AJ or Sims ?

[rockintider]

Who yall got?:BigA:

 

[Bamabuzzard]

Based soley on what I saw yesterday it would be Sims. But not because he "outperformed" AJ. Rather, he performed relatively at the same level with one full year and experience less than AJ. If the two are even I'd go with the younger guy.

 

[SavannahDare]

Based ONLY on yesterday's performance, I was more impressed with how Sims did with the 1's than how AJ did with them.

It's really too close to call at this point. They both have to continue working to outshine the other. I'm going to look forward to how they do this summer (Man, does the end of July seem like forever from now or what?!). I don't envy the coaching staff having to choose between the two of them. I hate a two-QB system, but I'm actually wondering if there's any way Bama could make it work - and I hate that I even have that thought in my head!

 

[psupoop]

I'm cool with either sans fumbles on the 1 and intercepted out routes where the DB has a sprinter's start. Sorta like the golf joke "Where should I try to drive this tee shot?" Anywhere down the middle about 275 yards will be fine.

I thought both showed command of the team at different times in the game, usually coincident with running with the 1's. The encouraging sign is that they were able to produce against the 1's, as well. Hopefully being able to produce against the 1's with the 1's is bad news for every one of our opponents this year.

 

[squalor]

Didn't we have this conversation many years ago with John David Phillips and Andrew Zow ?

 

[RIP Jumbo Pkg]

I too was more impressed with Sims as a whole. He is a little slow to pull the trigger at times, but so is AJ. I'm really impressed with Sims' poise in the pocket. I really thought it would be AJ going into the Fall, now I can see this battle going into the season.

 

[CaliforniaTide]

I wasn't really impressed with either one. I think Sims played less worse overall. They both made some great throws, and both threw INTs. I think both even telegraphed a couple of throws too. Both made at least 1 scramble for a 1st down. I think Sims has a slight lead right now but I agree with the others that there's still a lot of work to be done between now and the first game. I'm not worried about it right now.

 

[CoachTeague]

Based on yesterday only, my pick would be with Sims also. Both he and AJ showed good touch on the ball, but I remember a few passes from P. Sims where he threaded the needle very nicely across the middle.

 

[Tripping_Saylor]

Based soley on what I saw yesterday it would be Sims. But not because he "outperformed" AJ. Rather, he performed relatively at the same level with one full year and experience less than AJ. If the two are even I'd go with the younger guy.

I agree with Bamabuzzard.

I would go with the one with the greater upside.

AJ being around for 3 years and Sims 2 years, you would think there would be much more separation between the two.

These two are going to need to work their tails off all summer long and make sure that the coaching staff knows what work they are doing.

Sims seems to be more of a natural and poised qb. I never really saw him get rattled and try to force a play by scrambling all over the place like AJ did.

AJ just seems to have a habit of trying to force plays by scrambling.

Those scrambles end in huge lost yardage in sacks or scrambling and just throwing the ball into a crowd of defenders. It seems like it happened yesterday to AJ 3 or 4 times. I remember it happening last year too i.e. Miss State game, Tenn game, and AU game (even though AU is not a fair assessment because that was a very tough situation he was placed in; nevertheless, he has to be ready for those times).

Just throw it away and live to play another down!!!

 

[CrimsonTusk]

I wasn't really impressed with either one. I think Sims played less worse overall. They both made some great throws, and both threw INTs. I think both even telegraphed a couple of throws too. Both made at least 1 scramble for a 1st down. I think Sims has a slight lead right now but I agree with the others that there's still a lot of work to be done between now and the first game. I'm not worried about it right now.

I wasn't either. I hope we don't miss GMac too badly. But from what I saw yesterday, Sims has a slight advantage.

 

[CapstoneTider]

Sims looked better at times BUT.....

AJ because Sims had one and nearly two picks for TD's. The scenerio, Bama up 14-0 after stuffing the defensive and heading down the field after a Richardson first down. We are all seeing 21-0 going into halftime, wait, a quick out is thrown a little inside and the cornerback reads it all the way touchdown! Bama 14-7.

GMAC was a great Bama QB because he didn't throw game changing interceptions. I don't want any part of that. A fumbled snap from a young quarterback is less of a big deal to me at least.

Blake is a God send for the scary hole we would have between the starter and second string ELY if either of the top two transfered. Blake looks like an SEC starter to me.

Ely looks like the second coming of GMAC.

 

[Relayer]

I'm not sure if the question means predicting who will be the starter game one, or who played better yesterday. Since there is still lots of time between now and game one, I'll hold off on predicting a starter.

I will say that I thought that Sims looked fantastic during that one drive. Better than any run of plays that McCarron had. Overall, play; I agree with most, here, slight edge to Sims.

