🏈 Hurts, Bateman, Barnett and the QB competition

[T&B]

Do we consider Suttles an insider? Because this quote really caught my eye:

Rarely do the Bama beat writers go out on a limb like this, because they know Saban is going to verbally assault them the next time they ask a marginal question. To me, that was a good sign that Hurts appears to be special.

Hell even Cecil Hurt on a radio show recently was saying it was going to be Hurts or Bateman, and seemingly viewed Hurts as the better option moving forward.

Rodney Orr over at TI has been trying his best to contain his man-crush on Hurts as well. Suttles is not trying to hide anything he is all Hurts. lol

 

[T&B]

BB was a pick six machine? I didnt see any pick sixes. How many did you? Oh you didnt. You only heard from "insiders" that he was a "pick six machine."

The interceptions from spring are common knowledge. Are you questioning the validity of those reports because you did not witness them personally ?

 

[uofarolltide]

T&B seems to be the only guy here that gets it.

Jalen Hurts is the man now. Honestly, if it's even a close race, we should give it to the guy who will play for at least 3 years here.
Not to mention, he'll get better from game to game. He might be lighting it up at season's end.
Put it this way - there's absolutely no way in hell he's going to be worse than Blake Sims

Jalen Hurts is electrifying, cool/calm in the pocket, impressing all onlookers, stands out to everyone as the best, and he's only been here since January. He has the highest ceiling, and is our only dual-threat option.
This is an absolute no-brainer
It would be nice to have a truly special player at QB for once, and have him dominate the SEC for three years

 

[TUSKtimes]

T&B seems to be the only guy here that gets it.

Jalen Hurts is the man now. Honestly, if it's even a close race, we should give it to the guy who will play for at least 3 years here.
Not to mention, he'll get better from game to game. He might be lighting it up at season's end.
Put it this way - there's absolutely no way in hell he's going to be worse than Blake Sims

Jalen Hurts is electrifying, cool/calm in the pocket, impressing all onlookers, stands out to everyone as the best, and he's only been here since January. He has the highest ceiling, and is our only dual-threat option.
This is an absolute no-brainer

You badly underestimate your audience. And most of all you miss the ultimate point, it hasn't happened yet. It's fun to come on sites and have your say and talk about your passion concerning all things Bama. But the truth is Bama fans aren't fighting whatever the future holds at QB. They are merely waiting it out, their way, with personal commentary along the way. No matter what is said, plenty of Bama warhorses around here are NOT going to speak as if something has already happened when it has not. Again, we're not blind, deaf or mute to what is being reported, we are simply waiting it out, with our perspective. In a few short weeks, when the decision is made, we will know. In the meantime, speculate away, it's why they call it a forum.

 

[JoshB]

The interceptions from spring are common knowledge. Are you questioning the validity of those reports because you did not witness them personally ?

See you changed your claim just there. I heard that Barnett turned the ball over too much in the spring and had any mental mistakes. I think Saban and Kiffin have both said as much, but this is where the problem comes. It goes from "he had too many turnovers" into "he was a pick six machine." Everything gets embellished online especially when you have people that are claiming to be "insiders."

How do you know Blake didnt clean up the turnovers in the summer? We didnt "hear" that Blake had too many turnovers in the first scrimmage... so why is he a pick six machine? Again, my point is that we have no idea what is going on yet.

T&B seems to be the only guy here that gets it.

Jalen Hurts is the man now.

You obviously DONT get it. Nick Saban is the man that decides who "the man" is and he hasnt made that proclamation yet.

 

[OldPlayer]

A few questions for all:

1. A lot of posts have mentioned less than sufficient performances by QBs in A Day and spring practice. Couldn't any of these QBs get better since then by working on their weaknesses? If not, what's the point of summer workouts and private QB coaches?
2. No stats were released for the first scrimmage. How does anyone know how dominant any QB was? Was the scrimmage game-like or situational? Couldn't the type of scrimmage contribute to any QBs success or lack of success?
3. How does any member of the media know what Saban/Kiffin's criteria is for the decision? I'm pretty sure that even if they did provide the criteria, they haven't shared the complete status of any player's progress on that criteria. It's easy to spot a player with talent, but if you can't see the report card that counts, it's only an opinion.
4. If Hurts is the real deal, does it create a situation where Tua rethinks his commitment?

The positive of all this debate is that it appears that Alabama will have depth at the QB position this year and for a few years to come. I know everyone wants a decision today, but it doesn't speed the preparation for USC (the bulk of the USC game plan won't be installed until the week of the game). If QB1 gets the nod and all efforts are focused on preparing him for USC, what happens when QB1 gets knocked out of the game in the first series? What if QB2 also goes down?

I'll hang up and listen.

 

[NickelDoubleDog]

Yet, we have the head coach say all are improving?

The notion, or even the mere suggestion, that there isn't a depth chart with the quarterbacks makes little sense to me. If one guy is the first one up in drills, and he's the first one getting snaps with the 1's, he's leading the depth chart. It's been that way since day one of Saban's tenure in Baton Rouge.

