Spring Football - 2025

[tusks_n_raider]

While I don't discount Ty's ability to run, I am hoping it's not really part of the plan and that he doesn't have to use them. I'd much rather see a Penix like approach where the passing game has enough variation that the QB is getting 4,500-5,000 yards passing and less than 100 total rushing over the year (At UW, Penix ran for 92 yards one season, and 8 the next). There is a position called RUNNING Back. let's let them do that part... Let the QB focus on getting to the right plays, and getting the ball to all the guys to make plays.

To clarify I meant dime coverage with covered WRs and LBs on outlet routes.

Ty will not just stare at green grass.

Defenses will have to play us honest because he’s a true dual threat.

 

[gtgilbert]

To clarify I meant dime coverage with covered WRs and LBs on outlet routes.

Ty will not just stare at green grass.

Defenses will have to play us honest because he’s a true dual threat.

I'd still much rather see the balance like UW had in 2023 with almost 5k passing yards from QB1 and an RB well over 1k yards (with 1.8k rushing for the team). If they really do back off into dime, audible in the call that spreads those guys out of the box and let's let Jam Miller, R Young and crew show the world what we recruited them for.

 

[BamaMoon]

I think the point with TS is he "can" run but, more importantly, he is going to be a pass first QB. The staff will drill that in his head. We want him to be our point guard who distributes the ball.

But when there's green grass, he got legs and can/will use them. He just needs to hold on to the ball before he crosses the goal line.

 

[AlexanderFan]

I'd still much rather see the balance like UW had in 2023 with almost 5k passing yards from QB1 and an RB well over 1k yards (with 1.8k rushing for the team). If they really do back off into dime, audible in the call that spreads those guys out of the box and let's let Jam Miller, R Young and crew show the world what we recruited them for.

Gimme five and slide any day.

 

[JohnD]

I think the point with TS is he "can" run but, more importantly, he is going to be a pass first QB. The staff will drill that in his head. We want him to be our point guard who distributes the ball.

But when there's green grass, he got legs and can/will use them. He just needs to hold on to the ball before he crosses the goal line.

How much we run/pass will depend largely on how good the blocking is. If it's clearly a pass situation, there will be heavy rush until teams see how well Ty can get out of it, either by running or passing.

 

[Bama Lee]

I think we’ll absolutely dissect defenses in the short and intermediate game this year.

Ty’s legs will help open up deep plays too because if they play back in coverage he will run all over the place.

The only unknown is Ty Simpson's deep ball and its accuracy. I think the starter will be the QB that has this quality. All 3 can scramble

 

[gtgilbert]

The only unknown is Ty Simpson's deep ball and its accuracy. I think the starter will be the QB that has this quality. All 3 can scramble

the focus on the deep passing game is what landed us in two years of subpar play.

I want the guy who:

1. Gets us into the right play.
2. Understands the play, and *ALL* the reads, in sequence.
3. Can execute those reads, quickly
4. Efficiently distributes the ball where it needs to go based on those reads.
5. Has the instincts, timing and arm strength to be able to deliver the ball *ON TIME* for precision routes.
6. maximizes possessions (reduces 3/out and turnovers).

 

[BamaMoon]

the focus on the deep passing game is what landed us in two years of subpar play.

I want the guy who:

1. Gets us into the right play.
2. Understands the play, and *ALL* the reads, in sequence.
3. Can execute those reads, quickly
4. Efficiently distributes the ball where it needs to go based on those reads.
5. Has the instincts, timing and arm strength to be able to deliver the ball *ON TIME* for precision routes.
6. maximizes possessions (reduces 3/out and turnovers).

It was emphasized because that was his one "passing strength." And I'd argue it was "great" as much as it was good, but simply the best he had.

But you are right, give me the guy who understands the offense, an make the checks, and can distribute the ball to the playmakers and I don't care if we have one bomb all year long.

 

[TiderJack]

This from Touchdown Alabama about Ty and Horton. Not sure who the esteemed Kennington Smith III is.


In football notes, it sounds like Ty Simpson is clearly leading the QB race at the moment according to the esteemed Kennington Smith III.

Ty Simpson is the solid No. 1 quarterback on the depth chart. Simpson’s experience has been the separator through eight practices. His handle on the offense has been notable, and it has translated to confidence in his play. He has been a part of high-profile battles before, and those experiences mixed with his natural talent are resulting in a strong first half of spring practice.
“For Ty, I just think it’s his veteran aspect,” guard Geno VanDeMark said. “He’s just kind of, he’s relaxed out there.”
“Ty, he’s a great leader,” cornerback Zabien Brown said. “Great vocally and a great overall leader.”

