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Alabama has questions, but Milroe isn’t one
Jalen Milroe juked past Monkell Goodwine and ran into the end zone.
A textbook touchdown for Alabama’s backup quarterback, right?
Not on A-Day. Spring games prevent defenders from tackling quarterbacks, so Goodwine’s hand grazing Milroe during his would-be scoring run was deemed a tackle. A score became a 1-yard loss.
Forget the asterisk. The point is, Milroe showed the moves, the physical stature, the quick release, and the arm to put Alabama at ease about its backup quarterback situation.
Why discuss backup quarterbacks? Because we know what Alabama has as its starter. Reigning Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young is among the reasons the Crimson Tide will enter the season as the preseason favorite to win the national championship.
And Alabama needs no reminder of a backup quarterback's potential influence on a season. The Crimson Tide’s two losses last season came to two backups-turned-starters – Texas A&M’s Zach Calzada and Georgia’s Stetson Bennett IV.
So, my eyes were trained on Milroe on A-Day.
The takeaway: Alabama faces questions entering the offseason, but backup quarterback isn’t one of them. Milroe is the man for the job.
A year ago on A-Day, Young began his star turn and showed he was ready to seize the baton from departed star Mac Jones.
Milroe, a four-star signee who played in four games last season, is next in the line of succession.
It's too soon to say whether Milroe will become the heir apparent after Young’s career ends, likely following this season, but he’s ready for this assignment as Young’s backup.
Milroe looks like he was created in a quarterback lab. He’s 6-foot-2, 212 pounds, and he can scoot. He trusts his arm, too.
With a pass rusher barreling in on him, Milroe stayed in the pocket and uncorked a 52-yard touchdown pass to Christian Leary, his favorite target with five receptions.
Of course, it’s easier to stick in the pocket when you know the defender cannot hit you, but I think Milroe makes that throw even if he’s not wearing a nocontact jersey. And I think his earlier run into the end zone would have counted as a touchdown on a fall Saturday, too.
Milroe helped his squad secure the scrimmage victory, setting him up for a steak dinner, as is tradition for the winning side of A-Day.
In a less delectable but more important development, Milroe earned praise from his coach, too.
“The second offense is doing a nice job,” Nick Saban told the SEC Network at halftime.
Milroe completed 11 of 23 passes and totaled 181 yards of offense on a rainy day, supplying the best performance of Alabama's three quarterbacks. He threw an interception by launching an off-balance pass into double coverage while under pressure. The pick was a mistake from a young quarterback, but it’s no knock on his ability.
“Jalen can make plays running the ball, and he made some today, but he also made some good throws,' Saban said.
Throughout the spring, Alabama focused on forcing Milroe out of his comfort zone so that he didn't rely on his running ability and instead focused on learning to operate the offense and read coverages.
“He’s making checks, he’s making the right calls, he’s making the right protection adjustments. I think you saw it a lot on the field today,' Young said.
Alabama exhibited offensive flaws – namely, its offensive line needs work. The line wasn't at full capacity, with starters Emil Ekiyor Jr. and Darrian Dalcourt among those who didn't play. Vanderbilt transfer Tyler Steen will join the program in the summer as a potential starting tackle.
Alabama needs the help. All-America linebacker Will Anderson Jr. vs. left tackle Kendall Randolph became such a mismatch that Saban withheld Anderson after halftime so that the starting offense had a chance to operate without being under constant duress.
“Too many sacks,' Saban told the SEC Network afterward. 'We’ve got a lot of things we’ve got to work on.”
True, but at least backup quarterback isn't a pressing concern.
Milroe looks pinch-hit ready, and that's what Alabama needs him to be.
Jalen Milroe juked past Monkell Goodwine and ran into the end zone.
A textbook touchdown for Alabama’s backup quarterback, right?
Not on A-Day. Spring games prevent defenders from tackling quarterbacks, so Goodwine’s hand grazing Milroe during his would-be scoring run was deemed a tackle. A score became a 1-yard loss.
Forget the asterisk. The point is, Milroe showed the moves, the physical stature, the quick release, and the arm to put Alabama at ease about its backup quarterback situation.
Why discuss backup quarterbacks? Because we know what Alabama has as its starter. Reigning Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young is among the reasons the Crimson Tide will enter the season as the preseason favorite to win the national championship.
And Alabama needs no reminder of a backup quarterback's potential influence on a season. The Crimson Tide’s two losses last season came to two backups-turned-starters – Texas A&M’s Zach Calzada and Georgia’s Stetson Bennett IV.
So, my eyes were trained on Milroe on A-Day.
The takeaway: Alabama faces questions entering the offseason, but backup quarterback isn’t one of them. Milroe is the man for the job.
A year ago on A-Day, Young began his star turn and showed he was ready to seize the baton from departed star Mac Jones.
Milroe, a four-star signee who played in four games last season, is next in the line of succession.
It's too soon to say whether Milroe will become the heir apparent after Young’s career ends, likely following this season, but he’s ready for this assignment as Young’s backup.
Milroe looks like he was created in a quarterback lab. He’s 6-foot-2, 212 pounds, and he can scoot. He trusts his arm, too.
With a pass rusher barreling in on him, Milroe stayed in the pocket and uncorked a 52-yard touchdown pass to Christian Leary, his favorite target with five receptions.
Of course, it’s easier to stick in the pocket when you know the defender cannot hit you, but I think Milroe makes that throw even if he’s not wearing a nocontact jersey. And I think his earlier run into the end zone would have counted as a touchdown on a fall Saturday, too.
Milroe helped his squad secure the scrimmage victory, setting him up for a steak dinner, as is tradition for the winning side of A-Day.
In a less delectable but more important development, Milroe earned praise from his coach, too.
“The second offense is doing a nice job,” Nick Saban told the SEC Network at halftime.
Milroe completed 11 of 23 passes and totaled 181 yards of offense on a rainy day, supplying the best performance of Alabama's three quarterbacks. He threw an interception by launching an off-balance pass into double coverage while under pressure. The pick was a mistake from a young quarterback, but it’s no knock on his ability.
“Jalen can make plays running the ball, and he made some today, but he also made some good throws,' Saban said.
Throughout the spring, Alabama focused on forcing Milroe out of his comfort zone so that he didn't rely on his running ability and instead focused on learning to operate the offense and read coverages.
“He’s making checks, he’s making the right calls, he’s making the right protection adjustments. I think you saw it a lot on the field today,' Young said.
Alabama exhibited offensive flaws – namely, its offensive line needs work. The line wasn't at full capacity, with starters Emil Ekiyor Jr. and Darrian Dalcourt among those who didn't play. Vanderbilt transfer Tyler Steen will join the program in the summer as a potential starting tackle.
Alabama needs the help. All-America linebacker Will Anderson Jr. vs. left tackle Kendall Randolph became such a mismatch that Saban withheld Anderson after halftime so that the starting offense had a chance to operate without being under constant duress.
“Too many sacks,' Saban told the SEC Network afterward. 'We’ve got a lot of things we’ve got to work on.”
True, but at least backup quarterback isn't a pressing concern.
Milroe looks pinch-hit ready, and that's what Alabama needs him to be.
Alabama has questions, but Milroe isn’t one
Jalen Milroe juked past Monkell Goodwine and ran into the end zone.
tuscaloosanews-al.newsmemory.com
