Alabama QBs in 2024, II

[HighlandOak]

DeBoer is starting his tenure bowing to internal and external pressure over the QB position?

If so, that doesn’t bode well for the future.

It doesn't, but that may be the nature of the beast with these paid players.

 

[HighlandOak]

Wow…

AJ was handcuffed for most of the year in 2011 and we finally unleashed him against LSU in the title game.

Sims did not throw a TD against a bad West Virginia team, and evolved into a playmaker by the Florida game.

Coker was pedestrian to say the least early in 2015. Then he started making some plays, including some tough runs. By the UGA game, he was in full command.

And, after a full season as QB1, Rees was having to dial back the playbook, reads, and decisions for Milroe. The exact opposite of "unleashed," "evolved as a playmaker," and "in full command."

 

[Ledsteplin]

DeBoer is starting his tenure bowing to internal and external pressure over the QB position?

If so, that doesn’t bode well for the future.

It's certainly a crazy thought to entertain. I'm leaving it up to the coaches. They will do whatever gives the team the best chance of winning. I think they go with Milroe, and I believe he remains the starter all season. But, hopefully, we see Simpson getting more than just late 4th quarter mop up. If he is to start in '25, then he needs meaningful experience. I fully support whatever the coaches decide. DeBoer and Sheridan are smart, and know what they're doing.

 

[UAH]

Insulting to Saban? He was as mentally checked out last year as he has ever been in his entire life, after the UCF debacle.

I agree with you. It changed my entire perspective on him and to some degree college football itself.

 

[Ledsteplin]

I might as well just say what I really think is going on.

Simpson is the Best QB on the team. Full stop.

The coaches know it and the WR's sure as hell know it.

But because of the external media hype and pressure and the internal team chemistry CKD is going to stick with the Incumbent to start Game 1.

But Ty is still going to get a lot of reps and while the game is still a competitive contest on the scoreboard.

At some point whether it's Game 1, 2, 3, and most importantly 4.... it's going to be clear to EVERYONE with eyes that Simpson is the Best QB.... except for a few here who will still deny it.

This will be the point that CKD makes the change so it ruffles the least amount of feathers.

Hopefully we don't have to wait until we lose a game but we might.

I'm just glad we have an expanded playoff field this year so 2 losses doesn't keep us out or anything.

I'm guessing we might lose 1 because of the QB stuff and then maybe 1 more just because of the schedule.

You certainly have some opinions for sure.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

I watched a replay of the Oregon vs Washington game this weekend to watch UW's offense. Whoever is behind center will have to be quick in his decision-making because the ball has to come out fast for this offense to work. Anytime Penix held the ball for any length of time the play didn't end well. The windows of opportunity to get the ball to the WR's in their intermediate routes are short-lived. There aren't WR's running wide-open down the field. They are open for a brief second then they're not.

Also, CKD ran a lot of toss sweeps back and forth to both sides of the defensive formations and then began running between the tackles. It's almost like he uses the sweeps early in games to run the defense back and forth then as the game goes on starts trying to gash the middle.

 

[colbysullivan]

And, after a full season as QB1, Rees was having to dial back the playbook, reads, and decisions for Milroe. The exact opposite of "unleashed," "evolved as a playmaker," and "in full command."

Quite

 

[Power Eye]

Insulting to Saban? He was as mentally checked out last year as he has ever been in his entire life, after the UCF debacle.

Saban was mentally checked out? If there is one thing about Saban that we have learned is that he doesn't mentally check out when he is doing something. He might have changed his approach last season, but he didn't mentally check out.

Last year's team, against everyone's expectations outside of Alabama, won the SEC and took the national champ to over time. This isn't directed at you, but we really did become a spoiled fanbase when we look at last year as a failure and that Saban mailed-it-in.

 

[gtgilbert]

How many QBs show marked improvement in key areas during the season?

I have no idea, but my guess is that more often than not they don’t simply because it’s hard to work on fundamentals when you’re devoting nearly every moment to game prep each week.

Seems like significant improvement would have to come in the offseason…the old “The time to fix your roof is when the sun is shining, not when it’s pouring down rain” deal.

Well, that depends on the skill/area in question.

For base fundamentals like throwing motion, footwork, ball position in stance, etc, yes, that is typically best dealt with in the offseason. The reality is that the college QB coach doesn't get much time to work with players on this since offseason contact is almost non-existent by rule. The coach can give a list of things to work on and drills etc to do, but that's about it. A QB has to do that work on his own, or hire a specific QB trainer to help him.

