🏈 Bama Spring Quarterback Battle

[18Champs]

Marcus Spears weighs in on Alabama's quarterback battle

For a third consecutive year, Alabama is preparing for a new season not knowing who its quarterback will be. But considering the last two times we did this song and dance Alabama got to the CFB Playoff and then won the whole darn thing, it might be time to assume, until proven otherwise, that Nick Saban and Lane Kiffin will find someone to get the job done.

"I got a chance to put my eyes on David Cornwell and Blake Barnett and Cooper Bateman [at Alabama's spring practice] yesterday, and those guys were flowing. Lane Kiffin is all up in their face about doing things the right way," SEC Network analyst Marcus Spears said Thursday on The Paul Finebaum Show.

"We always assume that when you don't know who the quarterback is, that'll be a weakness. But Lane Kiffin and that staff has somehow figured out a way to not panic and not really get ahead of themselves and just let things play out."

In 2014, Blake Sims stepped in and did the job. In 2015, things weren't quite as clear-cut in the beginning, but by the end Jake Coker had won the Crimson Tide another national championship. In 2016, it will be up to Barnett, Bateman, and Cornwell. Those names sound more like a law firm than a collection of former four- and five-star quarterbacks. And after a decade of quarterback play under Saban that has rarely been more than slightly-above-average, the public has come to expect unexceptional quarterback play form the Crimson Tide.

But this trio's prospect pedigree is there all the same, as is Kiffin's track record of coming out on the other side of the fog of a quarterback battle with a high-functioning offense.

 

[Destiny's Child]

Fall Camp will tell the tale as usual but I think unless someone is having major shoulder problems that they heal up from then they aren't going to magically grow a bigger arm.

 

[alagator]

unless someone is having major shoulder problems

Shoulder problems with whom?

 

[rammerjammer]

Last year I heard an interview on the radio with Lars Anderson. He stated that he felt like Coker would win the job..........and he was right.

His reasoning was simple, everywhere Saban has been, going back to his days at MSU, the senior most QB has won the job. Lars tied it into maturity and being able to do all the things Saban likes on the field. Taking care of the ball, avoiding negative plays, being smart and "leading".

Based solely on the past, I look for Bateman to win the job.

 

[bamafan9201]

Fall camp won't tell it will be another Coker/Bateman thing again where we just won't know until about game 4-5

 

[TerryP]

{this feels a little strange, but bear with me...}

I trust Kiffin?

Based solely on the past, I look for Bateman to win the job.

As do I.

Along the same lines as your earlier post on consistency with Saban, his starters, etc...

Pierschbacher been at center for four practices ... he's also been that guy that's been talking with the media this spring and those conversations have been about playing center. If anyone's wondering who is leading that group?

 

[bamafan9201]

I trust him as well, just have a feeling that CNS and Kiffin want to see real game reps before they make their final decision again, same as last year.

 

[T&B]

Cant recall where I saw it at, but someone out there thinks its down to Cornwell or Bateman.

 

[T&B]

Free BOL content from Friday practice:

- The quarterback line was unchanged with Cooper Bateman and David Cornwell leading the two lines and Blake Barnett and Jalen Hurts behind them, respectively. The quarterbacks threw to two lines of receivers once again.

- Cornwell, Barnett and Hurts all threw deeps balls that were directly on the money. Cornwell hit Derek Kief in stride, while Barnett hit Daylon Charlot in the hand. Hurts did, however, miss Cameron Sims on an easy hitch route.

 

[PurlJam]

The differences between high school football and college balls is negligible.

 

[Destiny's Child]

Ok.. I have been looking at additional video of BB and thankfully his arm doesn't appear to be as weak as first thought. He throws the out well and on a line. He seems to have good accuracy and velocity on the short and the 20- 25 yard throws but doesn't have the big booming arm to throw it 60 yards down field.

