re: Bama Football Tidings

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Why is there no room on this board for fans with any degree of a negative outlook about the current state of the Alabama football program? Is this place only for the kool-aid drinkers?

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There's obviously plenty of room for negativity. I think the issue is how it's presented.

It's one thing to express concern about the QBs, or the WRs, or to note deficiencies or a lack of experience with a coordinator. It's another thing entirely to throw out hyperbole such as "If Milroe starts we'll lose at least four games."

The first approach invites open and (usually) balanced discussion. The second approach is the type of ill-informed, prognosticative, ESPN-style "hot take" that nobody likes but seems to be growing in usage regardless. It's the message-board equivalent of clickbait, used solely to get a reaction as opposed to actually talking about the team.

I remember heading into the 2020 season, some folks on here were absolutely losing their minds that Mac Jones was named the starter over Bryce Young. The season was "doomed" because we Saban was once again "rewarding a veteran and sitting the better and younger player."

Mac Jones went on to have arguably the most successful season of any Alabama quarterback in recent history, leading the team to the national championship in a year where we played an all-SEC schedule and only D1 teams. I (along with some others on here) had confidence in Mac, and tried to point out the positives he displayed late in 2019 when Tua was hurt, but to little avail.

My personal preference (in case anyone cares) is that Ty Simpson wins the QB battle for 2023, because I think he has a higher overall ceiling than the others. If Milroe or Buchner are the starter, though, I'm going to root for them regardless. I don't understand elevating fandom for a given player over fandom for the team as a whole.

Just heard Rodney Orr say "Milroe had the best scrimmage, but he heard Buchner had the best week" says he sees this QB competition going on for awhile.

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I don't think we're going to actually know anything until we see it with our own eyes in the opener

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IMO part of the confusion we always have at this stage is that we really don't know what each QB is being given by the coaching staff.

Hypothetically let's say QB1 is separating himself as the guy, but he needs work reading adjustments by the defense at the LOS. His entire scrimmage regime at this point may involve the coaches throwing the kitchen sink at him in order to prepare him for different coverages, blitz schemes, etc.

QB2 meanwhile needs to work on ball placement and throwing receivers open, so he's getting more opportunities to read routes and coverages.

Someone watching this may conclude that QB1 is struggling because he's getting overwhelmed, while QB2 is completing most of his passes.

I think this is why we usually don't see most of our starting QBs doing well at all until the season starts — one guy may be scrimmaging on "Madden" level, while another is on "Pro."

Just my two cents.

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Just heard Rodney Orr say "Milroe had the best scrimmage, but he heard Buchner had the best week" says he sees this QB competition going on for awhile.

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Greg McElroy said this morning on WJOX that for much of the scrimmage Milroe was running with the 1 offense against the 2 defense, while Simpson spent a lot of time with the 2 offense against the 1 defense. Which, if true, would make any direct comparisons of scrimmage output between the two almost impossible to evaluate.

Greg seems to be supporting Simpson as the starter, so take that info for what it's worth.

Here’s the thing.

I’ll be at the scrimmage this weekend, my brother was there this weekend.

My brothers view was Milroe wasn’t the best but in terms of who is actually getting the nod no one knows.

He thought simpson and Buchner looked more natural but hell it’s so subjective we won’t know.

ESPN's Preseason All-America team was a bit interesting in the sense that they have Booker at OG but not Latham at OT.

Turner and Kool-Aid on defense but Reichard still not getting any love at K.

Caleb Williams leads the preseason All-America college football team

We need Crimson Buddha at the scrimmage so we can get the real cold hard takes.

Player press conferences

Jaheim Oatis


JC Latham

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JC Latham

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When asked about practicing in the heat...

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You can't go out there on one sandwich for the whole day because you'll die

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