Poll / discussion: Who will start at QB?

[alwayshavebeen]

Honestly just watched A-Day for the first time, and based soley on that can't see how it's not Ty Simpson.

 

[Tidewater]

I don't understand your reasoning. Drew Sanders played defense. How does his transfer cause Young to be hurt? Thanks.

He was the Hog who tackled Bryce, which caused Bryce to throw the ball away at the last second, which was why he landed on his right armpit with his right (throwing arm over his head, damaging his rotator cuff, and reducing his performance for the rest of the year, leading to losses to Tennessee and LSU.

 

[4Q Basket Case]

Drew Sanders made a mistake by transferring to the Hogs. He didn’t do anything intentional or wrong or cheap on the play where Bryce got hurt. It stinks, but it’s just football.

 

[colbysullivan]

Drew Sanders made a mistake by transferring to the Hogs. He didn’t do anything intentional or wrong or cheap on the play where Bryce got hurt. It stinks, but it’s just football.

I don't think anyone thinks it was a dirty play. It's just made worse by the fact that he used to be one of our players. If he doesn't transfer, we keep a great LB and Bryce never gets hurt. That might have been the difference in playing for a title last year.

 

[Tidelines]

Woulda, shoulda, coulda, now this break for reality. After all, we aren’t Auburn fans.

 

[AlexanderFan]

Pure speculation on my part, but I feel like the starter will be Buchner. I don't think you go to the transfer portal and bring in a guy who was the starter at Notre Dame last season prior to an injury - and who also played for our current OC - unless you fully intend to play him. His career stats are underwhelming and he seems to be somewhat injury-prone, so I'll admit it looks like a head-scratcher at face value.

That said, my guess is that Saban & Rees didn't see enough of what they wanted from Simpson and Milroe in the spring, and Buchner was available. I would guess Rees convinced Saban to go get him.

I'm guessing they both know something we don't. I have a hard time buying the "Buchner was brought in to push Milroe & Simpson" narrative.....I just don't think the optics match up to that.

Again, this is total speculation. I'll add that I think the offense may end up being more "QB-friendly" with Rees. I kind of envision something like the 2014 offense under Kiffin. If what we run this season resembles that, I think any of these QB candidates could be consistently successful.

My guess is that it’s the response to the coaching that caused them to bring in TB. JM & TS both have habits that arise during the game: JM loses his mechanics and tries to athlete his way to success, and TS tries to play hero ball like he’s still the best player on the field. Both guys try to play outside the system established and cost the team. That’s why you bring in TB, he stays more within the framework of what the team needs from the quarterback position.

 

[BamaMark.]

My guess is that it’s the response to the coaching that caused them to bring in TB. JM & TS both have habits that arise during the game: JM loses his mechanics and tries to athlete his way to success, and TS tries to play hero ball like he’s still the best player on the field. Both guys try to play outside the system established and cost the team. That’s why you bring in TB, he stays more within the framework of what the team needs from the quarterback position.

I've read this hero ball narrative about TS before but honestly I haven't seen it from the time he was on the field last year or A-Day. Is this coming from insiders or just speculation?

 

[AlexanderFan]

I've read this hero ball narrative about TS before but honestly I haven't seen it from the time he was on the field last year or A-Day. Is this coming from insiders or just speculation?

81 has mentioned it here once or twice. If it wasn’t hero ball, I apologize, but the fact remains whatever he does the staff doesn’t feel like he’s responded to the staff trying to coach him out of it.

 

[81usaf92]

I've read this hero ball narrative about TS before but honestly I haven't seen it from the time he was on the field last year or A-Day. Is this coming from insiders or just speculation?

Cant say it enough… A-day is nothing but fan service that is meant to make the locals calm for awhile. It is nowhere near what happened in the spring. The second scrimmage was a nightmare in which Saban told everyone that we needed another quality quarterback because the two we have are not anywhere close to where they should be at the end of the spring.

