🏈 Tua: How the decision was made

[Alabama17Tide]

Saban explains how and when his decision to start Tagovailoa was made

ORLANDO, Fla. — The offseason’s biggest question was answered Saturday night as Tua Tagovailoa marched out of Alabama’s huddle and took the first snap at quarterback. Tagovailoa earned the start over last year’s starter, Jalen Hurts, ending months of speculation.

Despite a barrage of questions over the position, Alabama head coach Nick Saban kept the competition close to the vest, only revealing he would play both quarterbacks in the season opener during a segment on ESPN’s College Gameday.

Following Alabama’s 51-14 victory over Louisville, the head coach said the decision to name Tagovailoa as the starter for the season-opener was made on Thursday.

“We talked with the quarterbacks before practice on Thursday. They both knew exactly what the situation would be in the game,” Saban said. “That’s how we practiced on Thursday. I wanted Tua to play somewhere in the neighborhood of 20 plays and then we were going to put Jalen in the game. It didn’t matter how it went. It didn’t matter what the score was.”

Tagovailoa played the game’s first four series, leading Alabama to three touchdowns. He completed his first four passes, including an acrobatic 11-yard touchdown to Jerry Jeudy on the Crimson Tide’s first drive. The sophomore finished the night completing 12 of 16 passes for 227 yards and two touchdowns while adding 26 yards and another score on the ground.

“Tua played well and made some really good throws — I mean, really good throws, very accurate throws, put the ball right on guys,” Saban said. “When they had halfway decent coverage, he made good decisions for the most part. We’ve got to get him to get two hands on the ball. He's too loose with the ball in the pocket, and he's going to get the ball knocked out of his hand. You know, those are the kind of things that I'm talking about that doesn't get you till it gets you. So you've got to fix them before it gets you.

“But he played well. I think he executed. He did what he was supposed to do. He read the right thing. He was well prepared in the game. I think the offensive coaches did a really good job of preparing for what they were going to see, we pretty much saw what we thought we were going to see, and for the most part did a pretty good job of executing against it.”

Jalen Hurts entered the game on Alabama’s fifth series, leading the offense on two unsuccessful drives in the second quarter. He was replaced by Tagovailoa with 27 seconds left in the half as Alabama started the with the ball at the Louisville 25-yard line. Tagovailoa then hit Jeudy for a 25-yard touchdown with nine seconds remaining to extend Alabama’s lead to 28-0.

“We wanted Tua to get the experience to go on two-minute, you know, right before the half, so we put him back in there because he hadn't had much experience doing that,” Saban said.

Hurts re-entered the game in the second half. He finished the night 5 of 9 for 70 yards through the air.

“Jalen got to play some in the second half and made a couple good throws, but, you know, we got to be able to execute and do what you're coached to do,” Saban said. “That's the No. 1 thing.”

Despite Tagovailoa’s performance, Saban did not make a definitive statement as to who Alabama’s starter will be moving forward.

“We're going to continue to have both these guys be weapons for us on offense because I think they can. And I hope both guys can do a good job of preparing and managing to get ready for the game so that they can contribute to our team in a positive way.”​

1 Tony_Tsoukalas, Today at 12:45 AM

 

[JoseyWalesTheOutlaw]

“When they had halfway decent coverage, he made good decisions for the most part". .....Nick telling it like it was on the defensive play of the Red Birds. ..............

 

[bamafan9201]

Let me preface this by saying: I trust Nick Saban essentially implicitly, he's led us here with some of the best decisions I've ever seen.

Nick, it's time to sit Jalen down and talk about where he can transfer when the season ends. You need to prepare for life without Jalen in the room, the kid is just a weakness when he enters the field. It's obvious to most everyone watching the games and even practices that Tua is just beyond Jalen in reading defenses, analyzing the play, and making solid decisions in the pocket. I know, Jalen carried you there and he has done everything you've asked of him and he's been probably one of the best young men you've ever coached, but, sometimes these things just don't work out. You don't do Jalen any good continuing to string him through all this without really a chance to beat out Tua. Please, find it within yourself to let Jalen and his family know that you're deeply sorry and regret that it didn't work out for the QB, but it's time for Alabama to rally around Tua and what he can do..thanks Nick.

 

[BamaHubMan]

It's in the team's best interest to develop Jalen. There might come a time when we really need him.

