA and Hotty Toddy Greg!
Greg McElroy
In the spring every year, he would have the leadership group of about 10-12 guys out to his house.
When we went out on the boat, he wore a sweater and khakis.
The only casual aspect of the outfit, was that he took off his loafers, left them on the dock, rolled up the khakis once and went barefoot. Always got a kick out of that every year.
Besides Jake from State Farm, who wears a khakis on a boat?
popcorny27
As a fan and former player, how do you think college rivalries compare to those in the NFL?
Greg McElroy
Way better. Not even close.
6heismans
What was the most difficult place to play in?
What is your honest opinion about Les? Do you think he can win another championship?
Also, what impact will the loss of Smart and potentially Cochran have on Bama?
Greg McElroy
Most Difficult – LSU (I think you knew the answer to that based on your logo)
I like Les, just think they might need to adjust their offensive philosophy a little. Can still be downhill rushing attack, but should incorporate more spread options.
I dont expect much to change at Bama if Smart leaves, you would assume that Jeremy Pruitt or another former Saban defensive assistant would come in to take Smart’s place.
wreck94
A couple of selfish questions for you:
What’s your opinion on Tennessee’s ranking going into this last week of football?
And whose win over Tennessee is looking better for them now? Oklahoma or Alabama?
Greg McElroy
I think they are ranked around where they should be. “What could have been” is what comes to mind about Tennessee this year.
Oklahoma’s win against Tennessee looks better than Alabama’s because it was in Neyland Stadium on the road.
FAderp91
Serious question: What was your favorite memory as a player, college or pro?
Non serious question: What’s Tebow smell like? I bet it is heavenly.
Greg McElroy
Favorite Memory – have to be going up in the stands to where my family was sitting in the Rose Bowl and handing my dad the game ball and my helmet.
Don’t tell the equipment manager at Alabama I took/kept my helmet. I said that I lost it when we were on the sidelines after I put my national championship hat on.
Tebow smells like Protein and Bicep Curls.
GiovannidelMonaco
If you could become the head coach of a school (other than Alabama) starting next season, which school would you pick and why?
Greg McElroy
Southlake Carroll Dragons
ElPolloHerman0
What was your favorite victory? Toughest loss?
Greg McElroy
Favorite Victory – Florida, SEC Championship 2009 Toughest Loss – Auburn, 2010
OrangeHour
Big Jets fan here! Sad it wasn’t a match made in heaven. What was the difference between Saban and Rex Ryan as your Coach? They’re complete opposites in terms of personality, so it’d be cool to hear your personal experience.
Greg McElroy
Different in their approach to handling players, but I really enjoyed them both. Still root for Rex all the time.
Both are outstanding when it comes to x’s and o’s. One thing that they do a great job of is messing with a QB’s eyes. They show you looks and then come from the other side and do a nice job of disguising coverage.
I have a tremendous amount of respect for both.
Emperor_of_Orange
Welcome to the show, Greg.
Just how short is Nick Saban?
Vinegar or Mustard based bbq?
Chicago or New York Style pizza?
With the rise of Freshmen dominating college football, do you think the NFL declaration age will be lowered?
Boxers or Briefs?
Who do you think is the best QB currently playing and the QB most prepared for the NFL?
Has anyone really been far as decided to use even go want to do look more like?
Greg McElroy
I dont know how tall he is. 5’9″ I honestly never really thought about it. I know I’m taller than him.
Vinegar BBQ
New York
No
Boxer Briefs
Best QB this year is a tie between Watson/Mayfield, Most Prepared QB – Goff, from Cal.
BlinkHouse14
Who would you rather see Alabama play if they make it to the National Championship; Clemson or Oklahoma? And why?
Greg McElroy
Just want to see the best game possible. :)
Clemson and Oklahoma are the toughest matchups for Bama because I feel like their QB’s mobility and accuracy has traditionally made it more difficult for a man-based scheme like Alabama has defensively.
Iowa and Michigan state have a more traditional approach offensively and that plays into the strength of the Alabama defense.
KakesuSora
What’s your favorite team to watch besides Alabama?
What do you think the SEC will look like in 2016?
Greg McElroy
Love watching Arkansas. Everyone I went to school with in High School seemed to end up at either Arkansas or Texas A&M so I enjoy watching both of those with my High School friends.
Mserna4778
What is the biggest difference between preparing for a game and preparing for SEC Nation? Is there anything you do the same?
Greg McElroy
It’s totally different approach for Nation because you are responsible for understanding the rosters and gameplans of 14 different teams.
Preparing to call a game from the booth however, is VERY similar to playing. Have your starters that you want to begin with, then 3rd downs, redzone tidbits.
bobrasher
When did you feel more pressure:
First day on set on SEC Network
Taking snaps in the final drive against Auburn in 2009
Rhodes Scholarship interview
Greg McElroy
SEC Network. No doubt. Playing you dont really feel nerves. Just know that you have a job to do. After meeting some of the other Finalists the night before at the cocktail hour, I knew I had no chance at the Rhodes so I wasn’t too nervous with that.
Honestly_
I see you sit next to Paul Finebaum! Do you get to bat around ideas a lot?
Greg McElroy
That’s all we do. Paul is the GOAT.
puffadda
How do you feel about the perceived SEC bias in media coverage? Do you think it’s real? And if so do you think it’s justified?
Greg McElroy
There are 3 Big 10 teams in the top 6. 3 Big 12 teams in the top 12. 3 ACC teams in the top 10.
There is no bias whatsoever, we as media members do our best to make judgments/observations based on what we see. There is no ulterior motive.
Do people realize that ESPN has lucrative deals with all 5 of the Power-5 leagues?
bee_thousand
What’s your most memorable moment from Alabama that didn’t involve playing football?
Greg McElroy
Meeting my wife, Meredith!
Born and raised in Gainesville, Talal joined SDS in 2015 after spending 2 years in Bristol as an ESPN researcher. Previously, Talal worked at The Gainesville Sun.
