QB Tyler Watts

[Bamabuzzard]

The thing I liked about Tyler Watts (though someone has already mentioned it) is that he didn't get you beat. He wasn't going to throw for three hundred plus yards or break any NCAA passing records but you didn't have to worry about him throwing making stupid mistakes in crucial parts of the game that ended up costing you the game.

 

[selmaborntidefan]

I'm guessing we're getting out the rose-colored glasses. I always thought Watts was an over-hyped QB.

Oh and for those saying he didn't cost us games, I'm assuming you forgot the Oklahoma backward fling in 2002. Now to be fair, Watts didn't blow that game himself, but the 1994 Barker I keep hearing him compared to would have taken it down and punched it in.

I also remember the QB controversy. Nobody seems to want to point out the reason we had a controversy was because neither QB (Zow or Watts) was overly spectacular. Most QB controversies involve highly talented folks (Simms-Applewhite, Tebow-Leake)....ours involved which guy was going to do less to beat us rather than who was going to do more to beat the other team.

I'm sure Watts is a nice enough fella just like I'm sure Zow is. But the platooning in game really only worked in 1999 - and that had more to do with Samuels and Alexander than with either QB.

 

[bamaslammer]

Watts put Forrest Davis out of business, Forrest in high school said he would be the next Troy Aikman, unfortunately for us it didn't work out, but he was a gutsly player who never gave up so I can't knock the guy, he also does a good job on the game broadcasts in my opinion.

 

[crimsonaudio]

I'm guessing we're getting out the rose-colored glasses.

I agree...

 

[Bamabuzzard]

I'm guessing we're getting out the rose-colored glasses. I always thought Watts was an over-hyped QB.

Oh and for those saying he didn't cost us games, I'm assuming you forgot the Oklahoma backward fling in 2002. Now to be fair, Watts didn't blow that game himself, but the 1994 Barker I keep hearing him compared to would have taken it down and punched it in.

I also remember the QB controversy. Nobody seems to want to point out the reason we had a controversy was because neither QB (Zow or Watts) was overly spectacular. Most QB controversies involve highly talented folks (Simms-Applewhite, Tebow-Leake)....ours involved which guy was going to do less to beat us rather than who was going to do more to beat the other team.

I'm sure Watts is a nice enough fella just like I'm sure Zow is. But the platooning in game really only worked in 1999 - and that had more to do with Samuels and Alexander than with either QB.

Either we're taking the rose colored glasses out or we're realizing just how bad our qb play has regressed, even compared to the Watts/Zow combo.

 

[LCN]

Watts put Forrest Davis out of business, Forrest in high school said he would be the next Troy Aikman, unfortunately for us it didn't work out, but he was a gutsly player who never gave up so I can't knock the guy, he also does a good job on the game broadcasts in my opinion.

Nearly every school in the country wanted Watts . Tyler was Spurriers #1 target . His problem was that his arm never grew stronger . Forrest sunk his ship when he put his own son in his magazine . _blank:

 

[mlh]

Tyler was a gutsy player who loved and respected the crimson jersey. I think that he and Zow would have both been much better if they had been handled properly. The time under XCMD with the Co-OC fiasco and the coach's propensity to yank them both the first time they made a mistake destroyed their confidence, IMHO. Tyler also suffered from nagging injuries a lot of the time his last couple of years which also affected his performance. Of course he was simply not as good as he was hyped to be so he came in at a huge disadvantage.

Bottom line -- he was a very average SEC QB. But he was tough as nails and I admired his leadership and desire.

 

[mikeua69]

I remember a few games in 2001 where he ran for over 100 yards and threw for over 200. South Carolina and Ole Miss come to mind. If not for our defense we would have won both of those games.

 

[drjamesm]

I liked T Watts,but he was a throw back option QB that could run the speed option great,pass ...........well not so much. I remember the OU game and his back flip too. However,what I remember best was the barn game where they played 8 in the box,and he missed wide open wr with or without pressure.The problem was he was just not much of a threat to hurt anyone with the pass.IMO<Frans 1st season was saved by TW injury which forced Fran to play Zow!

 

[RamJammer]

OK- Here is subject I know a LOT about: and for the life of me, I don't know how some of this info gets so completely mixd up ro how fans assume someone's personality or demeanor happens to be.

