I'm so happy for Blake Sims; he overcame lots of adversity, criticism, and doubts to lead Bama to one of its unlikeliest SEC Championships. And no matter what happens in the playoffs, he's cemented himself in Alabama lore (single season passing/yardage leader, SECCG MVP, LSU and Auburn comebacks, etc.). You could also tell how the coaches and players love and appreciate him...when he was taken out of the game last night, all the coaches and players were coming over to hug him...

Now flashback over the past year or so and think back on the overall perception of Sims here on the Rant. I went back and looked up some posts here 'bout Sims as he was competing for the starting job. Reading some of the posts after the SECCG, I'd say he's changed a lot of minds. Here's a small compilation of those earlier Rant quotes (just quotes, no names) on Sims that shows, now, how he's overcome and disproven those perceptions:

quote:
"...I hope Sims is not the eventual starter. He has serious limitations."

"We lose 5 games with Sims at the helm."

"...but I don't think he's capable to take us the distance."

"He may start but will he finish?"

"Bama's first lost will be their first game of the year. Mark it down." (In response to Sims being named the game 1 starter)

"We lost six with John Parker Wilson. JPW >>>> Blake throw-it-up-for-grabs Sims."

"I've seen Sims throw 4 interceptions in a scrimmage when he was asked to throw the ball long. Those stats are based on mop up games where he was not asked to throw for more than 10 to 20 yards."

"No,.....Alabama does not use the zone read option...when Blake Sims plays quarterback, more times than not the offense stalls and has to punt because HE CAN'T THROW THE BALL DOWNFIELD WITH ANY ACCURACY. Sims is not a quarterback by trade, thus he lacks the necessary skills to lead this team next year. I do not know what games you have been watching, but while it is evident you are on the Blake Sims jock-wagon, you can't comprehend or understand the type of play that is expected at this important position."

"Cliff Notes version -- Blake Sims starts at QB next year...we lose....and Saban won't let that happen."

"I remember Sims came in for a blowout game against like Ole Miss awhile ago as a RB. I thought he was going to just be another 3rd-4th string RB. Now looking at him as the starting QB for Alabama...I'm scared."

"Blake Sims will not start for 'Bama, book it!.....he does not fit the system to be a permanent starter going into next year.....my money will be on Luke Del Rio"

"LOL @ people in here thinking Bama will start a black player at QB."

"It would be a waste of Cooper/White/Howard"

"Sims is AWFUL. This is Coker's team."

"Sims is awful and its going to be a one and done for Kiffin as OC at Bama"

"Sims won't be the guy so your argument is invalid. Coker wins the QB position easily."

"...and he will make awful decisions at least 10x a game..."

"He definitely handicaps the offense."

"Coker, Morris or Cornwell; Unless they completely missed in recruiting these guys, any of them would be ahead of where Sim's is after 6 games. Maybe they would have struggled early on, but the schedule was soft. This Sims is the Sims we will have the rest of the year, with no reps for the other guys. If the light hasn't come on by now, it isn't going to."

What a difference a year makes. Congrats Blake, and thank you!