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Cincinnati Bengals quarterback AJ McCarron is saying all of the right things. The former Crimson Tide quarterback attended Alabama's baseball opener against Lipscomb on Friday Night and was asked about his role next season and potential competition with starting quarterback Andy Dalton. Per Local15TV.com.
"I never want any controversy. I want us to both to go out and compete and try to make each other better," McCarron said on Friday night. "When the season comes around, it's my job to support him and help in whatever way I can. Good comments from coach [Marvin Lewis] are great but Andy's still the starter and I'm working my way to hopefully get there some day."
The Marvin Lewis comment that McCarron is referring to happened during the NFL scouting combine when the head coach projected excitement:
"AJ was on our, basically, PUP list until about Week 13 of this season," Lewis said. "But I will tell you that we are excited about him for the future. I tried to do things in practice during the week to give AJ opportunities to do real football, so he wasn't just working against our defense," Lewis said. "I wanted him to have an opportunity to work within the game plan. I think he has a great mind for football. We think he's got the ability to be a good NFL quarterback, a good passer and, obviously, he's got the competitive nature, the makeup of guys that have been very productive in the NFL. So I'm excited about AJ and his future."
Speaking about his relationship with Dalton, McCarron went on to add, "He's one of my good friends. I look up to him. He's like a big brother. I always text him and remind him how much he means to me for helping me during my first year."
McCarron figures to compete for the role of backup quarterback against a veteran passer that the team hasn't yet signed. Current veteran quarterback Jason Campbell is headed to free agency on Tuesday. On the other hand, McCarron comes off as extremely confident that this role is already his. And why not? It's not like Campbell provides any physical advantages and McCarron has been dealing with pressure situations during his career in Alabama.