Part of what I mean...Well for starters, I don't believe there is a real QB controversy.
Don't know if it was speculation or rumor that Tua would have a "package" of plays he'd be running in games this year. I guess the new question now is "when" and "how much?"Sure looks like Saban told us today the answer to this question. Also, Saban made it clear we have a returning starter, so he's not saying Tua could beat Jalen out for the job.
I'm not so sure Saban was that clear. his big caveat was "If we feel like he can play winning football..." To me that's not a definitive answer on if he will play, but it certainly does leave a window open that he will.Sure looks like Saban told us today the answer to this question. Also, Saban made it clear we have a returning starter, so he's not saying Tua could beat Jalen out for the job.
It certainly doesn't sound like he's talking about mop up snaps. But, it's hard to imagine TT entering the game against FSU when the game is still on the line (assuming JH had been productive and moved the offense).I'm not so sure Saban was that clear. his big caveat was "If we feel like he can play winning football..." To me that's not a definitive answer on if he will play, but it certainly does leave a window open that he will.
I've been firmly in the camp that if Tua is the #2, that we should find a way for him to get some game reps so that if he's needed due to injury and we are making a run at the championship, that he's not thrown into the fire having had no meaningful game reps. Hopefully Tua makes it clear enough to the staff that he can play winning ball...
Hopefully he can play most/all of the 4th qtr in the non-conferance matchups and maybe even the 3rd qtr if the game is blowout city. For SEC games I hope we can get him in for a few series here and there even when the game is fairly close.....or maybe for a set few package plays to ease him into pressure situations.Don't know if it was speculation or rumor that Tua would have a "package" of plays he'd be running in games this year. I guess the new question now is "when" and "how much?"
You saw the spring game, right?Don't count Mac Jones out. I don't think anyone ever decided that Tua was no. 2 just yet.
IMO, the only way that Tua plays against FSU is if the game is a blow out Alabama win. Even if Jalen plays horribly, Saban leaves him in. Saban isn't Spurrier. He has never pulled an established starter who was in the midst of a bad game to my knowledge.It certainly doesn't sound like he's talking about mop up snaps. But, it's hard to imagine TT entering the game against FSU when the game is still on the line (assuming JH had been productive and moved the offense).
You do realize that Spring, Summer and fall camp.... I'm saying spring camp is just a spring camp... Really don't mean anything. How many time we've heard someone did extremely well in spring camp only to struggle in the fall camp?You saw the spring game, right?
I know how it works but I know what I saw too. FWIW, I was impressed with Mac but to loosely quote Herbstreit, "Mac Jones looked like a true freshman."You do realize that Spring, Summer and fall camp.... I'm saying spring camp is just a spring camp... Really don't mean anything. How many time we've heard someone did extremely well in spring camp only to struggle in the fall camp?
Another thing about Saban's comments: he seems pretty vocal in stating that it is up to the offense to be explosive this year, at least until the defense can get settled in their roles. I don't think we can afford to play it safe with the QB because our chance at having a successful season hinge on applying pressure with the offense.I'm not so sure Saban was that clear. his big caveat was "If we feel like he can play winning football..." To me that's not a definitive answer on if he will play, but it certainly does leave a window open that he will.
I've been firmly in the camp that if Tua is the #2, that we should find a way for him to get some game reps so that if he's needed due to injury and we are making a run at the championship, that he's not thrown into the fire having had no meaningful game reps. Hopefully Tua makes it clear enough to the staff that he can play winning ball...
That's the main thing I took away from watching him too. Even IF hypothetically he had looked as good as Tua in the spring, Mac needs to gain at least 15-20 lbs. He looks way to fragile for SEC play right now. Not knocking him because Gmac and AJ looked just as small as TF. Jalen and Tua are both exceptions at looking like seasoned veterans right out of HS.I know how it works but I know what I saw too. FWIW, I was impressed with Mac but to loosely quote Herbstreit, "Mac Jones looked like a true freshman."
Also, the quote at the top is about playing Tua, not Jones. I didn't say it. CNS did.
I don't know how much plainer he could have put it.I'm not so sure Saban was that clear. his big caveat was "If we feel like he can play winning football..." To me that's not a definitive answer on if he will play, but it certainly does leave a window open that he will.
I've been firmly in the camp that if Tua is the #2, that we should find a way for him to get some game reps so that if he's needed due to injury and we are making a run at the championship, that he's not thrown into the fire having had no meaningful game reps. Hopefully Tua makes it clear enough to the staff that he can play winning ball...
Does he have any choice though? Tua is #2, there's no one else left. After that it's walk-ons or another true freshman. Since no one else has materialized, he has to get Tua ready to play and Tua can't be treated as though he's only there for emergencies and mop-up duty. Tua's job is just to be there if the team needs him, what ever that situation might be.I think it's pretty impressive that CNS even talked about this. Tells me he knows Tua is not the average type of true freshman.