For route execution and timing, being in-sync with the plays (using the footwork the right way), defensive recognition, read progressions, etc, it's pretty common to see a lot of progression as guys get more time practicing with the 1's and on the field from start 1 forward. The recognition stuff especially you can watch film for in the off-season, but it takes being on a field in at least 7v7 constructs executing specific concepts. Seeing it on film versus actually seeing it from the field level is just different. Realistically, a majority of QBs do improve, and sometimes quite significantly, here over the course of their first year starting. Almost every Alabama QB of the Saban era made good progress over a season in these areas. Even guys like Young and Tua did, but since they started at such a high level the degree of improvement was a bit smaller versus someone like Blake Sims or Coker who both took big, big strides as the year went on.

 

[mlh]

It's certainly a crazy thought to entertain. I'm leaving it up to the coaches. They will do whatever gives the team the best chance of winning. I think they go with Milroe, and I believe he remains the starter all season. But, hopefully, we see Simpson getting more than just late 4th quarter mop up. If he is to start in '25, then he needs meaningful experience. I fully support whatever the coaches decide. DeBoer and Sheridan are smart, and know what they're doing.

The coaches have a vested interest in playing the QB who gives the team the best chance to win. It's all about winning games and their jobs are on the line. This isn't pee-wee football where the coach's son is the QB.

 

[irvingtontide]

Well, that depends on the skill/area in question.

For base fundamentals like throwing motion, footwork, ball position in stance, etc, yes, that is typically best dealt with in the offseason. The reality is that the college QB coach doesn't get much time to work with players on this since offseason contact is almost non-existent by rule. The coach can give a list of things to work on and drills etc to do, but that's about it. A QB has to do that work on his own, or hire a specific QB trainer to help him.

For route execution and timing, being in-sync with the plays (using the footwork the right way), defensive recognition, read progressions, etc, it's pretty common to see a lot of progression as guys get more time practicing with the 1's and on the field from start 1 forward. The recognition stuff especially you can watch film for in the off-season, but it takes being on a field in at least 7v7 constructs executing specific concepts. Seeing it on film versus actually seeing it from the field level is just different. Realistically, a majority of QBs do improve, and sometimes quite significantly, here over the course of their first year starting. Almost every Alabama QB of the Saban era made good progress over a season in these areas. Even guys like Young and Tua did, but since they started at such a high level the degree of improvement was a bit smaller versus someone like Blake Sims or Coker who both took big, big strides as the year went on.

Yea they might not learn fundamentals but experience generally leads to better play from the QB position.

 

[davefrat]

Wow…

AJ was handcuffed for most of the year in 2011 and we finally unleashed him against LSU in the title game.

Sims did not throw a TD against a bad West Virginia team, and evolved into a playmaker by the Florida game.

Coker was pedestrian to say the least early in 2015. Then he started making some plays, including some tough runs. By the UGA game, he was in full command.

I meet your "Wow" and add a "Wow Wow Wubsy".

AJ's 2011 stats are below.

In the 2011 NC game against LSU we won 21-0 on 5 FGs and a rushing touchdown at the very end of the game and then a missed 2pt conversion attempt.

AJ was 23/34 for 234 yards with no TDs and no INTs.

We won that game because the defense was so smothering that LSU didn't cross mid-field until like the 4th quarter.

AJ played a nice, controlled game. But that's hardly being "unleashed."



Sims' 2014 stats are below. The Florida game was by far his best game when he threw for almost 450 yards. After that, he only had one game with over 300 yards passing and had several games where he barely broke 200 yards passing and one where he only had 161. And in his final outing of the year he marked his third lowest QB rating of the season (even lower than the WVU game) and threw more INTs than TDs.

The stats don't really show dramatic improvement as the season went on.



Coker's 2015 Stats are below. The stats show he was up and down all season and capped off the season with 2 impressive showings. Did he improve? Looks like it. Was it dramatic improvement? Not really.

 

[davefrat]

And, after a full season as QB1, Rees was having to dial back the playbook, reads, and decisions for Milroe. The exact opposite of "unleashed," "evolved as a playmaker," and "in full command."

The post he was responding to wasn't about Jalen Milroe specifically...it was about the concept of a QB making dramatic improvement over the course of a season, which someone who was defending Milroe appeared to argue earlier in this thread. For the record, I don't think Milroe really improved much during the season last year, which is why they had to change the play calling to help him. Which is in part why I said I didn't think that many QBs show dramatic improvement during a season.

My reply above challenges Colby's narrative about former QB's showing dramatic improvement.

 

[AlexanderFan]

I meet your "Wow" and add a "Wow Wow Wubsy".

AJ's 2011 stats are below.

In the 2011 NC game against LSU we won 21-0 on 5 FGs and a rushing touchdown at the very end of the game and then a missed 2pt conversion attempt.

AJ was 23/34 for 234 yards with no TDs and no INTs.

We won that game because the defense was so smothering that LSU didn't cross mid-field until like the 4th quarter.

AJ played a nice, controlled game. But that's hardly being "unleashed."

