Re: Are how Ruggs and Najee?
I agree with you. I do think this is a potential blind spot in the whole operation, but again, I'm just asking the question how many teams even think about getting the 3rd team QB valuable reps? Before the LSU game week, Jalen was our 2nd team guy and he was running the offense normally when he came in (close enough to normal, at least). Tua did last year.
Most teams don't even try to get their 2nd team guy reps, they play the starter deep into the 4th quarter during any blowout so as to preserve his stats. I do hope this doesn't come back to bite us; I know you guys are making a very valid observation. Our reality was that the 3rd team QB was entering several games with a lot of time left and was just handing the ball off instead of getting some valid experience. I'm just making the observation that I think that's unprecedented in the modern, 85 scholarship limit era.
Remember - Alabama is not just any team. Every season under Saban is about winning a national championship. You play a number of games every year that are, in all but name, scrimmages. Those are opportunities to get your second and third team QBs real work - chances to develop them in case you need them.
Does every team do that? No. Why not? Because they cannot. They are fighting for wins against inferior opponents rather than playing in glorified scrimmages.
So, against LSU, had Tua really been knocked out of the game because of that low hit, you are essentially screwed. Why? Because other teams don't develop their 3rd string QBs? Because it will look bad if you keep scoring? Pretty lame reasons to lose a game.
Saban said it - he can't just crap out a player when one gets injured. But he can develop the ones on the roster.
I know that you get it. I have said enough and will let it drop.