The way you're framing his performance this spring takes nothing into context. Throwing the most INT's against whom? Saying he's not making the big plays goes directly against what's been seen in practices. We're less than 24 hours removed from Saban commenting on the decision making of all three guys; not just to two guys chasing Cooper. There are people describing his passes as punts, yet there's video evidence here of him making some 35-40 yard throws that are far, far from looping passes.

Fans are choosing to make their judgments. They are seeing what they want to see. I don't see anything that could persuade me otherwise.

What's sorely mistaken is the notion these fans know what the coaches are seeing. I suspect, with some thought, they'd know what Saban is looking for—someone who has control over the offense.

Oh, and the person most lauded for having control over the offense? Yeah, that's why assumptions should be left alone right now.

I didn't mention one thing about spring performance. Just in fall camp clear themes have emerged.

You're making the same vague statements over and over about fans creating the narratives they want, not understanding contexts and control of the offense. You're also missing the entire point on the depth chart as the other poster framed it. Of course Hurts is repping behind a 4th year guy now. But asking why he can't pass Bateman on the depth chart, before any other practices have occurred since the scrimmage where Hurts and BB outperformed Bateman again, is a specious argument.

 

[TUSKtimes]

A few questions for all:
3. How does any member of the media know what Saban/Kiffin's criteria is for the decision? I'm pretty sure that even if they did provide the criteria, they haven't shared the complete status of any player's progress on that criteria. It's easy to spot a player with talent, but if you can't see the report card that counts, it's only an opinion.

I'm convinced that Kiffin is the key. He wants to use all those toys at his fingertips and one shouldn't project that he will stand for his receivers to be treated like they play in Baton Rouge. You don't buy a Maserati to go the speed limit.

 

[rollsaban]

I've said for a while now that Hurts would play. Unfortunately people here take offense to that.

 

[It Takes Eleven]

Why are we at our most cannibalistic when discussions ensue on the starting QB?

Why do the regulars here reflexively attack those professing an "inside" source? I can provide my opinion on the QB, regardless of how stupid it might be, and it's better received than someone actually referencing that their opinion is backed by something better than an independent view? I would throw out my best Rodney King meme, but this mindset is too pervasive to blunt with a comedic response. You folks who immediately attack someone because they "know a guy" are hurting the site, and your responses are akin to the folks wanting a higher minimum wage railing against the haves, defending the have-nots. Then again, this is just my opinion, and I don't have have a source to support this.

We'll all find out who the starting QB is, with complete certainty, at about the same time. Can we not have reasoned discussion until then?

RTR,

Tim

 

[Rolltide24]

You guys sound like a bunch of squabbling siblings after both parents die... Agree with 11, no need for so much infighting and bickering. No one on here knows for certain who the QB will be. Heck, our coach may not know yet. Why can we not be content for a few more weeks and just let it play out and all remain friends.

Ok, just had to get that off my chest. Back to your pissing. Just watch out for that electric fence.

 

[T&B]

What fighting are yall talking about ? I haven't really read anything that seemed like "fighting." If everyones opinion was the same there would be no point of coming here to talk about it.

I welcome different point of views/perspectives.

 

[TerryP]

I've said for a while now that Hurts would play. Unfortunately people here take offense to that.

I've seen no one take offense to the suggestion Hurts is going to play.

I've seen more than one point to Saban's history with Quarterbacks. I've seen more than one question statements like "he's going to be featured in the Wildcat." I've seen more than one say "let's let this thing play out."

I've also seen people state "Jalen would start by the end of the year." No one knows that. As @Che Boludo pointed out a few posts ago, that's speculation. I've seen people state there was a difference in the way the three quarterbacks played this past scrimmage. They weren't facing the same thing so that makes perfect sesnse. Perfect sense. But here we are circling back—we don't know what the staff was looking at with several facets here. Again, speculation.

I've seen very, very few people put this together. There's a reason we're hearing Saban speak so often on two QB's versus three and that's due to questions coming from the media. When we have heard Saban speak on Cooper, we've heard the same thing repeatedly: improving, he's not making bad decisions, and things about him having a good grasp on the offense.

I can't speak for anyone here but myself and I don't care who gets the nod as long as they are efficient. Over the last several years how many games have these team lost due to turnovers?

Why are we at our most cannibalistic when discussions ensue on the starting QB?

It's not limited to that position if you think back about some other players, Tim. There are more people involved and opining in the QB discussions versus some others we've seen ... Jerrell Harris comes to mind on defense. We didn't hear his name which in turn led to "over rated" and "about to be passed on the depth chart." In the end, I could make an argument for Harris as the MVP of the BCSNC in '11.

We've seen it on corner backs. Linemen. How far are we removed with so many breaking down how Arie was playing and suggesting he was about to be—or needed to be—benched?

 

[TerryP]

I didn't mention one thing about spring performance. Just in fall camp clear themes have emerged.

