Mac Jones UA Career Records and 2020 Season By The Numbers

[JayBama_in_PCOLA]

I don't buy that any more. Tua relied too much on his instincts and was unable to play standard progression football. Mac is the better QB, IMO. He had a better season than Tua, and he carried Alabama to a championship. Tua won Alabama a championship in 2017, but that wasn't his team. Tua had 2 chances to take Alabama to a championship in 2018 and 2019 and came up short both times.

Give me Mac Jones.

If Tua had finished 2019 he would have the records. Plus, he played 2/3 of a season in 2018. I agree he relied on instincts a bit too much, but his ceiling was much higher than Mac’s, which we all saw. Mac has been flawless basically, and his season has been magical. Tua was just on another level. Still, I can see what you are talking about and I think we‘d be good either way.

 

[TideEngineer08]

Here is the thing. I think there is a chance Mac has a better NFL career than Tua, and I am not factoring in the chance for injuries. I am saying this under the assumption they both remain healthy.

Mac isn't going to be drafted as high as Tua was. He may not even go in the 1st round, though I think he will. But the way he plays the game translates into a better chance at a long term NFL career than Tua. I think Tua's athletic ceiling is higher than Mac's, yes. But only if he can learn how to stay healthy (and much of that is player driven, not just simple good luck/bad luck). And his first season with Miami just does not look good, but I really believe a lot of that is the surrounding cast and Chan Gailey. They clearly called a different game with Tua in vs. Fitzpatrick. But some of that is on Tua as well.

I hope both guys turn into NFL All-Pros. How awesome would it be for Alabama fans? But if you are asking me which QB I want to run my team... I think I'd pick Mac. It's really close. Really, really close.

 

[Ledsteplin]

It's really something, when the argument is over which of our two most recent quarterbacks is the greatest of all time. Both Tua and Mac were very accurate passers. Tua may have had a slightly stronger arm, but Mac read defenses better and was more durable. Mac was phenomenal this year, and his stats show it. All great college quarterbacks have "help". I knew Mac was special, when I viewed his high school film. He stuck with it, behind Jalen and Tua, and patiently waited his chance to show what he can do. Many would have transferred.

 

[81usaf92]

Here is the thing. I think there is a chance Mac has a better NFL career than Tua, and I am not factoring in the chance for injuries. I am saying this under the assumption they both remain healthy.

Mac isn't going to be drafted as high as Tua was. He may not even go in the 1st round, though I think he will. But the way he plays the game translates into a better chance at a long term NFL career than Tua. I think Tua's athletic ceiling is higher than Mac's, yes. But only if he can learn how to stay healthy (and much of that is player driven, not just simple good luck/bad luck). And his first season with Miami just does not look good, but I really believe a lot of that is the surrounding cast and Chan Gailey. They clearly called a different game with Tua in vs. Fitzpatrick. But some of that is on Tua as well.

I hope both guys turn into NFL All-Pros. How awesome would it be for Alabama fans? But if you are asking me which QB I want to run my team... I think I'd pick Mac. It's really close. Really, really close.

Ask yourself though.... how many guy’s athletic ceiling was way higher than Montana and Brady?

 

[Jay Hughes]

What’s funny though is Tua’s career Comp% is 69.3% and his highest single season Comp% is 71.4%...... meanwhile....

Mac’s career Comp% is 74.3% (5% more accurate) and his highest single season Comp% is 77.4% (6% more accurate)

I’d say they were both hitting the ‘Keyhole’ with the advantage going to Mac in a slight surprise.

One thing’s for sure we know what both guy’s favorite operating system (OS)is.....

WINDOWS!!!!!

Listening to the “experts” explain that a higher completion percentage doesn’t mean higher accuracy. Example is how many inaccurate passes are completed. Accuracy is more about where the ball is placed than whether or not the pass was completed. Also, have you ever seen an accurate pass that was incomplete?

 

[Jay Hughes]

Mac also had better protection than Tua did. How many times did Mac hit the ground? When given so much time in the pocket, even Trevor Lawrence can look like an all pro as a freshman in a NC game against Bama.

 

[TideEngineer08]

Ask yourself though.... how many guy’s athletic ceiling was way higher than Montana and Brady?

Exactly. This is how I see it with the Mac vs. Tua debate. Even Manning was an absolute statue. He looked like an accountant who had to sit at his desk all day trying to run from a bear if he ever left the pocket. Marino too.

 

[BamaInBham]

To be fair, Tua rarely played in the fourth quarter of games. Several games he only took a few snaps in the third quarter. Not trying to take anything away from Mac. Mac was special this season and deserves all the accolades he receives.

Though Mac did often play in the 4th qtr, the offense was usually shut down by then, frequently by the middle of the third qtr.

