🏈 Bama A-Day reveals how tight QB race is

[Southern Bama]

Whats the word on Blake Sims ? I really dont know all that much about him other than a physically talented dual threat type. Does anyone know if he is limited to the QB position ?

 

[Tideandtrue8365]

:hyper:I liked the way both Sim's played and the Ely kid.My jury is still out on McCarron. I fully believe Phillip Sims beats out A.J. for the job,but a dual QB use in the first 3 games is possible.:td:

 

[TerryP]

I *thought* the race was tight because both QBs were looking so "good", but after watching the A-Day game, I'm not sure that is the case. Now before Terry starts throwing stats at me, let me say that I know what the stats were. However, when I watch a game, I know the difference between dumping the ball off on a two yard pass to Trent Richardson and having the running back run for 23 yards versus completing a pass that actually flew threw the air for 23 yards. I saw very few passes completed down the field and the problem we had last year where we are a little too quick to dump it off to the running back appears to presist. The running game looks good, but I'm concerned about our passing attack for this season.

I will look at stats closely during the fall, but I've never followed them in the spring. In fact, I've made the same post for years..."don't pay attn. to the stats at A-day or what you see."

 

[TerryP]

Whats the word on Blake Sims ? I really dont know all that much about him other than a physically talented dual threat type. Does anyone know if he is limited to the QB position ?

He's looking to play multi-skill positions. Wildcat, end around, reverse, etc.

 

[Nothing_But_A_Winner00]

I think TerryP's point is that A-Day is one of many spring scrimmages so you have to take what you see with a grain of salt.

 

[Hoos4Tide]

Not worthless to the coaching staff. They know what they are looking to see, and plays are called in a certain way so that the coaches get to see what players do in certain situations. The scrimmage that is open to the public and on TV is just a spectacle for the fans. I'm not saying the players are not vying for positions, and the coaches pay no attention to what happens, but the A-Day game is no where near as important to them as the other pactices and scrimmages that the public does not get to see.

Well, yes, even more "not worthless" to the coaching staff, and besides, of course the practices and scrimmages we didn't see are more important but that doesn't mean A-Day is not important. If there wasn't a reason to do A-Day, do you think Nick Saban would do something that is social in the least?

Tell me one thing you learned from A-day.

You didn't learn anything from A-Day? Personally, I learned how mobile each QB is, how they respond to being in a game situation? (Flustered at first no doubt, but I think got their heads on straight as it progressed) How the kicking game has come along? (No improvement whatsoever thus far from what I saw). But to say "as a fanbase, we have no idea what we're looking at" that's just stupid. You have "no idea" if you haven't followed what's been going on in spring ball. And I'm not saying I could now coach Alabama after seeing what we have in A-Day, but you act like there is no reason to watch it whatsoever though, you're saying that the A-Day is pure enjoyment for everyone and that's not the case, of course the coaches get something from it and if you know football, you can get something from it too.

 

[planomateo]

Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban confirmed the decision Tuesday before a Crimson Caravan event.

"I think he's kind of the third quarterback right now and actually threw the ball better and played the position better and grasped the position better than what we anticipated, and does have some physical attributes that separate him fromt he other guys," Saban said. "There's some things he might be able to do that we obviously didn't do in the spring game, but may add some things to our offense."

http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2011/04/alabama_quarterback_blake_sims.html

 

[TerryP]

Well, yes, even more "not worthless" to the coaching staff, and besides, of course the practices and scrimmages we didn't see are more important but that doesn't mean A-Day is not important. If there wasn't a reason to do A-Day, do you think Nick Saban would do something that is social in the least?



You didn't learn anything from A-Day? Personally, I learned how mobile each QB is, how they respond to being in a game situation? (Flustered at first no doubt, but I think got their heads on straight as it progressed) How the kicking game has come along? (No improvement whatsoever thus far from what I saw). But to say "as a fanbase, we have no idea what we're looking at" that's just stupid. You have "no idea" if you haven't followed what's been going on in spring ball. And I'm not saying I could now coach Alabama after seeing what we have in A-Day, but you act like there is no reason to watch it whatsoever though, you're saying that the A-Day is pure enjoyment for everyone and that's not the case, of course the coaches get something from it and if you know football, you can get something from it too.

