🏈 Hurts, Bateman, Barnett and the QB competition
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rueben
Member
In what alternate universe? That is ALL we heard until he dropped an 80-yard rainbow on Florida on the first play.
NickelDoubleDog
Member
Nobody ever questioned if Sims could throw a spiral or throw the ball far enough. Never. Coker always had a legendary arm. Revisionist history is fun. We didn't know Sims was gonna be as accurate on the deep ball as he was, but he never lacked arm strength or ability to throw spirals.
NickelDoubleDog
Member
Accuracy, Yes. Ability for the ball to travel far enough, no.
Not true.
AirForceBamaFan
Member
I dont have a cat but I will enjoy when you eventually rage quit like so many other "insiders" eventually do...
My honest opinion of Bateman is that he is a fine athlete. I believe his flaws were not in physical ability but on the mental side. I think he lacked confidence on the long throws last year and I think he lacked confidence in running the read option. I don't mind the long interception against ole piss as much as I mind how many times (to my eye) he was clear to keep the ball on the read and gain positive yardage and he instead handed it off. I believe either the game was still too fast for him or he doubted what he was seeing reading his keys and chose the easy option of handing the ball off. I believe that all those mental things are fixable. I believe we have the staff in place to fix those things. I have to believe that CNS and company have seen improvement on those issues with him and that is the reason he is still option 1(a) or 1(b) at QB. I also believe BB is more physically gifted than Bateman but has his own flaws to work through.
I also believe the QB battle between Hurts and Tua will be epic and many posters will bleed virtual blood in the battles that develop as a result.
Believe, believe, believe
I also believe the QB battle between Hurts and Tua will be epic and many posters will bleed virtual blood in the battles that develop as a result.
Believe, believe, believe
Crimson&WhiteGecko
Member
Good read on Blake Barnett making a case to start at QB this Saturday:
This had to happen for Blake Barnett to have any chance of being Alabama's starting quarterback.
The former five-star recruit had to cut down on the interceptions, had to do a better job executing plays the way coaches wanted them and had to stop feeling like he needed to make a big play every time he was on the field.
He's improved in all three areas.
That's why three days before the No. 1 Tide opens the season against No. 20 USC the redshirt freshman is legitimately in the mix to be Alabama's starting quarterback. It's also why the Corona, California native recently told his private quarterback coach, George Whitfield: "My on-base percentage has increased."
What that means?
AL.COM
This had to happen for Blake Barnett to have any chance of being Alabama's starting quarterback.
The former five-star recruit had to cut down on the interceptions, had to do a better job executing plays the way coaches wanted them and had to stop feeling like he needed to make a big play every time he was on the field.
He's improved in all three areas.
That's why three days before the No. 1 Tide opens the season against No. 20 USC the redshirt freshman is legitimately in the mix to be Alabama's starting quarterback. It's also why the Corona, California native recently told his private quarterback coach, George Whitfield: "My on-base percentage has increased."
What that means?
AL.COM
Move to CDT and it will be here sooner.
uofarolltide
Member
Funny how everyone seems to remember the 10 long rainbow passes that Blake Sims completed, and forgets that our offense struggled much of the season with a QB who was pretty inconsistent beyond 10 yards.
Most of our passing game was screens, slants, and 10-15 yarders when we were feeling risky.
Coker really opened up our passing game last year, and was able to back the defense off our run game.
Go back and watch the 2014 Arkansas game. Blake Sims was like Jekyll/Hyde. Even in November (the Iron Bowl) Sims was playing so terribly that they almost brought in Coker... The wheels ultimately fell off down the stretch.
All of that said, I'd take Blake Sims over Cooper Bateman, which is to say, I REALLY don't like our chances with Bateman.
Tbh though, I think Saban's favorite is Barnett, and I think he'll ultimately win the job. Saban mentioned that our strength on offense is in our receivers, so I doubt he'd pick the QB with the weakest arm.
Most of our passing game was screens, slants, and 10-15 yarders when we were feeling risky.
Coker really opened up our passing game last year, and was able to back the defense off our run game.
Go back and watch the 2014 Arkansas game. Blake Sims was like Jekyll/Hyde. Even in November (the Iron Bowl) Sims was playing so terribly that they almost brought in Coker... The wheels ultimately fell off down the stretch.
All of that said, I'd take Blake Sims over Cooper Bateman, which is to say, I REALLY don't like our chances with Bateman.
Tbh though, I think Saban's favorite is Barnett, and I think he'll ultimately win the job. Saban mentioned that our strength on offense is in our receivers, so I doubt he'd pick the QB with the weakest arm.
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Really? An offense that struggled huh?
TOTAL OFFENSE: 1st in SEC
PASSING OFFENSE: 2nd in SEC
RUSHING OFFENSE: 5th in SEC (averaging 5.1 yards per carry by the way)
FIRST DOWNS: 1st in SEC
Sooooo where exactly did that offense "struggle much of the year?"
