🏈 Sims takes quarterback lead for Tide

[Nothing_But_A_Winner00]

As in confidence or the play book? I remember players raving about his intelligence.

 

[planomateo]

Starting against WVU doesn't mean much to me, we know that we have a QB competition underway and it could continue a few games into the season. I don't have any issues with this at all.

I'm ready to see them both in a game.

 

[PhillyGirl]

It's all a dress rehearsal til September 20th anyway Though I fear the WVU game will be closer than we think ..

 

[BamaFan334]

I guess the play book. I think he's confident in his abilities, but he's having a little harder time translating the paper into the physical side of it.

 

[JoshB]

Starting against WVU doesn't mean much to me, we know that we have a QB competition underway and it could continue a few games into the season. I don't have any issues with this at all.

I'm ready to see them both in a game.

I think it means something. Think about this, every year under Saban the guy who started the first game of the season started the last game and every other game. JPW in 2007 and 2008, GMac in 2009 and 2010, and AJ 2011-2013.

 

[planomateo]

My comment was to in regards to @BamaFan334 saying that Sims would start.

I'd also say that the circumstances are different this time, but Saban is usually pretty consistent to your point.

 

[PhillyGirl]

The general consensus from the entire universe has seemed to be COKER all the way since the beginning. Would be interesting/entertaining to see how Bama fans, sports media, etc. reacted if Sims was the Chosen One.

 

[Nothing_But_A_Winner00]

May wanna take that down, Birdman

 

[MissingRing]

Saban's MO in the past regarding quarterbacks has been to pick one - even if the selection process extends well in to the season - and stick with that guy for the duration of the year, giving the number 2 only mop-up duty. Does anyone think that we are on the verge of seeing Coker relegated to backup, not just for WV, but for the remainder of the schedule?

 

[planomateo]

Saban's MO in the past regarding quarterbacks has been to pick one - even if the selection process extends well in to the season - and stick with that guy for the duration of the year, giving the number 2 only mop-up duty. Does anyone think that we are on the verge of seeing Coker relegated to backup, not just for WV, but for the remainder of the schedule?

Nope.

 

[ElephantStomp]

Every player that's been asked has raved about Coker's intelligence, so any comments or reports from people saying he isn't grasping things from an intelligence stand point are flat wrong

 

[TerryP]

He supposedly can't handle to mental aspect of it all. That's why he didn't start over Winston at Florida State. Clearly has all of the physical tools, but apparently having a tough time with the other side of it all. Not saying he can't learn given more time, but Sims has four years into the program and going into his fifth, so he understands. He has some zip on his ball too I might add.

A couple of points to consider here:

•Sims has four years under his belt, but not in the quarterback position. Just because Blake is going into his fifth year at Alabama doesn't mean he understands the quarterback position.
•We're dealing with different terminology from the offense this season. Not a new package in its entirety, but new terms in calling plays. Blake does have a few months ahead of Jake in that regard.
•Saying Coker can't handle the mental aspect of the offense, versus Blake, goes against what Saban said about both during his meeting with the A-club after Saturday's scrimmage.

"He has some zip on his ball too I might add." Are you talking about Blake, or Coker? The issue with Blake hasn't been zip—it's been accuracy on his passes downfield (20 yards +.)

 

[BamaFan334]

A couple of points to consider here:

•Sims has four years under his belt, but not in the quarterback position. Just because Blake is going into his fifth year at Alabama doesn't mean he understands the quarterback position.
•We're dealing with different terminology from the offense this season. Not a new package in its entirety, but new terms in calling plays. Blake does have a few months ahead of Jake in that regard.
•Saying Coker can't handle the mental aspect of the offense, versus Blake, goes against what Saban said about both during his meeting with the A-club after Saturday's scrimmage.

"He has some zip on his ball too I might add." Are you talking abBlake, or Coker? The issue with Blake hasn't been zip—it's been accuracy on his passes downfield (20 yards +.)

I was just relaying what I was told came from within. I was told why, but I also filled in a few blanks that weren't directly answered, meaning his readiness and why. Was told "there was a reason he didn't start at Florida State". Was told he had the physical tools, so what is left to think what's missing?

