Building the Ultimate Alabama Team: Quarterbacks

We start off building the ultimate Alabama team with a position that has largely been an after thought for the Crimson Tide. When people think of Alabama, players on the defensive side of the ball, running backs and offensive lineman come to mind. Don't get me wrong, we've had our handful of quality QB's spend their time at the Capstone but I don't think anyone would refer to Alabama as Quarterback U. Perhaps Saban sets a new trend by placing high end quarterbacks in the NFL, but something tells me, regardless of the offensive styles that come and go in college football, Alabama will always be led by a great defense and strong running game. 

Why fix what ain't broken?

Rules? We don't need no stinkin' rules.

Below is the list of players (in no particular order) I feel should be considered for this coveted spot on the team.

— The community will vote and the top 4 quarterbacks will move on to the final round.

— Who you choose will be based on your own criteria. If they had a successful NFL career and that is part of your decision, so be it. If you want to focus solely on their career at Alabama, again that's up to you. My suggestion would be to wait to vote and allow the discussions in the comments to guide you. The choice may be obvious but you only get one vote per round, so make it count.

— If I missed a player, and the community feels he should have been included, a single write-in candidate will be allowed.

 — Only players who played in the Bear era (1958-1982) to present are included.

Building the Ultimate Alabama Team: Quarterbacks

Kenny Stabler:

Finished his career at Alabama with a 28–3–2 record but also played 14 years in the NFL. He won the XI Super Bowl, was the 1974 NFL MVP, and was also a four time Pro Bowler.

Career stats at Alabama: Threw for 2196 yards, 18 touchdowns, 18 interceptions and ran for an additional 838 with 9 touchdowns.

"As a junior in 1966, he took over the quarterback position full-time. He led the team to an undefeated, 11–0 season which ended in a 34–7 rout of Nebraska in the Sugar Bowl. Despite the unblemished record, the Tide was snubbed by the polls, finishing in third behind Notre Dame and Michigan State." 

Still and will forever be butt hurt about this, you guys.

Joe "Willie" Namath:

29-4 record at Alabama and led the team to the 1964 national championship. Broadway Joe also had a successful NFL career, playing 11 years and was inducted into the Pro Football HOF in 1985. Most notably, he won Super Bowl III and earned Super Bowl MVP honors.

Career stats at Alabama: Threw for 2, 713 yards, 25 touchdowns,19 interceptions and ran for 655 yards.

Bear Bryant called Namath "the greatest athlete I ever coached". When Namath was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985, he broke down during his induction speech upon mentioning Bryant, who died from a heart attack in 1983.

Jay Barker:

Career record of 35 wins, 2 losses, and a tie as a starting quarterback. Led the Crimson Tide to a national championship in 1992 and beat the Miami Hurricanes 34 – 13 in the Sugar Bowl. As a senior in '94 he finished in the top 5 of the Heisman Trophy voting and won the won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.

Career Stats at Alabama: Threw for 5689 yards, 26 touchdowns and 24 interceptions.

AJ McCarron:

Two time BCS Champion, Offensive MVP of 2012 BCS Championship game, and Heisman runner up in 2013.

Career Stats at Alabama: Threw for 9,019 yards , 77 touchdowns and 17 interceptions.

"As a senior in 2013, McCarron was again a second-team All-Southeastern Conference selection. During the season he passed John Parker Wilson to become Alabama's all time passing yard leader. He also broke Greg McElroy's record for passing yards in a season with 3,063."

Jeff Rutledge:

Led Alabama to an outstanding 33-5 record in his career including  three SEC Championships, and a National Championship in 1978. Two time Super Bowl winner (as a back up and place holder)

Career stats at Alabama: Threw for 3, 351 yards, 30 touchdowns and 23 interceptions

Per Football University:

During the 1979 NFL Draft, Rutledge was selected by the Los Angeles Rams. He played in Los Angeles for four seasons, making a backup appearance in Super Bowl XIV. Rutledge then moved to New York where he spent the 1983-89 seasons with the Giants, winning Super Bowl XXI in the process - the Giants' first championship since 1956. He then he moved on to the nation's capital to play for the Washington Redskins, from 1990-92. He won his second ring there, winning Super Bowl XXVI. His biggest highlight came while with Washington. He entered a game trailing 35-14 with 10:37 left in the third quarter, and proceeded to throw for 363 yards and a touchdown, also running for the game-tying touchdown with 24 seconds remaining. The Redskins went on to win in overtime.

Brodie Croyle:

Croyle never led the Crimson Tide to a SEC Championship, let alone a National Championship but his career numbers, and the fact he never played on a team nearly as talented as others included on this list, to me places him at least in the discussion.

Career stats at Alabama: Threw for 6382 yards, 41 touchdowns and 22 interceptions

His 2,499 passing yards in 2005 were the highest single-season total in Alabama's school history. His total 202 completions and 339 passing attempts rank as the second-best seasonal marks in school annals. His 2,311 yards of total offense were the third-best seasonal mark in the history of the school, and his 1.18 interception percentage was the lowest single-season mark in school history as wel

Why I didn't choose....

I mulled over whether or not to include  Greg McElroy but after much thought, I felt it was best to leave him out. Though Greg won a national title and had a fantastic game against Florida in the 2009 SEC Championship game, I just don't feel is over-all numbers or career places him among the all time Bama greats. Maybe I'm wrong here and  ya'll think he's worthy of a write-in vote. I'll let you decide.