Question: Under what circumstances would you like to see AJ get some PT?

[BamaMoon]

I don't intend for this to be a flame thread about GMac. I'm not down on him as it appears some are. Matter of fact, I think he just had an off game against SC and I think he's a great qb and will be a Bama legend.

However, in Jess' prediction thread about Bama and OM, he said there is some talk about AJ getting some more playing time.

My question is, under what circumstances would you like to see this happen?

I don't want it to be because GMac is struggling!

Would you like to see AJ be given a series or two a game, maybe one each in the first and second half regardless of the score at the time???

Would you prefer he be given snaps when we have a lead? How big?

What about if we are behind? Which begs the question could AJ have given us a needed offensive spark against SC?

 

[uafan4life]

I'd like to see AJ come in when we're up by more than 21 points in the second half.

I'd like to see him play 1.75 quarters on Saturday.

 

[kyallie]

I believe CNS will do what is best for the team. It's not naivete, He has all the info, and experience, and will act accordingly.

 

[lafella]

Georgia State will be the perfect game for him to get alot of playing time under his belt.

 

[Highway59]

You asked what circumstances would I like to see as for as some AJ playing time. Well how about 31-6 in favor of Bama with eight minutes left in third quarter. Then toss the kid the keys to the car. Those would work for me.

 

[Heather]

You asked what circumstances would I like to see as for as some AJ playing time. Well how about 31-6 in favor of Bama with eight minutes left in third quarter. Then toss the kid the keys to the car. Those would work for me.

^^^^This

 

[BamaMoon]

I believe CNS will do what is best for the team. It's not naivete, He has all the info, and experience, and will act accordingly.

Well, that's really not what the question is. I agree with your statement about the Coach, but we come to Tidefans to knock these things around for fun. :wink:

 

[Im_on_dsp]

Georgia State will be the perfect game for him to get alot of playing time under his belt.

Yes, I couldn't agree more. We should treat this game just like an NFL pre-season game and only play the starters for about a half, maybe less. No need to risk an injury and we'll also need as much rest as possible for the boogers.

 

[BamaFossil]

Primary "circumstance" IMO is that McElroy is a senior. Accordingly, I'd like to see A.J. get some meaningful PT during the latter part of the season. If I'm coach, I ensure McElroy is clear that A.J. entering the game is NOT expressing a lack of faith in McElroy. Rather, it's nothing more than preparing A.J. to take over the QB duties next year.

 

[Alasippi]

Yes, I couldn't agree more. We should treat this game just like an NFL pre-season game and only play the starters for about a half, maybe less. No need to risk an injury and we'll also need as much rest as possible for the boogers.

That would be nice but that's not how it's going to be.,,lol

Don't EVEN think this is the same Ole Miss team that lost to Jax State and Vandy cause they're vastly improved since.

It always takes Nutt a few games to get his running game going, but once he does, his teams always finish strong.

We better just hope that after 60 minutes of football the number on our side of the score board is larger than theirs because this is by no means a walk in the park game for us. It's the biggest game we've played in a long long time.

That being said...Right now there's two circumstances I'd like to see A.J. play..
(1)We're winning a game in a total blowout, or (2) Greg Mcelroys eligibity has expired.

 

[Alasippi]

Yes, I couldn't agree more. We should treat this game just like an NFL pre-season game and only play the starters for about a half, maybe less. No need to risk an injury and we'll also need as much rest as possible for the boogers.

Sorry.....for my previous post. I see now where you were talking about Georgia State and not Ole Miss.....my bad

 

[RollinTider1335]

It is important that AJ gets some significant playing time. I hope he is in when we are up by 3 or 4 TDs but still allowed to run a game plan (won't happen I know, but it would be neat to get a preview of the future).

McElroy is still our guy until January though.

 

[WMack4Bama]

Two words: Blowout victories

 

[always4bama]

I think AJ is a much more mature backup QB than the average backup. I am GMac fan - but I would like to see AJ touch the ball more and more as the season progresses. I trust Coach Saban to make the best decisions to help the team win, but I just feel it takes possible pressure off AJ in case of an injury to Greg. Each time Greg got hit I worried just a little bit more.

 

[CapitalTider]

Primary "circumstance" IMO is that McElroy is a senior. Accordingly, I'd like to see A.J. get some meaningful PT during the latter part of the season. If I'm coach, I ensure McElroy is clear that A.J. entering the game is NOT expressing a lack of faith in McElroy. Rather, it's nothing more than preparing A.J. to take over the QB duties next year.

That's exactly my thoughts. AJ needs some meaningful snaps against SEC competition to help him out next year. Only getting in the game in blow-outs or against Ga. State do not provide any real benefit. Let him have a series or two when the game is in doubt. We'll appreciate it next year.

 

[Crimson Surfer]

Two words: Blowout victories

I wholeheartedly agree. Is there any other answer to this question? I don't think so.

 

[TiderMan]

That's exactly my thoughts. AJ needs some meaningful snaps against SEC competition to help him out next year. Only getting in the game in blow-outs or against Ga. State do not provide any real benefit. Let him have a series or two when the game is in doubt. We'll appreciate it next year.

GMac did not get alot of meaningful snaps in 2007 & 2008 when he was JPW's back-up and he did just fine in leading us to a national championship as a starter in 2009. AJ has gotten some snaps this year in the San Jose St., Penn St, Duke, and Florida games and I am sure he will get some more when we have a comfortable lead. If Saban thinks AJ is ready for a series in a tight game or when one that is in doubt then he will make that decision. I trust the coaches to do what is best for the team now and in the future.

 

[BamaMoon]

I tend to come down on the side of the discussion that says AJ needs some PT that is not blowout, mopup duty. My reasoning is more pragmatic than what I would simply wish for. I wish Bama would win every remaining game in a blowout!!! However, with the exception of Ga. State, what blowout games do we really see coming? Not saying we won't win and even win convincingly in some of our remaining games, but this is the SEC and blowout victories are rare. Therefore, I think about the only way AJ gets some meaningful snaps is to get a series or two a game. He's not nearly as "green" (at least that's what I think most people think) as GMac was JPW's senior year so I think AJ could handle being inserted into the game at a prearranged time and the offense should be able to run similarly as when GMac is in. If CNS was ready to pull AJ redshirt just to play in one or two games last year (if needed), I think that means he has a lot of confidence in him.

It's a fun debate and a part of me agrees with both extremes, but practically speaking I think it would be nice to get AJ some more experience in real game moments both for the benefit of being ready this year in a crunch and then of course next year.

 

[lafella]

I wholeheartedly agree. Is there any other answer to this question? I don't think so.

agreed. I mean other than (knock on wood) Injuries and blowouts like that inevitable in the Georgia State game is the only time I'd hope to see him on the field.

 

[Highway59]

I would think on surface it would be good thing if a quality backup QB could get the second offensive series in the third or second quarter, and that be the norm for the team. But I think what could get to be a problem with that is if #1 QB has had defensive scheme thrown at him thats limited what offensive plays you could use are. #2 quarterback checks in and defensive scheme changes to bring heat to rattle #2, but #2 checks off and hits hot reciever for 45 yard td. Its all good, right? Until that happens once or twice more and the armchair qb's and the press begin to harp how team looks better and sharper with #2 when in reality the established #1 has been doing fine also. Then do you start to see a split within a team. You would hope not. But are you putting at risk your teams leadership?