Was talking about Sims when I mentioned the zip on the ball.

I think there is a major sense of loyalty with the coaches and Sims, so he's getting his shot after four years. Deep down I thought it would be him just because of Coker's lack of time and that leaving too much uncertainty to Coach Saban. But the news about Sims came from Kiffin, and wanted Sims to now take as many first team snaps as he can get. Take it as you will, but I was just offering up the information I was given from within to give y'all some food for thought.

 

[jdpas29]

i could see this offense working with Sims at QB is if we are set up like Tebow era florida as far as play design. He will need to have plenty of opportunities to run by design. If they try to make him into a pocket passer guy who sometimes runs, things may get ugly. Blake is IMOa a better skilled runner than Tebow and probably at least as good a passer.

 

[UAgrad93]

Phil Savage said it best I believe this morning on The Roundtable. We will see both guys play and the true starter may not be revealed until the Florida game. I think @TerryP mentioned on here or another thread that we are more or less working on two different blocking schemes. I think this will truly put both guys in more of a comfort zone rather than forcing one to try and adapt to one that severely limits his abilities. It wouldn't be fair to ask Blake to run nothing but 3 and 5 step passing game when all of his linemen on average are 5 inches taller than him. His arm slot on his release doesn't help him in that regard either. Nor would it be fair to ask Coker to run the zone read 12-15 times a game and constantly sprint out or bootleg on all of his passes.

 

[TerryP]

@uagrad93 I think it was after practice #7 I found out they weren't splitting reps with the 1's everyday, but splitting days with the 1's. I mentioned that here because I was curious as to why. It struck me as odd; interesting.

If we go back a few months we all talked about how both QB's bring different skills sets—Blake more of a running type and Jake more of a pocket type.

If we go back a few days we see talk about how the offensive line isn't something Saban is happy with.

Going back to after scrimmage number two I found out a lot of the reasons why. One, with Blake they are utilizing a moving pocket type of offense. With Jake, more stationary like we had with AJ, Greg, et al.

Fret not when I say this. It really was simple math.

Some offensive lineman are better suited for a moving pocket. Some, more suited to the style Jake plays. Add in injuries to players, the staff looking to get the best five, and then the best five for a particular approach and it makes sense that the OL isn't finding a rhythm. It makes sense that the offense isn't as well.

I don't have concern about the position or that side of the ball. I'm certainly curious. What Saban said in his presser yesterday mirrors my thoughts—comfortable with either one going into game one.

 

[TerryP]

I was just relaying what I was told came from within. I was told why, but I also filled in a few blanks that weren't directly answered, meaning his readiness and why. Was told "there was a reason he didn't start at Florida State". Was told he had the physical tools, so what is left to think what's missing?

Was talking about Sims when I mentioned the zip on the ball.

I think there is a major sense of loyalty with the coaches and Sims, so he's getting his shot after four years. Deep down I thought it would be him just because of Coker's lack of time and that leaving too much uncertainty to Coach Saban. But the news about Sims came from Kiffin, and wanted Sims to now take as many first team snaps as he can get. Take it as you will, but I was just offering up the information I was given from within to give y'all some food for thought.

I'm not questioning what you were told. There's a distinct possibility you're using a phrase that is correct, but I'm misinterpreting your intent: "He supposedly can't handle to mental aspect of it all."

Go a little more in depth here. What do you mean "mental aspect of it all?" That covers a pretty broad area:

•Playbook
•Routes
•Read progression
•How quickly someone moves through read progression.
•Terminology.

Heck, there's even aspect like when the QB needs to throw the ball away to consider.

Take your time...hit us with a little more detail on what you've heard plus what you're putting together.

 

[psychojoe]

What I was told was that Coker was "pressing too much". To me that would relate to read progression and how quickly he goes through them. Perhaps it is also related to staying in the pocket or bailing out into a scramble.

 

[jdpas29]

i think his hair wasn't quite ready.

 

[BamaFan334]

Ok, got some clarification. I was told he is having trouble with the play book and he's also pretty amped up and throwing high on a lot of passes which have all gone into the decision.