 

[rocknthefreeworld]

I do not expect to see much of Jalen after this. He is going to be kept back just in case the worst happens and maybe we see him playing some very late in the (post) season. He has 3 more games he can play in and still red shirt if I remember correctly. Then graduate in December and transfer to play immediately with 2 years left.

 

[ComeOnSon]

It's in the team's best interest to develop Jalen. There might come a time when we really need him.

Develop him how? Two full seasons as the starter and I saw nothing different from him last night. From all accounts and appearances he’s a fantastic teammate and ambassador for the program but he is not a quarterback. After what I watched last night there is nothing he does better than Tua, including running. And, in my opinion, the way he was brought in after Tua was lighting it up and went three and out with no signs of improvement had to be demoralizing and embarrassing. Didn’t like it for him or the team. I always defer to Saban’s judgement but I agree with others that it’s time for this to be put to bed...there is no QB competition.

 

[TUSKtimes]

This one pretty much sums up the national perception of Alabama.

Oh God, Alabama Now Has the Best Quarterback in College Football

 

[#80]

Hurts is not a QB he is an athlete trying to play the QB position. Time to move on. Anyone not knowing this was coming is clueless.

 

[rocknthefreeworld]

Hurts is not a QB he is an athlete trying to play the QB position. Time to move on. Anyone not knowing this was coming is clueless.

Put him as a RB/Receiver and use him occasionally in the wildcat. Just enough throwing ability to make that work well.

 

[Tidestalker]

How the decision was made.

Ummmmm

Tua has elite physical talent, instincts, and anticipation. Also happens to have extremely high character and a team first personality.

Decision made

 

[JoshB]

Let me preface this by saying: I trust Nick Saban essentially implicitly, he's led us here with some of the best decisions I've ever seen.

Nick, it's time to sit Jalen down and talk about where he can transfer when the season ends. You need to prepare for life without Jalen in the room, the kid is just a weakness when he enters the field. It's obvious to most everyone watching the games and even practices that Tua is just beyond Jalen in reading defenses, analyzing the play, and making solid decisions in the pocket. I know, Jalen carried you there and he has done everything you've asked of him and he's been probably one of the best young men you've ever coached, but, sometimes these things just don't work out. You don't do Jalen any good continuing to string him through all this without really a chance to beat out Tua. Please, find it within yourself to let Jalen and his family know that you're deeply sorry and regret that it didn't work out for the QB, but it's time for Alabama to rally around Tua and what he can do..thanks Nick.

Crap like this is so dumb. I'm sorry but its just dumb. Did you not watch the first drive? Do you see how quickly something like that can happen? (Tua getting hurt) But you just think it's time to sit a former SEC Offensive Player of the Year down and say "hey, go transfer somewhere." Sure that makes a ton of freaking sense.

 

[BamaSon25]

Hey Guys... I don't post much these days, but this thread intrigues me. So, I will put my .02 in. That is about .02 more than it is worth.

I love Jalen Hurts and he is responsible for getting us to where we are now. He is has been a safe bet for Saban just like Gmac, AJ, Coker, Sims .... pretty much every QB we have had at the Capstone since Coach arrived. We can win with Jalen and coach knows this. By all accounts Jalen is a great kid on and off the field. The team loves him, the coaches love him and tons of us fans love him. Someone above said that he was an athlete playing QB....another said he should be a wide out or a RB... even another said save a redshirt for him and give him an opportunity to play 2 years elsewhere. All of these suggestions are things that an argument can be made for, however; there are viable arguments against each. Jalen came to Alabama knowing he would have to compete for the job. He said this the first time he was allowed to speak to the media. He reiterated this in the spring. He wasn't worried about what Tua did... he was worried about what he did and what he could control. This is the very essence of what Coach teaches these kids. Jalen bought into THE PROCESS and is at Alabama today because of it. He has his head on straight, knows he is 15 hours from graduating and is a true team player. This is how I see it. Jalen is one play away from being the starter again as was evidenced by the first touchdown Tua threw last night. Tua goes down... luckily it wasn't serious, but it could have been.

Now... what I see from Jalen as a QB... for 2 years I have watched Jalen. What I have noticed is the coaches take the middle of the field away from him. Why? He misses the reads. He doesn't throw interceptions because they took his most vulnerable spot away. He threw flats, outs and corner routes...mostly under 10 yards. What I couldn't figure out was why it took someone so long to do exactly what UGA did in the championship game? They sat on those outs and flat routes and smothered us. Enter Tua... the middle of the field opened up and they were screwed. Jalen has trouble with the long ball, he can't seem to catch the reads between cover 1 and cover 2 if one of the safeties is playing a little closer to the line than your normal cover 2 base. It throws him off. Tua makes these reads...quickly and can throw the long ball, the short ball and the medium ball.