But anyway... about Tyler: he was never picked up for the NFL. He consequently tried to make it with the titans & they booted him out early on. It was a done deal.

He is not in the broadcasting business. He sells insurance in his uncles's insurance office, & sometimes is picked up to announce for some things during football season (when a former football player name would attract an audience).

That's it.

 

[Tide n True]

If you're asking whether or not I would take him over Wilson, my answer is abso-freaking-lutely.

 

[gmart74]

We need another Hollingsworth. I truly hope that we get and/or have a qb that can fully utilize our new offensive system.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

I think Wilson will benefit from McElwain's coaching. Now if it is enough to make a big difference is yet to be determined. Some of the toughest hurdles to jump are the mental ones and a lot of Wilson's mistakes were mental breakdowns.

But I do know that if we are to have any chance at winning more than seven games the qb position cannot make some of the bad decisions that was made last season again this season. With the schedule the way it is in 08 if that were to happen I don't think we'd even win seven.

 

[Tide n True]

We need another Hollingsworth. I truly hope that we get and/or have a qb that can fully utilize our new offensive system.

I know Gary very well. His nephew will be a senior next academic year, and he shows hints of Gary's style quite often. I think Bama would be crazy not to go after him.

 

[Tide n True]

I think Wilson will benefit from McElwain's coaching. Now if it is enough to make a big difference is yet to be determined. Some of the toughest hurdles to jump are the mental ones and a lot of Wilson's mistakes were mental breakdowns.

But I do know that if we are to have any chance at winning more than seven games the qb position cannot make some of the bad decisions that was made last season again this season. With the schedule the way it is in 08 if that were to happen I don't think we'd even win seven.

I think the fact that we did win seven last year was more a fluke than anything. I'm not saying this to detract from the players who DID play well and who DID deserve to be out there, but the fact remains that we shouldn't have won some of the games we did.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

I think the fact that we did win seven last year was more a fluke than anything. I'm not saying this to detract from the players who DID play well and who DID deserve to be out there, but the fact remains that we shouldn't have won some of the games we did.

I agree. We should have lost the Arkansas game and dang near got beat in the Houston game. Ole Miss could have swung either way as well.

Though we had some bad luck we also got very lucky at times as well. This season will be much tougher. Too many tough road games.

 

[Capstone46]

RamJammer,
I had lunch with Herman (Tyler's Dad) three months ago here in Tuscaloosa. As you probably know Herman had been the Alfa District Manager of the year for something like 15+ consecutive times but had recently accepted a VP position with Alfa in Montgomery. (Something that had been offered to him numerous times which he had previously turned down). His new position actually made him his boss's boss. Herman told me he had put Tyler's brother into the DM position there in Pelham (who had certainly earned it) and that Tyler had made his decision to pursue a career in sports broadcasting. Herman and I then talked for a good 15 minutes on Tyler's strength's in broadcasting and I told him to let Tyler know I wished him well. Has something changed with Tyler in the last three months or did Herman not know what he was talking about?

 

[STONECOLDSABAN]

I agree. We should have lost the Arkansas game and dang near got beat in the Houston game. Ole Miss could have swung either way as well.

Though we had some bad luck we also got very lucky at times as well. This season will be much tougher. Too many tough road games.

Very true but if alabama keeps its head on straight they should be able to own the home games before we play (lets hope we don't pull a Monroe again) auburn. I think alabama could very well win 8 games (not including a bowl) this year. plus i think we have a good shot at beating auburn this year.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

Very true but if alabama keeps its head on straight they should be able to own the home games before we play (lets hope we don't pull a Monroe again) auburn. I think alabama could very well win 8 games (not including a bowl) this year. plus i think we have a good shot at beating auburn this year.

I agree about the home games. But as you've stated we CANNOT have anymore La. Monroe meltdowns or anything close to it. We need to see a progression of improvement (as a team not just individual positions) from this year to last year. To me last season was bad, real bad. A total meltdown all across the board. I chalk La Monroe as the most embarrassing loss in my life time as a Bama can and that's including N. Illinois and La Tech.

 

[Calvinwebster]

I met Tyler's cousin one night. Her name was Brooke Watts. What a hot little number she was.....:biggrin: