Brodie doesn't need me to defend him but IMO, his mixed success last season was a result of several factors.
First, the coaching change and the change in schemes. I challenge anyone here to find another QB that has had to learn 3 very different schemes in 3 years and excel.
Second, opposing teams quickly found out that the O line was suspect and VERY suspect when it came to protecting him on a blitz.
Third, when a QB doesn't have a chance to audible at the line, much less deal with an imminent blitz, you're in trouble. Brodie has been quoted as saying that he saw the blitz coming many times but because the Offensive scheme lacked the capacity to audible, Brodie had to try to make it work regardless. That's not easy to do.
Fourth, yes Brodie overthrew receivers sometimes but it seemed like every single game, he had anywhere from 2-6 passes that were right on the money and dropped. I said to my brother while we were watching the games that Alabama desperately needed to upgrade the quality of it's receivers. Thankfully, CMS has done that with this incoming class.
Fifth, I don't know how Brodie played with the pain he was in. This kid is tough but I truly believe that his sense of touch was off on account of the pain in his shoulder.
He also probably had a tendency to want to throw the ball a little too early. I guess I would too if I knew I going to be agony at any second when I was crushed by a 300 lb guy that wanted to kill me.
If Brodie can get decent protection, I think we'll see a different QB with better numbers. Until then, we need to cut the guy some slack.
First, the coaching change and the change in schemes. I challenge anyone here to find another QB that has had to learn 3 very different schemes in 3 years and excel.
Second, opposing teams quickly found out that the O line was suspect and VERY suspect when it came to protecting him on a blitz.
Third, when a QB doesn't have a chance to audible at the line, much less deal with an imminent blitz, you're in trouble. Brodie has been quoted as saying that he saw the blitz coming many times but because the Offensive scheme lacked the capacity to audible, Brodie had to try to make it work regardless. That's not easy to do.
Fourth, yes Brodie overthrew receivers sometimes but it seemed like every single game, he had anywhere from 2-6 passes that were right on the money and dropped. I said to my brother while we were watching the games that Alabama desperately needed to upgrade the quality of it's receivers. Thankfully, CMS has done that with this incoming class.
Fifth, I don't know how Brodie played with the pain he was in. This kid is tough but I truly believe that his sense of touch was off on account of the pain in his shoulder.
He also probably had a tendency to want to throw the ball a little too early. I guess I would too if I knew I going to be agony at any second when I was crushed by a 300 lb guy that wanted to kill me.
If Brodie can get decent protection, I think we'll see a different QB with better numbers. Until then, we need to cut the guy some slack.