Jalen as a RB or receiver... Jalen runs well, but maybe it's just me...you guys let me know. It seems his first 3 steps are slow, indecisive even. Once he gets going he has good speed and vision, but we have 4 RBs and a stable of receivers that are better suited for the position. People keep saying Jalen is the better runner than Tua, but honestly I don't see that. Tua looks every bit as good as Jalen does to me in this area.

Redshirting Jalen for a transfer... if I were coach...I wouldn't. Like I said above, he is one play away from starting. Jalen is probably as good of a game manager as any of the others that have taken us to championships. He doesn't get you beat. This is what 90% of the 2nd string QBS in the NFL are...guys that don't get you beat. When you are as strong personnel wise as Bama is... you can win with that. We have proven it time and again. So... let Jalen make that call on his future.

Tua is fantastic....exciting and in my opinion, the obvious choice to be our starter. He is a bit of a maverick and it is going to bite us every now and then, but he makes things happen. Coach made the right call me thinks.

RTR
Bamason25

 

[bamafan9201]

Let me preface this by saying: I trust Nick Saban essentially implicitly, he's led us here with some of the best decisions I've ever seen.

Nick, it's time to sit Jalen down and talk about where he can transfer when the season ends. You need to prepare for life without Jalen in the room, the kid is just a weakness when he enters the field. It's obvious to most everyone watching the games and even practices that Tua is just beyond Jalen in reading defenses, analyzing the play, and making solid decisions in the pocket. I know, Jalen carried you there and he has done everything you've asked of him and he's been probably one of the best young men you've ever coached, but, sometimes these things just don't work out. You don't do Jalen any good continuing to string him through all this without really a chance to beat out Tua. Please, find it within yourself to let Jalen and his family know that you're deeply sorry and regret that it didn't work out for the QB, but it's time for Alabama to rally around Tua and what he can do..thanks Nick.

Crap like this is so dumb. I'm sorry but its just dumb. Did you not watch the first drive? Do you see how quickly something like that can happen? (Tua getting hurt) But you just think it's time to sit a former SEC Offensive Player of the Year down and say "hey, go transfer somewhere." Sure that makes a ton of freaking sense.

Sorry, perhaps I needed to be clearer, I don't WANT Jalen to transfer, but I think in this case we do what is in the best interest for the player not the team. The young man is good enough to start for almost any team in D1 and so we have to be fair to him, you're being dumb by wanting to hoard all the QBs and screw over a young mans future by forcing him to sit behind his junior.

 

[BamaHubMan]

if Jalen is our second best quarterback then the coaching staff needs to develop him to be the best that he can be. I don't give a flip and flap and hang if he plays one down in the NFL all I care about is that if he's needed he will be the best player that he can be.

 

[JoshB]

Let me preface this by saying: I trust Nick Saban essentially implicitly, he's led us here with some of the best decisions I've ever seen.

Nick, it's time to sit Jalen down and talk about where he can transfer when the season ends. You need to prepare for life without Jalen in the room, the kid is just a weakness when he enters the field. It's obvious to most everyone watching the games and even practices that Tua is just beyond Jalen in reading defenses, analyzing the play, and making solid decisions in the pocket. I know, Jalen carried you there and he has done everything you've asked of him and he's been probably one of the best young men you've ever coached, but, sometimes these things just don't work out. You don't do Jalen any good continuing to string him through all this without really a chance to beat out Tua. Please, find it within yourself to let Jalen and his family know that you're deeply sorry and regret that it didn't work out for the QB, but it's time for Alabama to rally around Tua and what he can do..thanks Nick.

Crap like this is so dumb. I'm sorry but its just dumb. Did you not watch the first drive? Do you see how quickly something like that can happen? (Tua getting hurt) But you just think it's time to sit a former SEC Offensive Player of the Year down and say "hey, go transfer somewhere." Sure that makes a ton of freaking sense.

Sorry, perhaps I needed to be clearer, I don't WANT Jalen to transfer, but I think in this case we do what is in the best interest for the player not the team. The young man is good enough to start for almost any team in D1 and so we have to be fair to him, you're being dumb by wanting to hoard all the QBs and screw over a young mans future by forcing him to sit behind his junior.