There is a lot of positivity in that piece. The receivers, particularly transfer Isaiah Horton have reportedly looked great. He does think that Alabama will need to shop for an offensive tackle over the summer, however

 

[Ole Man Dan]

Rumor is we are tinkering with the forward pass with a new QB behind center...

What a novel idea...

 

[Bama Lee]

the focus on the deep passing game is what landed us in two years of subpar play.

I want the guy who:

1. Gets us into the right play.
2. Understands the play, and *ALL* the reads, in sequence.
3. Can execute those reads, quickly
4. Efficiently distributes the ball where it needs to go based on those reads.
5. Has the instincts, timing and arm strength to be able to deliver the ball *ON TIME* for precision routes.
6. maximizes possessions (reduces 3/out and turnovers).

I said nothing about focusing on it.... just that it was an unkown. The deep ball is a large part of Deboer's offense. The ability to do all phases is what is needed. This was a liability last year

 

[gtgilbert]

I said nothing about focusing on it.... just that it was an unkown. The deep ball is a large part of Deboer's offense. The ability to do all phases is what is needed. This was a liability last year

but there are a lot of unknowns instead of the deep passing ability being the 'only' unknown then. We don't really know if any of the guys can handle my list of QB duties in live fire in SEC play yet, especially KR (not saying he can or cannot, just that we don't know either way)

 

[Bama Lee]

but there are a lot of unknowns instead of the deep passing ability being the 'only' unknown then. We don't really know if any of the guys can handle my list of QB duties in live fire in SEC play yet, especially KR (not saying he can or cannot, just that we don't know either way)

We’ve seen Ty in several sec games. Though not truly tested. In those mop up situations he made short to intermediate passes much better than what I saw with Milroe. And thus my statement that his unknown is the deep ball.

 

[BamaInBham]

We’ve seen Ty in several sec games. Though not truly tested. In those mop up situations he made short to intermediate passes much better than what I saw with Milroe. And thus my statement that his unknown is the deep ball.

His deep ball was bad. But small sample size and people often improve.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

His deep ball was bad. But small sample size and people often improve.

The good thing for Ty is the offense is predicated off of a lot of intermediate to short throws then taking deep shots down the field. So if he's going to have a weakness, we'd rather it be with the deep balls than the intermediate and short routes which are required more in this offense.

 

[CoolBreeze]

The good thing for Ty is the offense is predicated off of a lot of intermediate to short throws then taking deep shots down the field. So if he's going to have a weakness, we'd rather it be with the deep balls than the intermediate and short routes which are required more in this offense.

As long as the QB can read defenses and get the ball to the playmaker that is going to get at least 5 yards per play then we are in business.

 

[TiderJack]

Transfer WR Isiah Horton appears to be having a great spring and will be a big addition to the room.

Alabama wide receiver Isaiah Horton has been 'hard to defend'

 

[tusks_n_raider]

The good thing for Ty is the offense is predicated off of a lot of intermediate to short throws then taking deep shots down the field. So if he's going to have a weakness, we'd rather it be with the deep balls than the intermediate and short routes which are required more in this offense.

He doesn’t have a great Deep Ball but I wouldn’t call it bad.

Croyle and Bryce didn’t have great deep balls either fwiw.

Ty’s specialty is the short and intermediate game but with the way our WR routes leverage DB’s into disadvantaged positions a Mid route can become a TD real fast.

I think we’ll be much more effective on offense overall and have way less stalled drives.

He’ll still hit a big pass here and there too because I’ve seen him do it several times in HS.

 

[gtgilbert]

He doesn’t have a great Deep Ball but I wouldn’t call it bad.

Croyle and Bryce didn’t have great deep balls either fwiw.

Ty’s specialty is the short and intermediate game but with the way our WR routes leverage DB’s into disadvantaged positions a Mid route can become a TD real fast.

I think we’ll be much more effective on offense overall and have way less stalled drives.

He’ll still hit a big pass here and there too because I’ve seen him do it several times in HS.

I seem to recall that at either a game or scrimmage that TS and all the other QBs other than Nilroe were throwing really long passes toward a garbage can in the corner of the end zone and TS dropped a few right in. maybe it's that he's got a 50-60 yard arm instead of a 70 yard arm, but from what I've seen it's enough to be able to stretch a defense if they try to cheat up and not play the deep ball.

 

[Cruloc]

Here's the million dollar question......Can Ty Simpson hit the hot receiver on a blitz?

I guess with how much money these kids are making now it should be the 2 million dollar question.