Current (unofficial) projected 3-deep depth chart

[gtgilbert]

Ty Buchner (spelling?) came in with Coach Rees and a lot of folks were saying Ty would obviously be the starter since he knew Rees' system. Didn't happen.
My money's on Milroe. (Assuming he stays, of course...)

well, those folks didn't understand how Saban worked. It was not Rees' system. It was the Alabama system, with the plays called by Rees. We didn't change the playbook, or any terminology when Rees came in. He likely added a wrinkle here or there, but it was not a system change. Buchner actually had more to learn coming in than Milroe or Simpson so had zero advantage.

What we have in front of us is a complete system change. I'm sure the guys in the QB room have the playbook now and access to film, etc to watch, but Mack has a pretty significant headstart in being able to know the offense.

 

[CoolBreeze]

Penix was a veteran QB by that point.

My point is that he was familiar with DeBoer's offense, he was brought in when KD took over UW and the offense clicked. As you know, there is no one on campus right now that has a clue of this offense.

 

[B1GTide]

My point is that he was familiar with DeBoer's offense, he was brought in when KD took over UW and the offense clicked. As you know, there is no one on campus right now that has a clue of this offense.

I agree, but QB play is really about learning plays, not an entire offense. Each play, or set of plays, has reads and reactions. And if a QB understands the reads and reactions required for one set of plays, learning the next set of plays is easier. So, yes, Mack knows it all coming in. He knows the plays, the terminology, the reads and reactions. But the other kids who understand the concepts will catch on quickly. Those who don't understand the concepts are in trouble.

Mack has a head start. Just like Milroe would have had a head start had Saban stayed. But you have a couple of other QBs who understand the concepts. They are not as far behind as you might think.

 

[Nolan]

I am a fan of Alabama. Everyone on this team is starting with a clean slate. Not only is Coach Saban not coming back, but we didn’t even hire a Saban disciple.

Nothing will surprise me. Any of the four guys could be starter. Milroe has a bit of a leg up, but nothing in the same universe as he would have had if Saban had returned.

Well put. IMO these are some of the new aspects that will surprise many and make next year so fascinating - that is to say, the "old" way of doing things is totally up in the air. I think we can all agree that CNS gave seniority and time in the program A LOT of weight.

 

[CoolBreeze]

I agree, but QB play is really about learning plays, not an entire offense. Each play, or set of plays, has reads and reactions. And if a QB understands the reads and reactions required for one set of plays, learning the next set of plays is easier. So, yes, Mack knows it all coming in. He knows the plays, the terminology, the reads and reactions. But the other kids who understand the concepts will catch on quickly. Those who don't understand the concepts are in trouble.

Mack has a head start. Just like Milroe would have had a head start had Saban stayed. But you have a couple of other QBs who understand the concepts. They are not as far behind as you might think.

I feel you bro and well said. But I think this goes way beyond all of that. When the scrimmage begins it will be the guy that has been running that offense for a year that will be the most comfortable. He knows the plays but also what the coaches are trying to do. I could be wrong. I'm way in the cheap seats. Just get the feeling that Mack will hit the ground running and the rest have a steep learning curve.

 

[Ledsteplin]

I see there are a lot of Mack fans. If Mack is named the starter Mack will be the only QB in the room. I hope he can stay injury free but again I don't agree with any of you saying he will be the starter. How can any of you say this without seeing him play one single college play?

I'm with you on this. If Milroe looks good in practice, there's no reason he won't start.

 

[TiderJack]

Because he knows this staffs system, it's that plain and simple.

One of the guys already here may rise up and win the job, but Mack has a huge upper hand. He's the only one not new to Deboer and his staff.

So did Tyler Buchner with Tommy Rees.

Look, I think this kid has potential but I heard a Washington insider this morning being interviewed on Birmingham radio and he said Mack came to UW one year early skipping his senior year and was young for his class when he re-classifed. He said he is raw but has potential. If you all feel he can come beat out Milroe who is currently a top 3 Heisman candidate, Ty Simpson who showed very good potential in his limited play and Lonergan who some have said could be better than Milroe and Simpson then go for it. Last playing in your junior year of high school to starting in the SEC is a massive leap IMO.

 

[TiderJack]

I have no idea who will win the job, but if it is Mack and everyone else bails, so be it. Let them leave. What happened last year cannot happen again.

Come on. Let them leave and we have one scholarship QB on the roster.

 

[B1GTide]

Come on. Let them leave and we have one scholarship QB on the roster.

So be it.

 

[Cruloc]

So did Tyler Buchner with Tommy Rees.