So, explain to me how Jalen transferring right this second benefit benefits ANYONE? If he transfers now he will have to sit out the rest of the season. Period. If he waits until the end of the season he will be able to transfer anywhere he wants and play immediately because he graduates in December. And that's only ASSUMING he even will want to transfer.

 

[Tidestalker]

Let me preface this by saying: I trust Nick Saban essentially implicitly, he's led us here with some of the best decisions I've ever seen.

Nick, it's time to sit Jalen down and talk about where he can transfer when the season ends. You need to prepare for life without Jalen in the room, the kid is just a weakness when he enters the field. It's obvious to most everyone watching the games and even practices that Tua is just beyond Jalen in reading defenses, analyzing the play, and making solid decisions in the pocket. I know, Jalen carried you there and he has done everything you've asked of him and he's been probably one of the best young men you've ever coached, but, sometimes these things just don't work out. You don't do Jalen any good continuing to string him through all this without really a chance to beat out Tua. Please, find it within yourself to let Jalen and his family know that you're deeply sorry and regret that it didn't work out for the QB, but it's time for Alabama to rally around Tua and what he can do..thanks Nick.

Crap like this is so dumb. I'm sorry but its just dumb. Did you not watch the first drive? Do you see how quickly something like that can happen? (Tua getting hurt) But you just think it's time to sit a former SEC Offensive Player of the Year down and say "hey, go transfer somewhere." Sure that makes a ton of freaking sense.

Sorry, perhaps I needed to be clearer, I don't WANT Jalen to transfer, but I think in this case we do what is in the best interest for the player not the team. The young man is good enough to start for almost any team in D1 and so we have to be fair to him, you're being dumb by wanting to hoard all the QBs and screw over a young mans future by forcing him to sit behind his junior.

So, explain to me how Jalen transferring right this second benefit benefits ANYONE? If he transfers now he will have to sit out the rest of the season. Period. If he waits until the end of the season he will be able to transfer anywhere he wants and play immediately because he graduates in December. And that's only ASSUMING he even will want to transfer.

It could help Mac Jones and Alabama in the long run... Because the most likely QB on the roster to take over when Tua leaves will now be the primary backup, taking valuable #2 reps to prep him for the next step. Also gets a lot more snaps in blow outs - Which may or may not have helped Tua develop last season?

I personally think Jalen staying will help Alabama win another title. But in the long run, especially if Jalen is leaving any way, there are circumstances it will benefit the program. Especially if Dad wants to make himself the story, again.

 

[Sgt. Lincoln Osiris]

Let me preface this by saying: I trust Nick Saban essentially implicitly, he's led us here with some of the best decisions I've ever seen.

Nick, it's time to sit Jalen down and talk about where he can transfer when the season ends. You need to prepare for life without Jalen in the room, the kid is just a weakness when he enters the field. It's obvious to most everyone watching the games and even practices that Tua is just beyond Jalen in reading defenses, analyzing the play, and making solid decisions in the pocket. I know, Jalen carried you there and he has done everything you've asked of him and he's been probably one of the best young men you've ever coached, but, sometimes these things just don't work out. You don't do Jalen any good continuing to string him through all this without really a chance to beat out Tua. Please, find it within yourself to let Jalen and his family know that you're deeply sorry and regret that it didn't work out for the QB, but it's time for Alabama to rally around Tua and what he can do..thanks Nick.

Crap like this is so dumb. I'm sorry but its just dumb. Did you not watch the first drive? Do you see how quickly something like that can happen? (Tua getting hurt) But you just think it's time to sit a former SEC Offensive Player of the Year down and say "hey, go transfer somewhere." Sure that makes a ton of freaking sense.

Sorry, perhaps I needed to be clearer, I don't WANT Jalen to transfer, but I think in this case we do what is in the best interest for the player not the team. The young man is good enough to start for almost any team in D1 and so we have to be fair to him, you're being dumb by wanting to hoard all the QBs and screw over a young mans future by forcing him to sit behind his junior.

So, explain to me how Jalen transferring right this second benefit benefits ANYONE? If he transfers now he will have to sit out the rest of the season. Period. If he waits until the end of the season he will be able to transfer anywhere he wants and play immediately because he graduates in December. And that's only ASSUMING he even will want to transfer.

