AJ or Sims ?

[0LDSCH00L]

I found it hard to gauge either QB's ability to lead the offense. The play calling was vanilla. We saw at least ten deep balls, the flea flicker, touches were considered sacks etc.. not to mention some of the plays being called were from persons who aren't even coaches. A-day being a scrimmage with a lot of hoopla attached to it doesn't give the players a real game type attitude. I can only imagine how hard it was for either QB to find a groove. For example both QB's played with the Crimson and White teams. I could see them getting a little mixed up. Anywhoo a real game will give us fans a better prespective on the progress at the position. For what it's worth though, Phillip Sims looks to have better fundamentals, better pocket awareness and a NFL caliber cannon for an arm. AJ was ok. However his deep balls have way to much air on them. That gives WR's and the defenders alot of time to adjust. AJ also has trouble with his ability to feel then respond to pressure (from what I saw at A-day) I liked Sims velocity and I also think he has better upside.

The numbers were eerily similar for each and on each side, for that matter. McCarron went 21-of-38 overall for 222 yards, but struggled more with the second-team White (8-of-19). Sims was 19-of-38 for 229 yards, and had a tougher go of it with the White (8-of-18).
McCarron displayed nice touch on 27-yard fade pattern to Gibson on the game's first drive. Sims delivered a 16-yarder with plenty of zip to Kevin Norwood after adroitly avoiding the rush on his second possession.
They each threw an interception, and each could have had at least one more pass picked off.

Tide's time share at QB offers no definitive answers | al.com

It's going to be a tough choice, but a choice that I am glad Alabama is in the position to have to make!

 

[BamaHoosier]

I think A.J. showed better touch on his throws, but Sims looked better on the move. I also think Sims has the more consistent arm of the two. As of now I would have withhold my vote. I saw things that impressed me about both, but they both have their fair share of faults.

 

[bonehouse81]

Very close because I like the fact that AJ has at least some experience but I have to say it would be Sims based on what we know now, namely yesterday's performance.
The fact that Sims is a year behind AJ and the competition is this close, speaks volumes imho. I read somewhere that Sims worked hard in off-season to catch up watching film etc, and it appears thats paid off for him. I love that kind of attitude.

Imo, Sims reads the field better and makes quicker decisions in checking down as Alassipi mentioned and he doesn't hang on to the ball too long. That quickness in decision though sometimes catches the receiver not quite ready in the pattern, and causes him incompletions. He can zip it, and that was a problem for him early in the scrimmage yesterday with some drops.
Some have mentioned a low throwing motion although that didn't stand out to me yesterday. And the whole height thing is reaching imo.

AJ does have a tendancy to hold the ball too long only to scramble and try and throw it away or force an int. by trying to do too much; He still showed that tendancy yesterday and he was sacked a few times as well as some throw-aways for no gain. Statistically though, I think he did better and made some beautiful passes. I think he's more accurate than Sims on the deep balls as well.
The thing I love a bout AJ is though IS the "gun-slinger" mentality and not being afraid to take shots down the field, lord knows we've needed that in our offense at times, but its also that very thing that gets him into trouble.

As most have mentioned, there are differences, though none are glaring, but I think right now Sims has a better upside than AJ and seems to able to control the offense better in terms of moving the ball, reading the defense, and a little less tendancy to turn the ball over.

Hard decision and glad I don't have to make it.

This is a great breakdown, IMO. Nice post.

 

[bonehouse81]

One thing I took away was that #3 (B. Sims) is likely to play more than the nominal #2. If I were a SEC DC, B.S. would really worry me. The whole playbook would have changed.

Good observation. I don't think Blake Sims' A-Day performance has been talked about enough. I thought he looked good enough as a passer in H.S. to be a legit passing threat out of the Wildcat for sure, and maybe even more than that.

If Blake continues to progress, we might very well be able to mix in a spread option-type element to our offense when the situation is right. The possibilities are pretty exciting.

 

[TheTradition]

Right now, I think it is a little too close to call. The thing I noticed about Sims is his pocket awareness. He made several throws in the face of pressure that still had good velocity and accuracy. He moved around well in the pocket, not panicking, and finding the open receiver. His arm strength is ridiculous, and he has great mechanics. Maybe the pressure from our DLine had something to do with his passes getting knocked down, and he's not as tall as AJ. Granted, he did make a couple of bad decisions and probably should have had more than one INT. I don't think AJ played bad at all. He has great touch and throws a beautiful deep ball. I don't remember him throwing too many intermediate passing routes as most of his passes were deep throws or dump offs. I did notice that he seems a little panicky when he gets pressured. He seems to scramble out of the pocket a little too quickly and then take a sack or try to force a throw. If I had to pick one, I'd probably go with Sims. He is playing about at about the same level as AJ or maybe even a little better, and he's younger. It will be an interesting battle leading up to the season, and I have doubts as to whether we'll even know by then.

