Battered Quarterback Syndrome: A Discussion on Ty Simpson

[gtgilbert]

So if Kirby said he learned something from OU, then we better spend the next two weeks changing up our offensive tendencies and play calling.

It seems teams are baiting Ty into switching and then they switch, knowing what's coming.

We also are going to have to go more heavy on pass pro and start keeping a TE and RB in to block more...maybe even 2 TEs!

And, I think we didn't stick with the running game long enough against Georgia. The first couple of series D. Hill was making decent yardage. He had a few 4-5 yard runs early, but then when we got to 3rd and short, we couldn't convert. And then when we got behind, we panicked and basically abandoned any run attempts. When we gave up on the run, so early, Georgia was just pinning their ears back and sending everyone.

We have to run it better (which brings up OL blocking) and pass protect better and/or scheme better with more screen passes.

And whatever is ailing Ty, we've got to keep him from taking so many hits.

I think it's safe to say that if he's not significantly better against OU this time around than he was against AU and Georgia, we will have an early exit from the CFP.

I'm pretty sure this is exactly what is happening. Good teams also did this to Tua. Both were/are very, very good at presnap diagnosis. Really good D coordinators figured out that if they showed a certain look, what the QB would change to or the reaction they'd get, so they designed the gameplan to show specific things, knowing what play they would get, and then right at the snap, very quickly rotating the D into something different, designed to stop what they thought they were going to get.

 

[Con]

The defense absolutely held their own against OU and UGA. Both games, Short fields given up aren't on them. And most of UGA's plays looked exactly like the ones we ran with perfection against them in late September.

It's all very confounding for a casual fan to comprehend. Some of us who know football at least a little bit, and know college football from decades of watching and paying close attention, know that this isn't an easy problem to solve. Calling for firing people isn't the answer. Execution is lacking, but why? Simple. We are the walking wounded out there. All those highly ranked teams, stacked together, all the teams with an off week before Alabama....It's built up. If that was the goal of the conference, to beat Alabama to a pulp, mission accomplished.

I agree with this, but the defense also needs to step up and hold the other team to a field goal on some of these short fields. It would help stop some of the momentum from the turnover/punt blocks.

 

[BamaMoon]

I'm pretty sure this is exactly what is happening. Good teams also did this to Tua. Both were/are very, very good at presnap diagnosis. Really good D coordinators figured out that if they showed a certain look, what the QB would change to or the reaction they'd get, so they designed the gameplan to show specific things, knowing what play they would get, and then right at the snap, very quickly rotating the D into something different, designed to stop what they thought they were going to get.

Not only does it explain how teams are getting more pressure, but it also explains WRs not getting as much separation and running lanes being filled with LBs shooting gaps.

Sometimes, when Ty has time to throw, he doesn't even have anywhere to throw. And then, the next play might be vice versa; he doesn't have time, but there's a playing streaking open.

 

[crimsonaudio]

Why don't we have Ty rollout to help with the pass rush. Watching the IU and OSU game last night I noticed that OSU sacked Mendoza a few times and then the IU coaches started having him rollout to pass. It seemed to work pretty well. We gotta try something.

Seems logical, but if Ty struggles to throw (due to injury) with a solid base (both feet planted), expecting that to improve while running seems overly optimistic. I expect if it were that simple DeBoer and Co would have figured it out.

 

[CB4]

If the kid is injured to the point some on here are implying, he shouldn't be on the field. Period.

I think the answer to that is “it depends”. Does a banged up Ty at, say 75% healthy, give you a better chance at success than a relatively inexperienced Austin Mack at 100%? Then you need to figure in with that the added pressure of playing games late in the season (LSU, Oklahoma, Auburn, SECCG) where the season is on the line. Who is better equipped?

The next college football game I coach will be my first. My decision? I’d do equal reps this week with 1st team between Ty and Mack. I make a decision by the end of the week.

But that is just me. My opinion means nothing. CKD makes about $10 million a year for those decisions. Me? I’m just “the old maid that never had any kids telling the woman that has eight children how she needs to raise them”.

 

[PaulD]

I've been inside for a month with a knee replacement. I'm going absolutely bonkers being so limited in what I can do. Absolutely miserable.

I remember that from three years ago. It was no fun going around the house with a walker. With PT, it improved to where I can walk normally. Best wishes for healing!

 

[AlexanderFan]

I say it is more scheme than anything. I don’t like how running plays are drawn up and executed. I don’t like how pass protections are called. Many times it is RBs and TEs that are missing blocks are outright missing assignments.

