Alabama QB competition article

[Evil Crimson Dragon]

Re: Alabama QB competition article (ALL QB posts here, please)

Seems to me that Jalen is still struggling... and that is without a good Defense coming after him.
I hate it, but looks like he has hit a plateau in his performance.

Hearing Jalen's comments made me wonder if this is a preemptive excuse for not winning the starting job. I really hate that.

Jalen would have been better served to KEEP HIS MOUTH SHUT.
I heard his comments and it sounded like it was coming out of his Dad's mouth.

Things Jalen said will not endure him to the team, or the coaching staff, and most of all to coach Saban. I have been a big supporter of Jalen, but to me it sounded like he is making excuses for maybe not being the MAN. I didn't like it at all.

It could be...... like many have said, we don’t really know what is going on in his mind, but to me it’s like he knows his time as a starter is up. I respect the kid, but there comes a time when you run into someone who is better than you...... you either work to beat them or accept it and move on. It’s a tough thing to deal with, but it is what it is

 

[trenda]

Re: Alabama QB competition article (ALL QB posts here, please)

Something doesn't make sense here. Let's think about these comments from Jalen:

"No one came up to me the whole spring, coaches included, no one asked me how I felt," he said. "No one asked me what was on my mind. No one asked me how I felt about the things that were going on. Nobody asked me what my future held."

Now let's think about what happened in the spring. Jalen's father made the comments that he did but then Saban decided to meet with his father after practice one day about those comments. What does Jalen think that conversation was about? Can't we assume it was about all the things Jalen now claims nobody asked him about? I'm sure Saban asked his father during the conversation about how Jalen feels and about his future. If Saban knew how Jalen felt based on the conversation with his father wouldn't asking Jalen how he feels be a bit redundant? Maybe Saban thought why bother if his dad made it clear how he felt.

Not to mention that Jalen himself said that he told Saban in June that he would be here and not transfer. So, whether Saban actually asked him or not, the two had a conversation and Jalen had opportunity to express 'how he feels.' Add that in to the conversation with Jalen's father, sounds to me like there was opportunity to express how he feels. Jalen's interview showed me two things: 1) JH sees that he's not winning the starting position, and 2) he's not taking it well.

The rest: dad's comments, 'no one has asked me how I feel,' Saban's comment about whether JH would be in camp when it starts, etc are all just unfortunate side effects of 1 and 2. Jalen has been an outstanding ambassador for the university. As some have already stated, it's quite obvious that this situation is most likely the most adversity Jalen has experienced as a QB; and he (nor his parents) are handling it well. It's tough. And when you have a media that's none too happy to blow the story up (along with Saban's comments at SEC Media Days), things are going to deteriorate. Quickly.

 

[CrimsonProf]

Re: Alabama QB competition article (ALL QB posts here, please)

Cole Cubelic was apoplectic yesterday on the point that "no one" talked to Jalen. Basically said the guy has been in the program for three springs and two seasons and he can't get with his OC or position coach? Come on.

 

[UAH]

Re: Alabama QB competition article (ALL QB posts here, please)

On the SEC Now show the other guy (not Dari) said he watched the QBs @ Manning camp and Jalen was clearly at the bottom. He said he looked like a QB who has lost his confidence.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The loss of confidence idea has some resonance with what Gary Danielson said in his recent interview. I am not a psychologist but someone like Jalen with such a quiet demeanor could be tortured inside without an outlet to express it. It hurts to see a young man go through this in the glare of the Alabama spotlight.

The mental side of the game is challenging in every sport when we think about it from golf to baseball, etc. I think about Rick Ankiel the Cardinal lefty phenom who suddenly lost his ability to throw a strike and found it necessary to completely rebuild his baseball career. There are so many parallels in sports.

 

[Tidewater]

Re: Alabama QB competition article (ALL QB posts here, please)

Maybe someone else has commented on this, but I heard Jalen say he's "built a brand for myself." He goes on to explain that he has been "representing the university the best [he] can, staying out of trouble and make good grades."

