AJ McCarron's Future at the Capstone

[TommyMac]

I think what A LOT of people are overlooking is that... this is, in general regard, a DOWN year for QB recruits. Sims really isn't any more touted than McCarron was coming out of high school. Many of the QB's ranked ahead of AJ last year, could be argued as the Top Overall QB this year (had they only been born a year later).

I know, Sims is a 5-Star on Scout. But stars are awarded based on rank within the recruiting class, not talent! The rank is established based on talent. But what happens when a a certain position is lacking in numbers? It's pretty understandable for "the tops" at the position to recieve a little bump in their rank because they are essentially a "rare commodity." (I also believe this year's top RB are very subpar to last year's top backs- maybe it's just a down year overall).

Anyway, look at the Scout 300 over the past few years... They all have QB's ranked in the Top 10, if not better. This year's 300 is different. Heaps is the #1 QB at an overall rank at #21 - Sims is ranked at #23.

Or, look at the Rival's 100, who usually does a better job of ranking/evaluating. Heaps is the #1 QB, ranked at #63 overall. Sims is a few spots behind at #67. How does this compare to other years? In last year's Rival's 100, there were FIVE QB's in the Top 60 players (including 3 in the Top-20 - TWO in the Top 5). There were also 5 QB's in the Top 60 of the '08 class, with Pryor #1 overall.

Down year or not, one doesn't have to be an expert to tell that Sims is pretty special when it comes to throwing the ball. It just seems so natural for him and he has all the throws, not just a gunner with no touch.

 

[tidefan23]

From everything I've heard, AJ's future, barring injury, is very bright at the Capstone...

I agree. Many of the other posters believe that McCarron is in an unfortunate position with Sims coming in. I kind of think it's the other way around -- it's unfortunate that Sims will be behind McCarron. McCarron is the real deal; Sims is an unknown.

 

[PaulD]

This seems to be a reprise of the talk a couple of years ago that Star Jackson was so good that he would, as a true freshman, immediately replace John Parker Wilson as the starting QB.

I think some of this is from the emphasis fans place on recruiting these days as compared with 10 years ago or more. We think that high rankings of a recruit, which are in comparison with other recruits, are in comparison with current college players.

Another problem is the emphasis on high ranking recruits playing right away. This is in part because some of the players themselves come to expect it--remember the relative astonishment in the media that Greg McElroy was willing to wait his "turn" and not transfer immediately--and because they have been hearing for 2 to 3 years that they're the greatest things since sliced bread and have trouble adjusting to the fact that on good teams they may be one of many outstanding players.

McElroy's level-headedness sounds even better the more you think about it.

 

[RT3413]

There's one more big, nasty wrinkle that keeps popping into my head...

If we continue to have the level of success on offense that we've had for the past year I think you could easily see Jim McElwain get a HC offer and leave Alabama, meaning whatever QB is on our roster will have to learn a new offense.

Regardless, I think the talent level at the QB position is the highest we've had since the late 60s. But changing OC's can cause a lot of shuffling at the QB position in terms of who picks up and best fits the offensive scheme that's run.

 

[bamaslaw]

There's one more big, nasty wrinkle that keeps popping into my head...

If we continue to have the level of success on offense that we've had for the past year I think you could easily see Jim McElwain get a HC offer and leave Alabama, meaning whatever QB is on our roster will have to learn a new offense.

I have a feeling that while it would be a new offense, that Saban will replace McElwain with someone who runs a pretty similar scheme.

 

[chris]

Phillip Sims has one thing to say about McCarron's future: bleak.

Care to place a friendly wager on that?

 

[bamacpa]

I think GMac, as good as he has been at times, needs to keep improving or AJ could see significant PT in 2010.

 

[crimsonbleeder]

If we think that GMac can just maintain the same level of play and keep his job next season whether he is winning or never lost a game. I think we are mistaken at the expectation level Saban has for the team as a whole.

GMac is going to have to be more decisive and more explosive in the passing game next season because it appears that AJ maybe approaching him in knowledge of the system but has more physical tools. If AJ can move the ball and avoid turnovers I can see a scenario where he will play and play considerably.

I know that Julio had some injuries this season but we have to be more effective in getting him the ball and for some reason I am concerned that GMac is not as capable of rifling the ball in the window where Julio is open. Julio probably lacks that great separation speed that maybe a RMoss has but Julio can really do some damage across the middle and yards after the catch.

We now have the talent on hand at the QB position that we had back in the 60s and 70s where we could legitimately platoon QBs and see no drop off in performance or leadership. My expectation is that Saban view of a starter is based purely on their ability to play at a superior level and I doubt win-loss records of starters has little influence on his decisionmaking regarding who the starting QB is. This sort of philosophy is truly a professional culture in development.

CNS is so confident in his ability to continually recruit and development new talent that NO ONE will ever feel comfortable in their position as starter. Does this sound familiar to any of you out there over the age of 40?

