Is Blake Sims ready to step in if AJ were to be unavailable?

BamaPokerplayer

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Oct 10, 2004
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I think if we could get past LSU with Sims in then we would have no problem running the table to the Sec title game; there I think we could beat Florida and UGA but not sure about USCe. It would be fun though to watch Nussmeier get creative.
 

Highway59

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In Alabama off "highway59"
Not to go all gloom and doom, I believe with what the pieces of the puzzle that are around him, Blake Sims would be able to get job done in a much different manner than AJ. Two different QB's, two different sets of problems that it brings to table for a defensive coordinator to plan for. So I'm good with that. But.........With Blake running what would probably be a fair amount of read option plays, he is more open for hits. That puts Phillip Ely on the deck for being one play away from being the man. He is a McCarron style QB, can he manage the game and make enough of the throws to keep the defense on its heels? I certainly hope so.
 
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BamaMan09

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Feb 26, 2009
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Regardless of how AJ is (I think he's fine) I still think Sims needs to get in the game more. He's a talented player with the ball in his hands. That keeper on the zone read play against Missouri was great. Sims is fast, fast. He could do some good things behind the starting offensive line and with Lacy and Yeldon in the game.
 

Alasippi

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Aug 31, 2007
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I think if it were necessary, BS at QB would add such a different wrinkle to our offense it would make it even more difficult to stop, in the short term...
This is my opinion as well because in many ways, when Blake is in the game we run somewhat of a completely different offense geared more towards the option. I too hope it isn't necessary to find out but I also feel we could score 24-28 points per game with Blake behind center and that is more than enough for our defense to protect.
 

DrollTide

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With good legs and a fair arm, Sims would seem to be a mini-Tebow with plenty of upside. As a replacement for AJ, Catch-22 says if AJ is going to get hurt, it should have been earlier in the season where Sims could have gotten more snaps against lesser opponents. But Saban has still managed to get Sims some good play time and he's looked plenty good.

The trick will be keeping Sims happy if AJ stays next year. I have not heard much NFL buzz for AJ, so maybe he will stay. Maybe we can find a way to get Sims some starter-quality snaps next year.
 

CrimsonForever1

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Funny...... Earlier in the year, I posed the question about Blake`s playing time...... The replies of some on this board (you know who you are) were snide and blase`...... My reasoning for such a question was that I knew he was the scout team QB, and was emmulating different QB`s that we were facing, against a pretty darn good defense in practice, plus the hype I had read on this board regarding him as a very good athlete through his recruitment...... From what I have seen when he did make some playing time(that also brought out some snide statements, one of which involved Juwan Carter), Blake certainly has surpassed my expectation of his athleticism...... I do however, understand that he has been implemented in the games so far when we have had the games in hand, and the defensive opponents were tired..... If Blake was needed to take the helm(God forbid), he would be more than adequate just by being the athlete we recruited for him to be by his versatility...... Now if we were two touchdowns behind late in the 4th quarter, in which I do not foresee happening, Blake, imo, would at least to be up to the task, just by versitility alone, plus the great coaching we have by calling the right plays for him....... That is my personal opinion of course along with the confidence in our coache staff to guide him!!!!!!
 
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Florida Tom

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Aug 15, 2011
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Right now AJ looks to be ok & no doubt he is the man.

However should the need arise, Blake looked really good & Phillip is a really good QB just in that learning stage. Blake has so much speed & talent I hope we do get to see him more as AJ gets us a early large lead.

So far this year this team has racked up some real points & there are a lot of Great players wanting a chance to shine & taking advantage of it when they do.
 

4Q Basket Case

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Nov 8, 2004
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Bama's O under Sims would be a lot different. Yes, he's a better runner than AJ. But guys there's a reason he's #2, and it's not his running.

I was fortunate enough to see him in a practice, and it seemed to me that his throwing motion was low -- about 3/4 or so. Opposing defenses will stack the line more than hey do already, forcing him to prove he can complete passes.

I'm sure we'd go to a lot of rollout / bootleg calls to counter the obvious vulnerability to passes being batted down (or worse, up).

Sims is an excellent change of pace, running a package tailored to his skill set for a couple of series a game. But our chances of winning go down materially without AJ, and there's just no way around that.
 

KrAzY3

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I have not heard much NFL buzz for AJ, so maybe he will stay. Maybe we can find a way to get Sims some starter-quality snaps next year.
AJ is something like 5th in passing efficiency. I've also heard Heisman talk here or there. Let's assume best case scenario. He stays healthy all year and wins another NC. I see no way that he stays. I've seen him projected as a second rounder and if that's available his incentive to stay can't be too high.
Funny...... Earlier in the year, I posed the question about Blake`s playing time...... The replies of some on this board (you know who you are) were snide and blase`......
I've been talking about Sims at QB for a while now, if you saw him play at A-day 2011 it was hard not to bring him up. No one gave me a hard time about it. I think the QB competition could be wide open next year if AJ leaves.
 

TIDE-HSV

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AJ is something like 5th in passing efficiency. I've also heard Heisman talk here or there. Let's assume best case scenario. He stays healthy all year and wins another NC. I see no way that he stays. I've seen him projected as a second rounder and if that's available his incentive to stay can't be too high.

I've been talking about Sims at QB for a while now, if you saw him play at A-day 2011 it was hard not to bring him up. No one gave me a hard time about it. I think the QB competition could be wide open next year if AJ leaves.
AJ has said frequently that he wants to go early and has told our QB prospects that. IN addition, his father really wants him out. If he projects as high as 2nd round, it's a no-brainer...
 

TDBama78

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Jul 11, 2007
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who needs to pass when Sims can run like a deer. with Sims being another running threat it should open the passing opportunities even more imo. we can win with either aj or sims its a good problem to have. its just more for opponents to prepare for.
 

pigsinspace

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Jan 26, 2011
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I would like to see Sims run a series or two with the first team when the score is closer, if only for the experience. Maybe they could spring it on LSU or one of the other good opponents Bama will be facing in the next few weeks. It might put a scare in them, but it might put more of a scare in us fans if Sims trotted out there in the first quarter. Saban could even have him start, but then every cardiac care unit in the state would be swamped with patients.
 

bamaee04

All-SEC
Nov 15, 2004
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Blake has looked really good under center considering most has been mop up duty. I agree with others that our offense would look differently with him at the helm, and the added wrinkle would be something we haven't seen. I hope that our 2nd and 3rd stringers continue to get opportunities to get in games and build more experience...it will prove invaluable down the stretch and in to next season.
 

CrimsonTide13

Suspended
Aug 12, 2011
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I think with Blake under center next year, we could look like sort of like UGA did under DJ Shockley, which if memory serves, was a pretty good offensive unit.
I sure hope we never look like UGA's offense. I don't recall any BCS wins under his tenure. Ely, Morris, and Bateman are Alabama style QB's. Not former RB - B. Sims....
 

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