The Ongoing Saga That Is Bama’s Quarterback
November 30, 2008
My how things have changed.
No, I’m not talking about any streaks being broken. I’m not looking at the 12-0 record. I’m not looking at a team that despite most saying they “couldn’t make it through November without a loss because ‘look what happened last year’” has done just that.
What I am talking about here is something that isn’t being talked about. Well, it is, but it isn’t being described accurately by the media and by the majority of the Alabama fan base.
What I’m talking about here is the story of John Parker Wilson. Specifically, the use of one word to describe
what he’s done this year.
That word? Manage.
Granted, back in the weeks of summer camp and fall practice this year I was one of those who just wanted John Parker to manage the game. It wasn’t about him winning the game, it was about him doing the exact opposite; not losing the game.
As the season has progressed I’ve found myself changing my opinion each and every week on how John Parker has played.
It started, but I held back early notions, right after the Clemson game. I was more than duly impressed with our running game however that success was expected. What I didn’t expect was seeing the final statistics of that game where Wilson completed 73% of his passes, not throwing a interception and finishing the day with two touchdowns.
“OK,” I admitted. “I have seen this kind of performance before out of John Parker. Let’s wait until the Arkansas game before changing my mind.”
It wasn’t the Arkansas game itself that moved me further away from the “manage theory.” After all, he did manage to hand the ball off all day long while only completing six passes. It was what happened after that game that made me take pause.
“We are ready to get on the bus and travel to Athens tonight.” That was how Wilson described how he felt and how the team felt following that win and looking ahead to facing the Georgia Bulldogs.
Again, just like after the Clemson game, I took a moment to review the game John Parker had against the Bulldogs. Again, I found myself saying, “that’s not managing an offense” when I reviewed his performance. Wilson finished the day 13 of 16 (81% completion rate), 205 yards with another touchdown.
With the exception of this article, the word manage and John Parker Wilson was removed from my vocabulary October 25th.
If you’ll step back and recall that game the Tide was having difficulties with the Volunteer defense early on. One adjustment made by the Tide staff, an adjustment that wasn’t widely reported, was putting that game into the hands of John Parker.
We can’t sit back and ignore the point of Wilson, once again, completing over 70% of his passes. However, it’s how he did so that is more important.
At the beginning of the second quarter the Alabama offense attempted three passes all falling incomplete. When John Parker returned to the sidelines he had a conversation with our staff leading to Coach McElwain freeing up the Alabama game plan. Instead of calling the specific play, he put the game in Wilson’s hands, and head, when he allowed him to make the call at the line of scrimmage.
It was a simple read with two options; run the ball or take advantage of their set and pass it. Wilson didn’t have another incompletion the rest of the day finishing a perfect 11 for 11. The reads were perfect as the Tide simply rolled over the Volunteer defense the remainder of that evening.
At that point, I was convinced. Even though I suspected he’d have a good senior campaign due to his experience I had only dreamed he’d fulfill the leadership role and take this team on his back.
The Tennessee game was the turning point of my opinion the season John Parker would have. The LSU was the defining moment.
Playing in Death Valley, with the SEC West Divisional title on the line, on the first play from scrimmage in overtime, one players’ number was called. It was #14. It wasn’t a call to “manage the overtime period,” it was a call to finish the overtime period.
I’d dare say every football fan knows the name Ronnie Lott. His comments, after the LSU game, sum it up best.
As for #1, Alabama showed me so much last week at LSU. To see them on the road and make the decision to throw the ball on the first play of overtime showed me just how much confidence Coach Saban has in his quarterback. That’s powerful for a team. He told me that not only can we run the ball with the best of them, but we can throw the ball with the best of them and we can do it in adverse conditions with the game on the line. He threw the ball down the field to set up the win. The reason they’ve been winning is that Coach Saban knows a lot more about his team than we do. It is great to see when a coach who didn’t know his quarterback a year ago is willing to put it in his hands to win one of the biggest games of the year. Great coaches can identify guys who can play in crucial situations and they empower them to do so. Coach Saban is a great coach and he knew better than anyone that his quarterback could make probably the biggest play of his life.
It’s a well known fact that John Parker has his name etched in Crimson Flame in the All-Time Alabama record books. But, if there was a case for another category to be added on his resume he’s proven it this year.
While this season is still unfolding and there remains the possibility of greater things in the future one thing is no longer a question to be answered.
It’s no longer fair, much less accurate, to call John Parker a game manager. He’s simply a winner.
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