🏈 Fall Camp Wk 3: Reports and Observations.

[utstnx]

I don't get it either...we have the best recruiters in the nation. We are the best program in the nation and we can't train up one nfl caliber qb? We are settling for 4 back up QBs and find ourselves picking the best of the worst. What's the deal?

 

[Earnest T Bass]

I don't get it either...we have the best recruiters in the nation. We are the best program in the nation and we can't train up one nfl caliber qb? We are settling for 4 back up QBs and find ourselves picking the best of the worst. What's the deal?

Well ...let's see ... We had a run heavy pro-style offense where the quarterback has little chance to shine ..... So we couldn't draw the top qb's ..... Now when LK shows up we threw it around a little.... Got a 5* qb .... But he's a little green right now .... So it is what it is ....

 

[bamafan4ever]

Good grief at the drama queens that have been coming out of the woodwork. I swear I am beginning to enjoy less content but more quality posts. And could some of you do the rest of us a favor and quit calling the players ignorant names? It doesn't go far in crediting your character or anything spewed out of your keyboard and Lord! What a bunch of football scouts and coaches we have in here as well! So many of you who are doubting the ability of Morris or any other QB are probably the same one's who were PISSED that Blake got the job last year. How did your prediction of him work out for you last year? I tend to trust the opinion of our well compensated coaching staff over some guy who reads a few scrimmage notes and decides that Morris is nothing more than a game manger.

On the other hand, I appreciate the updates that people have posted that have been at the scrimmages. It's all perception and that varies from person to person but you can mix all opinions and then listen to Saban and get a little bit of an idea of what's going on.

Morris is indeed a smart kid, a lot like McElroy. He is also an athlete. Not a bad combination to have if you remember guys like Quincy Carter in the SEC. He was once committed to Wake Forest and Wake doesn't recruit dummies. He also, at one time, held the Alabama camp record for throwing from his knees (53 yards). Shows a rather strong arm. Has a quick passing motion and has average speed. His high school coach also said that the more he played, the better he got and you could see his progression through his highlight reels. There is no reason to think that he has not continued to get better.

If it's Cooper Bateman you are worried about, here is a guy who had the courage to step out of his comfort zone and come to Alabama. If some of you are not familiar with his story, take just a second and read this:

This is the same young man who had four head coaches in four years of high school football. He dealt with the death of two coaches and led his teammates through a political controversy that robbed him of working with the only constant he'd had in coaching — Scott Cate.

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/...ing-path-for-his-college-football.html?pg=all

Regardless of who starts, like many have stated, our defense will keep us in most ball games. As good as our staff is, it will be interesting to see who they think will give us the best chance to win.

 

[Bravo Crimson]

Interesting story on Bateman. I don't think the name calling though is meant to be in a bad way. I don't do it cause its more letters to type but I haven't seen it as to be a negative to a player such as someone referring to Jake as Choker like other sites. Its all in good fun.

Now, I also don't think the majority were pissed Blake won the job last year. I was on "Team Blake" and thought the guy who had paid his dues was more than deserving of a shot over a transfer that would be handed the keys based on merit. The ones who were pissed IMO were only pissed that by Blake starting meant the praise for Coker was not accurate and were let down. I can understand that. However the majority of the fanbase got behind Blake and cheered for him just as much as AJ or Gmac. BDS didn't erupt in cheers when he came back out from the locker room after banging up his shoulder against FL for no reason. He won the hearts of most of those who doubted him.

As for Morris, its fair to question if he can be more of a game changer since he has yet to prove anything otherwise. He wasn't heavily recruited and others on roster have more talent in different skill sets. Him being the smartest is really what he has going for him. Could he have improved over time like in HS? Sure no doubt, he has been practicing against some of the best defense players in the land. Will that translate to an actual game? That has yet to be determined and is under discussion. I didn't follow his recruiting as close as others but if it were only us and Wake Forest who offered him, that doesn't ring for excitement. Wake Forest isn't exactly a dominant force in football ( can't knock the Demon Deacons too bad, my grandmother was Homecoming Queen for them and they had a first rounder last year) but are viewed as the Vandy of the ACC. Alec Morris may be the diamond in the rough we got that usually end up at the Vandy's and Wake Forests of college football that every other school looks over.