You're making the same vague statements over and over about fans creating the narratives they want, not understanding contexts and control of the offense. You're also missing the entire point on the depth chart as the other poster framed it. Of course Hurts is repping behind a 4th year guy now. But asking why he can't pass Bateman on the depth chart, before any other practices have occurred since the scrimmage where Hurts and BB outperformed Bateman again, is a specious argument.

I've not suggested anything of the sort.

I've pointed to two (of many) fan reports from scrimmage and how different they are when compared to each other.

I've also pointed out what the coaches said about the quarterbacks when fall camp started. Since we're on Jalen at the moment, Kiffin mentioned how he was still learning the playbook.

Just using my logic test—as faulty as you may deem it to be—I can't see one scrimmage changing the depth chart when one of those looking up doesn't know the playbook. I don't see that view as much of a stretch.

** It's also my opinion the term "insiders" when it comes to different views on this practice needs to be set aside. It was boosters and some of their friends. Some might say fans. @OldPlayer mentioned this next scrimmage here in the last few days. It's an A-Club scrimmage—one that offers different perspectives. Yet, those observations are still going to be shaded. It happens.

**** I'm just reminded of how many we saw saying AJ wasn't the back-up QB when he was taking all the reps as the #2 guy in pre-game reps. Talk about a case example of a logic test.

 

[Max]

Hell even Cecil Hurt on a radio show recently was saying it was going to be Hurts or Bateman, and seemingly viewed Hurts as the better option moving forward.

I follow Cecil on Twitter, his columns, and listen to him on the radio often. This is the first time I've heard anything like that and I sure haven't come across someone saying the same on other sites.

Have a link?

 

[T&B]

I was listening to Cecil Hurt today and he made it sound like it would be C Bateman or J Hurts. That Saban has a history of going with experience. We know we have WRs, RBs if we have to run, and a D that should keep it close. But the decision right now is that does he go with the experience or Hurts who will be the future of the program. He compared it to a NFL team with a solid returning(veteran) QB or the 1st round draft pick you are going to build the program around.

Basically, but he made it sound like in his opinion that all the weapons around him and with our D that Hurts should be the guy and that it is going to be a tough decision. I know I missed maybe some of the interview but I never heard him mention BB. Again this was just Cecil's opinion.

Official Fall Camp Discussion Thread

 

[TerryP]

Hell even Cecil Hurt on a radio show recently was saying it was going to be Hurts or Bateman, and seemingly viewed Hurts as the better option moving forward.

Should Cecil's opinion be counted on more than Chris Walsh's? Let's look at that for a second. Both have been covering Saban at Bama for the same length of time. Chris has written three books since Saban's been at Bama, one specifically about him. Both attend the same news conferences are at the same viewing periods, etc.

But, here's a case where Chris has said it's down to Barnett and Bateman.

Rodney Orr over at TI has been trying his best to contain his man-crush on Hurts as well.

Rodney has been very specific with his comments on Hurts always emphasizing potential—"most" potential in more than one instance. But, he's still maintaining the same stance a lot of people are when it comes to how this season starts.

 

[T&B]

@TerryP

Yeah and someone was saying that Travis Reier has picked BB8. lol

This is pretty cool to have not only the fanbase, but the reporters all divided over this years QB comp..

Suttles, Hurt, Orr, Reier, etc., etc., Not all of these guys have a track record of picking a horse before the race. Now that I think about it even Herby somewhat put a tentative pick in for BB8.

 

[Crimson&WhiteGecko]

1st. This forum is open to all perspectives but those perspectives are subject to debate...the simple rule of any forum worth it's salt.

2nd. PLEASE REMEMBER: this is about a first year starter. CNS has always chosen the best decision making when it comes to this. There have been 4 first year starters under Saban's 9 seasons, about to be 5 of 10. 3 of the 4 National Championships were won by 1st year starters that made good decisions with the ball. 3 seasons of 2nd year or more starters with only 1 National Championship! Ratio wise 33% of the seasons won a NC with first year starters with only 11% winning a NC with a 2nd year. Let that set in for a second!

3rd. Sims is the odd ball but he did win the SEC like the other first year starters AND had the most passing yards in a single season. He won that job because of command of the huddled, fewer turnovers, & was sacked less than any QB under CNS. Why in the world are we fretting over a first year starter QB under CNS?

4th. CNS does not put starting players in their positions to invest in the future season. His own words "Each team has their own identity that they need to discover & own". I humbly believe this is the thread of "The Process" that he has understood & mastered. Each team has a life of their own & his job is to put a mix of players for that team for that season. So while some of these have great potential (Hurts seems to be quite promising), CNS will not betray the current team to just invest in a future season. NOPE. This is fundamentally why he has been winning so much AND why he recruits well.

 

[TerryP]

Yeah and someone was saying that Travis Reier has picked BB8. lol

This is pretty cool to have not only the fanbase, but the reporters all divided over this years QB comp..

It's certainly entertaining. The last two years have been as well. That said, I feel better about this years situation than I have the last two—very little emotion.

It's quite different discussing which of the three versus some teams looking for a single guy.