🏈 Bama Spring Quarterback Battle

[Crimson&WhiteGecko]

Seeing CNS comments recently about the position & how this is the 5th QB search (5 of 10 years; 3 of the last 3), coach has got this. He is a master of just drilling down to what is in important right now. Coker and Simms both won the team over, so did McCarron (especially after the LSU NCG). All the other elements can be managed & coached relatively well because these players are relatively great at what they do anyway. Who wins over the team with the other intangibles, thus taking command of the huddle & them buying into his command....

 

[uofarolltide]

All I know is this - our coaching staff is horrible at handling the QB position.
AJ wasn't given the job until after the first regular season game.
Blake wasn't given the job until three games into the season, and I still say Coker was the better option.
Coker wasn't given the job until the coaches started the wrong fucking guy, and lost a game over it.

All we know for sure is that a decision won't be made until a few games into the season, and it will be a sloppy decision, and we just have to hope that by chance they land on the right guy.

Our QB isn't going to be a world-beater, but he does need to have the "IT" factor that wins championships. Eventually it's going to fall on the QB's shoulders, and he has to come through.
AJ had it, GMac had it, Coker had it. The others didn't.
We're looking for confidence, leadership, steadiness, and balls

 

[Tidestalker]

All I know is this - our coaching staff is horrible at handling the QB position.
AJ wasn't given the job until after the first regular season game.
Blake wasn't given the job until three games into the season, and I still say Coker was the better option.
Coker wasn't given the job until the coaches started the wrong ******* guy, and lost a game over it.

All we know for sure is that a decision won't be made until a few games into the season, and it will be a sloppy decision, and we just have to hope that by chance they land on the right guy.

Our QB isn't going to be a world-beater, but he does need to have the "IT" factor that wins championships. Eventually it's going to fall on the QB's shoulders, and he has to come through.
AJ had it, GMac had it, Coker had it. The others didn't.
We're looking for confidence, leadership, steadiness, and balls

I tend to agree with you in regards to how the position has been handled.

More important than having "it".... All those guys had a dominant defenses... Blake didn't. Or else he would have had "it" as well.

Saban ball is really simple. Dominant defense and great run blocking = Championship. QB doesn't need to be as special.

 

[T&B]

QB's at 2:20... I think I embed the video where it should pop right up when you click it though.

 

[T&B]

Couple things:

I got a bad feeling about BB8 fellas. A reporter asked after the scrimmage if someone was gonna try to fix BB8's release, and CNS DID NOT bite his head off. He actually told the guy its best to try not to look at it. CNS said if the ball was on time and accurate then it did not matter, but he basically acknowledged that the release is indeed a train wreck.

Yall may recall early in this thread I mentioned that BB8's release looked off to me, and the tip of the ball seems to be downward upon release so ... I'd say this confirms something is indeed going on with his mechanics which I really do not understand since the kid has been working with professional QB gurus for years now. WTF ?

Several reports now from multiple sources claiming that when DC does it right the ball comes out quicker and with more zip than any of the other QB's. Some spectators at the scrimmage said DC didnt look good, but CNS went out of his way to mention him after the scrimmage, and now these reports from some of the more established pay site writers saying that DC is in fact making progress, and has the most arm talent on the team.

Hurts is raw, and that is still the only knock on him during camp. Keep hearing good things about his legs and arm from virtually every source.

 

[JoshB]

Couple things:

I got a bad feeling about BB8 fellas. A reporter asked after the scrimmage if someone was gonna try to fix BB8's release, and CNS DID NOT bite his head off. He actually told the guy its best to try not to look at it. CNS said if the ball was on time and accurate then it did not matter, but he basically acknowledged that the release is indeed a train wreck.

So you took THIS

"We don't feel like we need to tinker with the way he throws the ball to be honest with you because I think his knowledge and experience," Saban said, "his confidence of sitting in the pocket and making plays on time."

And turned it into "Sabana pretty much said his release is a trainwreck"... lmao priceless fan overreaction. You literally could not have taken his words and twisted them any more out of context than you did.