Look, I think this kid has potential but I heard a Washington insider this morning being interviewed on Birmingham radio and he said Mack came to UW one year early skipping his senior year and was young for his class when he re-classifed. He said he is raw but has potential. If you all feel he can come beat out Milroe who is currently a top 3 Heisman candidate, Ty Simpson who showed very good potential in his limited play and Lonergan who some have said could be better than Milroe and Simpson then go for it. Last playing in your junior year of high school to starting in the SEC is a massive leap IMO.

Tyler Buchner knew Rees's system, yes. How many players decided to not give full effort vs USF? Who knows. Comparing Buchner/Rees to Mack/DeBoer is like apples and oranges.

Rees changed the offense to fit Milroe because Milroe couldn't run the entire offense.

One of our guys may be able to run DeBoer's offense so well he wins the job....that would be great. Mack has the upper hand though. We can keep saying Milroe will be a Heisman candidate, but if he doesn't improve his game he won't start in this new offense. I hope Milroe can do it and play well. I also hope the team doesn't "choose" Milroe and then stop playing if Milroe isn't the #1 QB.

 

[CoolBreeze]

Sorry to devolve Jess' projected roster thread into a QB deal. There will be plenty of time for that. I think I speak for all of us when I say that we love all of our QBs and do not give a rip who starts. Let the best man win. I just made a prediction based on DeBoer's history and Mack having knowledge of the offense. I can tell you one thing. This will not be anything like we had last year QB controversy wise. This coach came to win games. There will be no politics involved, period.

 

[TiderJack]

Mack starting in year one is not going to happen IMO and if he does we are in big trouble in more ways than one.

 

[Ledsteplin]

Mack starting in year one is not going to happen IMO and if he does we are in big trouble in more ways than one.

I agree. The list of quarterbacks who started as a true freshman is short. Here's a few. There may be a couple more.
Rick Leach Peyton Manning
Philip Rivers
Colt McCoy
Sam Bradford
Jameis Winston
Dan Marino
Jamelle Holieway
Jalen Hurts
Jake Fromm
Trevor Lawrence
Johnny Manziel
Quin Ewers
Eric Zeier
I don't see Mack making this list.

 

[gtgilbert]

So did Tyler Buchner with Tommy Rees.

Look, I think this kid has potential but I heard a Washington insider this morning being interviewed on Birmingham radio and he said Mack came to UW one year early skipping his senior year and was young for his class when he re-classifed. He said he is raw but has potential. If you all feel he can come beat out Milroe who is currently a top 3 Heisman candidate, Ty Simpson who showed very good potential in his limited play and Lonergan who some have said could be better than Milroe and Simpson then go for it. Last playing in your junior year of high school to starting in the SEC is a massive leap IMO.

NO - Rees did not bring his system with him. The system stayed the same, juts with him calling the plays and concepts in the system. He and Buchner had to learn the alabama system, where the others already on the roster didn't (or at least shouldn't) have stuff to re-learn.

 

[CoolBreeze]

I agree. The list of quarterbacks who started as a true freshman is short. Here's a few. There may be a couple more.
Rick Leach Peyton Manning
Philip Rivers
Colt McCoy
Sam Bradford
Jameis Winston
Dan Marino
Jamelle Holieway
Jalen Hurts
Jake Fromm
Trevor Lawrence
Johnny Manziel
Quin Ewers
Eric Zeier
I don't see Mack making this list.

Nice list, except Mack is not a true frosh and he has more experience in this brand new offense Bama will have. I will drop it but this is apples and guacamoles talk now. One thing is for sure, Coach KD is not going to change his offense to fit anyone's strengths currently on the roster like last season under the previous staff and probably the main reason Mack was brought in. May the best guys win because, like I said, I love every single one of them.

 

[Ledsteplin]

Nice list, except Mack is not a true frosh and he has more experience in this brand new offense Bama will have. I will drop it but this is apples and guacamoles talk now. One thing is for sure, Coach KD is not going to change his offense to fit anyone's strengths currently on the roster like last season under the previous staff and probably the main reason Mack was brought in. May the best guys win because, like I said, I love every single one of them.

True, he's not. But still don't think Mack will be starter, with no on field experience.

 

[Rollingtide]

If Milroe does not improve dramatically, I'd bet Mack or one of the others wins it.

 

[Ledsteplin]

If Milroe does not improve dramatically, I'd bet Mack or one of the others wins it.

Milroe led Bama to an SEC Championship and into the playoff. Not exactly shabby.

 

[cbi1972]

Milroe led Bama to an SEC Championship and into the playoff. Not exactly shabby.

Not shabby, but there were shabby elements, and the new offense leans heavily on those elements.

You can hammer in a screw with a crescent wrench, but not if you are trying to assemble a wristwatch.

 

[gtgilbert]

Not shabby, but there were shabby elements, and the new offense leans heavily on those elements.

You can hammer in a screw with a crescent wrench, but not if you are trying to assemble a wristwatch.

Best analogy EVER! Stealing this one for sure!