I don't believe for a second that you break down film that well over the span of a few hours. Hell, Saban took three days studying the tape before he made any comment on how it went.

We saw Blake Sims. That tells you he's going to be #3 coming out of A-day.

As to the other two, there are very, very little differences in their shuttle times which is the defining athletic prowess to moving around in the pocket. You've come away with an "opinion" that one is more mobile than the other and it's just that: opinion.

There's simply not enough information available at this time to say which is better. In fact, a wasteless use of bandwidth.

The idea that you know what's been happening this spring in closed practices...how does that work? As example, going into spring camp we knew that we'd have our starting RB, 2 WR's, a TE/HB and the right tackle spot would be set. But, how the rest shuffles out? No one, no one, knows anymore today as a fan, or reporter, than they did going into camp.

That information is out there...but, seldom posted on public forums because those that share end up getting questioned.

As far as what I saw when I read your posts...regurgitation of a lot of posts on other forums. But, it goes in direct conflict with what was shared by a few parents, coaches, and former team members.

 

[TheChief]

With that being said, Phillip Sims starts the first game.

 

[Bo]

I don't think you can make a very good judgment on who is the most mobile when the defense is not allowed to hit the QB. You can look at it 2 different ways, depending on the QB in question's personality. What I mean is, since he can't get hit, one guy may hang on the pocket longer. Where as the other guy might take off a little sooner since all the defense has to do is touch him to get a "sack".

 

[TerryP]

I don't think you can make a very good judgment on who is the most mobile when the defense is not allowed to hit the QB. You can look at it 2 different ways, depending on the QB in question's personality. What I mean is, since he can't get hit, one guy may hang on the pocket longer. Where as the other guy might take off a little sooner since all the defense has to do is touch him to get a "sack".

That's a good point on mobility and scrimmages...

 

[TideAlum05]

I agree with TerryP for the most part, but I did learn a little from watching. Most of us haven't seen Sims play. I've seen him play twice (both A-Day games) and I don't even count the 1st one because the guy was only on campus for a few months. I (and I think a lot of other fans too) thought we'd hear about a QB race all offseason and then in the end AJ would be the starter. The coaches would talk about a race and push AJ to bust his ass, but they knew he'd be the starter. Well, after watching that scrimmage, there's a real race and Sims could win. I know it's just one of many scrimmages, but I did learn something valuable.

 

[Hoos4Tide]

I agree with TerryP for the most part, but I did learn a little from watching. Most of us haven't seen Sims play. I've seen him play twice (both A-Day games) and I don't even count the 1st one because the guy was only on campus for a few months. I (and I think a lot of other fans too) thought we'd hear about a QB race all offseason and then in the end AJ would be the starter. The coaches would talk about a race and push AJ to bust his ass, but they knew he'd be the starter. Well, after watching that scrimmage, there's a real race and Sims could win. I know it's just one of many scrimmages, but I did learn something valuable.

And that is exactly what I'm saying, no I could not go and coach the team now, but I just don't agree with saying that we don't learn **anything** from the A-Day game, there's a reason they do it.

 

[Hoos4Tide]

I don't believe for a second that you break down film that well over the span of a few hours. Hell, Saban took three days studying the tape before he made any comment on how it went.

We saw Blake Sims. That tells you he's going to be #3 coming out of A-day.

As to the other two, there are very, very little differences in their shuttle times which is the defining athletic prowess to moving around in the pocket. You've come away with an "opinion" that one is more mobile than the other and it's just that: opinion.

There's simply not enough information available at this time to say which is better. In fact, a wasteless use of bandwidth.

The idea that you know what's been happening this spring in closed practices...how does that work? As example, going into spring camp we knew that we'd have our starting RB, 2 WR's, a TE/HB and the right tackle spot would be set. But, how the rest shuffles out? No one, no one, knows anymore today as a fan, or reporter, than they did going into camp.

That information is out there...but, seldom posted on public forums because those that share end up getting questioned.

