Philip Ely?

[RedStar]

I think a shorter qb at 6'1 can still be very good.

Absolutely, and I'm not trying to pigeon hole him. But not everyone can be a star QB, and that's ok. I would have been the 3rd string QB on the scout team if I could have been. And I would have been proud to do that.

Also, it's more likely that he's 5'11" or 6'0" then he is 6'1". Rivals is horrible when it comes to giving accurate sizes. Kareem Jackson was the only player that attended last years combine from Alabama that measured as high as they did when they signed with us.

T. Cody: Rivals - 6'5" NFL Combine 6'3.5"
R. McClain: Rivals 6'4" NFL Combine 6'3"
J. Arenas: Rivals 5'10" NFL Combine 5'9"
Marq. Johnson: Rivals 6'1" NFL Combine 5'11"
J. Woodall: Rivals 6'3" NFL Combine 6'1"
K. Jackson: Rivals 5'10" NFL Combine 5'10"
Mike Johnson: Rivals 6'6" NFL Combine 6'5"

Those Rivals sizes are based on what they were reported to be in high school. The NFL Combine sizes are after they finished their careers. If anything these guys grew anywhere from half an inch to an inch, yet according to what Rivals put out, they all shrank.

Thats just a small sample, but you get the idea. Rivals is almost always wrong when it comes to a prospects height.

For every Greg McElroy that succeeds, there's a Star Jackson that doesn't. I'm not suggesting that Ely will be a bust. IMHO he'll be a steady & reliable backup. And again, that's not a knock, every team needs players like that. It's actually better to have situations like that instead of having 2 or 3 guys who are talented and can't get on the field. Ego's usually tend to get in the way, players transfer and have bad things to say about the program. (See Jimmy Barnes & Star Jackson.)

 

[derek4tide]

Thank you sir. I heard both Dan Marino and Troy Aikman say during the 2010 NFL season (and I've also heard Bill Walsh and Joe Montana say this as well) that accuracy is one of, if not the, most important determing factors regarding the success or lack there of a qb. That a qb can "get by" with not having a big arm, the "right height" and other physical measurements but accuracy is one of those that if a qb doesn't have he's finished before he ever starts.

All season Phillip would hit the WRs in the hands and they would drop it. His numbers were better last year, but he had better WRs then. I cannot say enough about his touch. "Wow" would sum it up. As for height, he's not through growing. He will add strength because of his dedication and work ethic. He's not a quitter.

 

[derek4tide]

Absolutely, and I'm not trying to pigeon hole him. But not everyone can be a star QB, and that's ok. I would have been the 3rd string QB on the scout team if I could have been. And I would have been proud to do that.

Also, it's more likely that he's 5'11" or 6'0" then he is 6'1". Rivals is horrible when it comes to giving accurate sizes. Kareem Jackson was the only player that attended last years combine from Alabama that measured as high as they did when they signed with us.

He's 6'1''. I'm 5'9" and have been around him and that sounds dead on.

 

[RedStar]

He's 6'1''. I'm 5'9" and have been around him and that sounds dead on.

I believe you & honestly I have no idea how tall he is, I've never been around him. But I do know Rivals is notorious for fibbing about a prospects size. I'd say 75% of the time or more you can round down when it comes to a prospects size.

 

[TideMan09]

he's like mcelroy.

If he can bring a NC to Bama like GMac did..That's a good thing..

 

[Bamabuzzard]

And you might very well end up being right. I think we're due though for a qb that is more than a game manager. I'm not saying Ely is the one but just in general we are due to finally get that qb that is not always referred to as "game manager".

For every Greg McElroy that succeeds, there's a Star Jackson that doesn't. I'm not suggesting that Ely will be a bust. IMHO he'll be a steady & reliable backup. And again, that's not a knock, every team needs players like that. It's actually better to have situations like that instead of having 2 or 3 guys who are talented and can't get on the field. Ego's usually tend to get in the way, players transfer and have bad things to say about the program. (See Jimmy Barnes & Star Jackson.)

 

[bamafaninOhiO]

And you might very well end up being right. I think we're due though for a qb that is more than a game manager. I'm not saying Ely is the one but just in general we are due to finally get that qb that is not always referred to as "game manager".

Saban WANTS a game manager....he doesnt want a gunslinger who will lose a game for him...passing efficiency and accuracy are the intangibles he looks at, not athleticism or being able to 'air it out' every play.

 

[Bamaglory]

Saban WANTS a game manager....he doesnt want a gunslinger who will lose a game for him...passing efficiency and accuracy are the intangibles he looks at, not athleticism or being able to 'air it out' every play.

That being the case, it seems that Sims has a good shot at starting since AJ has labeled himself as a gunslinger type.