May 2024 - Page 6 of 8 - Adamsonmedia.com

Martinez, McCarron talk QB life

**Birmingham QB Adrian Martinez (9) throws against the Memphis Showboats on May 4 in Memphis.** (Photo by Wes Hale/UFL/Getty Images)

The United Football League’s game of the year (to date) takes place on Saturday when the Birmingham Stallions (6-0) host the St. Louis Battlehawks (5-1) in a late afternoon matchup at Protective Stadium.

Yet, while there’s no mystery who’ll lead the visitors into battle – that’ll be former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback A.J. McCarron – the home team’s starter is TBA.

**Scott Adamson writes stuff. Follow him on Threads @sladamson1960 and Adamsonmedia on Facebook.**

Adrian Martinez has started the last two games for the Stallions, but has been part of a rotation with Matt Corral. Getting the first snap in back-to-back games is a first for a Birmingham signal caller in 2024.

Whether Martinez goes three-for-three, well, that remains to be seen.

“You know, when you guys see that depth chart, it’s around the time we find out,” Martinez said earlier today. “We’ll compete each week, continue to get better, push each other to be better and when (Stallions coach Skip Holtz) makes that decision, he’ll make it.

“I wouldn’t say it’s a consistent timeline and sometimes those things change, so stay light on your feet.”

Martinez is the only player in the UFL to throw for over

300 yards in a game this season. He put up 334 against Memphis in Week 3 and in last Saturday’s rematch he lit up the Showboats for 368 yards and four TDs.

His passing stat line reads 62-105-1 for 971 yards and seven touchdowns.

He’s also the circuit’s second-leading rusher with 327 yards and a TD.

Corral has also acquitted himself well, going 36-62-2 for 494 yards and two touchdowns.

It’s a 1-2 QB punch any UFL club would love to have.

But aside from the competition, Martinez is simply enjoying playing the game.

“I’d say this is the most fun I’ve had and it’s part of what this league is about and something that I really wanted to challenge myself to do,” Martinez said. “You know, enjoy it. We don’t know if it’s gonna be my last time playing ball, so just have gratitude. Go out there and enjoy it, have fun.

“I mean, that’s what the game is about. We’re out here playing a child’s game, so just have fun with it.”

**A.J. McCarron throws against the DC Defenders at Audi Field on April 28 in Washington, DC.** (Photo by Greg Fiume/UFL/Getty Images)

McCarron wouldn’t disagree, but he also knows his return to Alabama is a business trip. It’ll be the first time he’s played football in the Magic City since helping St. Paul’s win the Class 5A state championship game against Briarwood Christian, 14-13, on December 7, 2007 at Legion Field.

“Listen, it’s just another game and that’s all I want it to be,” McCarron said. “But Birmingham is a great city and I love to go there. I have a bunch of friends there and just about all of my doctors are based there, so I spend a lot of time there.

“I appreciate all the support and love, but I want to just stick to this normal routine and not do anything out of the ordinary.”

McCarron is 135-199-2 for 1,306 yards and 13 touchdowns. His 13 aerial scores are far and away a UFL best after six weeks – and a big reason St. Louis has won five consecutive games.

McCarron has spent time with six different NFL teams and is 113-179-3 for 1,192 yards and six touchdowns in big league action.

The 33-year-old is as known for his composure as he is his ability, and he credits that with his time playing under Nick Saban.

“Going into my first year starting, (Saban) was playing a ton of mind games that spring and really just messing with me,” McCarron explained. “I didn’t understand, being young, and it was pissing me off more than anything. And I remember him bringing me in his office and saying, ‘Listen, if you can handle the mind games that I put on you and the pressure that I put on you – whether it’s in practice, scrimmages, whatever, going out in front of 102,000 people will be nothing.’ And so that was one thing that always stuck with me.”

Martinez, 24, remembers watching McCarron during his college days.

“A.J., shoot, I grew up watching him play at Alabama,” he said. “I know he’s had a long career and I have a lot of respect for him. He’s won national championships and has a lot of accolades that you don’t bat an eye at.

“He’s a very good player.”

Saturday’s game is set for 3 pm. Saturday and will be televised on FOX.

And whether McCarron’s counterpart will be Martinez or Corral, the Battlehawks field general knows his team is in for a tussle.

“Birmingham’s a very well-coached team,” McCarron said. “They’re in the right spots, they do the right things. And then, just like all teams, if they mess up, you’ve got to make them pay. You’ve got to capitalize on those opportunities.

“It’s gonna be a good challenge for both teams, and we’re excited about the challenge.”

Distress Call 2374

“Dang it!”

Paulie Priest walked the same path through the woods every morning, sat on the same green wooden bench, and he was always able to get a Wi-Fi signal on his laptop.

Not today, though.

Instead of several options popping up under the “Select a Wireless Network” window, there was nothing – not even “JumpinJackFlash68,” which had become his go-to connection.

