There are a lot of 1st round busts. But AJ never persuaded anyone he’s a full time starter.
AJ McCarron Plays again (in new XFL)
- Thread starter bamaslammer
- Start date
As a 4th rounder who played for almost 10 years, he had a decent career.
And I’m guessing most kids playing football would jump at the chance to do what he did and make the kind of money he made.
There is no shame in his accomplishments in the NFL, he was never a long-term starter caliber player.
AJ went in the 5th round. I will never understand the thought process these NFL scouts use when drafting QBs. The list of QBs that got drafted in the 1st round that never did anything in college to warrant that high of a draft pick is very long. There are 2 in this year's class that are just plain perplexing.
That's exactly my position, as stated numerous times in the thread. It's just that some are arguing he would have been a franchise player if given a chance. There's so much desperation for a quality starter at the position that I believe he'd have made it if he had the ability.
Completely agree.
I would have loved for him to be a long-term starter, but my emotions about the issue aren't the driving force.
As cringeworthy as it may sound to some, I would have been thrilled if he'd had a career as long and successful as the horrendous Andy Dalton.
Happy the young man can continue his career gave me many great moments as an Alabama fan. I wish him all the best.
Historically, it's just been a very different game. Until very recently, the NFL game required tall dudes who could see over the offensive line and pass out of the pocket. College kids who were smaller but could win games by out-athleting the college competition and "never did anything but win" on that level almost never translated. The Danny Wuerfels, Heath Schulers, Tim Tebows, and AJ McCarrons of the world just didn't have what it took to succeed at the next level.
Conversely, huge dudes who that I'd barely heard of (and even then, only because draft talk is non-stop)
played at lower tier college programs often thrive in the pro game. Think Ben Roethlisberger or Josh Allen
That's changed a lot as changes to NFL rules---both on and off the field---have mitigated to a more spread, college-style game. More and more small guys are making the transition.
We’ll just disagree - personnel and injuries play a large part in a QB’s success or failure (Cousins and his receivers, exhibit a). AJ started his pro career on IR. He had other injuries that limited his opportunities , and that is an obstacle the Tom Brady’s of the world would have a hard time overcoming (he of the eighth round in the draft).
I support my position with the words of Ken Zampese, who I’d venture a guess knows more about quarterbacking in the pros than anyone on here. The pieces just didn’t fall into place for AJ. They apparently have for Geno Smith, after all these years - at least for now.
And, for the record, I’m not sure I saw anyone stating AJ could have been a “franchise” quarterback (someone may have); I know I never said that. I only said he could have done better, under similar circumstances, as some current pro QB’s.
Brady was a 6th round pick. AJ was a 5th.
Brady had a far uphill climb to overcome than AJ ever did. The Patriots just signed Bledsoe for a massive contract the year before and Bledsoe had taken the team to a Super Bowl. The difference is that Brady forced the organization’s hand by winning 11 games whereas AJ really left it in the hands of the organization by basically getting the same results.
The premise I’ve been disputing is that he was so obviously better than Andy Dalton and that the only reason he didn’t make more than 3 pro bowls and throw for 40,000 yards is because the universe conspired against him and Andy Dalton is an overrated hack.
I wouldn’t choose either to be my long-term starter, but I’d choose Dalton over AJ based upon what I’ve seen over the last decade of NFL play.
As I said above, if AJ had Dalton’s career no one here would be saying that AJ is an overrated slouch.
Yeah - I don’t remember reading any conspiracy theories about the universe; the breaks is the breaks, you play the hand you’re dealt.
And you and I will disagree on whether he was better than AD - he never had the chance to get the opportunity to prove it. For whatever reasons, not one of them being he wasn’t good enough IMO when I look at the group of strikeouts that actually got opportunities and flamed out.
And no one will convince me AJ couldn’t have done better than 823 yds, 1 TD, 6 int’s and a passer rating of 57.8 in four playoff games. Dalton laid more eggs than a beach full of female turtles.
AJ looks good in this XFL game currently airing on FX. He threw a touchdown pass and had a quite impressive 2 point conversion throw in which he got away from a rusher and threw for the 2 pt.
The DC team is just better, their D limited the Battlehawks in the second half and the Battlehawks D did not stop DC in the second half. AJ did have two picks, in the first the receiver fell down as he was supposed to turn and the ball was already on the way. not much that could be done. The second was a very good leap by the DB to get a ball he was not really in position for. AJ's receivers are big but not fast so he sort of has to dink and dunk his way unless he sees a blown coverage.
Agreed on all points. I am enjoying the new XFL. It is more entertaining (for me) than anything on a basketball court or baseball diamond.
I truly wish I liked baseball. I truly do, but I find it as dull as watching paint dry.
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I did. Playing it is one thing. Watching it is another.
And that is not meant to be an insult to those who enjoy watching baseball. More power to them. I'm just not amongst them.
I do enjoy going to the stadium more than watching on television. And if you go to a minor league game you do not have to take out a second mortgage to pay for the tickets.
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