🏈 It's Time To Sink or Swim With Coker

[uofarolltide]

As someone else mentioned, Bateman is quick and has great footwork, but the offense noticably took a step back when he entered the game.
I think it's time to officially declare Coker the man, and give him the keys to the offense.
I think Coker needs all the reps he can get at this point, so I was a little bummed that they pulled him so early. What say you?

Oh, and may I also say to all of the preseason Coker haters: TOLD YA SO

 

[bamaledge]

Yeah, I was pleasantly surprised by his play. Does he have things to work on? Sure. I think part of his problems may have been looking over his shoulder.

 

[uofarolltide]

Yeah, I was pleasantly surprised by his play. Does he have things to work on? Sure. I think part of his problems may have been looking over his shoulder.

As Kirk kept saying, the longer he was in the game, the more comfortable he looked, and the better he was playing. I thought right at the moment that he established himself as the starter, they pulled him for Bateman. I thought he should've at least played through the 3rd quarter. I think Bateman should only get limited mop-up action from here on out.

 

[Killer Instinct]

I still say it wasn't a fair comparison since they shut the downfield pass down when Bateman came in.

 

[uofarolltide]

I still say it wasn't a fair comparison since they shut the downfield pass down when Bateman came in.

Not exactly. I remember Bateman missed a wide open guy streaking across the middle and decided to dump it off. Bateman is too timid in my opinion - one of those things you find out in real game action. Coker definitely proved himself as a gamer in my eyes, but can improve with experience, and I think it would be good for his confidence to be named the outright starter

 

[Tidestalker]

It helps to give a give a guy confidence, and naming "the guy" would help Coker believe it's actually his team. Never really saw Bateman throw it down the field, but he certainly missed the guy wide open on a crossing route. I'm sure Bateman is capable, but we now know that Coker can at least beat a good team. IMO Saban should give him the confidence now by naming him the starter and hope it translates into even better play. If it gets worse, he can always go to the backup who now has legit game experience as well.

 

[Bamabww]

I think Coker needs all the reps he can get at this point, so I was a little bummed that they pulled him so early. What say you?

I hated to see him get pulled so early as well. I'm comfortable with him being named the starter but hope the next guy (or 2) gets enough reps that we enter next season with a little game experience under his belt.

Full speed game experience is just difficult to produce in practice.

 

[mrchase]

Not exactly. I remember Bateman missed a wide open guy streaking across the middle and decided to dump it off. Bateman is too timid in my opinion - n

Coker looked pretty timid at the start of the game also.....

 

[bcracker]

And wasn't Bateman playing with the seconds?

 

[UAgrad93]

Bateman took a series or two with the 1st O line I believe, but the playbook was shortened in my opinion. We went more of the outside zone or stretch plays with very limited passing. It would have been nice to see a few deep throws come from Bateman as well.
Both looked a little timid to begin with, but both relaxed as their reps grew. I was OK with the QB swap because it let Bateman feel like it wasn't grabage time. I would like to see our #2 guy continue to get these kind of live reps as the season progresses. You are only 1 play away from having to go to your backup.

 

[psychojoe]

Right on, @uagrad93 . I know it is not today's trend, but Bryant nearly always had the number two guy play a couple of series in the first half.

 

[planomateo]

Putting in the 2nd string offense midway thru the 3rd quarter vs a power 5 conference opponent during the first game of the season and we have a QB controversy...let that sink in for a second.

 

[jdpas29]

Let be fair. Coker looked pretty bad for a good portion of the first half including g 2 deer in the headlights sacks he took without throwing the ball away. Very unseniorlike of him. Bateman wasn't given a ton of opportunities to pass the ball.

In short, if we face a team with a great pass rush, we could easily record an L with Coker as he seems uncomfortable with that type of game. Bateman may be a better option in that circumstance. When given lots of time, coker played well and had good touch except for the screens which were quite a bit slower than we've gotten used to. Blake Sims was an expert at screens.

Let's wait and see what happens against Ole miss D before we go patting rear ends.

