Green, McElroy emerging as Alabama’s surprises

TUSCALOOSA — Robby Green, the new guy in an experienced Alabama secondary, was recognized as the defensive surprise of spring practice by Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban.

The 6-foot, 180-pound sophomore from New Orleans moved from cornerback to safety and has made a rapid transition while learning Alabama’s defensive scheme.

“Robby Green has really done a good job in the secondary as a young player who hasn’t played much,” Saban said Thursday before Alabama’s final practice leading into Saturday’s A-Day Game.

Last season, Saban recognized Drew Davis, who, like Green, was the newcomer to an already solid unit — the offensive line — as the spring’s biggest surprise.

As a freshman, Green played almost exclusively on special teams last season.

“He’s definitely stepped up,” defensive end Lorenzo Washington said Thursday after practice. “He came in last year, he was a little bit, I guess you say he was a little bit light in the boots. Incredible ball player. Good ball skills. He’s always a hustler.”

Green may appear undersized, but Washington said he is a hitter — or, as he put it, “He will come in there and lay the wood.” Green has emerged as the likely successor to Rashad Johnson at free safety.

“He’s making some fantastic plays,” Washington said. “I’ve definitely been impressed with what he’s done. He’s been up there with the ones the past couple weeks. No dropoff. He’s taken the role and run with it. That’s what you need from the young guys, is to step up like that.”

Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy said it’s evident Green doesn’t only have physical tools, but an instinctive ability at safety.

“He’s a very, very intelligent football player,” McElroy said. “He really makes things difficult as a quarterback. When you’re looking downfield you see him and you’re trying to key him one way when you’re trying to go the other way. He makes things really difficult because the way he positions himself relative to the receivers in the quarterback’s eyes. He can play a lot of games with your head.”

McElroy then paid him perhaps his biggest compliment.

“He’s not all that unlike Rashad,” the quarterback said. “He plays very smart. He’s got great closing speed. And I think that safety is a really great fit for him. I’m glad we don’t have to play him next year.”

Saban said McElroy was probably the surprise of the spring on offense — kind of.

“Not surprising to me, but maybe surprising to some people,” Saban said.

“He has more experience, he has more knowledge, he was the back-up player throughout last year,” Saban noted. “So you would kind of expect that, and he has not disappointed us at all with the way that he has managed the team — the leadership, the anticipation, the understanding.”

McElroy was told of Saban’s comments after practice and wasn’t sure how to respond.

“It’s nice to hear coach Saban speaks highly of me,” he offered. Then added, “It doesn’t happen often, so I’m glad to hear it.”

The quarterback, however, understands that he will remain a question mark going into the season.

“I don’t know what I’ve proven. I haven’t played on a Saturday yet,” he said. “I know I haven’t started a game. I haven’t really done anything until this point that’s proven myself. All I’ve done is proved myself to my teammates and my coaching staff, and all I can ask for is continuous improvement.”

While Saban did not disclose names, he did say the receiver corps — which was spotty last year outside of freshman standout Julio Jones — was a vastly improved area this spring.

McElroy, not surprisingly, agreed with Saban’s assessment. He also said working against Alabama’s experience defense has sped up the progress.

“I’d say the receiver corps is as improved as any other position on the entire field. They make things difficult the way they pass off routes, the way they adjust routes, the way they get you off your stem by being physical. That’s difficult for receivers,” McElroy said. “It’s good to see that our guys are stepping up and being tough and physical and making plays for the quarterbacks. ... There should be lots of different threats all over the field.”