🏈 Sims takes quarterback lead for Tide

[UAgrad93]

When discussing the playbook, you are talking about a TON of information to digest in a short amount of time and then translate to the field. I think it would be safe to assume that Coker has had a playbook with him ever since he made it known that he was coming to BAMA. Reading it, knowing it, is one thing. Translating it to the field is entirely different. A lot goes into the playbook far beyond terminology, blocking assignments, plays, and routes. When it comes to the QB position. He has to call pass protections, slide left or right, inserting a back into the protection, either inside or on the outside, inserting the back into the route, hot reads, etc. I pulled out my copy of Coach Homer Smith's playbook from my freshman year in 1989 last night. My head started spinning again when I opened it up! Over 400+ pages of information. I still feel as though Coker will ultimately win the job. I just don't think it will happen in the first game. Using two different blocking schemes for two different QBs is giving Saban a headache and I imagine he wants the issues with the line resolved before we get to Florida week.

 

[TerryP]

Ok, got some clarification. I was told he is having trouble with the play book

@uagrad93 has a good reply on "the playbook."

To use an analogy (best one that comes to mind)...

You ever ran into someone that knows a subject to the letter, but has a hard time putting it in practical application? That doesn't quite describe Jake, but it comes as close as I can at this moment. Jake doesn't have an issue with knowing plays, knowing where people are supposed to be, etc.

Translating knowledge into immediate and quick reactions? Comes with time.

FWIW, there are areas of the playbook (again, using what grad93 posted,) that Blake is having a hard time with. None of our first three opponents cause me concern about that weakness. Florida? That's a concern.

and he's also pretty amped up and throwing high on a lot of passes which have all gone into the decision.

Very true of week one of this years' camp.

 

['65 Cobra]

In my humble opinion, what isn't being talked about is that we have tremendous playmakers at other positions in the offense. Kiffin is pretty well-known for spreading the ball around and getting it into the hands of playmakers. Why would we spend any significant number of plays with a QB zone read when we have TJ, Derrick, Kenyan and others? Why not just do a wildcat or something similar? We also have huge talent among our receiving corps. It would seem to me that the best QB is the one who can hand off, perform play action, and deliver the ball accurately downfield, as opposed to one who can run and scramble effectively. Plus, from what I've heard, Jake is fairly athletic as well.

I would imagine that the entire offense is still getting used to Kiffin and we will be playing conservative football for the first several weeks.

 

[MissingRing]

Let's attempt to reconcile some opposing points of view. On the one hand, there are multitudes who assert some version of the following: "The 2014 Alabama team has so many weapons on offense that it really doesn't matter who starts at quarterback; whoever takes the snaps just needs to hand the ball off cleanly, throw a few screen passes (with a minimal number of interceptions), and not fumble." On the other hand, there are those who claim that Coker is being eclipsed in the QB competition by Sims because Coker is "pressing it" or "sailing the ball" or because he isn't strong enough mentally to perform well when the game is on the line. If the bar is actually set so low this year for the Alabama QB, why are these esoteric explanations for the ascendancy of Sims being proffered? Can't Coker just "hand off the ball?" Can't he, as well as Sims, complete short passes consistently? That Coker has more potential than Sims - a brighter future, both at Alabama and in the NFL - is, to me, beyond dispute. Even if Sims does have a short-term advantage due to his disproportionately greater experience in the Alabama offense, why is this protracted "Sims vs. Coker" farce being played out? Even with this year alone as the time horizon, Coker is by far the better option for Alabama.

 

[bamafan4ever]

Let's attempt to reconcile some opposing points of view. On the one hand, there are multitudes who assert some version of the following: "The 2014 Alabama team has so many weapons on offense that it really doesn't matter who starts at quarterback; whoever takes the snaps just needs to hand the ball off cleanly, throw a few screen passes (with a minimal number of interceptions), and not fumble." On the other hand, there are those who claim that Coker is being eclipsed in the QB competition by Sims because Coker is "pressing it" or "sailing the ball" or because he isn't strong enough mentally to perform well when the game is on the line. If the bar is actually set so low this year for the Alabama QB, why are these esoteric explanations for the ascendancy of Sims being proffered? Can't Coker just "hand off the ball?" Can't he, as well as Sims, complete short passes consistently? That Coker has more potential than Sims - a brighter future, both at Alabama and in the NFL - is, to me, beyond dispute. Even if Sims does have a short-term advantage due to his disproportionately greater experience in the Alabama offense, why is this protracted "Sims vs. Coker" farce being played out? Even with this year alone as the time horizon, Coker is by far the better option for Alabama.

Don't you trust Saban?

 

[BamaFan334]

Let's attempt to reconcile some opposing points of view. On the one hand, there are multitudes who assert some version of the following: "The 2014 Alabama team has so many weapons on offense that it really doesn't matter who starts at quarterback; whoever takes the snaps just needs to hand the ball off cleanly, throw a few screen passes (with a minimal number of interceptions), and not fumble." On the other hand, there are those who claim that Coker is being eclipsed in the QB competition by Sims because Coker is "pressing it" or "sailing the ball" or because he isn't strong enough mentally to perform well when the game is on the line. If the bar is actually set so low this year for the Alabama QB, why are these esoteric explanations for the ascendancy of Sims being proffered? Can't Coker just "hand off the ball?" Can't he, as well as Sims, complete short passes consistently? That Coker has more potential than Sims - a brighter future, both at Alabama and in the NFL - is, to me, beyond dispute. Even if Sims does have a short-term advantage due to his disproportionately greater experience in the Alabama offense, why is this protracted "Sims vs. Coker" farce being played out? Even with this year alone as the time horizon, Coker is by far the better option for Alabama.

