🏈 Did AJ do seem like a 3 year starter w/ 3 NC rings last night?

[Crimson&WhiteGecko]

FOR THE RECORD, I don't want AJ out, I think he is a winner, he has proven that... there is nothing anyone can say to change that fact. The issue I have with him is that he is a 3 year starter now. He is a senior. He is now at the stage in his career that he MUST be one of the undisputable leaders on the team, especially when under pressure. Especially when the line didn't do squat. Did anybody see any of that out of him last night? Not me...

I recall the story he told of CNS putting him in w/ the 2nd & 3rd stringers in practive his redshirt freshman year. He got annihilated. After practice he goes to CNS bitching & moaning about what happened & CNS said that he was put in that very situation to test his leadership... he failed. For everything that I saw last night... he failed again. When everything is going to complete crap around him, he let it, bickered at others, & sulked. What did he do that set himself apart from everyone else. Not much. He performed better against 2011 LSU's defense as 1st year starter in the regular season & in the championship... he did better in both than he did in this one.

Don't read too much into this post, I'm not calling for the other QB. It is just that if he is going to be the guy that carry's this team, in real tough situation, he has to step up. I think that this is why, from a national perspective, he doesn't get too much respect b/c folks just say that his supporting cast is just so good that all he has to do is just not mess up... Well, last night proves that a little more.

I believe AJ is that talented & is capable to be a takeover QB. It is time for him to do that, not just in the locker room, or press conference, or the coaches office, not just against 'superior SEC teams', or practice. He needs to be the QB to take over games when his team needs him to. He did it against LSU last year, that is undisputed! But he wasn't touched on that last drive. Hopefully this last game is a wake up call to emphasize that it is not everyday we get 2 TD's from special teams & Defense to keep us out of the crap...

'Bama has been getting everyone's A game for some time under CNS but now that the 3 peat is legit, it will just amp up everyone else if it hasn't already. I'm just ready for AJ to establish himself as the undisputed & capable leader of this team. The good thing about is that I don't think he would disagree, unlike that QB from A&M.

 

[ElephantStomp]

He's the leader no question, but it's hard to look good in the pocket when the entire d line is hitting him every play. Had the o line blocked good AJ would've looked fine

 

[JoshB]

When in the world did AJ "sulk?" I saw him get on Derrick Henry once but then a coach did the same exact thing. You're reading waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too far into nothing.

 

[Crimson&WhiteGecko]

Perhaps. If so how did he even stand out as clear, positive leader in the game, especially when they were not performing? What stands out?

 

[Crimson&WhiteGecko]

He's the leader no question, but it's hard to look good in the pocket when the entire d line is hitting him every play. Had the o line blocked good AJ would've looked fine

Really? The reasoning for his lack of performance falls squarely & only on the line. Sorry, no dice.

The line is going to get beat. It will not be as good as last years.

 

[bcracker]

I saw him "schooling" Henry on at least two occasions, so I don't think his leadership was an issue. Plus, his post game interview, where he praised the efforts of his o-line, also demonstrated his leadership abilities.

 

[bcracker]

I have to agree with Birdman. It's hard to look like AJ-2012 with an entire defensive line hanging from your neck.

 

[ElephantStomp]

He's the leader no question, but it's hard to look good in the pocket when the entire d line is hitting him every play. Had the o line blocked good AJ would've looked fine

Really? The reasoning for his lack of performance falls squarely & only on the line. Sorry, no dice.

The line is going to get beat. It will not be as good as last years.

His lack of performance? He threw the ball, WRs dropped balls, he completed some then the rest of the time he spent trying to safe his body from getting mangled by a d line that was schooling the o line

 

[Crimson&WhiteGecko]

Ok... for the record. I understand that the offensive line got whipped, a lot. I understand how those implications affect a QB.

I am simply asking, that given what was happening, --> "Did a 5th year senior QB, w/ talent, experience, rings, stand out & carry this team?"

If so, how did he do it? How did he step up & execute? Not at a press conference when the game is over but during the game.

 

[Kirk Van de Graaff]

I kind of see what you mean, but its the first game, the defense except for maybe 2 plays was handling VTs offense, so there was no intensity. Thats what bothered me a little, no intensity on offense, they didnt get mad or pumped up. That's where I had issues. Didnt seem like there was any sense of urgency to do better. AJ was leading but he could of done a little better in pumping them up. He will, I would bet that the A&M game will be a high intensity game and they will be ready to play. I wouldnt read to much into this first game, they know their weaknesses and should improve.

 

[JoshB]

Perhaps. If so how did he even stand out as clear, positive leader in the game, especially when they were not performing? What stands out?

I just dont understand what you want? AJ pumping up the players? AJ getting in their ear? I wasn't standing on the sideline nor did the camera ever even show the Alabama offense on the sideline talking to my knowledge. His performance def. wasn't good regardless of the protection. He made several bad decisions whether forcing a throw or holding onto the ball too lock, but at the same time he was running for his life or throwing off his back foot to avoid the rush half the night. Also there were some very pretty passes that were dropped, and a cpl that were just great defensive plays to knock a good pass away. You come off like you're looking for some type of negative towards AJ that doesn't exist.

 

[BAMA JAMMA]

 

[bamaraider]

 

[russb8903]

Wow. Woooooooow. If we actually start losing some games this place is gonna be unlivable by the looks this thread.

To answer your question. Yes, he looked much like a 3 year starter while he was dodging unblocked players and a constantly collapsing pocket. He could have exerted better play and leadership by sprouting wings and floating above their players.

 

[bamanaf]

I thought AJ did a good job of maintaining his composure given the hostile circumstances he faced throughout the game. He chewed ass a few times when they deserved it. I'm glad he wasn't out there chest bumping them all afternoon.

 

[JoshB]

Wow. Woooooooow. If we actually start losing some games this place is gonna be unlivable by the looks this thread.

To answer your question. Yes, he looked much like a 3 year starter while he was dodging unblocked players and a constantly collapsing pocket. He could have exerted better play and leadership by sprouting wings and floating above their players.

You shoulda been around here during the Shula era lol I got banned once for the way I trashed Marquis Johnson after one game.

 

[bamaraider]

You shoulda been around here during the Shula era lol I got banned once for the way I trashed Marquis Johnson after one game.

Still not as bad as Tardfans.com. God, once Tidesports became a rivals site, I went to Tidefans. I got banned instantly apparently being "too negative" towards Alabama. No offense to anyone who may go there, but that place is a complete oversensitive hell hole.

 

[JoshB]

Well I got banned cause I went IN on Marquis lol I think some took it as disrespect that I kept calling him "Marquis Jackson" too but it was completely a mistake, not intentional.

 

[UAgrad93]

Did AJ have his A game last night? NO! Is he the offensive leader of this 2013 team? Without a doubt! Bud Foster did pretty much what I expected. He sent some form of blitz 70% of the time. Just because AJ wasn't seen gnawing on someone's ass in the huddle or on the sideline, doesn't mean it didn't happen or did it need to happen. Screaming and yelling doesn't always work, especially when the line is hearing it from the coaches. It is a respect thing! AJ respects his O line and the effort they give and in turn his O line gives their all for him. Gecko, I think you are just grasping for something to pick apart. We're gonna be fine and AJ will put together more solid numbers and we'll once again have a chance to hoist up another Crystal Trophy!

 

[planomateo]

He took the blame from the OL during the post game interview, saying he was holding the ball too long. Sounds like a leader to me.