Video: Pate on Cam Ward opt-out at halftime of bowl

[Cruloc]

 

[Jack Bourbon]

I applaud him for stepping aside and giving the next man up some reps.

 

[Redwood Forrest]

I wonder if his $$$ NIL had an op-out clause?

 

[PA Tide Fan]

Cristobal is a weak coach to let Ward get away with that. Before the game he should have told Ward that if he wants to pursue a personal record then he needs to commit himself for the entire game, otherwise he needs to opt out of the entire game. Cristobal's approval of this just shows the he doesn't care about winning the game either.

 

[mdb-tpet]

I'm okay with this great new system. All I want to see is a QB start for one team and start for the other team after the half.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

The games (with all the opt outs) have turned into glorified spring games. In most of the bowl games the team doesn't have a material amount of the starters even participating. One commentator got so disgusted he literally said "those players ought to feel ashamed". I'm sure he was reprimanded during the next commercial. But he's right, for those kids who decided to play and hold up their commitment to the team, those who oped out should be ashamed. Even Colorado took out extra insurance on all their players to encourage their team to play.

 

[CrimsonNagus]

Or maybe these meaningless bowl games need to just die. I don’t buy into this “tradition” stuff that most people like to talk about. Most of these games are boring and have no traditions. ESPN refuses to show the seats at most of them because the stadiums are so empty. The fans aren’t interested, the players aren’t interested and it is only going to get worst in the playoff era.

Somehow people are still making money off these games, even the stupid one in Montgomery. The second that changes, these games will disappear, traditions or not.

 

[DrollTide]

The new rules have managed the remarkable combined feat of trivializing bowl games, as Saban predicted, while introducing a playoff system that has also been garbage.

 

[CB4]

The games (with all the opt outs) have turned into glorified spring games. In most of the bowl games the team doesn't have a material amount of the starters even participating. One commentator got so disgusted he literally said "those players ought to feel ashamed". I'm sure he was reprimanded during the next commercial. But he's right, for those kids who decided to play and hold up their commitment to the team, those who oped out should be ashamed. Even Colorado took out extra insurance on all their players to encourage their team to play.

Interesting. I had the very same thought watching several of these over the weekend. Not even “steak or beans” at stake.

 

[lowend]

Interesting. I had the very same thought watching several of these over the weekend. Not even “steak or beans” at stake.

Some team with a need is going to see some backup, that's plugging a hole for a quitter, have a hot game, wave some NIL at them, and then they're gone. So much for using the practices and games to prep for next year.

 

[BamaMoon]

I have mixed emotions.

Thinking about our game, I'd like to see JM sit the second half. Go out and ball out, get a lead, finish off the season with a W and a 10 win season.

I also like the idea of this being the first part of the spring/2025 season. For us this year, that means I'd really like to see TS or AM get some serious reps; preferably in the second half after we get a big lead.

That's called getting your cake and eating it too. Probably too much pie in the sky wishing.

 

[BamaDMD]

I have mixed emotions.

Thinking about our game, I'd like to see JM sit the second half. Go out and ball out, get a lead, finish off the season with a W and a 10 win season.

I also like the idea of this being the first part of the spring/2025 season. For us this year, that means I'd really like to see TS or AM get some serious reps; preferably in the second half after we get a big lead.

That's called getting your cake and eating it too. Probably too much pie in the sky wishing.

I’d take of piece of that too……man I’ve eaten way too many desserts during the holiday’s. Got to get back to working out.

 

[Power Eye]

Honest question,

I have mixed emotions.

Thinking about our game, I'd like to see JM sit the second half. Go out and ball out, get a lead, finish off the season with a W and a 10 win season.

I also like the idea of this being the first part of the spring/2025 season. For us this year, that means I'd really like to see TS or AM get some serious reps; preferably in the second half after we get a big lead.

That's called getting your cake and eating it too. Probably too much pie in the sky wishing.

I feel the same way. If Milroe plays half a game today, we get a first half lead, and then lose with Simpson, Milroe would get killed just like Ward. Meanwhile, most on this board would be satisfied with Simpson playing half a game getting meaningful snaps. We can’t have it both ways. And for the record, I’m fine with that scenario, though I think we win the game with Simpson.

 

[BigPoppa52]

Or maybe these meaningless bowl games need to just die. I don’t buy into this “tradition” stuff that most people like to talk about. Most of these games are boring and have no traditions. ESPN refuses to show the seats at most of them because the stadiums are so empty. The fans aren’t interested, the players aren’t interested and it is only going to get worst in the playoff era.

Somehow people are still making money off these games, even the stupid one in Montgomery. The second that changes, these games will disappear, traditions or not.

What? And kill the golden goose? Surely you jest, man.

 

[Crimson1967]

If he wants to opt out of the game that’s fine. But quitting at halftime?

 

[bamaga]

Now I see why I have liked Josh Pates reviews for so long, and it’s not a good thing. He really has no opinions, he straddles the fence on everything. I actually agree more with Kanell, if he is being paid, then he should play. Don’t give me the school wasn’t paying him. Ward dang sure wouldn’t get paid by that collective if he played for UF. It’s no longer optional.

 

[B1GTide]

We have embraced this mentality as a society.

 

[bamaga]

If he wants to opt out of the game that’s fine. But quitting at halftime?

Opt out after halftime is ok too if it was predetermined, but with what? 1:49 to go and down by a score, then he should have respected his teammates and put his helmet on.

 

[Bama9001]

Well, he lost his last game as a starting QB in college...guess that will be a footnote somewhere.

It really seems they've gone out of their way to make the bowl matchups unattractive. I've probably watched 15 minutes total of this year's bowl games. Watched about an hour of the playoff games so far.

College football needs to find some answers really fast.

 

[UAH]

Honest question,


I feel the same way. If Milroe plays half a game today, we get a first half lead, and then lose with Simpson, Milroe would get killed just like Ward. Meanwhile, most on this board would be satisfied with Simpson playing half a game getting meaningful snaps. We can’t have it both ways. And for the record, I’m fine with that scenario, though I think we win the game with Simpson.

Simpson hasn't gotten any meaningful snaps over the last two seasons. I would have a ton of crow to eat because I don't see DeBoer ever pulling JM out of the game without a huge lead. As said before it is difficult to see why Simpson would still be there with literally every team in the college football having virtual moving vans moving between teams. There is constant talk of the next hot portal QB heading to Alabama and it makes one wonder is team loyalty an absolute defunct concept.