So we shouldn't start Cam Robinson at left tackle because he hasn't been through 5 fourth quarter programs? Rashaan Evans, Humphrey, Tony Brown-none of those guys should play in order to give every other player on the depth chart a "chance" to play first? Your logic is flawed and you know it is. I've always said I would support whoever played. You are the one who said you would be disappointed to see Coker play. Don't try to spin that around on me...
Have you been paying attention to Bama football since CNS has been here? He has never said that playing time is determined by seniority. Juilio, Mark, Trent, Donta, Rolando, Carpenter, etc etc etc all those guys were true freshman or JUCO who came in and played immediately. Did you have an objection to those guys playing in front of people who had been riding the bench for 4 years? And you are sorely mistaken about what the process is about if you think it is about who starts on Saturday. The process is about taking an 18 year old high school kid and turning them into a 22 year old man who can represent themselves, their family, and their university in a positive way. The process is about being the best person you can be and making a positive impact on other people. It's about doing the right thing because it's the right thing to do. The process is about helping our players be successful in the classroom, in the community, and athletically. The process is about being rewarded via merit, not seniority or favoritism. It really has little to do with who starts on Saturday. The only way the process will have failed BS or any of the players is if they didn't take advantage of their opportunity and do what was asked of them. The process doesn't fail because a player doesn't get to play. 90% of the players will not play in the NFL and be done with sports after they leave Alabama. The process prepares them for the rest of their lives, not for Saturday...
The only thing I've said about Coker is that he hasn't shown me anything yet. Neither has he shown you anything yet, or nobody on this board for that matter. He hasn't been on the field for goodness sakes.
I did not say I'll be disappointed if Coker plays. I said I'd be disappointed if Blake doesn't get at least one chance to start, because he has never had an opportunity to show what he can really do in a competitive game situation. I've also said, repeatedly, that if he screws it up and can't handle it that he can always be replaced.
Coach Saban has traditionally appreciated the efforts of players who have given their absolute all for an extended time period.
I think Blake is one of those players, and will start against West Virginia. That's not a knock against Coker, that's not saying Blake is better than Coker, that's not me not liking Coker, that's not me being anti-Coker. I'm simply saying that I think Blake will get a chance to start the West Virginia game. That's not proclaiming him as the year long starter. That's one game, one snap, one chance.
The only "ANTI's" in this thread are you and the the Pro-Cokers. You guys are 100% totally "Anti-Blake", have had nothing whatsoever to say good about him and have criticized him up, down, chewed him up, spit him out, and deemed him as an unworthy possibility as our QB.
I don't get riled up when someone disagrees with me on this board. But I'll defend a Bama player who's being ridiculed with every ounce of my energy, especially when the criticism is totally unfounded.
Blake's statistics both as a passer and runner surpass Cokers to this point in their college careers. Look it up.
At this point that fact is all anybody has to go on. Someone posted earlier, "Being 6'5 and 230 doesn't make you a good QB". So true.
As far as Cam Robinson starting etc., I think the best player should play, period, regardless of classification. But when we signed him I didn't run around doing cartwheels saying, "Cam Robinson's going to be our starting left tackle next year! Coach Saban wouldn't have signed him if he wasn't going to come in and play immediately!". Robinson earned the job by going through a full spring practice and beating the others out for the position.
That's different from a brand new QB who just started practice.
I'll say this again, If Coker's the starter I'll pull for him 100%, but I'll be surprised if Blake doesn't start against West Virginia.
sip