I'm with you, man. I love GMac, and respect his "no loss" record, but the days of "entitlement" because of seniority at Alabama are gone since XCMS's departure. These guys will have to bring it every practice, every week, every workout, every game, and PROVE day in and day out that they DESERVE to hold that position.

Will GMac retain it? Who knows? BUT, I guarantee you we WILL have a dominant passing attack that will be feared come the fall. Saban wants it. The team wants it. That is a HUGE priority for the offseason. Saban has had to play conservatively on offense because the defense has been such a strength. This year's defense may require a lot more points on the board until they get seasoned, and the coaches know that.

"Air Saban"? It may happen. But we have the QB talent across the board and whoever wins out will have EARNED it...

 

[AlistarWills]

I think you've all missed what I consider as a HUGE intangible when it comes to QB play. LEADERSHIP! I think some of these guys would run through a brick wall right now for McElroy. But he had to earn that. I think many people said that they felt McElroy was a bettter QB when it came to physical skills, than Wilson. But the team did not follow McElroy. When Wilson graduated, McElroy stepped up and earned the right to be considered a leader on this team. McCarron/Jackson/Simms will have to earn this as well. I think to some extent, McCarron has earned a few stripes on the bomb squad and showed what he's made of, which likely was a big reason he made that quick jump to 2nd string. Physical talent will go a long way, but I feel that at QB you really have to have a strong leader to be really sucessful.

 

[Tidedyed]

Let's still employ the "wait and see" attitude. I can still remember, but barely, how Vince Sutton and Steve Tanneyhill were "can't miss" quarterbacks. The recruiting gurus were saying that Sutton would push for a starting position by the end of his first year. Tanneyhill did do better after the transfer to Duke, but couldn't break in here. I must admit, that I'm excited about the accolades being heaped upon Simms, but I have the wait and see approach. I've heard so many impressive comments about McCarron that I feel the spring compitition will be great...and the A-day game very important. Although I'm not sure how much of the offense Simms will be able to pick up by then.

 

[Superdad]

If McCarron is the better quarterback next year (or this year, for that matter), then the second best will just have to be the backup. If the backup doesn't like that; whether it be McCarron, Jackson, Sims, or McElroy, that's just too bad. If they want to transfer, good luck to them. I've seen too many hotshot qb's come to Alabama with all the hype & be beaten out by one that was not as highly recruited. Wasn't David Smith a walk on? He beat out Billy Ray, Jeff Dunn, & Vince Sutton if I'm not mistaken, which I may be. It's been a long time, you know. Let's let them live by what they do once they get on a college practice field. Not what they did against high school competition. Gosh, this post sure got long, didn't it?:wink:

 

[Bama1970]

Let's still employ the "wait and see" attitude. I can still remember, but barely, how Vince Sutton and Steve Tanneyhill were "can't miss" quarterbacks. The recruiting gurus were saying that Sutton would push for a starting position by the end of his first year. Tanneyhill did do better after the transfer to Duke, but couldn't break in here. I must admit, that I'm excited about the accolades being heaped upon Simms, but I have the wait and see approach. I've heard so many impressive comments about McCarron that I feel the spring compitition will be great...and the A-day game very important. Although I'm not sure how much of the offense Simms will be able to pick up by then.

I think you are referring to Billy Ray. Tanneyhill played for usc/e.
I do remember Billy Ray and Jeff Dunn being 2 can't miss qb prospects. We all know how that turned out. Seems Bama has a history of cant miss qb's stinking it up once they arrive at the Capstone. Sutton, Ray, Dunn, Kitchens, Watts. Croyle wasn't exactly a world beater, but circumstances certainly came into play during his career at Bama.

 

[CrimsonEyeshade]

I think you are referring to Billy Ray. Tanneyhill played for usc/e.
I do remember Billy Ray and Jeff Dunn being 2 can't miss qb prospects. We all know how that turned out. Seems Bama has a history of cant miss qb's stinking it up once they arrive at the Capstone. Sutton, Ray, Dunn, Kitchens, Watts. Croyle wasn't exactly a world beater, but circumstances certainly came into play during his career at Bama.

Hmmm, I don't know. Billy Ray had a fine career under the Visor, and it would have been fun to watch what Tyler Watts would have become with a consistent coaching staff.

But I disagree on Brodie. He got hurt, again and again. But that kid had "it" as a quarterback, and I heard many a college analyst during Brodie's era say nobody threw a better ball. He would have done amazing things with the current coaching staff, philosophy and offensive line.

Back to the original post. I hope Phillip is as good as we think he is. I hope A.J. is as good as we've been hearing. I hope Greg is too good for both of them next year.