Paulie was painfully shy, incredibly smart, and much more comfortable alone than with others. His morning walks were something of a refuge; he loved the sights and smells of the forest, but he also relished the sounds of “nerd time.”

That’s what he called his daily ritual, which featured the flora, fauna and funga appetizer followed by the main course –

plopping down and listening to podcasts such as “Robotics Rebellion” and “Humanoid Aliens: A Theory.”

If he could somehow survive middle school and high school, he wanted to go to Georgia Tech’s School of Electrical and Computer Engineering. He would never dare tell anyone, of course, but he was confident he could make history there.

Last year during the annual science fair at Fillmore Middle School, the seventh grader took the grand prize with a homemade robotic vacuum cleaner. Designed to look like the spacecraft of his favorite show, “Wandering Star Command,” the gadget scurried across the floor of the auditorium, picking up debris and wowing the judges with its efficiency.

It was one of many inventions he had stored away at the small house he shared with his mom. Because when he wasn’t walking and listening to podcasts, Paulie loved tinkering in the garage and building whatever he could think of with whatever he could find.

Many of the components he used were left behind by his dad, a computer technician who drove off to his job in Atlanta several years earlier but never bothered to come back.

Instead of holding on to a bitter memory though, all Paulie wanted to do right now was listen to the live broadcast of “Robotics Rebellion.” Without a signal, that wasn’t going to happen.

So, he did what people always do when the Wi-Fi isn’t working: he rebooted.

Moments later his laptop came back to life and he found one network option called “Distress Call 2374.”

“Well,” he said, “there’s no lock and the signal looks strong, so hello, ‘Distress Call 2374.’”

With a simple keystroke, he was in.

However, all the icons on his screen disappeared and were replaced by what looked like hundreds of neon yellow dots moving randomly – and rapidly – over a bright orange background.

The dots ultimately settled into a pattern, one that formed the fuzzy outline of what appeared to be a woman sitting at some sort of control panel.

“This is Captain Luna Bertrand of Exploration Vessel Marquee … do you read me?”

Paulie blinked several times to make sure he was seeing what he was seeing – and hearing what he was hearing.

“I read you … fine,” he said. “You’re really blurry, though.”

The screen pulsated with white light briefly before clearly displaying Bertrand, a green-eyed redhead clad in a blue military-style uniform.

“Sorry about that,” she said. “Am I clear now? I can see you fine.”

Paulie gazed at Bertrand and all the high-tech equipment in the background. The production values of the broadcast were excellent.

“So, what gives?” he asked. “Is this some kind of viral marketing thing? If this has to do with a ‘Wandering Star Command’ spin-off, I’m all in. Your bridge doesn’t look like their bridge, though.”

Bertrand tapped her side of the screen and a schematic popped up in the lower left corner.

“Look at this and tell me if it’s yours,” she said.

Paulie immediately recognized it as the blueprint for his robotic vacuum cleaner.

“Well … yeah,” he said, slightly puzzled. “That was my science project. But how did you get it? How do you even know about it?”

Bertrand answered by punching a button transforming Paulie’s computer screen into a hologram that displayed both the vacuum cleaner and the spacecraft.

“We’re facing a bit of a time issue here, so I’m giving you the condensed version,” Bertrand said. “To you, it’s May 8, 2024. But I’m from the year 2374 and communicating with you through a rift – a very, very tenuous rift. In the 350 years between your time and mine, the earth has endured two world wars and three plagues. But five years ago, in 2369, there was a cyber attack that resulted in an information wipe.

“Explaining the particulars would take far too long, but let me just say we’re dangerously close to using an abacus to figure out math problems. Now, I don’t really expect you to believe any of this, but I’d appreciate it if you’d humor me.”

Paulie was certainly skeptical, but the fact that his standard laptop was now a device capable of 3D imaging got his attention.

If it was a hoax, it was a brilliant one.

“OK,” he said. “Just for fun, I’ll play along. What do you need from me?”

Betrand placed the image of Exploration Vessel Marquee over that of Paulie’s vacuum.

“According to the bits and pieces of historical records we salvaged after the wipe, the class of starships used 200 years ago are based on your science project,” she explained. “Comparatively speaking to what we fly now, they’re easy to build, cost-effective, durable, and ideal for transporting passengers. Problem is, we haven’t been very successful reverse-engineering them. I need you to compare the schematics and give me some idea of what we need to do to replicate the Priest-Class vessels. I’m confident we can figure out a way – with your help.”

Paulie smiled.

“This is funny,” he said. “Normally somebody’s idea of a joke ends up with me stuffed in a locker so … thanks for naming spaceships after me.”

Bertrand shook her head.

“Please, Dr. Priest,” Bertrand said. “If we’re going to successfully evacuate Earth before the planet dies, we could use your expertise. Now, look at how our engine room is constructed in relation to the motor on your device …”

Showtime in Birmingham

What do the Birmingham Stallions have to do to put more backsides on the bleachers?

