AJ or Sims ?

[Just Win]

Based solely on what i saw Saturday, if we were in the heat of battle and needed a play to be made, I liked Phillip Sims. he has a rocket for an arm, and seems to be able to thread the needle even when he's not in the best position to throw the ball (body is turned or on the run). But the most disturbing thing from Saturday was watching AJ's body language and sense of frustration on his face. Wasn't sure if it was due to dealing with our defense, or because he realized that Sims was looking better on the day. In any event, he didn't seem to keep his poise like he should have.

But in any case, i do have the objectivity to realize that this was only 1 performance that i was seeing. Whichever QB the coach feels confident about playing in the fall is good enough for me. They do get to see them every day, after all.

 

[bamaslammer]

Its very close but I'm still giving the edge to AJ.

Sims is definitely better under pressure but did not show a lot of versatility in his throws. They come off low, several were batted down, They generally zing to the target, but the low ball is easy to pick off as Jarrick Williams demonstrated. AJ was able to make those throws plus he made a number of touch throws, a fade pattern, he threw the ball away several times which perhaps Sims should have done. McCarron's interception was due to a push off by Menzie that would have likely been called in a game. I watched it repeatedly in the replay and he defiantly pushed off.

Remember we have a freaking awesome defense, the QB needs to make plays but he also needs to get rid of it when the play is just not there.

 

[CrimsonSEC]

Both did better against the 2's than the 1's right? I think AJ did good in the first half gainst the 2s and PS struggled a little. Second half they switched and so did their relative success.

From what I observed, I thought both did better against the 1's. AJ in the first half and PS in the second.

 

[brutetough]

I vote for Sims just because he showed a little more maturity in the way he played.
Also, Strange idea popped up when I saw Blake Sims played. Is there any chance they'll be on the field at the same time? If not, can they have the same #? Might cofuse a whole lot of opponents that way if they can both line up with a bunch of formations, and no one knows who is behind the OL...

 

[GreatDanish]

I vote for Sims just because he showed a little more maturity in the way he played.
Also, Strange idea popped up when I saw Blake Sims played. Is there any chance they'll be on the field at the same time? If not, can they have the same #? Might cofuse a whole lot of opponents that way if they can both line up with a bunch of formations, and no one knows who is behind the OL...

Well, they can't wear the same number and be on the field at the same time. But, they CAN wear the same number, and play alternately... If their appearance could be made to be similar, the defense could see #14 Sims, and not know who it is.

 

[rhm54]

My personal opinion is that AJ did not look comfortable out there on Saturday. I guess the best way to describe it was that he looked nervous or jittery. Other than that, I think it was an even fight.

 

[theBIGyowski]

As a QB in a scrimmage you are at somewhat of a disadvantage in that if you get touched you are down. This leads to many more sacks than would normally happen and there were a few I saw on Saturday that fit into this category. I do think that AJ did try to force things a little too much but I didn't see anything I did not like. One thing I loved about PSims was his ability to roll out...then step up to avoid the rush and deliver a pass to an open receiver. I think this is something that will be very effective in the 2011 season as plays develop and we catch a defender or two out of position. Each play is setup to only take a few seconds to develop and the defense, unless it can get great pressure on the QB, will break down after those few seconds. That's why I am glad we can have our RBs there to check down to and that we have RBs who can make big plays with the ball in their hands.

 

[bamafaninOhiO]

JMO, but I really think that it was probably to AJ's disadvantage to run the #1 offense against the #1 defense the whole first half. As it as been pointed out, we didn't even come close to running the type of offense we'll see this fall. Our defense is sick and knowing we weren't going to run it much and pass on most downs, they could pin their ears back and come after him even with their simplified defensive gameplan.

I will admit I was impressed with P. Sims too, but he threw a couple of dangerous out routes in the first half and if that would have been against our #1 defense they might have been actual pick sixes.

Overall, I think the style of vanilla offense maybe hurt AJ more the P. Sims. I think AJ's best impact will be on play action when we are actually running alot of running plays to one of our four or five legit running backs!

Also, I haven't heard anyone mention that CNS paid a pretty big compliment to AJ at halftime when he admitted that AJ was "taking what the defense was giving him." He was referring to the fact that AJ wanted to go to some of the deep routes but the defense was taking them away and he had to dump it off to some short routes. Again, in a normal game situation, with a greater variety of plays that could be run, a defense wouldn't be covering those deep routes nearly as effectively as they could yesterday.

I agree with "it's too close to call" but I do think AJ might be a little better in a real game situation at this point.

I agree, I think that running a limited playbook was a bigger disadvantage for AJ than PS. That cuts down a lot of AJ's ability to show his additional experience.

And, as was stated, our defense is 'sick'.

Both of them impressed me, actually...especially with the pressure of knowing what was at stake. Both of them will be winners, its just a matter who get a turn first, IMO.