In the end, I think Saban will start the QB that gives us the best chance to win that day, regardless of upside for the future.

 

[Ole Man Dan]

I went into the game yesterday thinking advantage: AJ...
I saw two good QBs. My final impression has these guys as a toss up.

Sims played well enough that in the long run we may consider going with the younger player.
AJ had a razor thin lead in statistics, but I'm not sure it's significant...

If we can keep both guys, and keep them healthy, we can win with either. :BigA:

I was pleased with the play of Blake Sims. Blake may be our best wildcat option.
I also thought Blake played well in the pistol.

 

[ccc2259]

Like others that have replied to the thread, based SOLELY on yesterday, there is a slight nod to Sims. He was late on a couple of out patterns that were dangerously closed to being pick-6's, but he made some really, really good throws over the middle and his scrambling skills seem to be better. I can see why CNS has not been able to commit to who wins the starting role yet.

 

[0LDSCH00L]

The all looked great!

Sims looked better in the short game and AJ looked a little better down field...

I think AJ looks down field too much and I think Sims doesn't look down filed enough...

I bet they both play in the first few games and one will emerge as THE guy by the time Alabama travels to Penn State...

Blake looked good as well...

Man, we are lucky to have these guys!

 

[btb0002]

i'm watching it as we speak, and it looks like Sims is more of the "game manager" type that Saban likes to use. McCarron has the cannon and isn't afraid to make any throw on the field, but that will lead to more INT's. Both kids are exactly that, very young and inexperienced. I see this season having many growing pains for them both, but our defense and running game should be good enough to keep us in great shape.

 

[spiderman3555]

I give A J the nod .Sims trew to many passes that could have been pick 6 but we can we with either.We kept everthing bland and the d didnt have much to worry about so they pretty much shut the offenses down we are gonna be fine.

 

[TIDE-HSV]

One thing I took away was that #3 (B. Sims) is likely to play more than the nominal #2. If I were a SEC DC, B.S. would really worry me. The whole playbook would have changed. I was having a hard time buying that they were putting him back at QB was for "insurance." I now really officially discount that story, although it would have been valid, if one of the first two xferred. Just for the record, I think either would be crazy now. For one thing, neither has a commanding lead going into the summer and fall. For another, neither is ready, at this time, to assume the reins of another FBS team, IMO. Blake has a talent that just can't be kept off the field, just like Hart...

 

[mulletover]

I found it hard to gauge either QB's ability to lead the offense. The play calling was vanilla. We saw at least ten deep balls, the flea flicker, touches were considered sacks etc.. not to mention some of the plays being called were from persons who aren't even coaches. A-day being a scrimmage with a lot of hoopla attached to it doesn't give the players a real game type attitude. I can only imagine how hard it was for either QB to find a groove. For example both QB's played with the Crimson and White teams. I could see them getting a little mixed up. Anywhoo a real game will give us fans a better prespective on the progress at the position. For what it's worth though, Phillip Sims looks to have better fundamentals, better pocket awareness and a NFL caliber cannon for an arm. AJ was ok. However his deep balls have way to much air on them. That gives WR's and the defenders alot of time to adjust. AJ also has trouble with his ability to feel then respond to pressure (from what I saw at A-day) I liked Sims velocity and I also think he has better upside.

 

[Crimson Cat]

Very close because I like the fact that AJ has at least some experience but I have to say it would be Sims based on what we know now, namely yesterday's performance.
The fact that Sims is a year behind AJ and the competition is this close, speaks volumes imho. I read somewhere that Sims worked hard in off-season to catch up watching film etc, and it appears thats paid off for him. I love that kind of attitude.

Imo, Sims reads the field better and makes quicker decisions in checking down as Alassipi mentioned and he doesn't hang on to the ball too long. That quickness in decision though sometimes catches the receiver not quite ready in the pattern, and causes him incompletions. He can zip it, and that was a problem for him early in the scrimmage yesterday with some drops.
Some have mentioned a low throwing motion although that didn't stand out to me yesterday. And the whole height thing is reaching imo.

AJ does have a tendancy to hold the ball too long only to scramble and try and throw it away or force an int. by trying to do too much; He still showed that tendancy yesterday and he was sacked a few times as well as some throw-aways for no gain. Statistically though, I think he did better and made some beautiful passes. I think he's more accurate than Sims on the deep balls as well.
The thing I love a bout AJ is though IS the "gun-slinger" mentality and not being afraid to take shots down the field, lord knows we've needed that in our offense at times, but its also that very thing that gets him into trouble.

As most have mentioned, there are differences, though none are glaring, but I think right now Sims has a better upside than AJ and seems to able to control the offense better in terms of moving the ball, reading the defense, and a little less tendancy to turn the ball over.

Hard decision and glad I don't have to make it.