. Simpson’s main problem is that he tries to outduel Milroe’s arm instead of just beating him with accuracy. Milroe can throw it a mile but has trouble hitting a guy 5 yards ahead of him. Simpson SHOULD already be our quarterback but he had a bad spring and it’s to the point that there is doubt of how he deals with competition because Milroe is further behind in mechanics than he is. Milroe is an Ooh and Ahh to why the “heck did he throw that” passer. If it wasn’t for his feet then it’s likely Lonergan would be higher into consideration. This comes from insiders and some people who are dealing with the situation on an everyday situation.

But again… I can’t stress enough that the A-day game is just a fun day designed to put a nice practice game at the end of the spring to end on a high note. It is nowhere near a reflection of the spring.

 

[BamaMoon]

Honestly just watched A-Day for the first time, and based soley on that can't see how it's not Ty Simpson.

That was my reaction to the "A-Day" game when I watched it too. And considering his throws were the best even though he broke his thumb on his throwing hand during the game it made his performance seem even better IMO.

However, the "word" was the A-day game was scripted to make us feel better about the QBs than what the reality of the entire spring practice deserved...that basically JM and TS severely underperformed and left the staff feeling as though neither were prepared to lead us into the fall (based on their overall spring performance).

TIFWIW

Having acknowledged that, I still think there is merit to his spring game performance and I think TS is unquestionably the better arm talent compared to Milroe. What we don't know, currently, is how TS will stack up against TB, the ND transfer, this fall.

 

[RammerJammer14]

He's probably more physically talented. But part of what made Stetson Bennett good was the OC and his time in the system.

And being 5yrs older than anyone else in college football.

 

[graydogg85]

Cant say it enough… A-day is nothing but fan service that is meant to make the locals calm for awhile. It is nowhere near what happened in the spring. The second scrimmage was a nightmare in which Saban told everyone that we needed another quality quarterback because the two we have are not anywhere close to where they should be at the end of the spring.

. Simpson’s main problem is that he tries to outduel Milroe’s arm instead of just beating him with accuracy. Milroe can throw it a mile but has trouble hitting a guy 5 yards ahead of him. Simpson SHOULD already be our quarterback but he had a bad spring and it’s to the point that there is doubt of how he deals with competition because Milroe is further behind in mechanics than he is. Milroe is an Ooh and Ahh to why the “heck did he throw that” passer. If it wasn’t for his feet then it’s likely Lonergan would be higher into consideration. This comes from insiders and some people who are dealing with the situation on an everyday situation.

But again… I can’t stress enough that the A-day game is just a fun day designed to put a nice practice game at the end of the spring to end on a high note. It is nowhere near a reflection of the spring.

I have no insider info, but this reinforces my thoughts on Buchner. I suspect he may not have the raw talent of either Simpson or Milroe, but is already familiar with Rees and that probably goes a long way.

I watched some footage of Buchner over the weekend and I was suprised by his wheels. I'd heard he had good mobility but he looks like a very natural and instictive runner, and he's quicker than I would have expected. He wouldn't beat Milroe in a footrace, but he looks considerably more comfortable running the ball than Tua, Mac or Bryce. I also watched a short interview with him from last year's preseason and he strikes me as a very smart dude. His dad went to Colgate and his mom went to Yale.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

My guess is that it’s the response to the coaching that caused them to bring in TB. JM & TS both have habits that arise during the game: JM loses his mechanics and tries to athlete his way to success, and TS tries to play hero ball like he’s still the best player on the field. Both guys try to play outside the system established and cost the team. That’s why you bring in TB, he stays more within the framework of what the team needs from the quarterback position.

There are coaches such as Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, and Nick Saban as well, that are dyed-in-the-wool believers of players staying within the system and those who do not don't stay around long or carry clipboards. It's one of several things that got Mac Jones in Bill Belichick's dog house last season. If Simpson and Milroe cannot consistently function within the offensive system they both will be on the sidelines, while a less physically talented kid like Buchner plays, because he's able to stay within the system. Weird how sports work...

