🏈 Barnett & Bateman felt decieved by Saban

[Tidestalker]

They're no longer at Alabama, but former Crimson Tide quarterbacks Blake Barnett and Cooper Bateman are in familiar positions as they compete to earn the starting jobs at Arizona State and Utah, respectively. This time, however, both players hope the competitions end and, perhaps more importantly, are handled differently.

To be clear, both Barnett and Bateman have a lot of respect for Alabama coach Nick Saban as a football coach, but neither of them were happy with the communication they received last year related to their individual situations. When true freshman Jalen Hurts received the bulk of the playing time in Alabama's season-opening 52-6 win against USC, it caught both players off guard.

"Long story short, I was just as surprised as everyone else," Bateman said. "It wasn't really how it was told to me it was going to be."

Heading into the game, Barnett said he was under the impression the job was his and Bateman believed he would split time with Barnett, which is what Saban said publicly would be the case the week of the game. ...

More here: Ex-Tide QBs: Caught off guard by Saban tactics

 

[Tidestalker]

Not surprised by Barnett, but Bateman coming forward catches me somewhat off guard.

TBH I don't think anyone saw the Jalen thing coming. I don't even know if Saban did. All reports were that the others were ahead on the rep chart and would be given legit opportunities.

That being said I see where both Barnett and Bateman are coming from. You go through the recruiting process and lord knows what all is promised to them... You just want to be told the truth and they feel they weren't. Unfortunately, the truth may have been that Saban really had no idea who would be the best fit last year. But clearly, Jalen was a very good choice.

 

[TUSKtimes]

It's hard to say what the QBs were told going into the USC game. But one thing was certain, Kiffin had veered to the veer. And even when Jalen fumbles on his first snap from scrimmage the coaches were determined to give him opportunities in the game, even though the first 3 series ended with little to show offensively. Jalen playing was no accident.

The bottom line for me is that Bateman and Cornwell were graduates and regardless of the reps they got, eventually wanted on the field, somewhere, and every Bama fan would get that. And for me, the bottom line is that Barnett got plenty of reps and found success in the offense and in the middle of a championship season, didn't want to compete with his place in the rotation and left. And good riddance to him.

 

[PurlJam]

Barnett remains in competition with returning starter Manny Wilkins, who Arizona State coach Todd Graham said should be considered the starter until he gets beat out.

Bateman, it appears, has fallen behind Troy Williams and Tyler Huntley in the competition at Utah. Coach Kyle Whittingham told reporters Monday that Williams and Huntley are getting a higher percentage of the reps.

And it seems both are still going to be riding the pine this season. Just verifies to me that CNS and the staff are pretty good at seeing the talent level needed to start and play QB for us.

 

[im4uainva]

I guess they just felt like there was no future at Bama for them. I'd have to agree their assessment was accurate. Even though a lot of fans feel that Barnett left Bama in a lurch, he knew he was history, unless Jalen got hurt. After all the hype, and accolades, and praise, he had received to come to Bama, it wasn't to ride the bench. I thought he might have felt that his support was coming up a little short against an up and coming QB that was received favorably by the players moreso that he. Other than, through injury, or some other unforeseen tragedy, there was no way he was going to replace Jalen at QB. It would have been a waste of his time and talent to remain at Bama. He just made his departure in a fashion unpalatable to the rest of Bama Nation.

Roll Tide!

 

[planomateo]

Best of luck to both of them.

Blake's comments don't seem to back up the story.

"under the impression the job was his"
" I don't know if everything was communicated correctly."​

Gonna be interesting to see where Blake ends up in 10 years. All the hype (remember the Whitfield comments, etc), he was lucky enough to have consistent QB coach/OC during his time at the Capstone, and not to mention having extra time to win the job. It just didn't work out for him. Does he make excuses or take responsibility?

He probably should have went to FAU with Kiffin...

 

[gc90]

I remember most fans knew Cooper would ride the pine even when he signed and was in the nationalchampionship parade with AJ.

There were times he showed some flashes of touch but had weak arm and that OleMiss game doomed him.

He was hell of a team player and was surprised he would say anything considering he is going to ride the pine at his new school.

As for Blake, the coaches were not sure of who would be best for the team. They had seen some flashes of IT factor from Jalen but were still not sure during USC game. If Blake had shown better pocket awareness and carried the team I have no doubt he would be the starter ... he just didnt show those qualities. Knowing his true personality now I think we dodged a bullet.

 

[50+yeartidefan]

And remember a fact about Barnett that drove Saban crazy...
Out of the blue....he would screw something up...
And his crazy delivery....
I always felt Saban was looking for more consistency...with his D he didnt want a L because of The Offense.....
And the team rallied around JH......as they did around Sims..

 

[Crtuneman]

We always hear that Saban likes to let his coaches coach and make decisions, so how much of this was Saban wanting consistency and Kiffin wanting a playmaker? I know Saban is in charge and I know he likes to yell at his coaches during the game, especially Kiffin, but I have always wondered if Hurts was the choice of Kiffin and Saban just let it ride. I personally felt like Barnett was the better QB because he had better accuracy and decision making. I know he sort of froze in his first start, but when he came in late in the game he did much better. I don't know, just speculation.

 

[bamascw]

I smell sour grapes........

Typical of the "it can't be my fault" generation. I was not the starter because someone was better than me...NOOOOOOOO, it is coach Saban's fault for misleading me.

