RollBillsRoll
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1 hour ago, 26CornerBlitz said:
We'll see. It's a pretty lucrative living as a abckup QB in the NFL.
Oh no doubt about that. I bet there are few jobs out there better than a career backup QB....loads of $$ (compared to average working stiffs), Fans typically fawn over you when the team is doing bad, no pressure to win, etc. BUT, I also imagine that for a guy who grew up poor with nothing but being the best quarterback on his mind, A guy who won championships on every team he has ever played on ('cept Cincy), and who TRULY BELIEVES he is the best QB on the field at any given time, a guy like that might have too much pride to spend a career holding a clip board for some young whipper snapper.
I don't know how NFL retirement works, but I imagine he'll be ok after this contract...it doesn't take much to live comfortably in 'Bama...and he will likely never have to buy a drink or meal as long as he lives around here
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1 hour ago, 26CornerBlitz said:
They would still need a reliable backup. I would keep him around.
I have seen him interviewed where he said he will not be a career backup, that if he isn't good enough to play at a high level and start in the NFL, he will move on and find something else to do. I guess he/ we are about to find out.
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So here are some more tidbits from AJ's time at Bama. Again, I FULLY understand none of this means a hill of beans today in Buffalo, but it might help illustrate why some fans, especially if they are college football fans, seem so high on AJ. Again just wanting to share some stuff about your new QB that may not be found in his scouting report. Hope you enjoy
Here is the aforementioned sequence between AJ and center Barret Jones in the National Championship game. Bears repeating that the game is way out of hand by this point. Also, Barret Jones and AJ are best friends and roommates, so I'm pretty sure AJ knew he wsan't going to get mauled too badly. I love the passion and attention to detail.
Also, this was before his senior season after he attended the Manning passing academy as an instructor. LINK
2) AJ McCarron is as pro-ready as they come at the position. The leader of the two-time national champions has been given the dreaded "game manager" label, thanks to his direction of Alabama's conservative offensive attack. However, a close examination of his overall game and physical tools suggests to me that he has all of the traits teams covet in a franchise signal-caller. After having a few casual conversations with McCarron at the camp, I believe he is a "team-first" quarterback obsessed with capturing rings rather than compiling impressive statistics. He repeatedly discussed doing "whatever it takes" to win as his primary responsibility with the Crimson Tide. He also cited the importance of preparation and work ethic as keys to keeping his team in contention for future championships. As a former scout, I must say that McCarron's words reflect the kind of leadership potential teams are looking for.
From a physical standpoint, McCarron also displayed the tools to be a franchise quarterback at the next level, showing off polished footwork and mechanics as a pocket passer in drills. Most importantly, McCarron demonstrated superb arm strength, rifling balls to all areas of the field with excellent velocity and zip. Additionally, he showed better-than-anticipated range and touch on deep balls, consistently hitting receivers in stride on vertical routes. One of the things I was concerned about after watching him on tape was whether he could thrive in a vertical passing game, but his throwing exhibition at camp dispelled that worry. Of course, going through a series of workouts in shorts and shirts isn't comparable to playing in a game, but he still certainly provided a glimpse of the natural talent that could make him a top prospect in the 2014 NFL Draft.
Here is another article from his senior year talking about Mcarron as an obvious Heisman contender.