 

[T&B]

So you took THIS

"We don't feel like we need to tinker with the way he throws the ball to be honest with you because I think his knowledge and experience," Saban said, "his confidence of sitting in the pocket and making plays on time."

And turned it into "Sabana pretty much said his release is a trainwreck"... lmao priceless fan overreaction. You literally could not have taken his words and twisted them any more out of context than you did.

No, I got all of that directly from CNS starting at the 9:40 mark of his presser after the scrimmage. At approximately 10:06 of that presser he covers his eyes and says "sometimes the best thing you can do is cover your eyes, and just watch where the ball goes" as if to imply that the mechanics are hard to look at, but all he cares about are the results.

So... look, I really dont put up with strangers trying to be a dick to me for no good reason. If you cant do any better than that then put me on ignore so you dont have to read any of my post, but dont start any sh!t with me because you dont like my opinions. That sort of low-brow behavior puts me off.

Starts at 9:40, and literally covers his eyes at 10:06 as if to say BB8 mechanics are hard to look at. If you're still butt-hurt afterwards I dont want to know about it. Dont send another negative post my direction... please.

 

[bradenob]

All I know is this - our coaching staff is horrible at handling the QB position.
AJ wasn't given the job until after the first regular season game.
Blake wasn't given the job until three games into the season, and I still say Coker was the better option.
Coker wasn't given the job until the coaches started the wrong ******* guy, and lost a game over it.

All we know for sure is that a decision won't be made until a few games into the season, and it will be a sloppy decision, and we just have to hope that by chance they land on the right guy.

Our QB isn't going to be a world-beater, but he does need to have the "IT" factor that wins championships. Eventually it's going to fall on the QB's shoulders, and he has to come through.
AJ had it, GMac had it, Coker had it. The others didn't.
We're looking for confidence, leadership, steadiness, and balls

REALLY man? I'm surprised at your comment. "Horrible at handling the QB position" ??!! And by the staff I presume you mean Saban and McIlwain, and Saban and Kiffin, right? Last I checked each combo of coaches directed excellent offensive teams and achieved NCs. They found guys that succeeded each time. Sorry that it wasn't good enough for you - that they chose AJ over Sims and it took until the 2nd game? That Blake was finally made the starter because Coker wouldn't take the reigns, and then Blake led us to the playoff? That Coker wasn't given the job LAST year until the Ole Miss game, and then led us to another NC? The coaches can't play FOR the QBs - Saban expressed his frustration time and time again, but ultimately each of those guys did really well, and only once (maybe, with the Ole Miss game last year) did the delay in determining a starter hurt us. We'd all love to have a clear front runner that can settle in and take charge, but apparently it just doesn't happen that often.

I tend to agree with you in regards to how the position has been handled.

More important than having "it".... All those guys had a dominant defenses... Blake didn't. Or else he would have had "it" as well.

Saban ball is really simple. Dominant defense and great run blocking = Championship. QB doesn't need to be as special.

TS, really? You agree about the coaches criticism?

And VERY good point on the defenses - I agree - definitely the difference, and probably the reason (the OSU game) why Sims didn't lead us to a NC.

 

[Tidestalker]

REALLY man? I'm surprised at your comment. "Horrible at handling the QB position" ??!! And by the staff I presume you mean Saban and McIlwain, and Saban and Kiffin, right? Last I checked each combo of coaches directed excellent offensive teams and achieved NCs. They found guys that succeeded each time. Sorry that it wasn't good enough for you - that they chose AJ over Sims and it took until the 2nd game? That Blake was finally made the starter because Coker wouldn't take the reigns, and then Blake led us to the playoff? That Coker wasn't given the job LAST year until the Ole Miss game, and then led us to another NC? The coaches can't play FOR the QBs - Saban expressed his frustration time and time again, but ultimately each of those guys did really well, and only once (maybe, with the Ole Miss game last year) did the delay in determining a starter hurt us. We'd all love to have a clear front runner that can settle in and take charge, but apparently it just doesn't happen that often.





