Tag: AJ McCarron

Jalen Hurts will be active, serve as QB2 for Eagles

Jalen Hurts now makes the third former Alabama quarterback working in a No. 2 quarterback role joining Tua Tagovailoa and AJ McCarron.

Jalen Hurts will be active and make his rookie debut on Sunday for the Philadelphia Eagles after being inactive for the Week 1 matchup against the Washington Football Team last Sunday.

On Sunday morning, Dave Spadaro with the Eagles Insider Podcast tweeted out that the former Alabama quarterback would be serving as the team’s No. 2 quarterback for this week’s game against the Los Angeles Rams.

Last week, it was former Indiana quarterback Nate Sudfeld who held the clipboard and watched starter Carson Wentz complete only 57.1-percent of his passes while throwing for 270 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Now, it looks the former sixth-round pick will be inactive while Hurts assumes the backup role to Wentz.

Throughout training camp, there were rave reviews for Hurts, who transferred to Oklahoma for his final collegiate season to take over the starting job for the departed Kyler Murray. Hurts has some similarities to Wentz, but overall, it’s a different style.

The offensive line for the Eagles still remains a liability after the loss of second-year left tackle Andre Dillard. Lane Johnson, while expected to suit up against the Rams on Sunday, has still been limited and will reportedly play at less than 100 percent.

In other words, it’s a good thing Hurts is able to escape pressure and use his legs as a weapon should he have to enter the game for an often injured Wentz.

Alabama now has three of its former quarterbacks working in a No. 2 role, as Hurts is joined by Tua Tagovailoa with the Miami Dolphins and AJ McCarron with the Houston Texans.

Stay tuned for more NFL updates from Roll Tide Wire, part of the USA TODAY Sports College Wire network!

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Alabama football countdown: 10 days until kickoff

We are 10 days from Alabama football kicking off its season on the road against the Missouri Tigers to start a 10-game, SEC only schedule.

There has been a lot of uncertainty surrounding college football over the last couple of months, but as of right now, the season still looks like it’s a go for the SEC, ACC and Big 12.

So, what does that mean? It means that we can continue the Countdown to Kickoff en route to the Crimson Tide — and the rest of the SEC — getting things underway on Sept. 26.

With it now being Sept. 16, we are officially 10 days away from the start!

Like with a lot of the lower numbers, two players are currently wearing the No. 10 for Alabama. On defense, it’s junior linebacker Ale Kaho out of Reno (Nev.). On offense, it’s projected starting quarterback Mac Jones, a redshirt junior out of Florida.

In year’s past, standouts such as former quarterback AJ McCarron and linebacker Reuben Foster have worn the number.

Alabama quarterback Mac Jones (10) walks off the field after Alabama defeated Tennessee at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday October 19, 2019. Mickey Welsh, Montgomery Advertiser

2020 Alabama football schedule

  • Sept. 26 at Missouri (Columbia, Mizz.)
  • Oct. 3 vs. Texas A&M (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)
  • Oct. 10 at Ole Miss (Oxford, Miss.)
  • Oct. 17 vs. Georgia (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)
  • Oct. 24 at Tennessee (Knoxville, Tenn.)
  • Oct. 31 vs. Miss State (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)
  • Nov. 14 at LSU (Baton Rouge, La.)
  • No. 21 vs. Kentucky (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)
  • Nov. 28 vs. Auburn (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)
  • Dec. 5 at Arkansas (Fayetteville, Ark.)

Stay tuned for more updates from Roll Tide Wire, part of the USA TODAY Sports College Wire network!

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Report: Broncos had interest in AJ McCarron before he signed with Texans

Before agreeing to terms with Jeff Driskel, the Broncos were interested in Texans backup AJ McCarron.

Before the Denver Broncos agreed to terms with quarterback Jeff Driskel on a two-year deal, the team had interest in Houston Texans backup AJ McCarron, according to a report from KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis.

McCarron ultimately decided to re-sign with Houston with a one-year, $4 million contract and Denver turned its attention toward Driskel.

McCarron (6-3, 215 pounds) entered the league as a fifth-round pick out of Alabama with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2014. After spending the first four years of his career in Cincinnati, McCarron went on to spend time with the Buffalo Bills and Oakland (now Las Vegas) Raiders before joining the Texans last year. He has started in four games in his career.