 

[TommyMac]

I agree. Many of the other posters believe that McCarron is in an unfortunate position with Sims coming in. I kind of think it's the other way around -- it's unfortunate that Sims will be behind McCarron. McCarron is the real deal; Sims is an unknown.

What are you basing that on?

 

[CapstoneTider]

I know, Sims is a 5-Star on Scout. But stars are awarded based on rank within the recruiting class, not talent!

One year you have more 5 star QB's than another year, so I do not believe that is true.

If you look at the rankings of a particular position from year to year, one year may have 5 DB's as 5 stars, the next three.

So, rankings have a set meaning that is consistent year to year.

But as we all know there are down years in talent. Look at Alabama's top 10 Julio and Baron's senior year, it is leaps and bounds better than this year, and the stars will show that. All five and four to slot 17, this year the 3's start at twelve. We have one 5 star recruit. I believe we had three Julio's senior year and Barron should have been a five too.

Regardless. The QB system all boils down to who coach Jim McElwain
feels can run his offense the most effectively with CNS's blessing. And that may have little to do with raw talent as with past Saban coordinators.

All though I see it as fruitless, my prediction is:

2010 - Greg 200 to 1 odds he doesn't start barring injury.
(Has another QB coming off a NC without Injury not started the
not started the next season?)
2011 - AJ will be starter, and it's up to him. But remember Saban's past
with sticking with his starter. Simms or Star(who may unfairly be
getting overlooked) will be #2. Neither will transfer
2012 AJ
2013 AJ with Sims getting a package if #2 at this point
2014 Simms the starter one year with a young super recruit waiting in the
wings.


After watching Star, I just don't think he is a good fit for our Pro-Style system.
I nearly past out when he ran out of bounds for a 15 yard loss when he could have easily thrown it in the stands. Many attribute this to "whatever" but for a big time recruit in the SEC, it was a red flag to me. It went against what we need in a QB. Mistake free, put the ball in the playmakers hands offense.

 

[Rasputin]

I think we will all be looking back at this thread in 4-5 years and laugh at some of the predictions.

An unknown that we are not factoring in is that recruiting is a continuous never ending thing.

Alabama's last "great" qb recruit will not be P. Simms.

We will continue to bring in guys that can play football at a high level.

Only time will tell!

 

[TidefaninOS]

Phillip Sims has one thing to say about McCarron's future: bleak.

Pretty strong statement, considering Sims has yet to practice the first time at UA. Will you be saying that Sims' future is "bleak" after we sign another top-flight QB next year? Why do some people always assume that the "next" one is always better than the last one? :rolleye2:

 

[crimsonbleeder]

...

But I disagree on Brodie. He got hurt, again and again. But that kid had "it" as a quarterback, and I heard many a college analyst during Brodie's era say nobody threw a better ball. He would have done amazing things with the current coaching staff, philosophy and offensive line. ...

Not to hijack the thread, but I think you're right partially, although I'd add that "with the current CONDITIONING, DISCIPLINE, LEADERSHIP TRAINING, MENTAL TOUGHNESS, coaching staff, philosophy and offensive line." he might have been "amazing"... I never really saw the "it" in Brodie, honestly...

But to keep on task...

ALL QB's are going to be given ALL of the tools they need to be successful on every level. It's up to them to use 'em correctly and perform consistently...

 

[Jazzman]

I think you've all missed what I consider as a HUGE intangible when it comes to QB play. LEADERSHIP! I think some of these guys would run through a brick wall right now for McElroy. But he had to earn that. I think many people said that they felt McElroy was a bettter QB when it came to physical skills, than Wilson. But the team did not follow McElroy. When Wilson graduated, McElroy stepped up and earned the right to be considered a leader on this team. McCarron/Jackson/Simms will have to earn this as well. I think to some extent, McCarron has earned a few stripes on the bomb squad and showed what he's made of, which likely was a big reason he made that quick jump to 2nd string. Physical talent will go a long way, but I feel that at QB you really have to have a strong leader to be really sucessful.

WE HAVE A WINNER! :biggrin2:

 

[ChattTide]

I'm laughing because we, the fans, do this EVERY YEAR.

Seriously...

AJ, Star, Sims, or whoever else Saban and Co. decide to put under center will be the right person for their role. And I agree with AllStar Willis here; you can't just give the leadership keys to someone and say, "Ok. Your turn." That person has to be ready and people have to TRUST said person. That's why we have a great coach. He knows when the guys are ready. And if they aren't and leadership is going to be thrust upon them, they will be prepared by the coaching staff.

Let us remember Rolando McClain didn't necessarily want to be the vocal leader of the defense; it was thrust upon him. The team trusted him and he FLOURISHED in the role.

The team trusts Greg's leadership. The other guys will have to earn the trust and prove they are ready to lead. Until that time, this is Greg's job. Aj or whoever they decide on will be great in time.

Hope I didn't hijack this thread.

Roll Tide!!
ChattTide