🏈 How would you grade Sims' performance?

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

I'd say a solid B. 24 of 33 for 250 yards (1 bad INT). Missed a few open guys, but also had several drops, including what would have been a big play (TD?) to Christion Jones. He made some big 3rd down plays, looked comfortable in the pocket, and didn't pull the ball down and run with it after his first read as he has done so often in the past. He wasn't asked to do much, which wasn't excepted, but he managed the game plan very well. Overall, for his first game, he far exceeded my expectations.

Roll Blake Sims!

 

[Bamabww]

He played better than I've ever seen him play. Can he do better, yes. Will he, I believe so. I grade him a B as well.

 

[jdpas29]

I agree. I was pleased in a lot of ways. He is still a bit erratic but I wish they would do more designed runs for Blake.

 

[PhillyGirl]

I agree with that. He was solid but not excellent, good but not great. He exceeded my expectations as well, I hope he gains some confidence and gets more comfortable.

 

[Crimson&WhiteGecko]

He did what I expected considering his skills & the fact of what he had to do to be the starter. He made some pretty solid decisions. I stand by the idea that any first year starter QB competition under CNS is going to be the guy that doesn't make a bunch of bonehead mistakes. If Simms continues to improve, it is his but if he regresses in the decision making, Coker will take over.

 

[Argo]

Coming into this season, specifically after A-day, my top 3 concerns were kicking, punting, and QB. Kicking was A+ in my opinion! Better than I've seen it in a while. Not much punting, but impressive 1st punt. Don't remember if we punted 2 times. And Sims impressed me. He missed some crucial 3rd down passes, but should have had 50 more yards from drops. Looks great rolling out to right, made his reads. Was a little worried that he was staring down Cooper a little too much, but spread it around a good bit in second half. I want to see OJ Howard more on passing downs though.

I'll stay off cornerbacks until I watch a replay.

 

[rocknthefreeworld]

Honestly, a C/C+. He did enough to show that he can manage the offense but there were some really troubling things from previous appearances that showed up. He had a lot of trouble throwing on the run (off target) and his long ball was mostly terrible (aside from a couple of drops that he actually hit). If he is the starter then we have to count on the receivers to catch it on a short to mid pass and make something happen.

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

I agree. I was pleased in a lot of ways. He is still a bit erratic but I wish they would do more designed runs for Blake.

I certainly think we will see him use his legs more in the future on bootlegs, draws and such, especially on 3rd down and in the red zone.

Coming into this season, specifically after A-day, my top 3 concerns were kicking, punting, and QB. Kicking was A+ in my opinion! Better than I've seen it in a while. Not much punting, but impressive 1st punt. Don't remember if we punted 2 times. And Sims impressed me. He missed some crucial 3rd down passes, but should have had 50 more yards from drops. Looks great rolling out to right, made his reads. Was a little worried that he was staring down Cooper a little too much, but spread it around a good bit in second half. I want to see OJ Howard more on passing downs though.

I'll stay off cornerbacks until I watch a replay.

We are gonna be fine at punter. Scott is the truth. I ain't gonna bash a kid wearing Crimson as long as he gives his all on the field, but as far as corners go, I would look for Brown to start getting some playing time over Sylve.

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

If he is the starter then we have to count on the receivers to catch it on a short to mid pass and make something happen.

That is a large part of what Kiffin is going to do, regardless of who is QB. We have playmakers at WR. There will be the occasional deep pass to stretch the field, and Sims has to get better at those, but I expect he will.

 

[Argo]

Admittedly, I know less about this Alabama team than I have from any team in last 10 years. With that said, what happened to Eddie Jackson? Looked solid as a frosh last year. Can't believe two converted wide receivers are best we have at starting corner. Another thing, I'd like to see less celebrating after plays from our DBs until we start consistently getting stops through the air.

 

[BamaFan334]

It was kind of sad at the game because each and every incompletion had our own fans bitching and moaning not even giving him a chance. I simply couldn't believe how little support I saw for Sims. Glad our kicking game shut everyone up to, because I was so tired of hearing about that one cause I knew we would be just fine. I hope the fans that attend the game give Sims the support he deserves and will need to succeed.

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

Admittedly, I know less about this Alabama team than I have from any team in last 10 years. With that said, what happened to Eddie Jackson? Looked solid as a frosh last year. Can't believe two converted wide receivers are best we have at starting corner. Another thing, I'd like to see less celebrating after plays from our DBs until we start consistently getting stops through the air.

Eddie is "available" per Saban, but still not yet 100% back from his knee surgery. From what I understand, at the start of fall camp, his target date was pretty much the Ole Miss game barring any setbacks. I think it's a case where he is cleared medically though (he traveled and was suited up), he just isn't where they want him to be yet.

 

[ElephantStomp]

Sims did impress me at times. I'd give him a C+ or B. He's a bit erratic and had some drops, but even the one Jones dropped at the 5 was a bad pass and had the DB not gotten all stupid that would've been going the other way, but some of the things Sims did on 3rd down was impressive.

As for Sylve I hope either somebody else takes that spot or he gets his act together because he was horrible, but first game, so we will see.

Our interior LBs were something to be desired of and as good as Trey is he would've had to come off at times to get air, so it would've gotten just as ugly.

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

...but even the one Jones dropped at the 5 was a bad pass and had the DB not gotten all stupid that would've been going the other way...

I'm not sure he would have thorn that had the DB not been out of position. Jones was basically uncovered and I think he purposely floated it in there because he could. It was like an outfielder dropping a pop fly...

 

[ElephantStomp]

I'm not sure he would have thorn that had the DB not been out of position. Jones was basically uncovered and I think he purposely floated it in there because he could. It was like an outfielder dropping a pop fly...

True. Can't believe he dropped it.

Amari had a heck of a game

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

True. Can't believe he dropped it.

Amari had a heck of a game

He sure did. Amari might be the most important piece to our offense.

 

[ElephantStomp]

He sure did. Amari might be the most important piece to our offense.

Yessir. I agree. If not for him tonight we would've been in big trouble

 

[TerryP]

Coming into this season, specifically after A-day, my top 3 concerns were kicking, punting, and QB. Kicking was A+ in my opinion! Better than I've seen it in a while. Not much punting, but impressive 1st punt. Don't remember if we punted 2 times. And Sims impressed me. He missed some crucial 3rd down passes, but should have had 50 more yards from drops. Looks great rolling out to right, made his reads. Was a little worried that he was staring down Cooper a little too much, but spread it around a good bit in second half. I want to see OJ Howard more on passing downs though.

I'll stay off cornerbacks until I watch a replay.

Same here. I can understand him locked on Black on that quick slant; that's a three second pitch and catch. On third downs, he was looking at Coop all the way.

B.

 

[bamaledge]

I was impressed with what I saw for the most part. He performed way better that I thought he would. I am going to give him a B- simply because of the bad interception and the missing of open receivers. I am concerned with his throwing on the run and his long ball or lack there of. I noticed a couple of times that he stared down the receiver. I don't disagree with the coaching staff to keep him in the game, but I would have liked to see Coker get some reps in the thick of the game. This coming week really won't show much of Cokers ability to adjust to adversity in a game situation as it will be more of a glorified practice.

 

[alabama mike]

I am going to have to give him a C+ or a B-. Overall, Sims made good decisions with 250 yards passing. He had several bad throws rolling out, missing 2 open receivers. The INT happened simply because he just does not have game playing time. I loved the way he managed the 2 minute drill just before halftime. IMO, I think he did a decent job and look for him to improve.