View attachment 45014

Sims' 2014 stats are below. The Florida game was by far his best game when he threw for almost 450 yards. After that, he only had one game with over 300 yards passing and had several games where he barely broke 200 yards passing and one where he only had 161. And in his final outing of the year he marked his third lowest QB rating of the season (even lower than the WVU game) and threw more INTs than TDs.

The stats don't really show dramatic improvement as the season went on.

View attachment 45013

Coker's 2015 Stats are below. The stats show he was up and down all season and capped off the season with 2 impressive showings. Did he improve? Looks like it. Was it dramatic improvement? Not really.

View attachment 45012

34 passing attempts in 2011 was being unleashed. I think you’re basing these stats off expectations for modern offenses.

You seem to be contrary no matter the evidence, so what would you consider improvement during a season? What would you consider remarkable improvement?

 

[davefrat]

34 passing attempts in 2011 was being unleashed. I think you’re basing these stats off expectations for modern offenses.

You seem to be contrary no matter the evidence, so what would you consider improvement during a season? What would you consider remarkable improvement?

I'm not being a contrarian (which implies I don't really believe what I'm saying and that I'm simply being argumentative). I'm saying it because I believe it.

I provided evidence to support my position.

You don't have to agree with it.

Does that make you a contrarian simply because you refuse to agree with me?

It's called disagreeing about something.

Is that a problem?

 

[Windsortide]

I meet your "Wow" and add a "Wow Wow Wubsy".

AJ's 2011 stats are below.

In the 2011 NC game against LSU we won 21-0 on 5 FGs and a rushing touchdown at the very end of the game and then a missed 2pt conversion attempt.

AJ was 23/34 for 234 yards with no TDs and no INTs.

We won that game because the defense was so smothering that LSU didn't cross mid-field until like the 4th quarter.

AJ played a nice, controlled game. But that's hardly being "unleashed."

View attachment 45014

Sims' 2014 stats are below. The Florida game was by far his best game when he threw for almost 450 yards. After that, he only had one game with over 300 yards passing and had several games where he barely broke 200 yards passing and one where he only had 161. And in his final outing of the year he marked his third lowest QB rating of the season (even lower than the WVU game) and threw more INTs than TDs.

The stats don't really show dramatic improvement as the season went on.

View attachment 45013

Coker's 2015 Stats are below. The stats show he was up and down all season and capped off the season with 2 impressive showings. Did he improve? Looks like it. Was it dramatic improvement? Not really.

View attachment 45012
[/QUO
interesting data, makes for good factual conversations.

 

[RollTide_HTTR]

Saban was mentally checked out? If there is one thing about Saban that we have learned is that he doesn't mentally check out when he is doing something. He might have changed his approach last season, but he didn't mentally check out.

Last year's team, against everyone's expectations outside of Alabama, won the SEC and took the national champ to over time. This isn't directed at you, but we really did become a spoiled fanbase when we look at last year as a failure and that Saban mailed-it-in.

Some people have seem to completely rewritten the narrative of last season to the point that I feel like I'm being gaslighted.

 

[colbysullivan]

I meet your "Wow" and add a "Wow Wow Wubsy".

AJ's 2011 stats are below.

In the 2011 NC game against LSU we won 21-0 on 5 FGs and a rushing touchdown at the very end of the game and then a missed 2pt conversion attempt.

AJ was 23/34 for 234 yards with no TDs and no INTs.

We won that game because the defense was so smothering that LSU didn't cross mid-field until like the 4th quarter.

AJ played a nice, controlled game. But that's hardly being "unleashed."

View attachment 45014

Sims' 2014 stats are below. The Florida game was by far his best game when he threw for almost 450 yards. After that, he only had one game with over 300 yards passing and had several games where he barely broke 200 yards passing and one where he only had 161. And in his final outing of the year he marked his third lowest QB rating of the season (even lower than the WVU game) and threw more INTs than TDs.

The stats don't really show dramatic improvement as the season went on.

View attachment 45013

Coker's 2015 Stats are below. The stats show he was up and down all season and capped off the season with 2 impressive showings. Did he improve? Looks like it. Was it dramatic improvement? Not really.

View attachment 45012

Dude…watch…the games. You are absolutely out of your mind if you think those guys didn’t show significant improvement over the season. Milroe had one good game against LSU because Rees changed things up, then it was back to his old ways.

Decision making isn’t going to show up as a stat. If you honestly think the Blake Sims we saw against WVU was the same one that broke records against Florida, then you’re blind. Coker improved immensely as the year went on.

 

[DzynKingRTR]

Some people have seem to completely rewritten the narrative of last season to the point that I feel like I'm being gaslighted.

some people are taking one of our QBs performance in one game last year and wrote him off already.

 

[colbysullivan]

some people are taking one of our QBs performance in one game last year and wrote him off already.

So that I understand your meaning, which QB and which game?