After seeing that, he should be fine if that is who we choose. Lane won't be able to dial up the deep patterns as often or the same as he has been but accurate and well thrown 20-25 yard passes will stretch the defense too.

I still think Cornwell, if he doesn't get arrested for streaking through a convent or something stupid will have a good chance. The ball really explodes out of his hand.

 

[UAgrad93]

Ok.. I have been looking at additional video of BB and thankfully his arm doesn't appear to be as weak as first thought. He throws the out well and on a line. He seems to have good accuracy and velocity on the short and the 20- 25 yard throws but doesn't have the big booming arm to throw it 60 yards down field.

After seeing that, he should be fine if that is who we choose. Lane won't be able to dial up the deep patterns as often or the same as he has been but accurate and well thrown 20-25 yard passes will stretch the defense too.

I still think Cornwell, if he doesn't get arrested for streaking through a convent or something stupid will have a good chance. The ball really explodes out of his hand.

You don't need the ability to sling the ball 60-70 yards downfield on the deep ball. Homer Smith used to tell us that you should NEVER have to throw the ball over 42 yards in the air on a deep throw. He surmised that if you did have to throw it further, it was your fault and that you were too slow on your drop with the footwork to read and release. No where was this more evident that in the '87 Third Saturday in October game when Jeff Dunn hit Pierre Goode for a 90 yard BOMB!! From release to catch, 42 yards!! Coach Smith had degrees from Harvard and Princeton or Yale, but the man could coach QBs. We used to line up across the 35 yard line going in and take a 7 step drop and throw to a 55 gallon drum on the goalline. Huge arm isn't necessary, accuracy and making the right read IS!!!

 

[94 Grad]

Ok.. I have been looking at additional video of BB and thankfully his arm doesn't appear to be as weak as first thought. He throws the out well and on a line. He seems to have good accuracy and velocity on the short and the 20- 25 yard throws but doesn't have the big booming arm to throw it 60 yards down field.

After seeing that, he should be fine if that is who we choose. Lane won't be able to dial up the deep patterns as often or the same as he has been but accurate and well thrown 20-25 yard passes will stretch the defense too.

I still think Cornwell, if he doesn't get arrested for streaking through a convent or something stupid will have a good chance. The ball really explodes out of his hand.

where in the world are you getting that Blake doesn't have good arm strength on the deep ball and can't throw it 60 yards...

(WATCH) Alabama's freshman QB Barnett shows off his arm

There are plenty of reports out there that one of his PROS is that he has a strong arm. It may not be the Strongest in the field, but I've not read a single report that said he couldn't throw a good deep ball. Almost every scouting report of him coming into Bama stated he could make every throw including the deep corner.

Have you watch his HS Highlights? Check out some of the passes he makes. At the 1:22 mark he's moving backwards and throws the ball from his own 20 to the other teams 35 without floating it. That's 45 yards without stepping into the throw... pure arm strength alone. He makes many 40 and 50 yard passes in the air, which is more typical than needing to toss the ball 60 yards in the air. The only time you should ever need that is a hail mary... 40 to 50 is the "deep" ball you want to be able to throw.



I wouldn't be shocked of BB got the starting role this year... depending on where he is in knowledge of the play book. One of his scouting strengths was always his football IQ, which typically plays well with Nick. In the end, I don't really care who wins as whoever it is will have plenty of tools around him to succeed and from what I saw the coaches pull out of Coker... I'm not worried at all.

 

[T&B]

Free BOL content from todays practice:

- The quarterback line was unchanged with Cooper Bateman leading the group in redzone drills. David Cornwell, Blake Barnett and Jalen Hurts were behind him. The quarterbacks worked on fade routes with the wide receivers.

Practice report: Alabama's fifth spring practice

 

[T&B]

Some interesting "rumors" floating around - Apparently Travis Reier has told some folks that Bateman is in last place when it comes to the QB's, and their performance so far this camp. Said Bateman was even trailing Hurts who has had a really good spring so far especially for a true freshman.