I’m genuinely asking – not wagging my finger. How people spend their own time and money is their business, and I have no business sticking my nose in it.

Still, I wonder, especially with the St. Louis Battlehawks (5-1) bringing their high-octane attack to town on Saturday against the Birmingham Stallions (6-0).

“I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t a little bit more excitement and energy and enthusiasm in the building right now,” Birmingham coach Skip Holtz said. “The players’ mindset, the questions being asked, their attention to detail … everybody’s zoned in and everybody’s focused in on what we’ve got to do.

“We know we’re playing a very talented team.”

Although the Magic City has claimed to be the “Football Capital of the South” since Legion Field opened in 1927, Birmingham’s fans-in-the-stands support of professional football has been lacking in recent years.

The Birmingham Thunderbolts of the 2001 XFL averaged 17,002 fans, which was next to last in the eight-team circuit.

The Birmingham Iron of the Alliance of American Football pulled in 14,307 per contest during the ill-fated 2019 season, one that ended after eight weeks.

And the 2022-23 Stallions of the modern USFL? Other than the 17,500 figure that was released for the inaugural game between Birmingham and the New Jersey Generals, officials didn’t announce attendance.

I can tell you, though, that it ranged from not great to awful.

And I just don’t understand, because alt-football is in our DNA, or at least it used to be.

Up until fans realized the World Football League was a house of cards, the Americans drew great crowds. Proud to say I was one of the 54,000-plus in attendance for the Ams’ 58-33 victory over Memphis.

Even though that game was nearly 50 years ago, it still stands as my most memorable in-game experience.

And the original Stallions of United States Football League 1.0 lured 62,500 to their home opener against the New Jersey Generals in 1984.

“But, Scott,” you might say, “those were major league teams … that’s why fans showed up.”

Yes, the WFL and USFL Prime were aspirational in their desire to stand with the NFL, although neither lasted long enough to climb that mountain.

Yet that attendance argument doesn’t hold up.

Jump to 1991 and the Birmingham Fire of the World League of American Football. Opening night at Legion Field – against the Montreal Machine – 52,942 people paid for the privilege to watch the NFL developmental league.

No way to prove it, but I’m pretty sure the best teams in the United Football League could’ve beaten the best teams in WLAF – soundly and regularly.

Which brings us to Saturday’s showdown between the Stallions and Battlehawks at Protective Stadium.

This is easily the marquee matchup of the UFL’s inaugural regular season. It features the Stallions, who sit atop the USFL Conference, and the XFL Conference-leading Battlehawks, winners of five in a row.

“This has got the makings of a great game,” Holtz said. “I’m just glad we have the chance to play in Birmingham, that we get a chance to play a game of this magnitude at home. I know with St. Louis having the largest crowds in the XFL (in 2023) and in the UFL right now, I think Birmingham has an opportunity to show our support and how much we’re enjoying playing in the UFL.

“I’m really looking forward to this weekend.”

St. Louis has averaged more than 35,000 fans for their 2024 home games in The Dome.

On the other hand, a crowd of 12,265 saw Birmingham play its UFL home opener against Memphis, and only 7,262 came out when the Stallions hosted DC.

Maybe I could understand if they were a motley crew of bumbling misfits who can’t win a game.

Instead, they’re 27-3 through just over two and a half seasons of their existence, won back-to-back USFL crowns, and own the longest winning streak in the history of Birmingham-branded pro football teams with 13 consecutive conquests.

And the weather forecast for Saturday’s 3 p.m. start? Clear skies and 75 degrees at kickoff and 65 by the end of the game.

I believe the technical term for that is “Chamber of Commerce Weather.”

Look, I realize the world has changed since I used to spend so much time at Legion Field cheering for the Birmingham Whatevers. There’s more to do, more ways to do it, and anyone interested in watching the UFL can do so from the comfort of their home.

There’s a lot to be said about having a TV, fridge and restroom only a few feet away.

But I keep thinking about some little boy or little girl who has never been to a pro football game, and how cool it would be for them to go to this one – especially if a crowd of 30,000 or so showed up.

Part of being a fan is the fan experience, and trust me – there are some football games you just never forget.

“We have to be able to overcome the circus and the noise that’s going on outside the game, and I love it … I don’t want to lose it. Part of what makes football great is the pageantry and the excitement.

“That’s why we all talk about the more people that can come out and support the game this weekend and support the Stallions and support the UFL and support Birmingham, which is one of the select eight teams in the country that has a (spring) football team, the more electric the atmosphere is, which is what we all want.”

Do what you like, but showing up and showing off on Saturday is something worth considering.

And who knows?

You might even help make Birmingham the “Football Capital of the South” again.

Note: Stallions cornerback Lorenzo Burns, who suffered a frightening injury in Birmingham’s 39-21 victory over Memphis on Saturday, is “on the road to recovery,” according to Holtz.

The coach said Burns will not play against St. Louis but is expected back later in the season.