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In Part III of our breakdown the Jets-Houston game, Dan takes a look at McElroy, who backed up his words about Cam Newton . . .
Greg McElroy is clearly better than a seventh round quarterback prospect.
Many of us saw Cam Newton’s debut in the Carolina-Giants game.
I know Newton has more of an upside and better physical tools, but McElroy, in his debut, looked better than Newton.
And remember, McElroy took some heat when he said during a radio interview, prior to the draft, that he was more NFL ready than Newton. It’s true.
Let’s go over his game a little bit.
In the second quarter, he threw a pass down the deep left side to Jeremy Kerley that should have been caught. On this same possession, later in the first half, Matt Kroul missed a block, and McElroy got leveled, but as he was getting hit, he ws able complete a slant to Patrick Turner.
On another possession late in the first half, McElroy hit Jeff Cumberland over the middle for a gain of 15.
Early in the third quarter, McElroy led the Jets on a 12-play, 63-yard drive that resulted in a field goal. On a third-and-eight, he hit Cumberland over the middle for a gain of 10. On the next play, he dumped to Bilal Powell on the right side, and he ran for 12 yards. Then two plays later, he hit Cumberland for a gain of 25 on the right side. On the last play before the field goal, McElroy showed very good wheels, running for four yards on the right side to set up a shorter field goal. He’s faster than I thought.
The Jets got the ball back quickly after a Josh Mauga pick, and McElroy takes advantage of the short field and got the Jets into the end zone. On first down, as he was about to get hit by some pressure up the middle, he dumped to Powell on the right side, and the runner took it for 19 yards. Three plays later, McElroy hit Turner on a quick slant for a touchdown.
The Jets next possession was a three-and-out, but it shouldn’t have been. On first down, McElroy hit Logan Payne down the deep right side, and the wide receiver dropped it.
Let’s fast forward to the final possession. The Jets took over at 1.56 on their own 24, and McElroy marched them down the field. After hitting Kerley for a gain of eight on first down, on second-and-two, McElroy broke a sack attempt by OLB Brian Braman, and ran for 10 yards.
Later on, it was third-and-ten, and McElroy hit Josh Baker over the middle for a gain of 14. By the way, this Baker can play in the NFL. He’s had a better summer than Mulligan. Later in this drive, on third-and-20, McElroy hit Baker for a gain of 22.
Two plays before the 22-yarder to Baker, McElroy threw what should have been a touchdown to WR Michael Campbell, but the receiver wasn’t able to hold on.
This kid is a steal, there is no way around that.
McElroy’s numbers were pretty good, but should have been a lot better if not for three bad drops by Kerley, Payne and Campbell. All three passes were very catchable.