🏈 Bama Spring Quarterback Battle

[TerryP]

Just as a side note: Spurrier, long considered a "QB guru" in college football, has left Muschamp looking to start an early enrollee, true frosh at the QB position. By no means am I applauding Boom's ability to evaluate QB's. But, I do think it's worth noting that this "guru" that quit the game left that program in such condition that UofSC is starting a kid who still could be in high school.

I see no evaluation or development there.

 

[UAgrad93]

I've said it before and I will just press rewind and say it again. The QB position is a crapshoot at best when it comes to evaluating these kids coming out of HS. Saban and his staff take a lot of heat because they don't like to offer a QB just based on tape. They want him on campus to throw in front of them so they can put their eyes on him. We miss on some kids because of it. I think we have done a fairly decent job to be honest in the development. Our QBs have done what has been asked of them. Saban and staff never said that you had to be a 1st round draft pick in the NFL to be successful. Win games here at UA marks success. I think McElwain, Nussmeier, and Kiffin have all done a fine job at getting our QBs to play to their strengths. In the end, I think it falls on to the individual kid as to whether they are the leader Saban wants and can they mentally grasp the offense.

What was the line from the movie "Bull Durham"? "You have a million dollar arm and I have a pretty good idea about that $.05 head!"

 

[T&B]

from an observer:


RB
Just totally fired up about Scarborough. I mean it's hard to imagine duplicating a 2,000 yard Heisman season like what we saw last year but, from a talent standpoint, Scarborough is right there with Henry. Physical, maybe even a better burst vertically when he puts his foot in the ground and every bit as fast. Can't tell yet if he's going to be equally effective in protection, so we'll see. Damien Harris looks fine. He's a good back, definitely the #2. A little more of a scat-type back, but he'll lower his pads and stick up in there.

OL
I just don't know when we've ever been this deep. We look really good here. Jonah looks solid, as does Kirven. Actually, Kirven is one of the better looking lineman we have. Cotton's pretty nasty, and Pierschbacher is going to be an All-American one day. Plenty of depth here with Bozeman, Shank, Hass, etc. We look good here.

WR
Can't stop raving about where this unit is. Just ridiculously talented. There are two for-certain NFL players in the rotation in Robert Foster and Calvin Ridley, and I'm sure Ar'Darius Stewart will get an opportunity. Throwing in OJ Howard, with Scarborough in the backfield ... y'all ... matchup nightmares. I mean Lord God. Gonna be fun to watch.

Foster made great plays over the top of Minkah and Hump on deep balls. He looks ready to be the man.

QB
I thought Bateman played pretty well for the most part. Can extend plays, arm strength is good enough. I'd say he's going to end up winning the job and unless he just melts down, he'll be our guy. I'm good with it.

Cornwell was fine. Nothing flashy or spectacular.

Hurts stole the show Saturday. Really played the best of the four. He's very, very, Blake Sims-ish. The play calling is different when he's in there (boots, short stuff), but he also stood in there and made some throws. Also has big-time wheels. Took off on a 60-yard scramble for a TD off a boot (although it was against the 3s), and ran away from everyone.

***But I'm telling you right now - don't sleep on this kid pushing for the backup role by the fall. I know it was only one scrimmage, but he's really good. Will be really interesting to see him and Barnett battle down the road.

As for Barnett, he just isn't ready. The pick 6 - which was not reported in the official stat release - was his, and it was bad (to Minkah). I mean bad. The game is still happening really fast for him. I maintain ... for now ... that eventually it will happen for him. I like him a ton. Just looks the part more than any of the others.

The defense ...

You can't talk about our defense without starting with our secondary, which is as deep as I've seen us in awhile. Minkah and Hump are big-time, and both gave up plays *and* made plays. Gonna happen as much man as we play, but we have two legit All-SEC caliber corners. When Minkah moves inside to Star, Anthony Averett looks really good at corner too. Really good. With Eddie Jack and Ronnie Harrison running around back there at safeties ... goodness. Harrison is ready to thump people. Saw him in the box several times too. Closest thing we've had to Barron since he left. Maurice Smith also looks great. I mean just athletes and playmakers everywhere. Kendell Sheffield can play. Didn't see a lot of Tony Brown, and I know he has some issues to work though.

DL - looks great, didn't give up much push to a great OL, regardless of what the RB stats say. Most of Scarborough's yards came on an outside that was blocked great for about 40 - 50 yard gain. Tim Williams looks like a freak. Payne is an animal, very tough to block without help. Ryan Anderson is super physical and the most underrated player up front if you ask me. He looks very Upshaw-ish. Christian Miller had a good day, including a strip-sack. Would be nice if he could get in the mix. All this with no JAllen or DaShawn Hand.