 

[bamafan4ever]

@Bravo Crimson Solid post. By the UF game, I think most had hitched their trailer to Blake Sims wagon, especially after the way he, Drake and Cooper opened that game. Hard to argue with that kind of success especially considering we were supposed to have such a tough time against that vaunted UF defense, at least according to the pundits. Before then and it may not have been true on other sites, there was a lot of wringing of hands over the decision to start Blake. With all of that being said, I think it's just fair to sit back and see what happens if Morris is named starter. The kid will have earned it if he gets the start and against other talented QB's. Some have alluded to our group of QB's being weak and I am just not buying it. I think the level of competition they play against on a daily basis in practice will elevate all of their games as you alluded to with Alec. It may also skew perception to the negative. Yep. I think Tucker is doing that well with our secondary!

 

[CrimsonBoz]

@Bravo Crimson Solid post. By the UF game, I think most had hitched their trailer to Blake Sims wagon, especially after the way he, Drake and Cooper opened that game. Hard to argue with that kind of success especially considering we were supposed to have such a tough time against that vaunted UF defense, at least according to the pundits. Before then and it may not have been true on other sites, there was a lot of wringing of hands over the decision to start Blake. With all of that being said, I think it's just fair to sit back and see what happens if Morris is named starter. The kid will have earned it if he gets the start and against other talented QB's. Some have alluded to our group of QB's being weak and I am just not buying it. I think the level of competition they play against on a daily basis in practice will elevate all of their games as you alluded to with Alec. It may also skew perception to the negative. Yep. I think Tucker is doing that well with our secondary!

I struggled with this as Blake is a personal friend, sitting at a game where the crowd gives Jake Coker a standing ovation when he enters garbage time and talks crap about Blake while he is playing. It was the single most embarrassing time for our fan base.

 

[PhillyGirl]

I struggled with this as Blake is a personal friend, sitting at a game where the crowd gives Jake Coker a standing ovation when he enters garbage time and talks crap about Blake while he is playing. It was the single most embarrassing time for our fan base.

That's really sad. I always felt for Blake. Those fans are assholes ..

 

[UAgrad93]

I struggled with this as Blake is a personal friend, sitting at a game where the crowd gives Jake Coker a standing ovation when he enters garbage time and talks crap about Blake while he is playing. It was the single most embarrassing time for our fan base.

I recall some similar bitching and complaining about Gary Hollingsworth during the '90 season. He was coming off a season where he had set several school records under Homer Smith. In '90, Coach Stallings was in place and Mal Moore was our OC. Our philosophy and style had changed on offense. It didn't help that we had lost 3 skill guys 3 consecutive weeks to ACL tears ( Siran Stacy, Prince Wimbley, Craig Sanderson). I was a walk on on those teams and I heard the bitching EVERY weekend on how it was Gary's fault! People that don't know shit as to the inner workings of football have no clue. They just see the results on Saturday and assume the other guys are better. This is the life of a QB and definitely the life of a BAMA QB!!

 

[TerryP]

If you happened to be looking for earlier posts in this thread that were, well, that bullshit ... the football conversations have been pruned from it and copied here.

Thanks for understanding.

T

 

[Elderfalsedemigod]

I struggled with this as Blake is a personal friend, sitting at a game where the crowd gives Jake Coker a standing ovation when he enters garbage time and talks crap about Blake while he is playing. It was the single most embarrassing time for our fan base.

Other than the appreciation I feel for any player who dons the Crimson and dedicates themselves to Alabama, Coker has never done anything that made me want to stand and applaud. The folks who did that are the same idiots that scream "watch the fake" every punt and thought Chris Rogers was Julio every time he came on the field

 

[TerryP]

And @TerryP has been telling me for months that Alec Morris would be the QB with me resisting it kicking and screaming the whole time...

There was something else going on with that conversation and it was about people not losing their position due to injury. My point was, barring injury, I expected QB depth chart would be Coker then Alec. I didn't say Morris would be the guy.

But damn, here we end up with Coker getting injured. It's all about Wednesday and Thursday this week.

Here's something to chew on with Coker: Thinking back through this whole story and going back to Jimbo's comments, Herbie's comments, etc....

I've pointed to Winston's 28 INT's over the last two seasons at FSU. Decision making has been a fault with Coker. But, one thing with Jameis is he had that explosive play capability. 65 TD's over the last two season, 40 of those coming in their national title run.

How many games did FSU lose over the last two seasons?

Now, coming back full circle. Coker has made those big throws. He's got the talent to make some of the explosive plays Saban and Kiffin want. There's risk, there's reward. Assuming his injury doesn't keep him from going 100% mid-week when the 1's are going against the 1's, do the rewards outweigh the risk?

It's funny to me that people will look back at a guy like Gary Hollingsworth and laud his time at Bama. But, look at his numbers.

I don't think Coker is getting a fair shake from a lot of fans just like I didn't think Morris was as well.