The last time that the Alabama quarterback threw an interception, it was a simpler time: Eli Manning only had one ring, LeBron James still had no rings, there was an NBA work stoppage, not an NHL lockout, Dan Marino still held the single-season NFL passing record and Tim Tebow was still a starting quarterback. McCarron's last interception came Nov. 12, 2012 against Mississippi State. Since then, Alabama won a National Championship, McCarron lost his classic Alabama-hairdo, and he's become a legit Heisman contender and NFL draft prospect. ... team trusts him more this year, as well. It's not an offense completely built around the running game, and because of that, McCarron has been able to show off his smarts, his accuracy and his arm. McCarron is one of the smartest QBs in the nation too. He's adept at reading defenses and makes as many audibles at the line as any of the top NCAA signal callers. ..... McCarron's game is reminiscent of Eli Manning especially. .... McCarron is fleeter of foot than either Manning brother, though he's obviously less refined than Eli or Peyton Manning. The biggest question about McCarron is why no one is talking about him. He's completing 68.9 percent of his passes, he has 1684 yards through eight games, 18 touchdowns, zero interceptions and he's led the most famous college football program in the nation to an undefeated record. It's because the "Alabama quarterback" comes with a reputation. Everyone concentrates on the defense, Nick Saban and the history attached to the program, and the team is so talented it can be difficult to single out individual players. But McCarron should be singled out. He has definite NFL tools. He's the most polished quarterback the Crimson Tide has had since at least Croyle, though McCarron looks considerably better than the former Kansas City Chiefs' draft pick. .... McCarron has a short, compact release, he throws on the run very well, he's not a scrambler, but he's mobile and comfortable in the pocket and his arm strength and deep accuracy is improving by the week..... it wouldn't be out of the realm of possibilities to see McCarron go home with the Heisman, leave for the NFL and get drafted in the first round. ...they'll be riding on McCarron's talented shoulder more than anyone will give him credit for.
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1 minute ago, BILLriant said:
Traded for a 4th round pick
In NFL terms, is that a good trade. Does it affect how you view a trade if he goes on to be a perennial pro bowler? What if the 4th rounder fails to make the 53 man roster, does the trade bother fans? Or is it more of once he is gone it doesn't matter...out of sight out of mind? Just trying to get insight as I have never really paid attention to the details of trades/drafts strategies.
I can't imagine the Pats fans would be very happy if Garrapolo (sp) were to beat the pats in the super bowl next year...
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I knew a couple years ago one of my favorite linebackers, Reggie Ragland, signed with you guys, got hurt early, then went to KC. Was he cut, or traded? Evidently he played ok for the chiefs down the stretch. The guy ya'll chose over Ragland, is he good? Just curious as I always thought he would be a monster in the NFL...maybe a step slow tho.
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37 minutes ago, hondo in seattle said:
The only way it's not a QB is if Beane and McD see something in AJM that the rest of us aren't seeing.
Supposedly, Hue Jackson really wanted AJM as his starter. Maybe McD does too. Maybe he thinks AJM is our franchise QB and we don't need to look further.But that's hard to imagine. Given our lack of a proven starter - and this being the "year of the quarterback" - how do you not draft one when you have as much draft capital as the Bills?
Maybe AJM is better than most NFL talent evaluators seem to think. Do you stake your team's future and your career on a "maybe"? I wouldn't.
Are kids right out of college, who have never stepped on an nfl field not a "maybe"?
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4 hours ago, Billsfanatixs said:
Really a tough call between #2 & #3, chose McCarron based mainly on heart, Darnold might be a little better reading defenses, otherwise really close
#1 Baker Mayfield
#2 AJ McCarren
#3 Sam Darnold
#4 Nathan Peterman
#5 Josh Allen
#6 Josh RosenI can't understand how anyone, anywhere, would believe that a kid coming from college, who has NEVER seen an NFL defense, can be better at reading defenses than someone who has been in the NFL for a few years, in the QB room, working with NFL offensive quarterbacks and QB coaches. And I am not necessarily talking about AJMac here, could be any good backup that has spent years in the NFL.
I can understand more physical talent, better measurables, better character, throws tighter spiral, more accurate, etc. But being better at reading defenses? Based on what? Shredding those awesome PAC 12 defenses he saw week in and week out?
Look at it another way, while Mayfield, Darnold, Rosen, (heck any college QB) were out chasing girls, studying for finals, going to keg parties, all while being limited to a few hours a week of actual practice/ film time, These NFL backups were studying NFL defenses for a living. All day, everyday. t is their job. How can they not be better at knowing exactly where each defender is going to be in a complex NFL defensive scheme?
