Started By
Message
Tua / Mac - a quarterback comparison
Posted on 11/30/20 at 1:51 pm
Posted on 11/30/20 at 1:51 pm
This is NOT intended to be a thread to shite on Tua or Mac. This is for honest discussion. Earlier in the year there were some Tua/Mac threads that devolved into poop slinging, so hopefully that doesn't happen.
I will say when these comparisons were made early in the year after a game or two, I thought it was completely ridiculous. Tua, after all, was one of the best passers to come through here statistically if not the best, and one of the best in recent SEC memory. With that said, with now what is typically a full slate of SEC games under his belt, I think the comparisons are totally valid.
What does each do better than the other? If you have to grade QBs, I suppose there are certain things you look at:
Arm Strength
Touch
Deep Ball Accuracy
Movement in pocket
Running ability
What else? If I'm looking at it right now, the only place I give Tua a clear advantage is in running ability, although I think I would give him the "touch" category as well. I think he's better on the short and intermediate throws than Mac is. I think Mac is better in the other categories. What do you think?
I will say when these comparisons were made early in the year after a game or two, I thought it was completely ridiculous. Tua, after all, was one of the best passers to come through here statistically if not the best, and one of the best in recent SEC memory. With that said, with now what is typically a full slate of SEC games under his belt, I think the comparisons are totally valid.
What does each do better than the other? If you have to grade QBs, I suppose there are certain things you look at:
Arm Strength
Touch
Deep Ball Accuracy
Movement in pocket
Running ability
What else? If I'm looking at it right now, the only place I give Tua a clear advantage is in running ability, although I think I would give him the "touch" category as well. I think he's better on the short and intermediate throws than Mac is. I think Mac is better in the other categories. What do you think?
Posted on 11/30/20 at 1:54 pm to Bham Bammer
quote:
This is NOT intended to be a thread to shite on Tua or Mac. This is for honest discussion.
Oh boy.

Posted on 11/30/20 at 1:55 pm to TideSaint
You think I'm being naïve?
Posted on 11/30/20 at 1:57 pm to Bham Bammer
What really is the point of the thread? It's like comparing an apple and orange -- they might be more different than alike. Why waste energy on a comparison or debate about who might be better in various ways? Regardless, both are great QBs.
This post was edited on 11/30/20 at 2:06 pm
Posted on 11/30/20 at 2:00 pm to Bham Bammer
Tua was obviously more talented but Mac is Much much tougher.
Never thought I would say this but I would take Mac over Tua.
Never thought I would say this but I would take Mac over Tua.
Posted on 11/30/20 at 2:00 pm to Bham Bammer
quote:
You think I'm being naïve?
No.
I just think you're asking a lot.

Posted on 11/30/20 at 2:02 pm to TideSaint
I think the board is up to the task. 

Posted on 11/30/20 at 2:03 pm to Bham Bammer
When it comes to touch and deep ball accuracy, they both are pretty damn good, and I can't make a distinction.
I think Tua may have been better at movement in the pocket and running ability. Look at the scramble for the first down on 3rd and long in the NCG against UGA on his first TD drive. We don't score on that drive if he doesn't pull that off. But in the long run, the ability to scramble and run, and that mentality, cost him.
I think Tua may have been better at movement in the pocket and running ability. Look at the scramble for the first down on 3rd and long in the NCG against UGA on his first TD drive. We don't score on that drive if he doesn't pull that off. But in the long run, the ability to scramble and run, and that mentality, cost him.
Posted on 11/30/20 at 2:04 pm to TidalSurge1
The point of the thread, which I thought was evident in how it was presented, was to discuss which aspects of playing QB Tua excelled at versus which aspects of playing QB Mac excels at. I'm not sure why this is an impossible task. If you don't want to contribute you certainly don't have to.
What's the point of any thread where a comparison is made? To prompt discussion. This is not a great energy expenditure for me.
What's the point of any thread where a comparison is made? To prompt discussion. This is not a great energy expenditure for me.
This post was edited on 11/30/20 at 2:05 pm
Posted on 11/30/20 at 2:06 pm to BamaGradinTn
No question that Tua moved a lot better - faster and escapability were really good. Mac just doesn't have those traits. I feel like Mac compensates though by being very good at feeling the pass rush and making slight movements to avoid it - taking a step up, to the side, etc.
This post was edited on 11/30/20 at 2:08 pm
Posted on 11/30/20 at 2:08 pm to Bham Bammer