Or being forced to block DEs by themselves. They’ve recruited receiving mismatches at tight end, not blockers.

 

[BamaMoon]

Seems logical, but if Ty struggles to throw (due to injury) with a solid base (both feet planted), expecting that to improve while running seems overly optimistic. I expect if it were that simple DeBoer and Co would have figured it out.

Yeah, as much as some think they could call a better game than Grubb, it's obviously not that simple.

I do wonder at what point (if Ty is that limited), we have to consider having Mack/Russell ready.

Both obviously are inferior options, but could provide something Ty may not be able to do.

Mack is Tall and healthy and has the arm. Russell is incredibly gifted and athletic and could possibly do damage with his feet.

If it is true we are overthinking changing the play at the LOS, I could see how either of them might could provide a spark.

But, the other side of me says, at this point, you ride or die with Simpson.

Basically, I don't know!!!

 

[BAMARICH]

I think everyone needs to kinda step away from the ledge when it comes to changing the QBs going forward. you ride with Simpson for the playoff. There's no if, but and and about that. You don't put back up QBs in the game during the playoff. I'm confident Simpson will correct some of his issues enough to move forward.

I also want to point out something else: While the narrative you put out is true for the most part, we also have to consider this: Every time they're moving down the field, or making positive progress, what do Grubb do? He call a horrible play such as double reverse, Double pass, etc... that put the team in horrible position.

I encourage everyone to go back to the game last night. Watch Fromby and Vandermark in their position and compare run v.s. pass stance they were in. As matter of fact, The whole OL is tipping off the plays at times throughout the season. Last night, I told my wife what play Bama was about to run and I was right 85 percent of the time. If I can tell, then the opposing coaches can tell.

Most telling IMO is your middle paragraph. We waste possessions doing that stuff.

 

[BAMARICH]

Our offensive identify seems to be ball control football utilizing the short to intermediate passing game (not the running game) to produce consistent gains. For that to work, personnel has to match with that philosophy. You better have OL who can stone their guy in pass pro... WR's who can work open quickly and consistently catch balls in traffic... RB's who can both block and catch... and a QB who gets the ball out quickly and accurately while making quick reads.

 

[Power Eye]

I think everyone needs to kinda step away from the ledge when it comes to changing the QBs going forward. you ride with Simpson for the playoff. There's no if, but and and about that. You don't put back up QBs in the game during the playoff. I'm confident Simpson will correct some of his issues enough to move forward.

I also want to point out something else: While the narrative you put out is true for the most part, we also have to consider this: Every time they're moving down the field, or making positive progress, what do Grubb do? He call a horrible play such as double reverse, Double pass, etc... that put the team in horrible position.

I encourage everyone to go back to the game last night. Watch Fromby and Vandermark in their position and compare run v.s. pass stance they were in. As matter of fact, The whole OL is tipping off the plays at times throughout the season. Last night, I told my wife what play Bama was about to run and I was right 85 percent of the time. If I can tell, then the opposing coaches can tell.

You can put a backup QB in the playoff and win. 2014 Ohio State is proof of that. DeBoer has said that he thinks he has three NFL QBs on the roster. I recognize he doesn't mean they are NFL ready right now, but they have the talent.

I realize that making a QB change right now is a huge gamble, but I stand by that it is the only way that we can do anything beyond maybe beating Oklahoma. Maybe the coaches are okay with that. Maybe they look at it like "let's give ourselves the best chance at beating OU and then we are playing with house money." I'm not saying I even disagree with that approach, but there is no way we do anything other than perhaps beat OU and then lose to Indiana.

I have no doubt that when Simpson is healthy, both physically and mentally, that he is our best QB right now, but I don't think he's either, and I don't think he can physically make an accurate pass over 15 yards consistently, and that puts a huge handcuff on an already limited offense. Since the Vandy game, we've had one 400+ yard performance against a P4 team and that was against Oklahoma.

 

[RammerJammer14]

Knives out I see.

 

[bamaclimber]

I said this last year and it's true this year. I'd feel much better about DeBoer's longterm prospects as a coach if he played someone other than the starting quarterback when it's clear the starting quarterback is suffering/struggling - for at least a few series. Multiple times last year it was clear Milroe wasn't going to get it done, yet no change was made. Multiple times in the past few games, it's clear Simpson isn't going to get it done, yet there's no change.

I don't mind losing in that scenario. At least you tried something different. If you're willing to go for it on 4th down in your own territory, why not be willing to try a different QB?