It could help Mac Jones and Alabama in the long run... Because the most likely QB on the roster to take over when Tua leaves will now be the primary backup, taking valuable #2 reps to prep him for the next step. Also gets a lot more snaps in blow outs - Which may or may not have helped Tua develop last season?

I personally think Jalen staying will help Alabama win another title. But in the long run, especially if Jalen is leaving any way, there are circumstances it will benefit the program. Especially if Dad wants to make himself the story, again.

Mac Jones gonna transfer after Taulia wins the job as a RS frosh in '20...

 

[Tidestalker]

Let me preface this by saying: I trust Nick Saban essentially implicitly, he's led us here with some of the best decisions I've ever seen.

Nick, it's time to sit Jalen down and talk about where he can transfer when the season ends. You need to prepare for life without Jalen in the room, the kid is just a weakness when he enters the field. It's obvious to most everyone watching the games and even practices that Tua is just beyond Jalen in reading defenses, analyzing the play, and making solid decisions in the pocket. I know, Jalen carried you there and he has done everything you've asked of him and he's been probably one of the best young men you've ever coached, but, sometimes these things just don't work out. You don't do Jalen any good continuing to string him through all this without really a chance to beat out Tua. Please, find it within yourself to let Jalen and his family know that you're deeply sorry and regret that it didn't work out for the QB, but it's time for Alabama to rally around Tua and what he can do..thanks Nick.

Crap like this is so dumb. I'm sorry but its just dumb. Did you not watch the first drive? Do you see how quickly something like that can happen? (Tua getting hurt) But you just think it's time to sit a former SEC Offensive Player of the Year down and say "hey, go transfer somewhere." Sure that makes a ton of freaking sense.

Sorry, perhaps I needed to be clearer, I don't WANT Jalen to transfer, but I think in this case we do what is in the best interest for the player not the team. The young man is good enough to start for almost any team in D1 and so we have to be fair to him, you're being dumb by wanting to hoard all the QBs and screw over a young mans future by forcing him to sit behind his junior.

So, explain to me how Jalen transferring right this second benefit benefits ANYONE? If he transfers now he will have to sit out the rest of the season. Period. If he waits until the end of the season he will be able to transfer anywhere he wants and play immediately because he graduates in December. And that's only ASSUMING he even will want to transfer.

It could help Mac Jones and Alabama in the long run... Because the most likely QB on the roster to take over when Tua leaves will now be the primary backup, taking valuable #2 reps to prep him for the next step. Also gets a lot more snaps in blow outs - Which may or may not have helped Tua develop last season?

I personally think Jalen staying will help Alabama win another title. But in the long run, especially if Jalen is leaving any way, there are circumstances it will benefit the program. Especially if Dad wants to make himself the story, again.

Mac Jones gonna transfer after Taulia wins the job as a RS frosh in '20...

Tulia gonna go elsewhere if Saban doesn't start supporting big bro the way he deserves.... :naughtydevil:

 

[ColAngus]

Go to the 1:35 mark of the 3rd quarter. Bama has the ball, 3rd and 6 on the Lville 24.

Good play call, option right. Defender has to make the choice between Jalen and Najee. Hurts tries to fake but he doesn’t take it and Jalen still keeps the ball. Even though the defender doesn’t make the play, he strings it out and Jalen gets stuffed well short of the first down.

Pause it at 1:33 and see what Jalen sees. If he pitches the ball to Najee, it’s a first down and he may even score. But Jalen is a ball hog.

So the point is, Jalen is not even that strong on option runs. If he doesn’t excel in that area, what possible reason would there be to keep playing him? Passing is not even close to a contest. Tua wins by miles.

 

[JoshB]

Go to the 1:35 mark of the 3rd quarter. Bama has the ball, 3rd and 6 on the Lville 24.

Good play call, option right. Defender has to make the choice between Jalen and Najee. Hurts tries to fake but he doesn’t take it and Jalen still keeps the ball. Even though the defender doesn’t make the play, he strings it out and Jalen gets stuffed well short of the first down.

Pause it at 1:33 and see what Jalen sees. If he pitches the ball to Najee, it’s a first down and he may even score. But Jalen is a ball hog.

So the point is, Jalen is not even that strong on option runs. If he doesn’t excel in that area, what possible reason would there be to keep playing him? Passing is not even close to a contest. Tua wins by miles.

This is just absolutely ridiculous. Christ, Tua has won the job and we still have to stomach these garbage "I hate Jalen" posts.