This post was edited on 11/30/20 at 2:43 pm
Posted on 11/30/20 at 2:22 pm to TidalSurge1
Tua is the best pure passer I've ever seen. Short, intermediate, deep ball ... he can make any throw you want.
If it weren't for the Tua comparison, I think Mac might have been considered the best QB at Alabama in recent memory. Certainly his stats back that up.
Tua became almost too enamored of the deep ball / quick strike later in his career here, and forced some throws he shouldn't have. Until the last couple of games, I would've given Mac the edge in that department; he seemed content to take what the defense gave him. He's forced a few throws into coverage recently, though, and has missed wide-open throws underneath as a result. I hope he corrects that.
Mac outshines Tua in one key area, which isn't anything either could control, I don't think: Mac is much more durable.
They're both outstanding QBs.
If it weren't for the Tua comparison, I think Mac might have been considered the best QB at Alabama in recent memory. Certainly his stats back that up.
Tua became almost too enamored of the deep ball / quick strike later in his career here, and forced some throws he shouldn't have. Until the last couple of games, I would've given Mac the edge in that department; he seemed content to take what the defense gave him. He's forced a few throws into coverage recently, though, and has missed wide-open throws underneath as a result. I hope he corrects that.
Mac outshines Tua in one key area, which isn't anything either could control, I don't think: Mac is much more durable.
They're both outstanding QBs.
Posted on 11/30/20 at 2:24 pm to Bham Bammer
quote:
No question that Tua moved a lot better - faster and escapability were really good. Mac just doesn't have those traits.
And honestly, I'm more than OK with that. We may have the best OL in the country. As long as Mac does a good job of taking that step, I don't care if he never tucks it and runs, or scrambles. Throw the damn thing away and live to run the next play.
Posted on 11/30/20 at 2:32 pm to BamaGradinTn
Mac’s run to the right side for the first down was like watching a movie. Kind of suspenseful. He managed that stop and redirect for the first down. Resourceful if not fast.
Posted on 11/30/20 at 2:57 pm to Bham Bammer
I’m just glad I don’t hold my breath every time the QB gets sacked.
Posted on 11/30/20 at 3:00 pm to Bham Bammer
All I know is Nick Saban plays favorites and only players upperclassmen and that's why Jalen is still out there instead of Tua.
Posted on 11/30/20 at 3:01 pm to C W
quote:
Mac’s run to the right side for the first down was like watching a movie. Kind of suspenseful. He managed that stop and redirect for the first down. Resourceful if not fast.
When he stopped (it took him roughly the same time it takes a train to stop) and cut up the field I was flummoxed.
But it worked, so there ya go!
Posted on 11/30/20 at 3:07 pm to C W
quote:
Mac’s run to the right side for the first down was like watching a movie. Kind of suspenseful. He managed that stop and redirect for the first down. Resourceful if not fast.
So true.

At first I was like, oh, he's got this easy. Then I was unsure. Then he put his foot in the ground, let the defender go past, and dove forward for a hard-gained 4 yards.
Posted on 11/30/20 at 3:08 pm to SummerOfGeorge
quote:
All I know is Nick Saban plays favorites and only players upperclassmen and that's why Jalen is still out there instead of Tua.

Posted on 11/30/20 at 3:18 pm to SummerOfGeorge
Going back to 17 with Tua, Hurts and Mac as the three scholarship QBs. Hard to believe Saban started the worst of those 3 QBs that year.
Latest Alabama News
Popular
Back to top