I guess that's my own ignorance to the NFL game. In college ball, it is very rare for a true freshman qb to have a better mental grasp of the game than a seasoned veteran. The game is just so much more complicated than high school ball. I guess I just assumed it was the same with the NFL, but the last couple years it seems teams are salivating over theses college guys like (RGIII, Manziel, semian, kizer, and on and on) and throwing these guys to the wolves before giving them a chance to develop and learn.
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1 hour ago, BuffaloBillsGospel said:
Do you honestly think if McCaron was that much better than Dalton they wouldn't have started him? When he did start he averaged only 222 yards per game. Again I'm not knocking this pickup, it was a low risk with a potential big reward but counting on that big reward could be a huge disappointment to a bunch of fans.
Just an observation, but doesn't the backup qb get only a fraction of practice snaps during the season? So I imagine it would take a Herculean effort to come in off the bench and have instant chemistry with the receivers/oline in order to put up 300 yards per game. In fact, I would be willing to bet that the playbook was severely pared down, making it even more unlikely that a backup qb can come in a put up huge numbers in just a few weeks.
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5 minutes ago, Sky Diver said:
How did a talent like Allen end up at Wyoming and a dud like Mayfield end up at Oklahoma?
Not sure, but there are several potential reasons:
If the high school coach was not aggressive about contacting college coaches during the recruiting process, putting together highlight films, etc.
Allen didn't have the chance to go to a big time summer camp/ 7 on 7 competition to get seen by power 5 coaches... those things can be $$$
His high school tape and/or measurables weren't that great...some kids grow 2-3 inches in college alone
Maybe he grew up a wyoming fan and always dreamed of playing there?
Maybe he like wide open spaces, mountains, and cold weather?
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1 minute ago, Badthingsman said:
Why did AJ drop so far in his draft class? Projected at 2d round drafted late 5th. So the OP says the man is full of P&V, but can he play? I'd also like to note that he looks out of shape in a lot of photos. He can't pull off the double chin like Big Ben. Maybe the Buffalo brass just likes the dude with "Mc" in his name.
The rumor around here was that he didn't do well in the interviews. That he told every team that interviewed him that he felt he was the best quarterback in the draft, and that rubbed him the wrong way. Also, from al.com...
McCarron, the Alabama starter the past three seasons, predicted a first- or second-round selection. That "rubbed (teams) the wrong way," ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on the draft broadcast.
His on-field performance is strong, but individual interviews with teams were also an issue.
Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network said he spoke with general managers and scouts throughout the draft process about McCarron. He said there were some "personality issues," in the evaluation process.
"Questions from evaluators: How much do teammates really like him? How much did he really follow him," Rapoport said live on the NFL Network broadcast.
There was a quote, after losing to Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl, where AJ said that he felt some of his teammates had not prepared the right way since they were out of the running for the 3 peat national championship...to some that was AJ throwing teammates under the bus.
Also, he chose not to participate in the senior bowl, which was in his hometown, btw, because he felt that after starting for three years and 2 national championships he felt that he had enough tape to be evaluated. That didn't go over very well, even down here...
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16 minutes ago, ColoradoBills said:
Was it surprising to see that upstate New York has woods and farms?
I was stationed down south in the USAF and knew a lot of 'Bama Boys.
They thought all of NY was concrete.
Thanks for your insight about the Bill's new QB. We all want him to succeed.
Maybe you can watch a few Bill's game and cheer with us for some wins!
Roll Bill's!
It was beautiful up there! It is hilarious that you mention the concrete. We had dinner with some of Ithaca's staff before the game. I made the comment that some of our players were truly wondering where all the skyscrapers were and how far we were from brooklyn! He laughed and said "don't feel bad, a couple of our guys were convinced that ya'll would show up barefooted and wearing overalls!
What a great country we live in!
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Couple of quotes from hometown sources...not sure if it made national media, so I apologize if it is common knowledge...