 

[Tidewater]

Drew Sanders made a mistake by transferring to the Hogs. He didn’t do anything intentional or wrong or cheap on the play where Bryce got hurt. It stinks, but it’s just football.

I agree. Not dirty at all. I just wish Bryce had taken the sack and protected his body.
But if that happened, BoB might still be with the program.

 

[BamaMoon]

I have no insider info, but this reinforces my thoughts on Buchner. I suspect he may not have the raw talent of either Simpson or Milroe, but is already familiar with Rees and that probably goes a long way.

I watched some footage of Buchner over the weekend and I was suprised by his wheels. I'd heard he had good mobility but he looks like a very natural and instictive runner, and he's quicker than I would have expected. He wouldn't beat Milroe in a footrace, but he looks considerably more comfortable running the ball than Tua, Mac or Bryce. I also watched a short interview with him from last year's preseason and he strikes me as a very smart dude. His dad went to Colgate and his mom went to Yale.

I did the same a week or two ago, because I honestly knew nothing about him except he was transferring and had lost his job to Hartman (which 90% of college QBs might as well if Hartman transferred in).

I too was very impressed with his running abilities and the "good" passes I saw were actually very good. I realize others have watched some of his "bad" passes and apparently he's been TO prone with some INTs.

If the scuttlebutt we are hearing about TS is true and he's having trouble operating within the confines of what he's being asked to do, I won't be surprised at all if TB doesn't start.

If he does, I think we'll see a high percentage of RPO and he'll hurt some teams with his feet until they adjust. The question then will be can he hurt them with his arm too?

 

[JustNeedMe81]

His accomplishments speak for themselves, but I was never that impressed by him.

Explain.

 

[UAH]

Mac's greatest play was his tip-toeing the sideline for a 1st down against UF in the SEC championship game.

To me it sort of summed up his career...not pretty, sort of awkward, but the end result was a success.

He made several outstanding throws against a good Auburn team on that last drive at Auburn and the play call to get the ball to Upchurch in the end zone was masterful with great touch on the ball. Greg threw the ball pretty darn well for someone as maligned as a passer he was. The next week to put together a winning game against Tebo the Heisman Trophy and 2008 National Champions is not something that should be underestimated.

 

[HighlandOak]

Explain.

To me, I just felt any good QB could do what he did. I thought he was overrated coming in and nothing about watching him play made me feel different. Didn't make me feel as comfortable behind center as I did with Tua or Mac or AJ.

 

[HighlandOak]

I like AJ, Jake, McElroy, Sims, Tua, and Mac just fine.

How do you feel about Coker??? The man trucked a A&M defender with a broken foot. Now that's Grit right there.

He was the Jake I was referring to.

 

[graydogg85]

I did the same a week or two ago, because I honestly knew nothing about him except he was transferring and had lost his job to Hartman (which 90% of college QBs might as well if Hartman transferred in).

I too was very impressed with his running abilities and the "good" passes I saw were actually very good. I realize others have watched some of his "bad" passes and apparently he's been TO prone with some INTs.

If the scuttlebutt we are hearing about TS is true and he's having trouble operating within the confines of what he's being asked to do, I won't be surprised at all if TB doesn't start.

If he does, I think we'll see a high percentage of RPO and he'll hurt some teams with his feet until they adjust. The question then will be can he hurt them with his arm too?

Agreed, based on what I saw it looks like TB is pretty adept at the RPO and I think he could do some damage on the ground. Honestly, if he's proficient at the RPO it takes some pressure off his arm. Defenders keying on the run tends to lead to softer pass coverage - and I expect Rees to scheme much better passing routes and trees than O'Brien did. TB won't need a cannon of an arm and surgical accuracy in order to be productive in that type of offense.