Representing the University, staying out of trouble and making grades are all commendable things, but "building a brand" sounds like he is playing his audience.

 

[RammerJammer15]

Re: Alabama QB competition article (ALL QB posts here, please)

Maybe someone else has commented on this, but I heard Jalen say he's "built a brand for myself." He goes on to explain that he has been "representing the university the best [he] can, staying out of trouble and make good grades."

Representing the University, staying out of trouble and making grades are all commendable things, but "building a brand" sounds like he is playing his audience.

I don't think he meant brand in the literal sense, only "brand" talk I've heard was from his father. More likely just poor choice of words.

 

[gtgilbert]

Re: Alabama QB competition article (ALL QB posts here, please)

Maybe someone else has commented on this, but I heard Jalen say he's "built a brand for myself." He goes on to explain that he has been "representing the university the best [he] can, staying out of trouble and make good grades."

Representing the University, staying out of trouble and making grades are all commendable things, but "building a brand" sounds like he is playing his audience.

I don't know that I would read to much into that. Career counselors and advisors will often tell people to build their brand. I'd be surprised if the staff at UA didn't bring in speaker to talk to the players about things like this and how important it is in life, not just sports, to build a 'brand' or reputation that people know you by.

 

[CrimsonEyeshade]

Re: Alabama QB competition article (ALL QB posts here, please)

I don't think he meant brand in the literal sense, only "brand" talk I've heard was from his father. More likely just poor choice of words.

Agreed. We have two years of context in which to interpret what Jalen had to say. In fact, he has built a brand — one that has been a credit to himself, his family, his teammates and his school.

If we want to critique him now, that’s fine. But let’s do it against all that he has said and done, and not in a vacuum.

 

[Rush]

Re: Alabama QB competition article (ALL QB posts here, please)

Another of our staff members noticed that it was the SID who cut him off. I wouldn't be surprised if he finds it difficult to get a mike again...

Wow...

 

[CB4]

Re: Alabama QB competition article (ALL QB posts here, please)

The loss of confidence idea has some resonance with what Gary Danielson said in his recent interview. I am not a psychologist but someone like Jalen with such a quiet demeanor could be tortured inside without an outlet to express it. It hurts to see a young man go through this in the glare of the Alabama spotlight.

The mental side of the game is challenging in every sport when we think about it from golf to baseball, etc. I think about Rick Ankiel the Cardinal lefty phenom who suddenly lost his ability to throw a strike and found it necessary to completely rebuild his baseball career. There are so many parallels in sports.

I believe it is a combination of this (lack of confidence in his throws) and lack of “touch”. Hang with me on this.

My son was a pitcher. He told me when he was about 11-12 years old that “I can tell when I release the ball if I’m going to hit my spot or not”. Whether it was his arm position or the feel of the ball coming off his fingers, I don’t know. But he was great at moving the ball around the plate. Only thing I could relate it to would be the feeling of hitting a golf ball “dead, solid perfect” (doesn’t happen much for me).

Bruce Ariens in his book “The Quarterback Whisperer” says the most overrated skill is arm strength. The most underrated is “touch”.
As a coach you can develop a player’s arm strength (how far they throw it) and accuracy (where they throw it) but “touch” (how you place it) is something all the great passing QBs have early on. Strength and accuracy you can develop. Touch is almost innate. You either have it or you don’t.

Jalen has the arm strength. I think even if they improved his accuracy on the intermediate and deep routes, he simply doesn’t have the “touch or feel” to be a really good throwing QB. In 2016 we offset that with his legs. We did it somewhat in 2017 until teams played to contain him in the run game and force him to throw.

Couple this with his struggle to make quick decisions in the passing game, reading keys, “throwing guys open” and now a seeming lack of confidence, things do not bode well for him going forward.

And I hate it for Jalen. Up until now he has been the epitome of class. IMO it is time for him to make a decision of whether he wants “shut up and fight”’ or “lay down and pout”. And even a reserve player that competes every play in practice like they are competing to start adds value to team chemistry. This goes for Tua and Mac as well.