The Broncos were rumored to be interested in McCarron back in 2017 but general manager John Elway denied that interest at the time. There’s no denying that Denver had genuine interest this time around but the two sides weren’t able to get a deal done.

After landing Driskel, the Broncos are expected to trade or release quarterback Joe Flacco later this week.

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Could AJ McCarron be heading to New England this season?

According to Patriots’ writer Erik Scalavino, McCarron may be the newest free agent quarterback to join the New England Patriots.

Former Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron has played for the Cincinnati Bengals, Buffalo Bills, Oakland Raiders, and the Houston Texans. According to Patriots’ writer Erik Scalavino, McCarron may be the newest free agent quarterback to join the New England Patriots.

This is of course if the Patriots don’t find a way to keep legendary quarterback Tom Brady.

Here’s what Scalavino had to say:

“While it’s difficult for many to envision Brady in any uniform other than New England’s, that eventuality must be considered this year. If the Patriots can’t find a way to keep TB12 in Foxborough, which available QBs might be viable alternatives, at least in the short term? Bridgewater could receive considerable interest after his successful stint replacing Brees, who will likely stay with New Orleans.

The Patriots might not want to spend a hefty sum on a non-Brady passer, which makes backups like Mariota, McCarron (who’s been linked to the Patriots in the past), McCoy, and Moore potential players to consider as competition for 2019 rookie Jarrett Stidham and veteran third-stringer Cody Kessler. It’s possible New England could also try to trade for a veteran passer if the Patriots can’t retain Brady.”

McCarron has yet to find a team to truly give him a chance. In his NFL career, he has had 173 attempts, completing 108 of those for 1,153 yards and a 62.4 percent completion rate. He has thrown 6 TDs, and 3 INT for a regular season QBR rating of 86.2 percent.

Roll Tide Wire will keep you up to date on the very latest on all free agents representing the Crimson Tide.

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4 backup quarterbacks Jets should avoid in free agency

The Jets need a backup quarterback behind Sam Darnold who can perform in a pinch – these aren’t those quarterbacks.

Joe Douglas knows he needs to fill the holes on the Jets roster. The offensive line, cornerback, pass rush and wide receiver are the obvious gaps, but he should also target finding a good, veteran backup quarterback for Sam Darnold. 

We talked about the top backups the Jets should target, but there are also a lot of quarterbacks they should avoid. If the Jets want to make sure the offense operates at a high level should Darnold go down with injury, they need to find someone who is a mix of experienced, proficient and cheap. They won’t be able to find someone that’s all three, but they definitely can’t afford to sign someone who isn’t either experienced or proficient.

Here are the top four backup quarterbacks the Jets shouldn’t sign.

(Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports)

Marcus Mariota

Mariota is an intriguing option as a player but wouldn’t fit well with the Jets and Adam Gase, who prefers pocket-passers over mobile quarterbacks. Mariota can do both, but Gase needs someone who could step up at a moment’s notice and there’s no real indication Mariota could do that without understanding the offense. 

Another problem with Mariota is his inability to avoid sacks. He was sacked on 13.5 percent of passing attempts in 2019 for the Titans despite only playing in seven games. His backup and eventual replacement, Ryan Tannehill, was sacked on 9.8 percent of passing attempts. 

Mariota does have promise, though, which could be a negative thing as a Jets backup. For one, he’d likely command a salary the Jets shouldn’t spend on a backup. For another, Gase can’t afford to roster a backup that the fans could clamor for if Darnold has another disappointing game. It could zap his confidence and hinder the team’s long-term success.

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What is the Cincinnati Bengals’ NFL Draft history at quarterback?

Will Joe Burrow join the list of quarterbacks drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals?

The Bengals have the first pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. LSU’s Joe Burrow appears to be their target. The team has made some forgettable selections at quarterback in its history. A look at the good, bad and ugly.

The late-60s

Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports

Dewey Warren and Gary Davis were the first QBs selected in 1968 by the Bengals at their inception. Warren, a sixth-round pick, started four games in his rookie year and lost them all. They drafted Davis in the third round out of Vanderbilt but he did not pan out. Zero NFL stats. The following season Cincy drafted a quarterback from Cincinnati in the first round, Greg Cook. The local boy started off 3-0 and then … doom. In game three versus Kansas City, Cook felt a pop in his right (throwing) shoulder and missed the next three games. His torn rotator cuff went undiagnosed. He continued to play and finished 1969 4-6-1 as a starter. The rotator cuff began deteriorating after the season; during surgery, it was revealed that Cook also had a partially detached biceps muscle. After three operations proved futile, he retired. A 1973 comeback attempt failed and Cook retired permanently.