ILB - already said it, we're fine whomever starts. But depth is an issue here, and I hope we stay healthy. Reuben is going to be the player we always thought he could/would be. Rashaan Evans looks like a CJ Moseley clone. Can do so many things with him. I'm not wild about Shaun Hamilton, but the staff loves him and, for now, he's what we've got there. He's bigger in person than I thought though.

The kicking game
The most disappointing part of the day, primarily bc of Adam Griffith. He started the day drilling two 35 yard FGs, then missed 4 straight between 30 - 44 yards. It's not like he missed four beyond 50. One was from 30. I mean I don't get it. Just really don't. Had hoped he'd turned the corner ... maybe it was just a bad day. Hope so.

JK Scott was awesome. He had a hell of day. Just booming long, high punts. Hopefully we'll keep him all four years.

Kick/punt returns weren't live, but it looks like Ridley is the guy returning punts. They didn't really work KOR, so I'm not sure there.

 

[OldPlayer]

Last time I checked, there were 11 players for each team on the field at one time. I know some people think that the QB is the be all/end all, but it's a team game. Alabama doesn't need, and has never had, the QB who does it all. Some teams need that because they lack depth at multiple skill positions. When a QB takes over a game, it's natural to rely heavily on that QB. Putting too much reliance on any one player is a risky move. One injury and you're done. Alabama relied on Henry a little too much last year. Prior to that, they relied a little too much on Cooper. Luckily those two stayed healthy. When you rely heavily on a player, the opposing team can easily plan against you.

 

[BAMAneck]

I totally agree , Saban almost made the national championship game with John Parker , we blasted everyone that year and totally took Terry Bowden's and Clemson's manhood . .......Question : if I would have put the commas after the s's on Bowden and Clemson wouldn't that show ownership .

 

[TerryP]

Question : if I would have put the commas after the s's on Bowden and Clemson wouldn't that show ownership

Early in junior high I had a teacher say, "if it doesn't look right, rewrite." IE: "...took the manhood of Tommy Bowden and Clemson."

But, s' does show possessions.

 

[OldPlayer]

I totally agree , Saban almost made the national championship game with John Parker , we blasted everyone that year and totally took Terry Bowden's and Clemson's manhood . .......Question : if I would have put the commas after the s's on Bowden and Clemson wouldn't that show ownership .

It would show ownership, not magnitude

 

[BAMAneck]

I haft to say , that 2008 Clemson game is one of my all time fav's. A lot of BAMA football demons were exorcised that night . I can remember reading that Richt called Saban and asked permission ( lack of a better word ) to attend the game as a fan because his son was on Clemson's team , and at the end of the game seen a pic of Richt after the game with writing all on his arms from taking notes . He was probably shitting himself watching that display.

 

[T&B]

So sounds like CNS has told ESPNs Chris Low that Cooper Bateman would be the man if there was a game tomorrow.

And



It really, really sounds like Hurts has opened some eyes this spring. BB8 may want to stop throwing pick 6's.

Chris Low also reported that Hurts has taken some 2nd team snaps this week.

 

[TerryP]

I haft to say , that 2008 Clemson game is one of my all time fav's. A lot of BAMA football demons were exorcised that night . I can remember reading that Richt called Saban and asked permission ( lack of a better word ) to attend the game as a fan because his son was on Clemson's team , and at the end of the game seen a pic of Richt after the game with writing all on his arms from taking notes . He was probably shitting himself watching that display.

That definitely fit Tommy Bowden.

I'm with you; one of my favorite games as well. A lot of that has to do with how we, as a fan base here at RTB, called the game pre-kick—with some of the Clemson fan base. All we heard was "Thunder and Lightning, Thunder and Lightning." A few were pointing to Cullen Harper as the next great QB in college football.

Almost to a member we were telling those Tiger fans, "you don't have an offensive line." In the end, yards rushing for the game for Clemson? 0. Zero. Nada.

However, the best part of that win? Bowden calling Saban, Richt, and Beamer looking for advice to help his team to save his job.

 

[TerryP]

A couple of thoughts here...

BB8 may want to stop throwing pick 6's.

Changing the subject a bit here...

Along with the media, we've seen guys like George Whitfield talk about how good Blake is at QB. On both counts, in the future are people going to take these comments at face value? They should. It's superficial, at best.

Let's not forget we saw the comments from Whitfield in the past. One in particular was Jimmy Clausen.

Chris Low also reported that Hurts has taken some 2nd team snaps this week.

Personally, I don't take that to mean anything. Hurts has taken reps with the 1's this spring—as they all have.

 

[Alabama17Tide]

Quarterbacks still dividing reps
Aaron Suttles | Beat Writer

Junior quarterback Cooper Bateman is among four players splitting reps at the position in spring.
Gary Cosby Jr. | Staff
Cooper Bateman is athletic. Just how athletic?

