The QB position is such a lightning rod for commentary.
Don Jacobs - great QB who helped us mightily - but that fumble against Miss St.
Walter Lewis - his gamesmanship and offensive production kept Coach Bryant's late years' decline less evident.
Shula - what a competitor, he got the most out of his ability. Many folks have a tendency to paint his playing years with his coaching record. I don't.
Vince Sutton - he was here forever, and stepped in before and after Shula. I watched his comeback against Kentucky at Commonwealth stadium. Unlikely.
Jay Barker - won the NC, but what a horrible line against Miami. His better games were to come.
John David Phillips/Zow/Watts - What a progression. Zow held the all-time passing mark for years, still one of the few non-Saban QBs to make the top 10.
Freddie - what a gamer, I haven't followed his coaching career lately, but he's in the league somewhere.
Croyle - so fragile, but so talented. During this off-season, go find one of his Bama games on youtube and watch it to marvel at his arm.
JPW - not afraid to sling it, bad TO against LSU but gave us the blackout against UGA, showcasing a previously unknown ability for the touch pass and bringing a young Julio into the spotlight. His ability to linger in the league is a testament to his ability.
I won't continue further into the Saban era, but we (me included) have a tendency to sum a QB into a single game or even a defining play. I think it makes a nice, neat package for our memories, but it sells them short. The only position that gets more disdain is the kicker.
RTR,
Tim