FOXBOROUGH (Mass.) Cam Newton was defeated by Mac Jones to be the New England Patriots' starting QB. He now has the opportunity to change the narrative about how Alabama Crimson Tide's quarterbacks have not performed in the NFL since Joe Namath, Bart Starr and Ken Stabler who each have five Super Bowl titles between them.
"Two decades ago, Alabama had not had much success as a quarterback since the early part of the NFL merger. Now you have three former Alabama starters [who can make an impact] this season," Greg McElroy, a former Alabama quarterback who was the New York Jets' seventh-round draft pick in 2011, and is now an ESPN college football analyst.
It's a reasonable question to ask. It's strange that Alabama has all these successful players, but the quarterback position is not one that is now considered draftable in either the first or second rounds. "Don't touch these guys" was the old motto.
McElroy also includes Jalen Hurts from the Philadelphia Eagles. He transferred to Oklahoma from Alabama in order to play his final college season in 2019. McElroy is part of an evolving conversation with Jones (Patriots) and Tagovailoa (Miami Dolphins). All three of them will start Week 1. Jones and Tagovailoa will meet Sept. 12 at New England (at 4:25 p.m.). ET, CBS
Alabama coach Nick Saban stated this week that the trio had worked hard and showed tremendous improvement. It's a reflection of some of our really great quarterback coaches and some of our good offensive coordinators."
Following the glory days of Starr, Namath, and Stabler (two who played under Bear Bryant), the list of Alabama quarterbacks in NFL is headed by Richard Todd. He was a 1976 first-round draft pick for the Jets. He was the last Alabama quarterback who won a playoff game in 1982. However, he lost his chance to lead the Jets to Super Bowl glory that season.
According to ESPN Stats & Information, Alabama's quarterbacks have thrown 35 touchdown passes since Todd's retirement in 1985, which was 35 years ago. Those touchdowns were thrown by Tagovailoa (11) Jeff Rutledge (9), Brodie Croyle (8), AJ McCarron (6), and McElroy (1).
Mel Kiper Jr. is ESPN's senior NFL draft analyst. He said that the history of Alabama's quarterbacks in the NFL dating back to Todd can be easily explained. It is not easy to find highly-rated prospects for the position at Alabama.
Kiper stated that "They won there" and that they were excellent college quarterbacks. However, they weren't expected as starting quarterbacks in an NFL team. That's the one thing that we must always distinguish. Everyone knows that if you aren't a great NFL quarterback, it's because you weren't good enough in college. The NFL is very different from college. They must be separated.
Bill Belichick, Patriots coach, says that rookie Mac Jones is "afraid to do things the right way." Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images
The Alabama pipeline has been used frequently in recent years in New England, where Patriots believe that Jones is their successor to Tom Brady. This is partly due to the close friendship between Saban and Bill Belichick. This is the first time that it has ever happened to the Patriots at quarterback.
Saban's college coaching career has seen 10 quarterbacks compete in the NFL. According to ESPN Stats & Info, they have a 54-75 record with 141 touchdowns, and 121 interceptions.
Jones believes he is ready for this opportunity because he was a Crimson Tide QB.
Jones stated that Alabama has produced some great players in the NFL. It's amazing to have been a student there and to have learned from the quarterback room. You can learn from others who have the same experience as you, so just keep moving forward.
He is supported by many people who are working for his success.
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Croyle said, "I'm a supporter." He was a player for Alabama from 2002-2005 and was a third round draft pick by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2006. "The way he conducts himself, there is a confidence. But it's relatable confidence. His teammates love playing with him and for him.
It has been quickly apparent that Jones, 22-years-old, has gained a level respect with the Patriots that is not common with rookies during Belichick's 21 year tenure as a coach.
"He is a wonderful kid. Real smart dude. He's going over the edge," Dont'a Hightower of New England, a former Alabama linebacker, said. "Actually, he has been looking at defensive plays to conceptually understand how we work." He saw it as an opportunity that not many young men would consider. I'm grateful that he did that alone.
Matthew Slater, a long-serving Patriots captain, said Jones was "a pleasure to have worked with."
Slater stated, "Character really matters when you talk about the things we do off-the football field, how we approach our profession, I think Mac's a fine young person," His family should be proud about the way they raised him and how he conducts himself.
"A perfect situation"
McElroy is optimistic about the future of Jones, the Alabama quarterback in the NFL.
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"Because 75 per cent of being a great player depends on the environment you are in." McElroy stated that at least he is convinced of this.