As CA put it in an earlier post, Jalen needs to decide what kind of “character” this adversity will “reveal” in him.

 

[TrampLineman]

Re: Alabama QB competition article (ALL QB posts here, please)

Cole Cubelic was apoplectic yesterday on the point that "no one" talked to Jalen. Basically said the guy has been in the program for three springs and two seasons and he can't get with his OC or position coach? Come on.

Agreed. How can he say he didn't talk to none of the coaches when he himself said he told Coach Saban he would be staying here? Like someone already said, he sounds like someone who has given up and is now using excuses he is #2 (other than say Tua outplayed him) and it seems he used this opportunity to take his shot at the staff after Coach Saban said to not bring attention to themselves. Got a feeling this won't end well and civil...

 

[RedWave]

Re: Alabama QB competition article (ALL QB posts here, please)

Can't believe I'm saying this but I completely agree with Steven Smith. Why is there this farce of a competition? Why drag it out just for the sake of appearances? Maybe Saban has "processed" himself and believes the coach speak coming out of his mouth but subconsciously he knows Tua is his starter.

I'll eat my hat if Tua is not the starter and would not blame him for one second for transferring if he is not. Jalen has a decision to make. Does he want to be a backup at Alabama and/or explore other rolls in helping the team or does he want to go play QB somewhere else. Neither is a wrong decision and only he will know what's right for him.

The advantage of making the opposing defense prepare for two completely different types of quarterbacks. As frustrating as it is for us fans that he won't just say "Tua is the starting QB," I can see why it is not advantageous for him to do so.

 

[Crimson White]

Re: Alabama QB competition article (ALL QB posts here, please)

The advantage of making the opposing defense prepare for two completely different types of quarterbacks. As frustrating as it is for us fans that he won't just say "Tua is the starting QB," I can see why it is not advantageous for him to do so.

That won't happen because if Saban chooses Hurts, Tua is gone, and though Hurts would probably stick around till he graduates in December, I am pretty sure he'd appeal to Saban that he wouldn't want to play more than 4 games, to save that redshirt year. Any degree of a potentially divisive situation is too much, imo, so I think it's best for him and the program for a transfer now, assuming he is #2.

Oh, and I think Hurts meant exactly what he said when talking about having built for himself a "brand". It seems all about Jalen, and not the team.

 

[B1GTide]

Re: Alabama QB competition article (ALL QB posts here, please)

The advantage of making the opposing defense prepare for two completely different types of quarterbacks. As frustrating as it is for us fans that he won't just say "Tua is the starting QB," I can see why it is not advantageous for him to do so.

IMO, teams preparing for Tua have to prepare for everything that Jalen can do with his legs on top of the elite passing game that Tua brings. Tua is a very good runner, and he extends plays with his legs better than Jalen does.

 

[RedWave]

Re: Alabama QB competition article (ALL QB posts here, please)

That won't happen because if Saban chooses Hurts, Tua is gone, and though Hurts would probably stick around till he graduates in December, I am pretty sure he'd appeal to Saban that he wouldn't want to play more than 4 games, to save that redshirt year. Any degree of a potentially divisive situation is too much, imo, so I think it's best for him and the program for a transfer now, assuming he is #2.

Oh, and I think Hurts meant exactly what he said when talking about having built for himself a "brand". It seems all about Jalen, and not the team.

Well there is still no reason for Saban to tip his hand at this point. If you leave open the possibility that Jalen might play, teams have to prepare for what he brings to the table as a runner. I know Tua can run also, and does so quite well, but it is far from the same thing Jalen does. Make the other team use some of their practice time worrying about that. Even if you have no intention of doing it.

As for the Jalen brand part of your post, I think you are being a bit hard on Jalen here and in this thread, and this is coming from a guy who has criticized him heavily in terms of his passing, reading defenses, and decision making on the field throughout this whole thread. I have still yet to criticize him for anything off the field, and still won't. You want him gone, period. That's fine. I think it is best for everyone if he leaves now too. But you don't have to be so anti-Jalen here.

