🏈 ESPN Insider Info Simms/McCarron

[kc]

I would not mind seeing Simms start....and he still has a shot. AJ just has to keep his emotions in check when involving decisions on the field. Hopefully that comes with experience.:a:

 

[bama4life]

I'm with Terry and look at this as a rumor more than anything else.

Next up you ask? Someone will make this a race issue (aka Watts/Zow).

 

[TerryP]

I'm with Terry and look at this as a rumor more than anything else.

Next up you ask? Someone will make this a race issue (aka Watts/Zow).

Already starting in some circles. I think it'll be more of a Star vs ______ than the Watts/Zow though.

FWIW, Ely has been getting rave reviews

 

[psychojoe]

Terry, what have you heard about Ely's arm strenth? I've seen contradictory reports. Saw him play on ESPN against some Texas school, but it was very windy, so I really couldn't tell.

 

[TerryP]

Terry, what have you heard about Ely's arm strenth? I've seen contradictory reports. Saw him play on ESPN against some Texas school, but it was very windy, so I really couldn't tell.

Better than reported...from a players perspective

 

[BamaDelta]

I do wonder if Simms has a shot. AJ has game experience, then again not that much. I know it sounds silly to ask about Simms having a shot, but AJ has been in the system and around Saban for a year longer than Simms. That has to count for something.

I really don't have an opinion and just want the better QB to win the job. That said, my gut likes Simms. He wasn't a top QB in high school for nothin'.

 

[UAgrad93]

I think this a battle that will go thru Spring and into Fall camp. I don't see either kid tranferring either. No info to base that on just my opinion. The #2 guy is always a play away from stepping in and taking over. Look at history and there are several instances where the #2 guy stepped in and never let go of the reigns. Brady took over for Bledsoe in New England I believe. Gary Hollingsworth took over for Jeff Dunn here in 89 and set records.

 

['65 Cobra]

I still think they're both going to see alot of playing time. They bring different skill sets to the table and I see a similar situation to LSU - with McElwain finding ways to take advantage of each of their respective strengths. I have nothing to base that on except my gut feeling.

 

[JoshB]

I still think they're both going to see alot of playing time. They bring different skill sets to the table and I see a similar situation to LSU - with McElwain finding ways to take advantage of each of their respective strengths. I have nothing to base that on except my gut feeling.

I COMPLETELY disagree. What "different skill sets" do they have? They're both pocket/pro style passers who can scramble if need be. Saban has said many times that he doesnt like the 2-QB approach unless u have two QBs with different skill sets that compliment each other (example: a pocket passer and a more athletic/option type QB). That is not Sims & McCarron.

 

[4th-and-1]

they might not have different skill sets, but they are completely different athletes..

mccarron deffinately comes off as that pro-style/quick release/strong-armed qb..

but sims looks amazing throwing the ball.. he looks like a basketball player hitting bottom on a 3 pointer..

mccarron seems to be all power and sims seems to be all touch..

i guess only time will tell.. one thing is for sure though.. it all starts with establishing our running game again..

 

[TerryP]

I COMPLETELY disagree. What "different skill sets" do they have? They're both pocket/pro style passers who can scramble if need be. Saban has said many times that he doesnt like the 2-QB approach unless u have two QBs with different skill sets that compliment each other (example: a pocket passer and a more athletic/option type QB). That is not Sims & McCarron.

There wasn't much of a difference in the game Matt Mauck brought to the field at LSU and what Jemarcus Russell brought...and, they shared playing time Mauck's senior season.

 

[Hoos4Tide]

I think this a battle that will go thru Spring and into Fall camp. I don't see either kid tranferring either. No info to base that on just my opinion. The #2 guy is always a play away from stepping in and taking over. Look at history and there are several instances where the #2 guy stepped in and never let go of the reigns. Brady took over for Bledsoe in New England I believe. Gary Hollingsworth took over for Jeff Dunn here in 89 and set records.

Brady was also getting paid a few million dollars a year to sit the bench and he knew he'd be getting paid that much until Bledsoe left or was traded or something else happened, Brady had forever to wait to play. Sims or McCarron, whichever one doesn't start will surely transfer, especially if McCarron is the one that doesn't win the job-- they only have 4 years (or less now) to prove they are good enough to get drafted. While both are a play away from getting the starting job, it's not as similar to Brady/ Bledsoe as you would have us believe.

 

[JoshB]

There wasn't much of a difference in the game Matt Mauck brought to the field at LSU and what Jemarcus Russell brought...and, they shared playing time Mauck's senior season.

Im just going by what Coach Saban said last year.

 

['65 Cobra]

I COMPLETELY disagree. What "different skill sets" do they have? They're both pocket/pro style passers who can scramble if need be. Saban has said many times that he doesnt like the 2-QB approach unless u have two QBs with different skill sets that compliment each other (example: a pocket passer and a more athletic/option type QB). That is not Sims & McCarron.

Terry beat me to the punch on Saban's use of Mauck and Russell. AJ is taller and lankier and has a cannon especially on the long ball. Sims is slightly shorter and much bulkier and is well-known for his accuracy and touch passes. Sims' bulk would also make him more of a threat to run on options. I have also heard that Sims may be more of a real threat in the wildcat as a receiver, which we never really had with GMac. Those are different skill sets. One guy can run on offense where the long ball is always a threat and the other guy can run an offense that moves the chains and eats clock. Obviously, I am just referring to the passing game - we all know that either QB would be heavily reliant on the running this year. My point is that both guys have alot of talent and there is differentiation between the two of them. You can think whatever you want. My opinion is that they will both see plenty of playing time and for different reasons - and if one happens to get a hot hand, the other guy sits and waits.