2015, Dalton breaks his thumb, AJ comes off the bench and wins 2 of the final 3 regular season games (In his three regular-season starts, McCarron completed 54-of-83 passes for 552 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions)
Round 1 of the playoffs he finds himself down to the Steelers...In the playoffs, McCarron rallied Cincinnati from a 15-0 deficit to a 16-15 lead over Pittsburgh with three straight scoring drives in the fourth quarter. McCarron's 25-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver A.J. Green gave Cincinnati its one-point lead with 1:50 left to play and sent Bengals fans, starved for postseason success, into a frenzy.
He got a lot of attention during the offseason ""I'm a confident player whenever I step inside the white lines," McCarron said. "I never have lacked confidence in myself. I knew I could play in this league. I know I can be a starter in this league. I'm backup right now. God has a plan. Everything happens for a reason. I keep saying it because I truly believe it. Everything's going to work out. I know the NFL stands for Not For Long. It's a blessing to be able to be a part of this league..."
This past year, Dalton struggled mightily, leading many to call for a changing of the guard at QB. This would have been a perfect time for AJ to toot his horn or throw Dalton under the bus...instead...“He’s our quarterback…Do you think he wants to have tipped balls that turned into interceptions? Has he worked his whole life for that? … I wish people in this city would back him and go with it. He’s our quarterback, stop making it into something else. Ride with him, trust the team, trust the process and trust what we’re trying to do and be a fan of who’s playing,” McCarron said.
This Season, a botched trade where the Browns offered a 2nd and 3rd round pick was denied because paperwork got turned in a few minutes past the deadline. AJ's response:
"My agent thought it was a done deal, "McCarron said. "All I know is what I was told and paperwork got turned in a little too late and that's why I didn't go to them."
Despite the fact that McCarron will miss out on what likely would have been a chance to become the Browns' starting quarterback, he said he's not bitter about how everything played out.
"I'm not angry. I'm not upset," McCarron said, via the team's official site. "It feels good to be wanted. Today I'm going to thank Mr. Brown personally. I admire that he was going to give me an opportunity to go start and play somewhere. I really appreciate that of him. He's been an unbelievable owner in my experience here."
And Coach Marvin Brown's response: "AJ is a very valuable member of this team and I told him that yesterday (after) everything," Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said in a news conference Wednesday. "Frankly, I was relieved, so I don't have to go through those gymnastics of the next step. He's a great kid. He's a true team player. He's a leader. He's a leader on this football team, and that's why we felt like he's such a valuable asset and the man upstairs was very clear about it, and so forth, of how we felt about him. So that's the key."
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57 minutes ago, BuffaninATL said:
great post OP, welcome to the Board and to the Great White North !
Thanks! My only trip to the Great White North...several years ago I was the Athletic Trainer at a Division III school in Montgomery, al. Our first football game was on the road against Ithaca College. All I heard during fall camp was how we were going to go up there and show those Northern boys how we play ball in the South. We flew into Syracuse (I think), bused over to Ithaca's stadium, and proceeded to get drilled by 3 touchdowns...I'm pretty sure our players realized that folks play good ball in other places besides the South
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3 minutes ago, JohnBonhamRocks said:
Loved the entire post until the needless comparison with and attempt to prognosticate about Mayfield.
I apologize, I shouldn't have posted that specifically about Mayfield, as I don't know him personally. I was watching football with my 8 year old daughter when they played the crotch grabbing clip, and I had to explain about sportsmanship, class, and maturity...Not the image of athletics I want my kids to have. Anyway, my bad.
The comparison was meant to be more of why Mayfield is considered franchise material? I have read he has an average arm, below average height, and has had some questionable off the field issues. Yes he had great stats, but he played in the Big 12 where it seems they throw it every down...he never got his team to the big show.