 

[Alasippi]

The one thing A.J. simply has to stop is sprinting back and to his right when he's flushed from the pocket. That's almost a guaranteed sack or a likely interception if he tries to throw back against his body.

I keep thinking about the butt slap after the play against Georgia State. Similar type deal. Throw it away and move on to the next play.

Sims made some outstanding throws yesterday by actually stepping up into the pocket when the rush was getting to him.

There's a lot of Quarterbacks who are never able to learn that because their first instinct is to flee.

Right now A.J. looks to be a bit uncomfortable stepping up. But I'm sure the coaches will work it out.

It's not like these guys are five year veterans of the N.F.L.. lol

They are real young and they'll both only get better and better.

As far as picking a starter.....no way. Way too soon.

But I'll agree with most that Sims had a little bit better day yesterday.

sip

 

[ChattTide]

Just another thought...

Sims and McCarron both ran the ones AGAINST the number one defense and ran the twos against the twos.

Does that change anyone's view?

I liked the poise Sims showed.

I'm not that concerned when one of these guys look across the line and see one of our first 3 opponents' defense. No offense to any of those teams. What concerns me is when they look across and see an SEC defense with the speed to make them HAVE to make a quick decision. I would say going against our defense day in and day out will make them better qb's.

We're going to have to deal with some mistakes this year. I didn't say we're going to have to live with it because Saban doesn't have to. Either McCarron or Sims will be on the bench chopping at the bit to get on the field. I just hope while they are on the benc that they encourage one another and push each other to be better players. There's nothing worse than a qb controversy and everyone in the stadium can tell there's a qb controversy.

Roll Tide!!
ChattTide

 

[CapstoneTider]

I did notice that he seems a little panicky when he gets pressured. He seems to scramble out of the pocket a little too quickly and then take a sack or try to force a throw.

Speaking about A.J there, I believe the "touch your down" rule effected some of that panicking and that we might have seen an all together different presence in the pocket if not for that. I remember one play where A.J ran for around 20 yards but it was called back as a three yard loss because of a hand, and stopped a great drive.

I thought the rule helped create an atmosphere where neither quarterback could really play his game. GMAC would have been dreadful playing under those rules.

I hope that next year coach Saban finds a better middle ground, maybe a flag or something . QB's running the ball, or scambling away from touches is very much apart of offensive drives these days.....but I understand coaches concern.

To be honest, I believe coach Saban would rather the two QB's be neck and neck right now to be settled in the fall.

 

[GreatDanish]

For those saying something about AJ should have a lead, having had an extra year in the system, that's not really true. They have both been through two Spring practices (AJ arrived in Summer 2009, Sims in January 2010). AJ only has one Fall practice advantage on Sims in terms of time in the system.

I still think Sims wins the job, but certainly won't be surprised either way. Of course, I don't know if any of us really care who starts (let this be the obligatory "Saban knows best" post) as long as they win.

I was thinking about Earle's point earlier - about Blake possibly getting more playing time than our #2 QB. This is what I've thought all along about a 2 QB system - if we are going to use 2 QBs, one of them needs a unique skill set or a unique role in our offense. Blake has that. AJ and Sims are similar enough, I'm not sure there would be any advantage in using both of them regularly. I've never really thought about a three QB system, though...

 

[bonehouse81]

There's already been some good QB discussion in this thread, but I'll go ahead and add a few things:

A.J.'s sacks/skittishness criticism may not be totally deserved. Yes, the stats say A.J. took six sacks yesterday to Sims' one, but it seemed like most if not all those were just a brush of the defender's hand, and he likely wouldn't have actually been sacked. My impression is that A.J. likes to get out of the pocket and freewheel a little bit. Sometimes that's a good thing, sometimes it's not, but maybe he excels with that. Too early to judge off what happened yesterday, IMO.

A.J., to this point, has shown an ability to throw a couple balls that Sims has not. Granted, we have a very small sample size of Sims' play to go by. But yesterday, during last season, and during last year's A-Day, McCarron has shown a very nice ability to throw two types of passes: a medium-range floater near the sideline, and a deep ball down the seams. He threw two absolute beauties to Gibson (near the goal line on the first drive) and Trent on those floaters. Maybe Sims can throw those as well, but I don't know. I know A.J. can, and those are some valuable skills.

Sims showed some very exciting glimpses of his potential yesterday. Sims showed an NFL arm and release in high school, and those things haven't changed. But yesterday, he gave a lot of us a sense that he has that special "pocket presence" that's hard to define. Someone on another board said it well when he said that, as a fan, Phillip just made him feel comfortable when he dropped back to pass, whereas A.J. made him feel kind of nervous. I felt the same way.

I liked the way he stood in the pocket and the way he found other guys when his first read wasn't there. He had a throw in the second half where the pocket was collapsing up the middle, but he stood tall and fired an absolute dart across the middle without fully stepping into the throw. That was a "wow" moment for me, and he made several other throws and decisions during the day that were quite impressive.