 

[shipley00]

I do wonder if Simms has a shot. AJ has game experience, then again not that much. I know it sounds silly to ask about Simms having a shot, but AJ has been in the system and around Saban for a year longer than Simms. That has to count for something.

I really don't have an opinion and just want the better QB to win the job. That said, my gut likes Simms. He wasn't a top QB in high school for nothin'.

I think it's safe to say Saban will put the person on the field that gives us the best chance of winning. It will play out in practices and scrimages. If Simms clearly beats out AJ, he's starting. If it's a tie, Saban (and most coaches) go with experience and seniority.

Me personally, I would like to see a backup get some significant playing time for once, not just last minute mop up. I don't think UA has been in that position in many years. I could really see, if the competition was close, putting in the backkup QB in for a series in the 1st half and 2nd half (not just mop up work). Make it part of the game plan, say backup goes in on the 1st series of the second quarter, and 3rd series of the second half, so it removes the nervousness from the QBs.

 

[UAgrad93]

Brady was also getting paid a few million dollars a year to sit the bench and he knew he'd be getting paid that much until Bledsoe left or was traded or something else happened, Brady had forever to wait to play. Sims or McCarron, whichever one doesn't start will surely transfer, especially if McCarron is the one that doesn't win the job-- they only have 4 years (or less now) to prove they are good enough to get drafted. While both are a play away from getting the starting job, it's not as similar to Brady/ Bledsoe as you would have us believe.

The point I was trying to make with Brady was that, it was a serious injury to Bledsoe that gave Brady his shot. Bledsoe went down with a serious injury and Brady stepped in. When Bledsoe came back from injury, he couldn't beat Brady to get his job back. I noticed that you didn't even touch Hollingsworth and Dunn. Dunn went down with a torn ACL in the Kentucky game and Gary took over. I was merely trying to give a couple of instances where that #2 guy is only a play away.
I don't think either one transfers regardless of who wins the job. I could see both being used, especially if they both prove they can move the offense and protect the ball. If they prove that, I don't think CNS would hesitate to use them both.

 

['65 Cobra]

Brady was also getting paid a few million dollars a year to sit the bench and he knew he'd be getting paid that much until Bledsoe left or was traded or something else happened, Brady had forever to wait to play. Sims or McCarron, whichever one doesn't start will surely transfer, especially if McCarron is the one that doesn't win the job-- they only have 4 years (or less now) to prove they are good enough to get drafted. While both are a play away from getting the starting job, it's not as similar to Brady/ Bledsoe as you would have us believe.

Since I don't agree with the whoever-doesn't-start-transfers theory, I need to call BS on your Brady reference b/c your info is all wrong. Brady took over for Bledsoe very early in 2001. He was drafted in the 6th round in 2000. In 2000, he made $205,800 and in 2001 he made $298,000. He really was a nobody while he was riding the bench and he only rode the bench for one year and two games. So he wasn't getting paid millions per year to ride the bench and he didn't ride the bench long at all. A back-up is always only a play away. Plus, as I've said elsewhere, I think they will both get playing time intentionally anyway.

 

[UAgrad93]

Since I don't agree with the whoever-doesn't-start-transfers theory, I need to call BS on your Brady reference b/c your info is all wrong. Brady took over for Bledsoe very early in 2001. He was drafted in the 6th round in 2000. In 2000, he made $205,800 and in 2001 he made $298,000. He really was a nobody while he was riding the bench and he only rode the bench for one year and two games. So he wasn't getting paid millions per year to ride the bench and he didn't ride the bench long at all. A back-up is always only a play away. Plus, as I've said elsewhere, I think they will both get playing time intentionally anyway.

Thanks 65 for putting the facts out there. I was referencing the 2 because of the one play away thing and somehow it got completely overlooked.

 

[XXL TideFan]

Nick told me that both will play.

via DROID ERIS on Tapatalk Pro

 

[Hoos4Tide]

Since I don't agree with the whoever-doesn't-start-transfers theory, I need to call BS on your Brady reference b/c your info is all wrong. Brady took over for Bledsoe very early in 2001. He was drafted in the 6th round in 2000. In 2000, he made $205,800 and in 2001 he made $298,000. He really was a nobody while he was riding the bench and he only rode the bench for one year and two games. So he wasn't getting paid millions per year to ride the bench and he didn't ride the bench long at all. A back-up is always only a play away. Plus, as I've said elsewhere, I think they will both get playing time intentionally anyway.

So you're right-- he wasn't getting paid millions to sit the bench-- but he is getting paid more than zero which is what a college player gets (usually). So you win on the most minute and least relevant detail of my argument. But the real point still stands and I hope you can try and see through the irrelevant details to see that. Brady was in New England for, presumably, as long as he wanted-- and don't take that the wrong way, the point is, he had more than 4 (or 3 for McCarron) years to win a job in New England or somewhere else. He didn't have a deadline in which to prove himself among the country's elite like Sims or McCarron do now. He was also getting paid, though not a million, a very decent salary I think we'd all agree. But, diverging from the already irrelevant and extremely different situation of Bledsoe/ Brady, think about Sims and McCarron and their two situations. I would type them out but I think anyone with a sufficient mind can reason through the situations. Each player has very limited time to prove themselves and so in that limited time they can either sit around hoping the winner of the job gets injured or they can transfer and try to prove themselves, elsewhere, capable of playing in the NFL-- each player's biggest goal. And thanks for the "he didn't ride the bench long at all"... you say that like you've really accomplished something...

And yes, to all, I do realize a back-up is only a play away, but I think I could show you thousands more examples of back-ups staying "only a play away" for 3 years or more and never getting their chance. (see: B.J. Scott, Marc Guillon, etc.)