Rank your favorite Saban Era QBs

Watching some youtube and forgot how much fun Blake Sims was to watch and how much I've enjoyed watching our QBs develop and play. This isn't really just about "most talented" cause that would probably be Tua. Nor is it just about championships or stats...I'm going with meaningful/favorite/MVP career type of judgement.

1) AJ McCarron - If you'd have asked me this right after 2nd and 26 I would have said Tua. Without a doubt. I saw three national championships in a row, a heisman or two--this was going to be the greatest run in Alabama history. Until it wasn't--at least in terms of championships.

AJ led the team wire to wire for three straight years. He won two titles. He wasn't our most talented, but he was durable and consistent. We was a reliable playmaker. He really made a difference in the rematch with LSU--it was low scoring but we moved the ball well. He is the only Saban QB with multiple titles.

2) Tua - 2nd and 26 is the greatest play in the history of Alabama football and I'll fight you for it. Tua salvaged the season in one half of meaningful football--a half that probably ranks up there with the greatest halves of any Bama game as well.

Alas, his career peaked very early. We won a lot of games, and we saw a lot of magic. Alas, lady luck was not on our side when it came to his durability. I believe we win 3 in a row if Tua stays healthy. He's definitely the best player at his position under Saban--like Julio was at WR.

3) Hurts - honestly, if I'm building a team and I have to pick from Blake Sims and Jalen--it's a hard pick. I think we forget how electrifying Sims could be. I think Hurts wins a natty if Clemson doesn't get a transcendent performance out Deshaun Watson. Hurts surprised everyone that year. He was also tough as nails. He had a lot of pressure the next year from Tua, and I think teams kinda cracked the code on Jalen, none more than Georgia. Still there was the grace he showed as a backup, and the euphoric save of the SEC CG coming in for Tua.

4) Blake Sims - Sims waited a long, long time for his turn. I think many thought the transfer from FSU (Coker) was coming in because he wasn't going to cut it. Turns out, he was pretty damn good. He put up historic (at the time) numbers and was fast as lighting in the pocket. Built by Bama. Wish we hadn't come up short that year.

5) Greg Mcelroy - took me a minute to pick him over Coker. I think if I'm building a team now and have to pick between them I pick Coker. Still, Gmac led us back to the mountaintop, and had some great moments--the tip toe down the sideline against UF in the SECCG, the block for Julio against Michigan State in 2010. Still he was hurt in the Rose Bowl and didn't really do much--maybe didn't have to? In terms of pure talent, he was probably our least overall.

6) Coker - had one year, and made it count. Got stronger as the year went on and starting winning games toward the end. That rollout throw against Auburn is one of my favorites and he did a good job over Clemson. He had a cannon for an arm.

7) JP Wilson - suffered under the probation era, but started the streak over Tennessee with an unexpected arse whipping in 2007, and blew out Auburn in 2008. 2008--the year we re-introduced ourselves to the world. Blowing out Clemson, blowing out UGA. LSU--made his arse quit. One of the most fun regular seasons I can recall, because the wins were revelations, not relief.

Anyway, dear diary, dear facebook, yadda yadda...yes, yes it is what it is. I'm still processing my feelings from the Tua era.