TS, really? You agree about the coaches criticism?

And VERY good point on the defenses - I agree - definitely the difference, and probably the reason (the OSU game) why Sims didn't lead us to a NC.

To a certain extent yes I think the QB situation has been bobbled. When Bateman got the start vs Ole Miss, that was absolutely baffling. Just went to show how little confidence Kiffin/Saban had in Coker.

I've believed for years they just flat have too many QB's on scholarship. They all have to split reps and haven't been given the opportunity to develop as well. Basically, more is less.

Again, when the defense and run blocking is really good, the QB isn't all that important in Saban's scheme. And frankly that should be the goal of every single head coach... Saban has mastered that. However, the inability to identify and move forward with a QB in the last 2 preseasons had a legitimate impact on the Ole Miss losses. JMO

 

[jdpas29]

Bateman getting the start at Ole Miss isn't baffling. Bateman, at one point, i think was 8 of 9 and moving the ball quite well. There was no confusion on the part of the coaches. He is/was a better pure passer than Jake. Jake had some special attributes though... particularly throwing on the run/bootleg.

Bateman is very likely going to be the starter and he will probably do just fine. I, for one, enjoy his throwing abilities. He is a more natural passer than we've had the last 2 seasons. That is for certain. I don't think there is a coach or player evaluator type person in the country that could watch Bateman compared to our previous 2 QBs and say that he is less of a natural QB/passer or has a problem with his form. Dude's mechanics are fantasmal.

Give credit where it is due. Neither Blake Sims nor Jake Coker came to Alabama with everything together and the coaches put both of them in position to win a NC. I think they're doing a great job.

The only complaint i've ever had about QB coaching and i guess it's play calling a bit is that Blake Sims wasn't asked to run a lot more. I thought that would be the ace-in-the-hole against ohio st.

 

[Tidestalker]

Bateman getting the start at Ole Miss isn't baffling. Bateman, at one point, i think was 8 of 9 and moving the ball quite well. There was no confusion on the part of the coaches. He is/was a better pure passer than Jake. Jake had some special attributes though... particularly throwing on the run/bootleg.

Bateman is very likely going to be the starter and he will probably do just fine. I, for one, enjoy his throwing abilities. He is a more natural passer than we've had the last 2 seasons. That is for certain. I don't think there is a coach or player evaluator type person in the country that could watch Bateman compared to our previous 2 QBs and say that he is less of a natural QB/passer or has a problem with his form. Dude's mechanics are fantasmal.

Give credit where it is due. Neither Blake Sims nor Jake Coker came to Alabama with everything together and the coaches put both of them in position to win a NC. I think they're doing a great job.

The only complaint i've ever had about QB coaching and i guess it's play calling a bit is that Blake Sims wasn't asked to run a lot more. I thought that would be the ace-in-the-hole against ohio st.

-If it's not baffling, and Bateman is/was clearly the better "pure passer", why didn't he start before that game? And why didn't he play another meaningful snap all season?

"Give credit where it's due. Neither Blake Sims nor Jake Coker came to Alabama with everything together and the coaches put both of them in position to win a NC" - I have stated clearly the credit to winning a championship goes to the defense and running game. Blake had to make plays because both were lacking his senior year. He did a really nice job. But Coker was benched in their only loss... How does that make sense?

I agree on your comment about asking Blake to run more. I thought Coker was a really efficient and productive runner as well. Wish both would have gotten the chance to expose defenses on the ground

 

[jdpas29]

Well, in regard to Bateman, there's a lot more to being the "guy" at QB than passing... also he took a devastating hit which may have precluded the coaches wanting him in the game. I don't have to know all that.

I suspect Kiffin wanted Bateman to start because he knew the kid could make all the throws. Look at what Kiffin has done in the past with QBs. He wants the guy that can make all the throws.

 

[Tidestalker]

Well, in regard to Bateman, there's a lot more to being the "guy" at QB than passing... also he took a devastating hit which may have precluded the coaches wanting him in the game. I don't have to know all that.