 

[JoshB]

lol at Blake not having a strong enough arm for deep throws... wasnt that the claim about Sims? And then he proceeded to throw 50 yard bomb after 50 yard bomb... then come Jake Coker, who had probably the strongest arm of any QB Saban has had, and he couldn't hit a deep ball to save his life for the first 7 weeks or so of the season.

 

[Destiny's Child]

where in the world are you getting that Blake doesn't have good arm strength on the deep ball and can't throw it 60 yards...

(WATCH) Alabama's freshman QB Barnett shows off his arm

There are plenty of reports out there that one of his PROS is that he has a strong arm. It may not be the Strongest in the field, but I've not read a single report that said he couldn't throw a good deep ball. Almost every scouting report of him coming into Bama stated he could make every throw including the deep corner.

Have you watch his HS Highlights? Check out some of the passes he makes. At the 1:22 mark he's moving backwards and throws the ball from his own 20 to the other teams 35 without floating it. That's 45 yards without stepping into the throw... pure arm strength alone. He makes many 40 and 50 yard passes in the air, which is more typical than needing to toss the ball 60 yards in the air. The only time you should ever need that is a hail mary... 40 to 50 is the "deep" ball you want to be able to throw.



I wouldn't be shocked of BB got the starting role this year... depending on where he is in knowledge of the play book. One of his scouting strengths was always his football IQ, which typically plays well with Nick. In the end, I don't really care who wins as whoever it is will have plenty of tools around him to succeed and from what I saw the coaches pull out of Coker... I'm not worried at all.

Hey 94 Grad. I am a Blake fan and a fan of all of our players. I watched last years a-day and some practice footage that you can find out there between al.com and youtube. I have just seen him throw a few deep balls and they were all badly underthrown. I am not saying anything about the kid and would love to be wrong about this perceived flaw in his game.

I just don't get some folks already calling him the heir apparent when there are still a couple guys to beat out and he still has a few question marks in my mind more or less the coaches. I also saw some videos of him working with Whitfield on spring break and he looks like he is doing well but is still very, very skinny. He makes AJ McCarron during his first year, look like Luke Ferigno..lol

I am no troll here just being real. If Blake wins the job I would be thrilled and I hope he leads us to our next NC. I just hear lots of people giving him the keys to the kingdom already and not only is that unfair to the other players but puts a lot of undue pressure on a kid who may not be fully ready yet. I have just seen that work out bad for people... think Auburn and Jeremy Johnson. He imploded from the pressure! We have other good options lets just keep the pressure off the kid until he starts a game... that's all I am saying.

 

[UAgrad93]

I wouldn't dare compare any of our players to Jeremy Johnson nor our team to the Barn! @Destiny's Child, the Barn was going to be a shit show regardless of the QB. Johnson could have been serviceable but they would have still lost games because of their defense. I don't think anyone is handing BB the keys, everyone is just hoping that the young guy wins it and can be our starter for the next 3 years. I know that is the way I look at it. I personally don't care for having a new QB every year. Kiffin though, has eased my anxiety levels with how he brought Sims and Coker along. As far as size goes, BB and AJ were almost identical in size their first 2 years on campus. AJ really was a beanpole!

 

[Crimson&WhiteGecko]

QB battle under CNS has always come down to Greg McElroy's quote, "Every possession should end in a kick." That's it. Especially for first year starters.

Ball control & good defense has always been the premise of this program. From time to time, there have been shootouts but they are the exception not the rule. Therefore, slinging QB's are not as important as smart QB's. This typically favors the QB that has been in CNS program the longest.

 

[T&B]

- The quarterback line was unchanged with Cooper Bateman leading the group in redzone drills. David Cornwell, Blake Barnett and Jalen Hurts were behind him. Bateman, Cornwell and Barnett all threw solid passes to receivers.

Travis Reier says Bateman has the weakest arm of all the QB's. lol I'm getting the feeling Travis is not on team Bateman.