 

[TIDE-HSV]

Re: Alabama QB competition article (ALL QB posts here, please)

IMO, teams preparing for Tua have to prepare for everything that Jalen can do with his legs on top of the elite passing game that Tua brings. Tua is a very good runner, and he extends plays with his legs better than Jalen does.

Not only is he good in the absolute, he uses his runs with a lot more judgment. All too often, I've found myself thinking "No, Jalen, don't do it!" I don't do that to the same degree with Tua...

 

[UAH]

Re: Alabama QB competition article (ALL QB posts here, please)

I believe it is a combination of this (lack of confidence in his throws) and lack of “touch”. Hang with me on this.

My son was a pitcher. He told me when he was about 11-12 years old that “I can tell when I release the ball if I’m going to hit my spot or not”. Whether it was his arm position or the feel of the ball coming off his fingers, I don’t know. But he was great at moving the ball around the plate. Only thing I could relate it to would be the feeling of hitting a golf ball “dead, solid perfect” (doesn’t happen much for me).

Bruce Ariens in his book “The Quarterback Whisperer” says the most overrated skill is arm strength. The most underrated is “touch”.
As a coach you can develop a player’s arm strength (how far they throw it) and accuracy (where they throw it) but “touch” (how you place it) is something all the great passing QBs have early on. Strength and accuracy you can develop. Touch is almost innate. You either have it or you don’t.

Jalen has the arm strength. I think even if they improved his accuracy on the intermediate and deep routes, he simply doesn’t have the “touch or feel” to be a really good throwing QB. In 2016 we offset that with his legs. We did it somewhat in 2017 until teams played to contain him in the run game and force him to throw.

Couple this with his struggle to make quick decisions in the passing game, reading keys, “throwing guys open” and now a seeming lack of confidence, things do not bode well for him going forward.

And I hate it for Jalen. Up until now he has been the epitome of class. IMO it is time for him to make a decision of whether he wants “shut up and fight”’ or “lay down and pout”. And even a reserve player that competes every play in practice like they are competing to start adds value to team chemistry. This goes for Tua and Mac as well.

As CA put it in an earlier post, Jalen needs to decide what kind of “character” this adversity will “reveal” in him.

Very well said. I agree entirely with you. My son pitched as well from youth ball to the university level. I spent years studying the throwing motion along with a number of experts.

I admit to have been very frustrated with Jalen's throwing motion and the lack of progress. That of course is with my limited view so I hesitate to be critical.

Some of the other aspects we see could be described as fine motor skills that differentiate the pinnacle of practically every sport from golf to formula one.

I would imagine that if Tua entered video game competition he would be superior at it. It is a genetic gift of understanding where all the players are and where they will be on the field and possessing the ability to throw a strike with almost incomprehensible quickness.

That type of talent could be a confidence killer for anyone. I hope that will extend to opposing defenses as well.

 

[RollTide_HTTR]

Re: Alabama QB competition article (ALL QB posts here, please)

Not only is he good in the absolute, he uses his runs with a lot more judgment. All too often, I've found myself thinking "No, Jalen, don't do it!" I don't do that to the same degree with Tua...

So far Tua has been muchhhhh better at keeping his eyes down field and clearly seems less risk adverse. Because of that I don't doubt that when he starts to run he has no other choice. With Jalen that isn't really the case.

 

[Intl.Aperture]

Re: Alabama QB competition article (ALL QB posts here, please)

So far Tua has been muchhhhh better at keeping his eyes down field and clearly seems less risk adverse. Because of that I don't doubt that when he starts to run he has no other choice. With Jalen that isn't really the case.

In regards to knowing when to run it and when to throw it, yes?

 

[RollTide_HTTR]

Re: Alabama QB competition article (ALL QB posts here, please)

In regards to knowing when to run it and when to throw it, yes?

Yea. Specifically when he is forced from the pocket. He also tends to leave the pocket less quickly (again at least so far).