I suspect Kiffin wanted Bateman to start because he knew the kid could make all the throws. Look at what Kiffin has done in the past with QBs. He wants the guy that can make all the throws.

I'm fine with that... But just 1 game? Maybe 1 quarter than yank him? Again - Baffling. That simple.

 

[rueben]

DANG!! I'm messing up my screen now with all this ink circling the names.

No, I got all of that directly from CNS starting at the 9:40 mark of his presser after the scrimmage. At approximately 10:06 of that presser he covers his eyes and says "sometimes the best thing you can do is cover your eyes, and just watch where the ball goes" as if to imply that the mechanics are hard to look at, but all he cares about are the results.

So... look, I really dont put up with strangers trying to be a dick to me for no good reason. If you cant do any better than that then put me on ignore so you dont have to read any of my post, but dont start any sh!t with me because you dont like my opinions. That sort of low-brow behavior puts me off.

Starts at 9:40, and literally covers his eyes at 10:06 as if to say BB8 mechanics are hard to look at. If you're still butt-hurt afterwards I dont want to know about it. Dont send another negative post my direction... please.

He was shielding his eyes form the sun... not t"trying not to witness a train wreck..."

 

[uofarolltide]

I'm fine with that... But just 1 game? Maybe 1 quarter than yank him? Again - Baffling. That simple.

Yeah, I was absolutely beside myself. Coker had just led the team to victory against Wisconsin, and MTSU, and now you decide to experiment in the first SEC game of the year!? Mind-boggling, and obviously the wrong decision.
The QB position isn't about just talent on the practice field. A lot of it comes down to guts, and having a competitive and confident attitude when the lights come on - being a gamesman. Coker clearly possessed the in-game intangibles that made our offense click, whereas Bateman clearly didn't.
What's amazing to me is that our coaches didn't see what I saw. It makes me wonder how many times they've bungled QB decisions before. Hell, we were hearing about Alec Morris potentially winning the job late into fall camp. They MUST handle it better this time, and pull the trigger before the season starts

 

[T&B]

Yeah dragging the QB competition out into SEC play is embarrassing. You've got all year for an entire coaching staff to identify the better option, and get that option as ready as possible. Confidence and chemistry must be developed before SEC play. I agree with you Stalker too many guys getting too many snaps. Gotta have it down to 2 by fall camp, and 1 by season opener.

Only things anyone could ever complain about the Saban era:

1. Identifying and developing QB's

2. Game time management. Specifically the two minute drill before the end of the first half that CNS absolutely refuses to run. Flat out refuses to use his timeouts in the first half.

3. Not letting backups sniff playtime in blowouts

4. Playing injured players instead of their backups

5. Spoiling the fan base to a ridiculous degree

 

[T&B]

Here is Travis Reier commenting on the discussion that is definitely going on among the folks in the know relative to whether BB8's mechanics are flawed or not. FWIW Reier seems to think they are fine, but there definitely is an ongoing discussion about his mechanics, and I for one do not agree that they are fine. When I watch him throw his mechanics do not look ideal. Thats just my opinion, and a few other legitimate observers opinions out there, and we are entitled to our opinions without any drama. With that said CNS is correct when he says results are more important than mechanics. (especially at the college level)

Reier:

*** For the sake of transparency, it should be noted that no one has hired me to chase quarterbacks around with a broom. With that out of the way, in watching Blake Barnett throw the football, I don't see the flawed motion that some apparently do.

Is Barnett's delivery John Elway-esque? No, but I don't see nearly as much going on pre-release as I did with Jake Coker in August 2014.

The problem with Coker's elongated motion was that it sometimes led to the ball coming out late. I haven't seen that yet with Barnett, who's biggest stride needs to come in the decision-making department.

 

[rammerjammer]

Yeah dragging the QB competition out into SEC play is embarrassing. You've got all year for an entire coaching staff to identify the better option, and get that option as ready as possible. Confidence and chemistry must be developed before SEC play. I agree with you Stalker too many guys getting too many snaps. Gotta have it down to 2 by fall camp, and 1 by season opener.

