I was so starved for some Bama football that I was entertained no matter how pitiful the offense looked, but TideStalker is right the O was a little more than yawn inspiring.
Look no one is doubting what CNS & staff have accomplished with these game manager QB's. Its been nothing short of a miracle. Truly one of the more amazing feats I have ever witnessed in sports. The staff deserves an endless amount of credit for getting the absolute maximum potential out of some of these QB's.
Here is where the frustration is originating for me personally. Bama identifies and grooms NFL talent at DL, OL, LB, OLB, S, CB, RB, and WR more so than any program in the country, but is lucky to get their QB's invited to the combine much less drafted early. Where is the disconnect ?
This actually starts before the CNS era; I dont believe that Bama has had a 1st round QB in my LIFETIME. Yes I know its much harder to identify a future star at QB than at other positions, but CNS and staff have had 10 years now to identify and groom a QB the game-plan does not have to be adjusted for due to them being "limited."
Even AJ was tagged with the "game manager" tag, and he is by far the best QB we have had over the past ten years.
This reminds me of the great kick-off debates of years past. The Homers of Bama nation thought that CNS was literally telling the kicker to kick the ball short, because they could not believe that Bama was the only team in the country without a kicker that could kick the ball into the endzone. haha This became such a message board topic that finally a reporter asked CNS point blank one day "do you want it kicked short, or do you want it kicked into the endzone ?" CNS reply was " I wish he would kick it into the seats every time." lol
So this never ending string of game-manager QB's, and how the homers in Bama nation rationalize it gives me a good laugh. As if all CNS wants is a game manager. As if he is opposed to having a first round talent QB that can, and does make all the throws on time/in stride. As if the absolute only thing he wants the QB to do is not turn the ball over.
Sometimes I wonder what some of the better QB's in the league could do with our WR corp, and an extra defender in the box like there always is vs Bama to defend the run because teams dont respect our ability to throw it.
In conclusion I know Bateman is likely the man. He fits the mold of what we have had year after year, but I cant help but pull for the guy that looks like he could be something more. I love winning titles, and that is the bottom line here so this is merely wishful thinking, but I personally would really enjoy having a QB that was fun to watch play on Saturdays.
I dont feel like having a great QB should mean we cant win titles; it should help Bama win titles more easily.
Stalker is right... the D is suffocating, but the O is loaded with talent also. They should not be rendered totally inept by the D. There were open receivers all over the place, but the QB's could not get them the ball.
If all Bama is going to ask Bateman to do is hand the ball off, and throw five yard check down passes why not let Hurts do it since he can also run the ball ? Yeah I know its not that simple, but my lifelong desire to watch a Bama QB dominate on Saturdays is skewing my judgement, and frankly after all these years waiting for a stud QB I think that is reasonable.
Tis the season for what could be... thats all there is until fall camp.
