HOOVER -- Alabama's offensive line anchor for 2009 -- veteran left guard Mike Johnson -- spoke to a throng of reporters Thursday at SEC Media Days.
The standout senior is likely to be joined on the first-team offensive front by new left tackle James Carpenter or freshman D.J. Fluker, new center William Vlachos, new right guard Brian Motley or John Michael Boswell and returning right tackle Drew Davis.
Here's Johnson's take Thursday on various topics:
On off-season workouts:
"Our offensive line is working harder this year than any I can remember. William Vlachos, he's in position to take the starting center spot, has taken control this summer and learned the signals and taken the reins in terms of where he needs to be. In 7-on-7 drills, Greg (McElroy) has done a good job working with the receivers."
On preseason expectations:
"I don't think it's too much to expect (good things) at all. You hear people go back to the Sugar Bowl, but they don't realize we had our second-string line in there, and we were struggling to make adjustments. We've got two guys battling it out at left tackle that will be really good. They'll only get better. With time, I think everyone will be surprised at what they see."
On freshman left tackle D.J. Fluker:
"The kid's a freak athlete. He probably outweighs by 70 pounds and moves just as well. The biggest thing is he's willing to work to learn what he needs to do to be a better player and make us a better football team."
On expected first-year starting quarterback Greg McElroy:
"I think a lot of people will be surprised to see Greg's athletic ability. I think overall, people will be surprised at how he does in game day situations."
On the team's schedule:
"I haven't thought past Virginia Tech. We're not talking about anything down the road. In order to keep our season where we want it to be, we have to win the next week. So our focus is always on the next week."
On playing in a premier opening game:
"I think what a lot of people find out about college football is that you find out about who you are in the first week. We can only do the best we can between now and then to prepare and be ready. Hopefully, we can put in enough work so that we're in good position that week."
On Coach Nick Saban's recruits:
"You can only get better with Coach Saban's recruiting in terms of when he gets his full cycle in here. That's when you'll see a great football team. Not only does he recruit good players, he recruits great men, people who are willing to buy into the system, and that's only going to help us."
On last year's finish to the season:
"It's obviously not the finish we wanted, but none of us had ever been there before. In terms of how you set goals, it's hard to think about things that are ahead when they're not even on your schedule at the beginning of the year. Hopefully, we'll get back there (the SEC Championship game and a BCS game) in the years to come, and that experience will pay off for us."
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