AJ had great stats, even when playing in a ball control offense, has the same fire and leadership, and won 2 championships. Arm strength is similar, leadership is similar, AJ is bigger, has NFL playoff experience (should have gotten a win, thanks Bungles), yet he is considered a backup...I just don't get it, but again I am admittedly ignorant to the politics and economics of the NFL and the seemingly never ending search for a "franchise" quarterback (Johnny Manziel, anyone?)
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Just joined up to share some thoughts on your new quarterback from a Bama alum and college football fanatic. I haven't followed the pro game closely since I watched my beloved Dan Marino, get owned by the early/mid 90's bills year after year, but I do keep up with the AFC casually.
AJ is a legend in Tuscaloosa, a town with no shortage of legends. Most folks I know put him ahead of guys like Stabler and Namath when it comes to greatest all time Bama quarterbacks. Here is a couple of things scouting reports might not mention.
- Won 2013 Johnny Unitas and Maxwell awards.
-Finished 3rd in Heisman voting (I think)
-Led Bama to back to back Natty Championships...should probably have been a 3 peat if not for a kick six vs. Auburn
-Walked into Coach Saban's office as a TRUE FRESHMAN and wanted to know why he wasn't getting first team reps at practice...guy has balls and a ton of confidence.
-Broke down in tears on the sideline at LSU after throwing a game winning touchdown to TJ Yeldon in the closing moments. When asked why he was so emotional he replied "Because I want to win so bad FOR THESE FANS."
- Got into a televised shoving match with his center during the national title game vs. Notre dame...the center wasn't snapping the ball on time and AJ was fired up...oh yeah it was in the 4th quarter and we were up by 30 points...kid plays with fire and passion.
- Several former teammates have said publicly that there were many games where AJ refused to accept them taking a play off or loafing, even when they were up big most games. He is a fierce competitor.
- I have an uncle in Cincy who claims that many in the Bengals organization (including former OC) thought AJ gave them a much better chance to win than Dalton, but Dalton was the "franchise" guy and getting the big bucks.
-Told a local radio station in Birmingham a couple of months ago that he would play a year for league minimum if he was given a true chance to win a quarterback competition, which was never the case in Cincy
-Never once said a negative thing about Dalton or the Bengals, in fact he defended Dalton publicly last season when everyone was calling for him to be benched. He is a great locker room guy.
Again, I realize none of this translates into wins at the pro level, just wanted to give you some insight from someone who has followed him closely since 2008 when he was heavily recruited by everyone. I don't understand the economics of the NFL, but it baffles me when I see fans clamoring for a guy like Baker Mayfield, who will embarrass himself and an organization at some point (grabbing his crotch at an opponent on national tv, DUI's, etc.) Just because they think he is a "franchise" quarterback. His college stats don't blow away AJ's, arm strength, intensity, and leadership may be a wash, but AJ is has more prototypical QB size. Character and professionalism can not be compared, it ain't even close. I just don't understand why fans are clamoring for an AJ "mini me" with character issues.
Anyway, Good luck this season, i hope AJ wins a ton of games for ya'll, at the very least I hope he is given a chance to be the guy, and not just a seat warmer for the likes of Baker Mayfield.
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Fun little game
in The Stadium Wall Archives
Posted · Edited by RollBillsRoll
See if you can guess the quarterback based on combine results. Anyone could hit google and get it right, so no cheating.
Height weight Arms Hands Vertical Broad 40 yd 3 Cone
QBa 6.4 234 32 9 3/8 28.5 103 4.97 7.16
QBb 6.3 220 31 9 3/8 26 105 4.85 6.96
QBc 6.4 226 31.75 9 7/8 31 111 4.92 7.09
QBd 6.1 215 30.25 9 1/4 29 111 4.84 7.0
QBe 6.3 220 31.5 10 28 99 4.94 7.18
Now, before Skydive chimes in
Only ONE of the Qb's above has Back2Back National Championships playing against the best competition, especially defensively, week in and week out that college football has to offer. However, just for comparison sake sake, I did throw in another national championship QB.
Give it a try and see how you do! The little fella should be obvious, but what about the rest?