It needs to be said that my posts were not opinion. That came directly from the horse's mouth in Kiffin. I think folks are taking that as my thoughts, but I was simply providing inside information I was given to let this site's members know what was being said from within. I know half the fun of the offseason is everyone's speculation and opinions on the matter, but I just wanted to try and provide as definite of information I could so the questions were answered.

 

[MissingRing]

I do trust Saban. This QB competition thing is causing me to run on pure trust, as opposed to understanding.

 

[ElephantStomp]

It needs to be said that my posts were not opinion. That came directly from the horse's mouth in Kiffin. I think folks are taking that as my thoughts, but I was simply providing inside information I was given to let this site's members know what was being said from within. I know half the fun of the offseason is everyone's speculation and opinions on the matter, but I just wanted to try and provide as definite of information I could so the questions were answered.

If that did in fact come from Kiffin then that's a complete different thing that what Saban has been saying.

 

[BamaFan334]

If that did in fact come from Kiffin then that's a complete different thing that what Saban has been saying.

I'm highly doubting everything he tells the media is 100% true. Hell, I don't know. I got my tickets for next weekend and ready to freaking roll with whomever we throw out there.

 

[aoterrell22]

It needs to be said that my posts were not opinion. That came directly from the horse's mouth in Kiffin. I think folks are taking that as my thoughts, but I was simply providing inside information I was given to let this site's members know what was being said from within. I know half the fun of the offseason is everyone's speculation and opinions on the matter, but I just wanted to try and provide as definite of information I could so the questions were answered.

I have no reason to doubt what you're saying. One thing about this forum is I've learned that people have come here and said "I've got my inside sources" and in the end those sources were wrong. There are people who haven't mentioned sources, and the information they've posted has been right. You know they have sources.

In the end, it doesn't really matter. People post what they've heard and time judges whether their posts are bankable.

I'm highly doubting everything he tells the media is 100% true. Hell, I don't know. I got my tickets for next weekend and ready to freaking roll with whomever we throw out there.

One thing I noticed posted earlier was what Saban said to the A-club about the QB's. That's pretty far from media guys.

Keep on posting...you've added a lot to this forum.

RTR and have fun in Atlanta!!!!

 

[TheChief]

I love to hear things that are being tossed around on campus and whatnot. I'm in the camp of folks reading tea leaves.

 

[ElephantStomp]

I have no reason to doubt what you're saying. One thing about this forum is I've learned that people have come here and said "I've got my inside sources" and in the end those sources were wrong. There are people who haven't mentioned sources, and the information they've posted has been right. You know they have sources.

In the end, it doesn't really matter. People post what they've heard and time judges whether their posts are bankable.



One thing I noticed posted earlier was what Saban said to the A-club about the QB's. That's pretty far from media guys.

Keep on posting...you've added a lot to this forum.

RTR and have fun in Atlanta!!!!

He's told the actual media something different than the Coker is struggling with anything.

Roll Tide

 

[BamaFan334]

I have no reason to doubt what you're saying. One thing about this forum is I've learned that people have come here and said "I've got my inside sources" and in the end those sources were wrong. There are people who haven't mentioned sources, and the information they've posted has been right. You know they have sources.

In the end, it doesn't really matter. People post what they've heard and time judges whether their posts are bankable.



One thing I noticed posted earlier was what Saban said to the A-club about the QB's. That's pretty far from media guys.

Keep on posting...you've added a lot to this forum.

RTR and have fun in Atlanta!!!!

I appreciate that and completely understand where you're coming from. I just didn't want it misconstrued that it was my opinion, because deep down I thought Coker would have won the job. The source is an actual player on the offense that will be on the field next weekend. I'd say his name, but I just know how things get around on social sites and I don't want to lose his trust, even though I kind of spilt the beans a little already.

 

[planomateo]

You're making a good choice not posting his name, no reason to put him in that predicament.

 

[PhillyGirl]

Just got a news alert from B/R that Coker is struggling, only completed 30% of passes recently.

 

[UAgrad93]

Take it with a grain of salt Philly! I doubt B/R has any better sources than any of us. We all know that Saban only allows the media about a 20 minute viewing period and you can't get much from a drill or two. If the number was accurate, we don't know the situation drill that the number may have come from either, ie. blitz pickup.

 

[TerryP]

Just got a news alert from B/R that Coker is struggling, only completed 30% of passes recently.

And what are they basing that on? Practice observations where they aren't in attendance?

Please copy and paste that one...gotta know where it's coming from.

 

[TerryP]

Take it with a grain of salt Philly! I doubt B/R has any better sources than any of us. We all know that Saban only allows the media about a 20 minute viewing period and you can't get much from a drill or two. If the number was accurate, we don't know the situation drill that the number may have come from either, ie. blitz pickup.

Chris Walsh has his access...

 

[planomateo]

And what are they basing that on? Practice observations where they aren't in attendance?

Please copy and paste that one...gotta know where it's coming from.

Was taken way outta context. Also, the writer, Ray Glier is a WVU grad... (which could equally be taken outta context)

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...the-big-arm-alabamas-been-missing-under-saban

 

[It Takes Eleven]

I'm highly doubting everything he tells the media is 100% true. Hell, I don't know. I got my tickets for next weekend and ready to freaking roll with whomever we throw out there.

Or throw it to, for that matter. I'm there as well. What I heard through "souces" has me excited about Coker. If Sims beats him out, that just means Sims is up to the task.

RTR,

Tim