 

[Bama Guy]

Both QBs will get plenty of snaps next game. Fine tuning for Coker and experience for next year for Bateman.

 

[Teague]

Too early for this. I liked bateman's demeanor more, personally. Coker may be the man, but his strength is his arm. That's what he brings to the table. And all of his passes downfield were off. It might have just been an off night, but I'm not ready to crown him yet. I think Bateman would do well himself, with the first team.

But, I trust the coaches to pick the best guy. They see a lot more of these guys than we do.

 

[BigCrimson]

As someone else mentioned, Bateman is quick and has great footwork, but the offense noticably took a step back when he entered the game.
I think it's time to officially declare Coker the man, and give him the keys to the offense.
I think Coker needs all the reps he can get at this point, so I was a little bummed that they pulled him so early. What say you?

Oh, and may I also say to all of the preseason Coker haters: TOLD YA SO

Dude just stop. You're starting to come across as a spoiled teenage kid. I don't think anyone truly knows "what happened" with Coker. Did the light go off the last week like it did with Blake Sims last year? Or were the reports coming from people about the quarterback situation not accurate? My guess is the reports we got were more than likely exaggerated but not totally wrong. Hence the quarterback competition going down to the last week of practice. Head coaches don't waste precious practice snaps on three to five quarterbacks all of offseason just to "keep it close to the vest". That simply doesn't happen.

My belief is the light finally came on for Coker the last week or so of practice. I know you thought he was "great" at A day. But I watched A Day as well and that wasn't my impression by far. He and the rest of the qb's looked subpar. But the point is let it go and stop bringing it up at every turn. It's getting really old.

 

[Bama Dad]

Too early for this. I liked bateman's demeanor more, personally. Coker may be the man, but his strength is his arm. That's what he brings to the table. And all of his passes downfield were off. It might have just been an off night, but I'm not ready to crown him yet. I think Bateman would do well himself, with the first team.

But, I trust the coaches to pick the best guy. They see a lot more of these guys than we do.

Agree. I'd like to see Bateman for at least a full quarter with the first team.

 

[TheChief]

So, Bama had the second team playing during the third quarter?

Wow, I didn't know that.

 

[utstnx]

Let be fair. Coker looked pretty bad for a good portion of the first half including g 2 deer in the headlights sacks he took without throwing the ball away. Very unseniorlike of him. Bateman wasn't given a ton of opportunities to pass the ball.

In short, if we face a team with a great pass rush, we could easily record an L with Coker as he seems uncomfortable with that type of game. Bateman may be a better option in that circumstance. When given lots of time, coker played well and had good touch except for the screens which were quite a bit slower than we've gotten used to. Blake Sims was an expert at screens.

Let's wait and see what happens against Ole miss D before we go patting rear ends.

I think Coker just needs to learn from G-Mack...There is no shame is throwing it in the stands. If its not there....Launch in the 20th row. He could have rolled out and chucked it a few times rather than taking a sack. However I am sure Saban told him......he would rather take the sack than turn it over....we got a great D and a good punter(most of the time). I was pleasantly surprised by Cokers play HELLO!!!! 15/21 for 213 yards and 1 TD.....AND NO TURN OVERS!!!! With our run game I would take these stats every game! and keep in mind he was only in there a half!

 

[bamascw]

Perhaps it is time for everyone to take a deep breath, hold it for a few seconds and then let it out slowly.......................

I fully expect to see Coker and Bateman play this Saturday and possibly even a third QB, it is a perfect chance to give them all some PT without worrying about the pressure of having to win the game against decent competition. I thought Jake played well Saturday, he looked nervous in the openning drives but let's not forget that we are dealing with kids here and on a pretty damn big stage to boot.

I saw several people mention the confidence factor and I admit that there is something to that, you need to boost thier phschie a bit and you don't want any starting QB looking over his shoulder every snap. I don't think Saban can make his decision before seeing Cooper get some substantial playing time with the starters but the fact that he left Jake in the game until we took a comfortable lead tells me that Jake has control of his destiny here and it is his job to lose.