And as far as Blake goes...
- vs. WV: 24-33, 250 yards, 1 INT; 42 rushing yards
- vs. FAU: 12-14, 228 yards, 2 TD; 14 rushing yards, 1 TD
- vs. USM: 12-17, 168 yards, 2 TD; 46 rushing yards, 1 TD
- vs. Florida: 22-33, 445 yards, 4 TD, 1 INT; 39 rushing yards
- vs. Ole Miss: 19-31, 228 yards, 1 INT; 8 rushing yards, 1 TD
- vs. Arkansas: 11-21, 161 yards, 2 TD; 5 rushing yards
- vs. Texas A&M: 16-27, 268 yards, 3 TD; 54 rushing yards, 1 TD
- vs. Tennessee: 14-24, 286 yards, 2 TD; 6 carries, 42 yards, 1 TD
- vs. LSU: 20-45, 209 yards, 2 TD; 12 rushing yards
- vs. WCU: 17-25, 222 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT; -1 rushing yard
- vs. Auburn: 20-27, 312 yards, 4 TD, 3 INT; 23 rushing yards, 1 TD
- SEC CHAMPIONSHIP: 23-27, 262 yards, 2 TD; 19 rushing yards
- Sugar Bowl: 22-36, 237 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT; 29 rushing yards, 1 TD
Pretty damn good for a guy that "struggled much of the year" dont ya think? I just realized I wasted 15 minutes debunking a myth that exists more than two years later... *facepalm*
Alabama17Tide
Member
From a guy at Tidesports.com. Cannot vouch for anything he said but will share it for those interested:
I was in Ttown yesterday my sister (a junior) had to change apartments I was there to help move and got a chance to link with my friend who's a former player and who happens to work for Paul Bryantjr and invited me to go to practice with them.......of course being with such a UA VIP all the coaches spoke to us and I wont say which one but this came straight from a UA coaches mouth...
Thought Hurts looked amazing. He said the decision is that the staff thinks USC is going to be heavily blitzing all game due to the DC's philosophy and they aren't going to throw Hurts to the wolves. Also why Bozeman moved over to center (since he had more experience than RP). Basically they're going to be super aggressive so we can be patient and get through it without blowing up confidence, etc and still reward the older guys, all while leaving the door open on future games.
As you guys know, I've talked to several people and the consensus is that Hurts is the best QB on campus hands down. Kiffin wants to say F-it and go game 1 but Saban wants to go with the guys that are more familiar with the shifts and picking up blitzes etc. Natural ability can't really help us there. Blake gives us the best combination of ability and knowledge of the shifts but they don't know how hell perform in the game will he turn it over? In the 2nd scrimmage they threw the house at BB to see how he reacted and he was so-so (He handles in practice). However, I wouldn't be surprised to see Bateman the whole game unless he has an abortion. Unless, BB or Bateman ball out (which the thought is will be unlikely or would be a shocker).
This is why CNS left emphasis on getting QBs ready to play THIS GAME and that JH would play later in the year that's the plan.
TIFWIW and with a grain of salt as needed.
I was in Ttown yesterday my sister (a junior) had to change apartments I was there to help move and got a chance to link with my friend who's a former player and who happens to work for Paul Bryantjr and invited me to go to practice with them.......of course being with such a UA VIP all the coaches spoke to us and I wont say which one but this came straight from a UA coaches mouth...
Thought Hurts looked amazing. He said the decision is that the staff thinks USC is going to be heavily blitzing all game due to the DC's philosophy and they aren't going to throw Hurts to the wolves. Also why Bozeman moved over to center (since he had more experience than RP). Basically they're going to be super aggressive so we can be patient and get through it without blowing up confidence, etc and still reward the older guys, all while leaving the door open on future games.
As you guys know, I've talked to several people and the consensus is that Hurts is the best QB on campus hands down. Kiffin wants to say F-it and go game 1 but Saban wants to go with the guys that are more familiar with the shifts and picking up blitzes etc. Natural ability can't really help us there. Blake gives us the best combination of ability and knowledge of the shifts but they don't know how hell perform in the game will he turn it over? In the 2nd scrimmage they threw the house at BB to see how he reacted and he was so-so (He handles in practice). However, I wouldn't be surprised to see Bateman the whole game unless he has an abortion. Unless, BB or Bateman ball out (which the thought is will be unlikely or would be a shocker).
This is why CNS left emphasis on getting QBs ready to play THIS GAME and that JH would play later in the year that's the plan.
TIFWIW and with a grain of salt as needed.
Sims was just okay:
All-time leading passer in season yardage.
Shares the record for most TDs in a game, and has three of the greatest 17 performances in terms of total TDs in a game.
Third highest completion percentage.
Second most yards passing in a single game.
In the entire history of Alabama football, there have been 27 TD passes of 75 yards or more. Blake Sims completed four of them.
That sounds extremely plausible.
Especially with Saban's comments on Jalen, and hoping to get him ready to play this season.
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