Alabama football countdown to kickoff: 10 days

With 10 days remaining until kickoff, Roll Tide Wire remembers one of the best ever to wear No. 10 for the Crimson Tide!

The Alabama Crimson Tide will take the field for the 2023 college football season in 10 days, as Middle Tennessee State visits Bryant Denny Stadium on Sept. 2.

Here at Roll Tide Wire, we will be counting down the days until Nick Saban and his team take the field.

With 10 days remaining, we take a trip down memory lane and remember one of the best quarterbacks in Alabama football history, [autotag]AJ McCarron[/autotag].

McCarron wore the No. 10 for the Crimson Tide from 2009-13 where he set multiple Alabama passing records. McCarron was also the starting QB for the Tide during their national championship seasons in 2011 and 2012.

Freshman QB [autotag]Eli Holstein[/autotag] currently wears No. 10 for Alabama.

AJ McCarron’s Photo Gallery

Brent Musburger still jokes with Brian Kelly about Katherine Webb

‘Coach, you’d have been under the gun if it wasn’t for me.’

It has been 10 years since the echoes were awakened by [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] at Notre Dame when his Fighting Irish squad earned a berth in the BCS National Championship and took on mighty Alabama.

As for that game, the fun ended seconds after the team ran onto the field in what wound up a 42-14 massacre in favor of the Crimson Tide.

One part of that game that still gets mentioned by not just Notre Dame fans but college football fans all over is when legendary broadcaster Brent Musburger pointed out Katherine Webb, Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron’s then-girlfriend, in the stands.

Musburger joined Matt Fortuna and Pete Sampson on “The Shamrock” podcast this week and shared how he still jokes with Kelly about that to this day.

“Coach Kelly, who I know very well, now down at LSU having left Notre Dame,” he said. “I still tease him when he got blown out by Alabama in the national championship game, I took all the heat off him because I called a beauty queen beautiful. I was the villain that night in the eyes of the media, especially the woke journalists in some of the papers around the country.

“And, I say, ‘Coach, you’d have been under the gun if it wasn’t for me.’ And he laughs. He’s a good old politician. We’ll see what he does.” – Brent Musburger

Who says romance doesn’t exist?  A decade later McCarron and Webb are married with three kids.

Related:

Alabama, Florida, and Michigan among highlights of future Notre Dame opponents

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbz1mmy7gev0xbr player_id=none image=https://fightingirishwire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Former Bengals QB AJ McCarron shatters XFL records on 6 TD outing

AJ McCarron just put his XFL team on his back.

Former Cincinnati Bengals quarterback AJ McCarron just popped off while lifting his St. Louis Battlehawks to a 53-28 win over the Orlando Guardians on Saturday.

McCarron went 28-of-35 on the day, throwing for 420 yards and six touchdowns — the yardage and touchdowns the most in a single game by an XFL passer in league history.

The former Bengals quarterback is also now the XFL’s single-season passing TD record holder with 20, surpassing a 2001 record held by Tommy Maddox.

McCarron did this, no less, with his team’s season on the line. At 7-3, the Battlehawks could still be eliminated from playoff contention on Sunday, yet McCarron did what he could control in historic fashion.

Either way, McCarron figures to be right in the conversation as XFL MVP.

[affiliatewidget_smgtolocal]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1]

Former Alabama QB AJ McCarron continues to impress in the XFL

Former Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron has been a household name in the XFL this season and he continues to have impressive performances.

It has not been smooth sailing for former Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron since he departed Tuscaloosa in 2014. The Alabama native has had his ups and downs but has found a good spot for himself.

McCarron is currently the quarterback for the St. Louis Battlehawks of the newly-formed XFL. The former Alabama signal-caller has been the team’s starting quarterback since the season kicked off in late February.

He has made seven starts for the Battlehawks and has helped the team win consistently. The Battlehawks are currently 5-2 and sit in second place in the XFL North.

McCarron has led the way having passed for 1,544 yards while completing 68.9% of the passes he has thrown. He also has thrown an impressive 17 touchdowns with just four interceptions on the year.

Despite McCarron turning 33 years old in September, he could make a return to the NFL. In all likelihood, he would serve as a team’s backup quarterback.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow McCarron’s professional career as well as other former Alabama players competing at the professional level.

[lawrence-auto-related count=1]

[lawrence-auto-related count=1]

[mm-video type=video id=01gwjde6m7nejeawcsr1 playlist_id=01eqbz6mkdd99nyvkm player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gwjde6m7nejeawcsr1/01gwjde6m7nejeawcsr1-7ebe4e84de1c7fcec3e70ccc3c3d563f.jpg]

XFL: Sea Dragons fall to BattleHawks 20-18 on last second field goal

The Sea Dragons made it interesting, but couldn’t stop AJ McCarron late

It’s been a rather inauspicious start for the Seattle Sea Dragons in the second season of the new XFL. Seattle is starting with an 0-2 record, having scored only 18 points in each of their last two games.

The Sea Dragons raced to an early 12-0 lead but couldn’t get much going after the successful 3-point conversion to former Seahawks receiver Josh Gordon. After that, it was a slow drip as the St. Louis BattleHawks slowly chipped away at Seattle’s lead.

To the surprise of no one, turnovers kill, and the Sea Dragons were reminded of this painful lesson on Thursday night. Seattle’s first possession of the second half never got a chance to get going, as receiver Jahcour Pearson fumbled the ensuing St. Louis punt. Unfortunately, the following consecutive Sea Dragon possessions resulted in lost fumbles as well.

Quarterback Ben DiNucci made things interesting late, as he passed for 55 yards on a 60-yard touchdown drive to give the Sea Dragons an 18-17 lead with under two minutes left.