As far as what I saw when I read your posts...regurgitation of a lot of posts on other forums. But, it goes in direct conflict with what was shared by a few parents, coaches, and former team members.

And to add on to what I'm saying, it's obvious that no one really thinks of the whole team when trying to claim "you can't learn anything from A-Day"-- there are more players on the field than the quarterbacks... We have questions at WR, we have questions at RB honestly, at LB (will Dont'a be healthy? etc.), on the D-line, and we definitely have questions at the kicking positions (wasn't it a 17 yard punt we got off once last year?? Is that not worrisome to anyone else?? Cuz I know it is to myself, to Cody Mandel, and to Coach Saban...) These are all things that you can indeed "learn something from" during the A-Day game, contrary to what you may think.

And of course I don't know exactly what position every player will play, nor have I seen every minute of spring practice, but I know who is new, how they've played during the closed practices, and who has come out and surprisingly underperformed thus far this spring. Do you remember after the first scrimmage when Saban talked about the players that came out and loafed and the fact that he moved them back in the order? Did you watch to see who was out there and who wasn't? Who played like they were still trying to win a spot? Personally, I didn't. As the type of football fan that I am, I'm not too interested in the DBs, I know they'll be fine but give up a few big plays next year like DBs always do-- I tend to concentrate on LBs and D-linemen, that's where you win. But don't tell me you can't look at the A-Day game and learn something about the maturity of the defensive backfield etc.

Oh, and to answer a question about other forums. No, I am no in the least bit active on any other forum, I do not look at nor post on any others. This is original thought.

 

[TerryP]

And to add on to what I'm saying, it's obvious that no one really thinks of the whole team when trying to claim "you can't learn anything from A-Day"-- there are more players on the field than the quarterbacks... We have questions at WR, we have questions at RB honestly, at LB (will Dont'a be healthy? etc.), on the D-line, and we definitely have questions at the kicking positions (wasn't it a 17 yard punt we got off once last year?? Is that not worrisome to anyone else?? Cuz I know it is to myself, to Cody Mandel, and to Coach Saban...) These are all things that you can indeed "learn something from" during the A-Day game, contrary to what you may think.

I can't think of the kids name, walk-on, that's looked pretty decent at times this spring punting.

Health? No, we had a few guys come out of the spring needing minor surgery but with the off-season drills starting soon it won't be a delay.

And of course I don't know exactly what position every player will play, nor have I seen every minute of spring practice, but I know who is new, how they've played during the closed practices, and who has come out and surprisingly underperformed thus far this spring. Do you remember after the first scrimmage when Saban talked about the players that came out and loafed and the fact that he moved them back in the order? Did you watch to see who was out there and who wasn't? Who played like they were still trying to win a spot? Personally, I didn't. As the type of football fan that I am, I'm not too interested in the DBs, I know they'll be fine but give up a few big plays next year like DBs always do-- I tend to concentrate on LBs and D-linemen, that's where you win. But don't tell me you can't look at the A-Day game and learn something about the maturity of the defensive backfield etc.

The word about players loafing at the beginning of spring ball came from a CNS's presser. On this site, you just have to know where to look for those...the BamaNews section has coverage, quickly.

Here's where I think you are missing the story on "fiting for a spot." I'm going to use the offensive line as an example. When I watched the game about the only thing I paid attention to was the offensive line, specifically the LT and LG positions. It's not a matter of a battle, per se, as much as it is three talented players.

I'm with you on the DB's...didn't pay attn. to them at all. We've got 21 on scholly right now and you would need to hands to count how many will contribute this year. Hell, you might have to take off one of your shoes.

As to the maturity being seen? This is pretty well a scripted game. You have no idea what Smart or McElwain might call just to see what one guy does, ya know?

You want to know what I'm bit curious about and will look at over the summer? IF we drop Hightower on the line, who is making the call for adjustments? I'm guessing MB.

Oh, and to answer a question about other forums. No, I am no in the least bit active on any other forum, I do not look at nor post on any others. This is original thought.

No big deal. I've visited...geez, I don't know, at least 40 different web sites—on football—when I started my work day...it's about mid-night.