 

[BamaInBham]

Arguably the best o-line in Alabama history, along with stats wise, the best WR and RB in Bama history.
No to mention, the best OC in Bama history.

Mac didn't do it by himself.

Neither did Tua. And Tua had 4 great WRs, Mac had 1 1/2.

But, he really was perfect for this team, as a smart, accurate QB who made quick decisions and took full advantage of all the talent around him.
Put up Superstar numbers and was even better than Tua, even though he doesn't have Tua's skill set.

And Tua did not have Mac's skill set: reading defenses, almost always knowing where to go with the ball, subtly navigating the pocket (he did have a great OL, but he was a pocket magician like Brady). In fact, in many respects he is like Tom Brady, whose true brilliance is often overlooked just like Mac's.

Assuming enough arm strength, give me the non-physical traits and Mac/Brady accuracy every time. And Mac's long ball is transcendent, at least in the college game.

 

[DogPatch]

I don't buy that any more. Tua relied too much on his instincts and was unable to play standard progression football. Mac is the better QB, IMO. He had a better season than Tua, and he carried Alabama to a championship. Tua won Alabama a championship in 2017, but that wasn't his team. Tua had 2 chances to take Alabama to a championship in 2018 and 2019 and came up short both times.

Give me Mac Jones.

While I prefer Mac, Tua's chance at a title in 2019 ended prematurely. Granted, he could have prevented the injury by throwing the ball away, but that was part of who he was, and why I prefer Mac. As the old saying goes, "The best ability is availability."

 

[DogPatch]

Mac also had better protection than Tua did. How many times did Mac hit the ground? When given so much time in the pocket, even Trevor Lawrence can look like an all pro as a freshman in a NC game against Bama.

But, Mac also threw the ball away more than Tua, which helps protection, and health.

 

[B1GTide]

Mac also had better protection than Tua did. How many times did Mac hit the ground? When given so much time in the pocket, even Trevor Lawrence can look like an all pro as a freshman in a NC game against Bama.

A lot of Tua's protection issues were on Tua. He did not move well within the pocket, preferring to escape the pocket under pressure and make things happen. Mac felt the pressure and moved within the pocket.

When you take the time to move outside the pocket, the route tree totally breaks down. That second or two makes a huge difference. Now every player on the field is improvising. So, the best designed plays become garbage. That was Tua on every other play. Add the fact that Tua simply held onto the ball too long and you are asking for injuries.

They are two different types of QB, but I'll take the guy who can go through his progressions while moving within the pocket every single time. You get consistency and you see far fewer injuries.

 

[CrimsonEyeshade]

Love both guys. What I particularly loved about Mac, however, is his footwork in the pocket -- a dip here, a slide step there -- which coupled with his facile brain kept plays alive forever.

His ability to see and almost intuit the entire field left him with endless options. His flip to Waddle on the scramble is a great example. Looked easy, sure. But how many quarterbacks turn tunnel-visioned once the pocket breaks down. Mac seems to add eyeballs. He reminds me of a more athletic Gary Hollingsworth -- Homer Smith version -- who also always seemed to find a way to make a play.

Because he did not have the all-world receivers that Tua threw to, Mac had to throw into tighter windows. And he would let 'em rip.

 

[Jay Hughes]

A lot of Tua's protection issues were on Tua. He did not move well within the pocket, preferring to escape the pocket under pressure and make things happen. Mac felt the pressure and moved within the pocket.

When you take the time to move outside the pocket, the route tree totally breaks down. That second or two makes a huge difference. Now every player on the field is improvising. So, the best designed plays become garbage. That was Tua on every other play. Add the fact that Tua simply held onto the ball too long and you are asking for injuries.

They are two different types of QB, but I'll take the guy who can go through his progressions while moving within the pocket every single time. You get consistency and you see far fewer injuries.

Agree to disagree. Nice problem to have. Great to be a Bama fan!!!

 

[81usaf92]

A lot of Tua's protection issues were on Tua. He did not move well within the pocket, preferring to escape the pocket under pressure and make things happen. Mac felt the pressure and moved within the pocket.

When you take the time to move outside the pocket, the route tree totally breaks down. That second or two makes a huge difference. Now every player on the field is improvising. So, the best designed plays become garbage. That was Tua on every other play. Add the fact that Tua simply held onto the ball too long and you are asking for injuries.

They are two different types of QB, but I'll take the guy who can go through his progressions while moving within the pocket every single time. You get consistency and you see far fewer injuries.

Tua played way too much hero ball, and Locksley encouraged it. Most of his interceptions and injuries were a direct result of it.

 

[Mystical]

I actually like Mac over Tua. Mac was so good I can't think of to many times he did not put the ball right on the money. Guys usually got the ball in a position where they could do the most damage normally in stride.