Tom Brady is one of the most looked up to quarterbacks in the NFL, so it should come as no surprise that on Saturday at the NFL combine, former Alabama signal caller Greg McElroy revealed that the Patriot is a "hero" of his.
"He's the most fun guy to watch in the league right now," McElroy said, according to WEEI. "There's a lot of efficient quarterbacks, but as far as his control, his balance, the way he sets up in the pocket, the way he is so mechanically sound, it really is such a joy to watch. It really is such a joy to watch. He’s so fluid. He never gets flustered. Just his subtle movements, all of his subtleties, every little detail is addressed.
"Coach [Nick] Saban would never let me watch another quarterback play. He thinks that's soft or something, but yeah, I obviously have spent time watching Tom Brady. He's a hero of mine and a guy who I would love nothing more than to try to pattern my game off of."
Every year NFL draft experts try to predict who will be the next Brady — a little-hyped player picked late in the draft that can shock the league and be a star. This year's prospect could be McElroy. Although recorded on different levels, the two have similar statistics and incredible accuracy.
In 325 pass attempt last year with Alabama, McElroy threw only five interceptions and had a 70.9 completion percentage. As a junior, he had a streak of 141 pass attempts without an interception.
In 492 pass attempts last season, Brady only threw four interceptions, and in his last three healthy seasons, he's had a completion percentage greater than 65.0 percent. Brady also broke the league's record of 308 pass attempts without an interception in 2010.
McElroy wouldn't be replacing Brady anytime soon if he were picked by the Patriots, but he would certainly love to serve as his backup and be mentored by the three-time Super Bowl champion and two-time MVP.
