A few answers in Alabama QB competition after first scrimmage
This is routine by now.
The third straight spring of Alabama quarterback competitions reached the first mile marker Saturday afternoon. The first scrimmage of 2016 came and went without an indication of a leader.
But it's early – extremely premature given the timetable of the previous two seasons. Only the families and boosters sprinkled in Bryant-Denny Stadium got a first-hand look at the action, but Nick Saban offered a few insights afterward.
David Cornwell was the only name mentioned in his opening statement. Saban noted the rising redshirt sophomore "threw the ball fairly well." Junior Cooper Bateman, redshirt freshman Blake Barnett and true freshman Jalen Hurts are also involved.
By design, the first scrimmage wasn't structured to create separation. Quarterbacks were shuffled and swapped throughout the afternoon. That comes at the expense of continuity and rhythm.
A cross wind was also a factor. It made things difficult, Saban said, but there was plenty that can be taken from the first live action.
"They made some good throws today. There were some inconsistencies in the passing game When I say that, I'm not just talking about quarterbacks throwing the ball. I'm talking about the protection, the receivers running the right routes, the timing, all those things."
Perhaps the most important part of this situation is handling the mental rigors that come with a pressure-filled competition.
"I think the big thing they need to is, each and every one of them can't be thinking about where I am on the depth chart, what my position is and worry about that," Saban said. "They need to worry about what they need to do to be better so they can play winning football at the position and do the things that they need to do to become a really good quarterback. I think they've done a pretty good job of that so far."
Bateman is the only one in the group who's appeared in a college game. He completed 37 of 52 passes for 291 yards in mostly a backup role. A starter in the Ole Miss loss, Bateman was pulled for Jake Coker after an 11-for-14 night with 87 yards but ending with an interception.
A big part of the 2015 competition was the leadership component. It took longer than Saban wanted for someone to assume that role. After one scrimmage, this battle is a long way from that step.
"I think two things have to happen," Saban said. "I think a guy has to win his teammates over but I think you've also got to be put a guy in position to be able to do that. We rotated a lot of guys around today. We're trying to give everybody a chance right now. We'll evaluate how they did on film and divvy up the reps for next week."
Continue reading...