However, the lead did not last as BattleHawks – and former Alabama 3x National Champion – quarterback AJ McCarron engineered a game winning drive of his own. McCarron drove St. Louis 50 yards, resulting in the game-winning 44-yard field goal.

Seattle’s next game is next Saturday, as the Sea Dragons travel to Sin City to take on the Vegas Vipers.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=548270241]

Ranking the Top 5 Quarterbacks of the Nick Saban era

Who has been the best Alabama Football quarterback under Nick Saban?

When Nick Saban won his first few national titles with the Alabama Crimson Tide it was through the ground game and with a great defense. But, the most impressive thing about Coach Saban is his willingness to adapt to the times.

As the game has evolved so has Saban. He has always rolled with the punches. In the midst of his dynasty, Saban realized the importance of the quarterback position and has pivoted to leaning more on the position in recent years as opposed to his old-fashioned coaching style.

A lot of guys have flourished and won national titles under Saban, but which five have been the best to grace Bryant-Denny Stadium?

Bryce Young becomes second All-Time in Alabama passing TDs

Bryce Young passes AJ McCarron for No. 2 in Alabama All-Time passing TD list

In what will likely be Bryce Young’s final game with the Alabama Crimson Tide, he passed for three touchdowns in the first half against Kansas State in the Sugar Bowl. The Tide leads at halftime 21-10.

The third score of the game marked the 78th of Young’s career, passing AJ McCarron (77) for second all-time. Bryce trails only Tua Tagovailoa now who posted 87 during his career (2017-2019).

Bryce Young continues to show why he is one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever dawn the Crimson and compete in the SEC.

[mm-video type=video id=01gnhy7pfdc1098r4z0x playlist_id=01eqbz6mkdd99nyvkm player_id=01f1jz1vgtfhzk6ner image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gnhy7pfdc1098r4z0x/01gnhy7pfdc1098r4z0x-9ca7bef29e778c635efed849cb752ab7.jpg]

[lawrence-related id=61348]

[lawrence-related id=61339]

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Sam Murphy on Twitter @SamMurphy02.

Let us know your thoughts, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today!

Former Alabama QB A.J. McCarron drafted to the XFL

The former Alabama QB legend will get a fresh start in the newly-revived XFL.

Former Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron is a legend in Tuscaloosa. The Alabama native won three national championships with the Crimson Tide in his tenure with the program from 2010 through 2013.

McCarron was drafted in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL draft by the Cincinnati Bengals and has been a career backup, bouncing around the league. He’s played on a total of five different NFL teams.

Now, McCarron will likely get an opportunity to showcase his talents as a starting quarterback. The St. Louis Battlehawks of the revived XFL drafted the former Crimson Tide star.

With the 2023 season of the league gearing up, Roll Tide wire will continue to follow McCarron and other former Alabama players that may appear in the league.

[mm-video type=video id=01gfryjanzw75451km3d playlist_id=01eqbz6mkdd99nyvkm player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gfryjanzw75451km3d/01gfryjanzw75451km3d-3e430ab583ecf5cb4529c3055785acea.jpg]

[listicle id=59340]

[listicle id=59302]

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow AJ Spurr on Twitter @SpurrFM.

Let us know your thoughts, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today!

Former Alabama QB, A.J. McCarron, working out with the New York Giants

Former Alabama QB working out for New York Giants today.

Former Alabama quarterback, A.J. McCarron, looks to find a new home in the NFL as he started the 2022 season as a free agent. McCarron has been in the league for eight years with five different organizations.

McCarron got the call this week and will be working out for the New York Giants. The head coach of the Giants is former Alabama offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, who worked with  McCarron in 2018 as members of the Buffalo Bills.

In his eight years in the league, McCarron has accounted for a 62.6% completion percentage, 1,173 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions. While in Tuscaloosa, McCarron won three national titles and will always be a fan favorite.

Let’s hope we get to see A.J. in the Giants blue.

[mm-video type=video id=01gecxrsspx7fdmvzwqp playlist_id=01eqbz6mkdd99nyvkm player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gecxrsspx7fdmvzwqp/01gecxrsspx7fdmvzwqp-011da33f501d706480c22170dbcf34ca.jpg]

[lawrence-related id=57181]

[lawrence-related id=57118]

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Sam Murphy on Twitter @SamMurphy02.

Let us know your thoughts, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today!

Vikings not ruling out bringing in another backup QB

The Vikings might not be done at quarterback.

When the initial depth chart was released on Wednesday, the backup quarterback position stood out right away.

Kellen Mond and Sean Mannion have both been listed as the backup quarterbacks going into Sunday’s preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Unfortunately, neither player has had a good camp. Mannion has performed exactly as you would have expected after his start last season against Green Bay. Mond, after struggling all of last year, has not shown much improvement during training camp thus far.

Where does this leave the Vikings? It could have them searching for a new backup quarterback. ESPN’s Kevin Seifert said as much on KFAN Thursday morning.

The timing feels right, as the new regime hasn’t had an opportunity to get a sense of these players. Now that they have, this isn’t much of a surprise.

Who could they target? Outside of Jimmy Garoppolo and Sam Darnold, both of whom are firmly on the trade block, there aren’t many likely options via trade.

There are a few names on the free agent market that could be enticing, including Cam Newton, Mike Glennon, AJ McCarron, Garrett Gilbert and Kyle Sloter.

If Mond and Mannion both struggle to make a case, don’t be surprised if the team adds another veteran.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyjpbajmjvnqmj player_id=none image=https://vikingswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

[listicle id=65701]