 

[BamaFan334]

I will toot my own horn here and say that I said on many occasions on this very website that Hurts would be the guy. I think the situation was a little more like mentioned above where Saban himself wasn't 100% sure what he wanted, other than winning. Bateman was a great teammate and a solid backup option for us, so to hear him say these things is a little out of character of what I came to know about him. I will admit that I feel Barnett was on a tighter leash than anyone else, because I honestly don't feel he was given much of a chance to persevere in the USC game. Boom, one mistake, you're out. What, three drives in the first game and the guy doesn't see the field again? Even McCarron against Michigan with a veteran team was ehhh in the first quarter, not to mention how we played Virginia tech and West Virginia. ANYWAYS, I think Coach knew Hurts could improvise and allowed that instinct to sway the Barnett opportunity. Now, the rest is history. The right guy won the job and did his part. The team respects Hurts and will march with him.

 

[Sgt. Lincoln Osiris]

I smell sour grapes........

Typical of the "it can't be my fault" generation. I was not the starter because someone was better than me...NOOOOOOOO, it is coach Saban's fault for misleading me.

Yup.

Point blank: the offense didn't produce with QBs that were in the program for 2 and 4 years, respectively. They were experienced, program-wise, even though they hadny significantly started.

But the offense rallied around a QB that had only been in the program for 8 months.

Jalen had that "IT" factor.

These 2 QBs didn't. Simple as that.

 

[TUSKtimes]

I will toot my own horn here and say that I said on many occasions on this very website that Hurts would be the guy. I think the situation was a little more like mentioned above where Saban himself wasn't 100% sure what he wanted, other than winning. Bateman was a great teammate and a solid backup option for us, so to hear him say these things is a little out of character of what I came to know about him. I will admit that I feel Barnett was on a tighter leash than anyone else, because I honestly don't feel he was given much of a chance to persevere in the USC game. Boom, one mistake, you're out. What, three drives in the first game and the guy doesn't see the field again? Even McCarron against Michigan with a veteran team was ehhh in the first quarter, not to mention how we played Virginia tech and West Virginia. ANYWAYS, I think Coach knew Hurts could improvise and allowed that instinct to sway the Barnett opportunity. Now, the rest is history. The right guy won the job and did his part. The team respects Hurts and will march with him.

You're getting forgetful in your later years @BamaFan334 . Barnett went back in the USC game with about 2.5 minutes in the 3rd quarter and the score was 38-3. He put the last 2 TDs on the scoreboard and threw a wonderful strike to OJ Howard.

 

[BamaFan334]

You're getting forgetful in your later years @BamaFan334 . Barnett went back in the USC game with about 2.5 minutes in the 3rd quarter and the score was 38-3. He put the last 2 TDs on the scoreboard and threw a wonderful strike to OJ Howard.

I blame my three kids.

 

[JoshB]

I personally felt like Barnett was the better QB because he had better accuracy and decision making. I know he sort of froze in his first start, but when he came in late in the game he did much better. I don't know, just speculation.

I think how well he did at the end said as much about him as the beginning. When the pressure was on, he folded like an accordion. Then, he came in with the team up by 30+ and looked magnificent. No pressure, no stress and he was as good as it gets. So, if you're playing Florida Atlantic or Bowling Green every week, Barnett is your guy, but against Ole Miss or LSU or Auburn or in a playoff? No thank you.

I remember most fans knew Cooper would ride the pine even when he signed and was in the national championship parade with AJ.

There were times he showed some flashes of touch but had weak arm and that OleMiss game doomed him.

He was hell of a team player and was surprised he would say anything considering he is going to ride the pine at his new school.

As for Blake, the coaches were not sure of who would be best for the team. They had seen some flashes of IT factor from Jalen but were still not sure during USC game. If Blake had shown better pocket awareness and carried the team I have no doubt he would be the starter ... he just didnt show those qualities. Knowing his true personality now I think we dodged a bullet.

Barnett was a deer caught in the headlights at USC, I was pretty sure he was done after that (as far as being the starter) in Saban's eyes.

 

[RTB X Bot]

 

[TUSKtimes]

The media is sure pushing this one today. The problem is jackleg writers putting a ton of ulterior motives to the spoken word that ultimately requires these guys to be clairvoyant to make their points. Hit and run pieces that most won't stick around to defend. As far as Barnett is concerned or what he feels about it all, who honestly cares? Jalen Hurts was Offensive Player of the Year. Deal with it.

 

[Sgt. Lincoln Osiris]

The media is sure pushing this one today. The problem is jackleg writers putting a ton of ulterior motives to the spoken word that ultimately requires these guys to be clairvoyant to make their points. Hit and run pieces that most won't stick around to defend. As far as Barnett is concerned or what he feels about it all, who honestly cares? Jalen Hurts was Offensive Player of the Year. Deal with it.

Dis rat cheer.

Aul uvitt.

 

[BAMAneck]

They had their chances . If Im Not mistaken Barnett started the U.S.C. game , but for what ever reason he shit the bed and Jalen just took over . I think it was just the perfect storm for kiffens playcall style and Barnett not being able to capitalize. It's not like Saban went in thinking I gotta start this freshman . Jalen just took it at the end of the day .

 

[OriginalBamachris]

So BB8 thought he was good enough and should have been the starter at Bama last year. Isn't he the backup or competing for backup at his new school? Face it, you had a year to absorb the Tide offense as a redshirt freshman and you still were not good enough to beat out a true freshman and probably won't be the starter at your new school. Just be thankful for the opportunities and make the most of them. You are not the first to be beat out by a freshman and won't be the last.

As far as he and Bateman complaining about communication. It is a two way street. You are over 18 and an adult. If you don't understand something ask for clarification. If you are told something you believe to be true, i.e. you believe they told you that you would be the starter, confirm it by "communicating" to your coaches what you heard. Sometimes message sent isn't always messages received.