Remember last season when he worked at wide receiver during spring practice?

Then there’s this: athletic tight end O.J. Howard said the quarterback is faster than he is.

Bateman is one of the four quarterbacks splitting repetitions, a plan UA coach Nick Saban said will continue for the foreseeable future.

“We haven't changed how we're doing the reps. We're still giving everybody a chance,” Saban said.

That includes Bateman, David Cornwell, Blake Barnett and Jalen Hurts.

But it is Bateman’s grasp of the offense that’s giving him a head start on the others. His athleticism doesn’t hurt either, and that includes being faster than one of the best tight ends in the country.

“I can see when he takes off, if we’re running sprints he’s ahead of me, easily jogging or even full speed he beats me a lot of the time so he’s pretty fast,” Howard said.

Cornwell’s strength is his arm, his ability to throw passes with higher velocity. He and Bateman are out in front of the two younger, less experienced quarterbacks, Barnett and Hurts.

“I think the guys that have the most knowledge and experience played the best,” Saban said. “The two younger guys, even though they demonstrated that they have a tremendous amount of upside in terms of the way they played, their consistency in performance because of their confusion, lack of knowledge, poise under pressure, whichever you want to talk about -- which is not uncommon or surprising for young guys the first time they go out there. They probably weren't quite as consistent as the other guys.

“We're continuing to try to give everybody an opportunity. I think we'll probably do that for the rest of the spring.”

Howard said all the quarterbacks had positives to take away from last Saturday’s scrimmage and things to work on before the next scrimmage this Saturday.

“I think quarterback play was [good],” Howard said. “Guys made smart decisions. They put the ball in places to allow receivers to make plays, and tight ends. Whenever you have guys playing smart and giving guys a chance to make plays you have to give them their props.”

He also said Bateman’s knowledge of the system is beneficial to him at this point.

“He’s an older guy. He has experience, and leadership, that comes with it. So he knows what he needs to do, he knows the system very well. It’s just been natural for him to be a leader in the huddle.”

 

[OldPlayer]

Let's all remember that this is Spring practice. This is a time for development, not game planning. CNS is looking for the right combination of players. Experimentation is the norm. How does a player "low" on the depth chart (that doesn't exist) respond when working with the 1s? How do the 1s respond when working with a non-starter? I know that many want a complete starting lineup finalized at the end of A Day but reality says many position battles will continue through the Summer and Fall.

 

[Max]

This is a time for development, not game planning

FWIW, they are working on sets and schemes for teams in spring ball. Most of it is for teams using an offense the Tide doesn't see regularly. In other words, they are game planning.

 

[OldPlayer]

FWIW, they are working on sets and schemes for teams in spring ball. Most of it is for teams using an offense the Tide doesn't see regularly. In other words, they are game planning.

It may seem like game planning, but it's not. Assignments are partly based on formations. They are using formations they expect to see from various opponents to teach assignments.

 

[Max]

It may seem like game planning, but it's not.

straight from Saban's mouth last scrimmage.

 

[T&B]

From Steve Wiltfong on QB Tua Tagovailoa:
quote:
Following his visit to Alabama, a source that has talked with the family believes the Crimson Tide are now the team to beat. I hope to have more soon.


Also heard Christopher Allen may be committing to Bama soon. LSU fans are going to meltdown. lol

 

[T&B]

BOL says Tua is the top QB on the board.

#Rivals100 QB Tua Tagovailoa will not leave Tuscaloosa until Thursday. He arrived at #Alabama last Thursday
From Bone


Well, I would have to say this visit must be going extremely well.

 

[T&B]

Nick Saban: Cooper Bateman leads Alabama QB competition

Nick Saban says rising redshirt junior Cooper Bateman leads Alabama’s quarterback competition this spring, reports ESPN’s Chris Low.

“If we had to play today, it would probably be Cooper Bateman,” Saban said. “But we don’t have to play today.”

For the third consecutive preseason, the Crimson Tide are embroiled in a quarterback competition. This year, the battle is among Bateman, rising redshirt freshman Blake Barnett, rising sophomore David Cornwell and rising freshman Jalen Hurts.

“Just like last year, we’re going to choose the guy who wins the team,” Saban said. “Some of our younger guys have a high ceiling, but how long does that take to develop?”

 

[OldPlayer]

BOL says Tua is the top QB on the board.

#Rivals100 QB Tua Tagovailoa will not leave Tuscaloosa until Thursday. He arrived at #Alabama last Thursday
From Bone


Well, I would have to say this visit must be going extremely well.

A lot of things to consider when you're relocating that far from home. Can't do that in 24-48 hours.