For the sake of being a dick.......how did that work out for Auburn last year? Remember Jeremy Johnson being an August favorite for the Heisman blah, blah, blah.

Like what was mentioned in a previous post. Some things you can't emulate in practice and some guys are "game-time" guys. (See Jay Barker's observation of his pro team mate Ty Detmer)

I'm like you.....I would love for it to be narrowed down and have a true QB. I'll be honest. I'm pulling hard for Barnett to win the job so we will know who the QB is going to be for the next few years. Given Sabans MO, my money is on Bateman to win the job.

 

[bradenob]

Yeah dragging the QB competition out into SEC play is embarrassing. You've got all year for an entire coaching staff to identify the better option, and get that option as ready as possible. Confidence and chemistry must be developed before SEC play. I agree with you Stalker too many guys getting too many snaps. Gotta have it down to 2 by fall camp, and 1 by season opener.

Only things anyone could ever complain about the Saban era:

1. Identifying and developing QB's

2. Game time management. Specifically the two minute drill before the end of the first half that CNS absolutely refuses to run. Flat out refuses to use his timeouts in the first half.

3. Not letting backups sniff playtime in blowouts

4. Playing injured players instead of their backups

5. Spoiling the fan base to a ridiculous degree

Still not convinced about #1, but was hopeful Kiffin would do better, and we'll see what happens this year.

Can someone explain number 2 to me? I have observed this for 3 years. I love Saban, and trust him, but I have never even seen the kiss-ass press ask him about first half clock management. It is indeed baffling to me, and has ruined the chance for TDs instead of FGs, or FGs instead of just halftime, at least 4 times, sometimes in big games. With a man SO organized, why does it break down here?

Concerning number 3, I compare Saban to Bryant a fair amount- both were such great coaches, with so much success. I recall Bryant playing ONE guy, a 2nd stringer, MANY times. At CRUCIAL times of the game. He wanted to see what they were made of. There wasn't this wholesale subbing only, where the entire 2nd team OL comes in (although that did happen, and they did DOMINATE). I remember wincing again and again in AJ's last year when he went back out with 12, and then 8, minutes left in the 4th quarter of a blowout. And WITH the QB struggles, no one was getting any experience. Saban talks about who deserves practice reps and finding the guys to invest time in during the year, the guys who are 'going to make a difference.' There has been a lot of talk about Shaun Alexander not being the greatest in practice, but obviously he was legendary at game time. There HAS to be a role for that type of player, perhaps the ones that we wonder about, that have such hype, but it never translates onto the field. I would love for someone to ask Saban why starters stay in so long, instead of grooming the depth needed, and grooming possible starters for the next year. No one has EVER asked that to my knowledge. I would love to know his thought process - because I am not saying his way is wrong. I just don't agree with it from what I saw from other coaches, like Bryant, and it just seems logical to me.

Concerning number 4 TS - no one is coming to mind, at least not a la RG III. Maybe Dareus in the Iron Bowl against sCam?

Number 5 is certainly true - not even the 70s, with Bryant, compare to what we are seeing from Saban in this day and age of only 85 scholarships, etc.

 

[JoshB]

No, I got all of that directly from CNS starting at the 9:40 mark of his presser after the scrimmage. At approximately 10:06 of that presser he covers his eyes and says "sometimes the best thing you can do is cover your eyes, and just watch where the ball goes" as if to imply that the mechanics are hard to look at, but all he cares about are the results.

So... look, I really dont put up with strangers trying to be a dick to me for no good reason. If you cant do any better than that then put me on ignore so you dont have to read any of my post, but dont start any sh!t with me because you dont like my opinions. That sort of low-brow behavior puts me off.

Starts at 9:40, and literally covers his eyes at 10:06 as if to say BB8 mechanics are hard to look at. If you're still butt-hurt afterwards I dont want to know about it. Dont send another negative post my direction... please.

My post wasn't negative, you took Saban's words out of context, and you continue to. If you think I'm being a dick, honestly I couldn't care less. Get over it.