 

[JoseyWalesTheOutlaw]

Jimbo's offense is more high risk than Nick's in that his offense isn't afraid to throw the ball down the middle of the field. Picks will happen but so will long gainers. Risk/Reward. Look at the play of their TE vs Bama's TE. Wish we had pulled Jack's grandson for he was a Hoss.

 

[TerryP]

Flipping the script just a bit here.

I don't think this is an opinion that'll be shared by a lot of folks. But, it's my opinion.

While Derrick Henry is big for a running back, people are confusing his size with him being a "between the tackles" kind of back. We don't have a punishing back in the first two of the depth chart.

 

[TerryP]

Look at the play of their TE vs Bama's TE.

Good point, but this brings up a new subject.

This offense has two type of tight ends. I've seen a comment (may have left it here a few pages back when I pruned things) about the tight ends "sucking." Two different groups of tight ends is the way this offense has been running for several years.

I fully realize people want to see a pass catching tight end. Me? I want a blocker first and foremost. But, that's just leading me into complaints about last year which have nothing to do with this fall.

 

[Elderfalsedemigod]

Flipping the script just a bit here.

I don't think this is an opinion that'll be shared by a lot of folks. But, it's my opinion.

While Derrick Henry is big for a running back, people are confusing his size with him being a "between the tackles" kind of back. We don't have a punishing back in the first two of the depth chart.

Drake is a better short yardage back than Henry (based on what limited reps I've seen) simply because he turns better and quicker to exploit small seams on the interior. You are correct in saying neither is a bruiser inside back. Henry's legs are just too long for him to be that squat legs churning guy like Ingram was. I know he is gone and it is spilled milk but Tyren Jones was that guy. My hope is that Damien Harris will be that type back and that he will learn the blocking schemes well enough to be rotated in early and often to wear down the opposing defense. If Harris can wear them down with some pounding early then Henry becomes that much more effective late in the game with the power sweeps and tosses. JMO

 

[Tidestalker]

Good point, but this brings up a new subject.

This offense has two type of tight ends. I've seen a comment (may have left it here a few pages back when I pruned things) about the tight ends "sucking." Two different groups of tight ends is the way this offense has been running for several years.

I fully realize people want to see a pass catching tight end. Me? I want a blocker first and foremost. But, that's just leading me into complaints about last year which have nothing to do with this fall.

Kiffin's offense (last year) was not suited for the TE or Slot WR. Not sure how much will change this year but I'm assuming without Coop the ball will get spread out a little more

 

[Justneedme81]

Kiffin's offense (last year) was not suited for the TE or Slot WR. Not sure how much will change this year but I'm assuming without Coop the ball will get spread out a little more

Really? * looking back at USC Tape*

 

[NickelDoubleDog]

Flipping the script just a bit here.

I don't think this is an opinion that'll be shared by a lot of folks. But, it's my opinion.

While Derrick Henry is big for a running back, people are confusing his size with him being a "between the tackles" kind of back. We don't have a punishing back in the first two of the depth chart.

Nearly all of Henry s big runs have come between the tackles. He's not that great if he's having to dodge defenders 2 or 3 yards deep in the backfield right after getting the handoff. He's not going to make a ton of quick lateral cuts in traffic. But if he's got even competent blocking, he's a great back. Last year's offense was the most finesse Alabama has had since 2007 or earlier. There was far more zone read and lateral runs due to Blake Sims skill set. But give Henry the 2008-2012 OLs and the formations and playcalling used then, and he'd be a 1800 yard rusher. I expect this year's offense to be better at run blocking, to the advantage of Henry and Drake.

 

[Elderfalsedemigod]

Kiffin's offense (last year) was not suited for the TE or Slot WR. Not sure how much will change this year but I'm assuming without Coop the ball will get spread out a little more

Speaking of Slot WR, again based off of limited info, but I hope the transfer Mullaney translates well into a good dependable slot/possession guy. Based on what little Saban has said about him that seems to be a niche he may fill. A big sure handed guy running those slants and in routes while the defense keys on the outside speed could be a huge weapon, especially if we are looking more toward a move the chains manager at QB.

 

[TerryP]

My hope is that Damien Harris will be that type back and that he will learn the blocking schemes well enough to be rotated in early and often to wear down the opposing defense. If Harris can wear them down with some pounding early then Henry becomes that much more effective late in the game with the power sweeps and tosses. JMO

It's been a week and a half or so since I had a conversation with a friend of mine. The opinion coming from the medical staff is Bo's recovery is one of the freaky-'ish things they've seen.

How does that play out? It's my understanding the target date is Georgia week. As in, the staff has their fingers crossed he'll be able to come in and be that brusing back we will need to finish games. And, we'll need it.