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Sports Illustrated analyst predicts AJ McCarron’s free agency landing spot

Former national championship-winning Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron is set to hit free agency heading into the 2020 NFL regular season. McCarron has been bounced around the NFL as the “next man up” for the Cincinnati Bengals, who drafted the …

Former national championship-winning Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron is set to hit free agency heading into the 2020 NFL regular season.

McCarron has been bounced around the NFL as the “next man up” for the Cincinnati Bengals, who drafted the Crimson Tide product in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL Draft, Buffalo Bills, Oakland Raiders and most recently the Houston Texans.

Noah Strackbein of Sports Illustrated claimed that McCarron could be the perfect fit as a backup plan to the aging Ben Roethlisberger.

In 2019 Roethlisberger was out for the season after requiring shoulder surgery which forced a couple of young quarterbacks to step in and help the Steelers finish with a record of 8-8.

Mason Rudolph may be the guy for Pittsburgh moving forward, as he stepped up when Roethlisberger went down, but he suffered an injury of his own.

McCarron may be just what head coach Mike Tomlin is looking for in a No. 2 quarterback.

The career backup has had to fill in for some big names in the past and is most likely not afraid to do it in the AFC North.

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BAMA BEAT: Breaking down the Alabama All-Decade Team (Ep. 290)

Clint Lamb and Brett Hudson discuss Alabama’s All-Decade Team, which was originally voted on by The Tuscaloosa News and TideSports staff.

Cecil Hurt and Clint Lamb, through TideSports.com and The Tuscaloosa News, produce a podcast called “The ‘Bama Beat”, which features all the latest news and analysis surrounding the Alabama Crimson Tide.

In this episode, Lamb and Brett Hudson discuss Alabama’s All-Decade Team, which was originally voted on by The Tuscaloosa News and TideSports.com staff. Lamb and Hudson debate each position individually while revealing what went into the decision-making process.

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WATCH: Texans backup offense scores first touchdown against Titans

The Houston Texans’ backup offense led a first-drive touchdown against the Tennessee Titans capped by a Duke Johnson run.

No Deshaun Watson, DeAndre Hopkins, Kenny Stills, Laremy Tunsil, no problem.

With their backup offense commanding the ship, the Houston Texans used 15 plays and half of the first quarter to march 75 yards down the field to score the opening touchdown in their bout against the Tennessee Titans.

Interestingly enough, the A.J. McCarron-led offense led the first Texans first drive touchdown of the 2019 season. He has that over Watson.

Watch below. Running back Duke Johnson punches in the one-yard touchdown to open up the scoring festivities.

Johnson’s play followed the 4th-and-one conversion by third-string tailback Buddy Howell.

The Texans’ backup offense didn’t miss a beat. McCarron masterfully led an attack devoid of their signature talent. The backup passer from the Alabama Crimson Tide went 4 of 7 passing for 50 yards to get the Texans down the field. Carlos Hyde led the rushing attack, earning four totes for 13 yards.

That’s one way to spoil the Titans’ playoff hopes.

REPORT: AJ McCarron will be starting QB for Texans against Titans

According to ESPN’s Dianna Russini, former Alabama and current Texans’ quarterback AJ McCarron

When the Houston Texans host the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, there will be a new QB1. According to ESPN’s Dianna Russini, former Alabama and current Texans’ quarterback AJ McCarron will be the starter with Deshaun Watson as the backup. Watson has been limited all week in practice after suffering a back injury.

McCarron, who was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 5th round of the 2014 NFL Draft, played for the Bengals from 2014-2017. In 2018, he was a  part of the practice squad for the Buffalo Bills before being traded to the Oakland Raiders in 2018. Earlier this year in 2019, he joined the Texans where he has been a backup to Deshaun Watson. McCarron has only thrown one pass for the Texans this season.

At Alabama, McCarron won the Maxwell Award, the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, was a first team All-American, won the 2012 SEC Championship, and won back to back National Championships in 2011 and 2012.

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