"If you are a first-round selection, it means that you have a remarkable skill set. How do you become a franchise quarterback who is complete? You should surround yourself with good players. Being a thoughtful and innovative playcaller. A program or organization that has a consistent and well-established hierarchy and a clear understanding of how things work. All of these things are why I believe Mac is in a perfect situation.
Jones has stated the same. When rumors about Jones going No. He was drafted No. 3 overall by the San Francisco 49ers. However, rumors of him going No. 15 years old, he stated during a press conference shortly after being chosen by the Patriots. He had secretly hoped that New England would be his destination.
McElroy, on the other hand, wonders if Croyle's situation -- and the story about Alabama quarterbacks -- would have changed if he had been in a similar position entering the NFL in 2006 as a third-round draft pick.
Croyle, an Alabaman native who played under three Alabama head coaches before Saban was hired, initially believed that playing for the Chiefs would be a great opportunity. He looks back and is not regretful.
"I was excited to go to play with the greatest offensive line in the NFL's history. Croyle laughed as he showed up to the game and it was over quickly.
"But coach Herm Edwards is still one of my greatest influences. I don't think there is a better opportunity than the friendship and wisdom that Edwards gave me every day. You know what? I don't play 'what if?'. I prefer the 'what if' game. My career has been a blessing. Was it what I expected? It didn't, man. I wish I could still play. But... Would it have brought me back to my true calling, which is what I do all my life? It wouldn't have. I thank God for the timing and for the appointments.
Croyle is 38 and serves as the executive Director of Big Oak Ranch in Alabama, which is a Christian home for orphaned/abused children that was founded by John.
Jones (10) was initially overshadowed early on by Tua Tagovailoa (2) and Jalen Hurts (2), but he eventually rose to the top. Vasha Hunt/Alabama Media Group via AP
Croyle views Jones as an exemplary individual, a top-notch decision maker on the field, and a representative of the Alabama fraternity in the NFL. While Jones' success at Alabama was criticized by some because he played alongside future first-round picks Jaylen Waddle, Najee Harris and DeVonta Smith; Croyle sees the Heisman Trophy winner through a different perspective.
I just admire his resilience. He's an Alabama man, so he's not the guy you hear all the time. He quietly did his job and quietly improved upon himself, which is what you hear from all the blue-chip and big-name men. Croyle stated that he took advantage of his chance when it presented itself.
"There is so much for young people today, but you don't need to be the crowned or appointed to get there. Sometimes, just putting your head down is enough to decide to put one foot in front the other.
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Belichick and others in the locker room were impressed by Jones's performance over five months. They praise his calm approach and the on-field performance.
Belichick stated that he feels like he has shown an ability to accomplish things in a productive way. He's still young and I know he will continue to grow and learn. We'll see how that goes. He's performed at a level that supports this, which is why we drafted.
Some of his Patriots teammates are thinking big about the events that have unfolded during spring practices and training camp. The critical moment came when Newton, who was absent from the team for five consecutive days and three practices due to a COVID-19 protocol "misunderstanding", was crucial.
Jones made the most out of it, his teammates rallied behind him, and it gave Belichick and his team a clear picture of what it could look without Newton.
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Trent Brown, Patriots offensive tackle, said that he believes he could be "special". "I think he can make throws that not many young men can make, because he is so young."
McElroy stated that Jones's inability to move as well as his fellow quarterbacks could pose a problem.
"The position is more capable of creating their own opportunities, and Mac Jones does not fit that description. McElroy stated that he will be a traditional pocket-passing quarterback who will rely on accuracy as well as mental acumen to pick him apart.
"The beauty of it is that this is not a dinosaur. The guys who are 6'5" and have no mobility, the statues in their pockets, absolute cannon arms, and can't process very quickly, are what makes a dinosaur. These are the men who are dying. However, it doesn't matter if your processing speed is fast, if your accuracy is high, and if the receivers are in the same place, you won't be stuck.
McElroy wonders about Alabama's quarterbacks under Saban and before him.
They get a bad reputation. McElroy stated that if they don’t become All-Pros, it means they aren't worth their salt. "I feel like there's been so many great players, that even if you're just a backup or a journeyman -- and you have a good career -- you're still a star in the eyes. It's all about how great your teammates are, and the success they have in certain cases.
Jones is the Patriots' favorite franchise quarterback. Jones has been a long-running search since Brady's March 2020 departure.
All those who were there before Jones -- Alabama's QB history is well-documented -- hoped that it would be the same.
"There's a connection because you shared blood, sweat, and the same sacrifice at one place. Croyle stated, "There's a brotherhood that you carry."