I just hope that we dont lowse one of them...theyre both super talented, and can only help make each other better as they continue to develop.

 

[OreBama]

My heart says AJ.

My head says Phillip.

Phillip Sims just looks like a young pro QB. He has "it".

AJ is really talented as well, but may be a victim of Saban's awesome recruiting. My only question is will one transfer out after the QB battle is decided. I hope not, but it is common for that to happen and I don't blame players who do.

 

[derek4tide]

I think we will have alternating QBs this fall. When asked that last week, Coach Saban said they would alternate, if that would help the team win.

 

[CrimsonSEC]

I think we will have alternating QBs this fall. When asked that last week, Coach Saban said they would alternate, if that would help the team win.

I think that's likely, at least for the Kent State game. But I believe coach will have settled on a starter by the SEC opener.

 

[CullmanTide]

I'm just glad none of us get a vote. Really how in the world can anyone develop on opinion on the most important position on the field with so little to go on? A day was just a show, nothing more.

 

[miggy402]

If I had to choose based on A-day performance, I choose P. Sims. They are both capable of playing winning football, I just liked the way P. Sims looked in the pocket, scrambling, and throwing the ball with zip. AJ probably throws a more "catchable" ball, but he tends to put a lot of air under it, giving a DB time to make a play.

It has been proven that a team can win a NC with a 2 QB system, but I know I would be pulling my hair out watching QB's shuffling in and out of the game.

One other thing, anyone know what the teams mentality is pertaining to who they want leading them in the huddle? From what I saw on TV, P. Sims seemed to have more of a rapport with the players than AJ. I also seem to remember comments last season that AJ may have a little sense of "entitlement" to the position, although I could be wrong.

Otherwise, I'll take either one as my starting QB!

:BigA:

 

[mulletover]

Actually, Coach Saban complimented AJ's checkdowns in his halftime interview, saying he was "taking what the defense was giving him" and "that's what he's supposed to do" or something to that effect. And Phillip was VERY late on quite a few throws, including 2 should-have-been pick 6's and a sure TD to a wide open Jalston Fowler.

Really, there's absolutely nothing "clear" about this QB battle. The guys' performances were basically mirror images when they operated with the same team (1's and 2's). AJ did very well with the first team in the first half and Phillip did very well with the first team in the second half. Both engineered long TD drives with the first team and neither could get much done with the second team.

This battle will go on well into the fall, IMO...

I know it's debatable and probably will be while both of these guys wear Crimson. But I stand by my sentiment. PS makes me feel more comfortable in the pocket than AJ. does. Of coarse this is with a very small baseline of information. I also feel like this is a good problem to have. Either guy should be a competent QB, especially with the running game Bama will field this year. Bama's play action game alone will give our speedy receivers an extra step. With the arm strength we have at QB that's all we need, one step. Our play action will be devastating to opponents. IMO

 

[TommyMac]

I'm just glad none of us get a vote. Really how in the world can anyone develop on opinion on the most important position on the field with so little to go on? A day was just a show, nothing more.

Yeah, it's just a show, a little something for the fans who need some kind of a football fix, but it can also be revealing. If someone got to see Secretariet in a training session, they probably came away thinking that he was a pretty special horse.

 

[The Playmaker]

Sims has the higher ceiling, more athletic, better pocket presence, checks down quick, and has a big arm. AJ just reminds me of JPW too much. I prefer Sims right now.

 

[ElephanTideis]

My heart says AJ.

My head says Phillip.

Phillip Sims just looks like a young pro QB. He has "it".

AJ is really talented as well, but may be a victim of Saban's awesome recruiting. My only question is will one transfer out after the QB battle is decided. I hope not, but it is common for that to happen and I don't blame players who do.

Why does your heart have a preferance between the two?

 

[RJ YellowHammer]

I'm just glad none of us get a vote. Really how in the world can anyone develop on opinion on the most important position on the field with so little to go on? A day was just a show, nothing more.

A-Day was more than just "a show." It was setup by the coaching staff to allow for a more in depth evaluation - that's why AJ and PS played on both teams.

With that said, I don't think the matter was decided Saturday. But those, including myself, that thought "it was AJ's job to lose" should have a different opinion after watching the game.

 

[b2v4ua]

Sims has the higher ceiling, more athletic, better pocket presence, checks down quick, and has a big arm. AJ just reminds me of JPW too much. I prefer Sims right now.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^This^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^Hadn't thought about it till you brought it up, but you are right, AJ does indeed remind me of JPW. Unfortunatly not particularly good either. I couldn't wait for him to be gone, and didn't care who came in next, however we got a great one in GMac. Nuff said!

 

[OreBama]

Why does your heart have a preferance between the two?

AJ is from Alabama. I can't help but pull for the in-state kid.