Related/unrelated, there were a few shots of DoBoer on the sideline when he looked shell schocked. Man I hate the look. It just seems like it would be so demoralizing to everyone around you. Having a better poker face in the midst of adversity seems like a prerequisite to being a championship coach. It's one thing to look frustrated, it's another to look lost.

 

[LA BamaCarl]

Seems to me our offensive woes in the passing and running game stems from poor offensive line play. From not knowing who to block to just flat out getting physically beat, our line play is not close to what is necessary to play winning SEC football. Ty has become shell shocked and I'm not sure he strong enough to mentally overcome this. Our offensive coaches don't seem to be able to do anything to improve our line play. We seem to never have a single play where everyone is able to dominate the defense .Coaches and players need to man up. This is not up to the Alabama standard.

 

[gtgilbert]

Yeah, as much as some think they could call a better game than Grubb, it's obviously not that simple.

I do wonder at what point (if Ty is that limited), we have to consider having Mack/Russell ready.

Both obviously are inferior options, but could provide something Ty may not be able to do.

Mack is Tall and healthy and has the arm. Russell is incredibly gifted and athletic and could possibly do damage with his feet.

If it is true we are overthinking changing the play at the LOS, I could see how either of them might could provide a spark.

But, the other side of me says, at this point, you ride or die with Simpson.

Basically, I don't know!!!

agree it's not overall that simple, but there are some things Grubb could do that would help.

Simple stuff like using the 3WR set and keeping them all split out a bit wider would make a huge difference. Why? Running 2 TEs in the box, or even just having a WR lined up relatively close in to the OT, brings one more defender in close enough that they could be used in a blitz, plus the narrow alignments allowed UGA to keep the 2 high safeties somewhat narrow versus pulling one of them outside a bit to try to open up the middle more and make their run support a bit more challenging.

 

[Cruloc]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1997431890731552952

 

[davefrat]

Everyone likes to talk about how loyal Ty was to stick around through the thick and thin and wait his turn like a good soldier and how that makes him an ultimate "Bama" guy...blah blah blah.

He leads us to the playoffs with albeit shaky and questionable play over the last several games and now some people want to toss him out with the bathwater.

Not exactly how one would expect a good soldier and loyal guy to be treated.

He has earned the right to start the playoff game in my book. If he's terrible in the game or gets hurt, then replace him.

Until that happens, he's earned his place to play IMO.

 

[PGDocBama]

Ty's a good man. He needs 100% of our support.

Really people, there's nothing wrong with this team. We are progressing. We made the playoffs this year (didn't the last year).

DeBoer's a great coach. Saban is no longer here. We are in a new era where there is way more parity than there's every been.

If the NFL was condensed to a 12 game season, there's no way someone could tell me that 10-2 is not a stellar season.

We have a great shot at making it to round 2. Then we get Indiana. We can beat them too.

 

[davefrat]

Yeah, as much as some think they could call a better game than Grubb, it's obviously not that simple.

I do wonder at what point (if Ty is that limited), we have to consider having Mack/Russell ready.

Both obviously are inferior options, but could provide something Ty may not be able to do.

Mack is Tall and healthy and has the arm. Russell is incredibly gifted and athletic and could possibly do damage with his feet.

If it is true we are overthinking changing the play at the LOS, I could see how either of them might could provide a spark.

But, the other side of me says, at this point, you ride or die with Simpson.

Basically, I don't know!!!

One other thing about the idea of benching Ty is that it probably destroys his draft position next year.

Maybe he has played himself out of the first round already, idk, but benching him for the playoffs would seem to pretty much put a nail in that coffin.

It could even put a nail in a second round phone call for all we know.

 

[CoolBreeze]

Everyone likes to talk about how loyal Ty was to stick around through the thick and thin and wait his turn like a good soldier and how that makes him an ultimate "Bama" guy...blah blah blah.

He leads us to the playoffs with albeit shaky and questionable play over the last several games and now some people want to toss him out with the bathwater.

Not exactly how one would expect a good soldier and loyal guy to be treated.

He has earned the right to start the playoff game in my book. If he's terrible in the game or gets hurt, then replace him.

Until that happens, he's earned his place to play IMO.

Got to agree with you on that. We need the guys around him to step up and that includes the coaching staff. Need some scheme changes, or, at least some wrinkles. What about a shovel pass or 5 wide. Maybe some option football out of the wildcat. Maybe give Mack a series just to change it up. Heck, I'd love to see a slant. Maybe we need so D Linemen on offense to blow open some running lanes. We need to come up with something but QB is not the problem