Bottom line: I don't think we can go wrong with either one of these guys. My impression is that Sims *might* have a little more of that pocket presence, and all he needs is more reps and experience in order to take control of the QB race.

 

[JD95]

I got Sims.

 

[Tide Warrior]

I will go with Sims for the job. People keep comparing deep balls by AJ to Sims not throwing any. But I noticed Sims never got the play called for them. Most of AJ long balls were overthrown or 50/50 waiting to be picked. My opinion is if AJ was making those throws in the 1st half againt the top defense he would have had several picks.

I liked Sims from the time he was recruited and I think the scrimmage yesterday did not help either QB. One knock I have heard on AJ has always been his deep ball floated to much and maybe yesterday they wanted to see it more. Just like I had heard that Sims was good in short yardage and deep balls but not medium throws. But if you want to see arm stregth go and find some videos from the UA-AA game for Sims when he won the long ball accuracy and other events. Even last spring I rememebr reading reports that Sims had the best arm from spring camp.

Sims has poise that most do not have so early at this time. But in the end both have potential to lead this team and we will win with either one in the backfield.

 

[gamersfuel]

i'll go with Sims. AJ gets way to wild under pressure and it completely throws his rhythm off creating underthrows downfield. Sims seems to show way more poise and can progress through his reads better than AJ

 

[Padreruf]

For those saying something about AJ should have a lead, having had an extra year in the system, that's not really true. They have both been through two Spring practices (AJ arrived in Summer 2009, Sims in January 2010). AJ only has one Fall practice advantage on Sims in terms of time in the system.

I still think Sims wins the job, but certainly won't be surprised either way. Of course, I don't know if any of us really care who starts (let this be the obligatory "Saban knows best" post) as long as they win.

I was thinking about Earle's point earlier - about Blake possibly getting more playing time than our #2 QB. This is what I've thought all along about a 2 QB system - if we are going to use 2 QBs, one of them needs a unique skill set or a unique role in our offense. Blake has that. AJ and Sims are similar enough, I'm not sure there would be any advantage in using both of them regularly. I've never really thought about a three QB system, though...

Not to nitpick, but AJ has had 3 springs and 2 falls in practice...Sims has had 2 springs and 1 fall.

 

[Tide Warrior]

Here is a video for Sims his senior year.

AMP: Rivals100 Sims perfect fit at Bama - Rivals.com Video

YouTube - Next Step on MaxPreps.com w/ Phillip Sims

 

[TommyMac]

As I've stated before, Sims recruiting videos were far more impressive to me than AJ's and I saw nothing yesterday to change my mind. Phillip just looks more comfortable back there, like playing QB is what he was born to do. AJ is a real talent, but all things considered, I think PS has a larger upside, including a potential extra year of eligibility.

One good thing is that both seem to really. really. really want the starting job, therefore both will most likely bust their humps over the summer and report to fall practice well prepared and raring to go.

BTW, as others have noted, Blake Sims looked pretty dang good and Ely showed a lot of potential, especially for a kid that should still be in HS instead of being on the same field as all that talent Coach Saban has amassed.

 

[Padreruf]

Blake Sims is the big question mark to me. He showed agility, awareness, and arm strength that none of us knew he possessed. (Shows how little we know.) For a college system it would be tough to keep him on the bench. For a pro system -- he's questionable only because we did not see him try to run that. I bet Saban did this to make DC's prepare for a roll out, option attack as well as the pro system.

Anyway...barring unforeseen injuries and meltdowns, we are in good standing at QB. (And all across the board as well.)

 

[gtowntide]

If we are judging by that one A day scrimmage, I gotta go with Sims. I feel really good about either however and will leave it up to CNS. I think Phillip was the better game manager yesterday by throwing the underneath throws on his TD drive. He was 8 of 9 and looked poised. I really feel good the way this team is shaping up. We will be in the fight fot it all in 2011.

 

[jabcmb]

P. Sims reminds me of a young Namath, before Namath's knees were injured. I think Sims will win the QB battle before the first game.

 

[TIDE-HSV]

Speaking about A.J there, I believe the "touch your down" rule effected some of that panicking and that we might have seen an all together different presence in the pocket if not for that. I remember one play where A.J ran for around 20 yards but it was called back as a three yard loss because of a hand, and stopped a great drive.

I thought the rule helped create an atmosphere where neither quarterback could really play his game. GMAC would have been dreadful playing under those rules.

I hope that next year coach Saban finds a better middle ground, maybe a flag or something . QB's running the ball, or scambling away from touches is very much apart of offensive drives these days.....but I understand coaches concern.

To be honest, I believe coach Saban would rather the two QB's be neck and neck right now to be settled in the fall.

I think "two hand touch" rules would have helped...