Crimson Red Sports

"We tried to put it all together," Mastrole said in a phone interview Sunday with AL.com. "I think it was more of the time we spent together on being the guy for Alabama, being confident, not being afraid to maybe share with the media that this is an open competition, but behind closed doors and when you're in game preparation to go out there like you're taking ownership of the team. How to handle certain situations that may occur in my experience of playing."

From that aspect, Mastrole was impressed with Sims' starting debut in Saturday's 33-23 win over West Virginia. In particular, he liked Sims' body language and how he responded following a first-quarter rushing play that lost 4 yards and backed up the Crimson Tide to its own 4-yard line.

A little less than six minutes later, Sims watched T.J. Yeldon score on a 15-yard run to complete his first touchdown drive of the season, a seemingly never-ending six-minute, 14-play, 95-yard possession.

"I thought he just was very under control," said Mastrole, who has worked with the likes of Tajh Boyd and Teddy Bridgewater. "I liked his whole demeanor. He looked very comfortable. I think he looked like a passer. He played within the system." ...

Sounds like everyone wants Blake to be a game manager.
Frankly, he played better Saturday than at any of the spring games.  But he'll have to improve another 30-40% to become a champion.

And that's where Bama is right now, a team with a game manager and 1st round talent around him.  Not sure that is the makings of a championship team, especially with TA&M, Georgia and the Barn all looking so strong.  But it's early, Sims looks much improved, Coker still is a question mark but apparently learning, and by the time Bama faces those teams, it will be a different team.

And that's where Bama is right now, a team with a game manager and 1st round talent around him.  Not sure that is the makings of a championship team, especially with TA&M, Georgia and the Barn all looking so strong.  But it's early, Sims looks much improved, Coker still is a question mark but apparently learning, and by the time Bama faces those teams, it will be a different team.

I thought he was a solid B+. He made good decisions except once, and was very elusive. Something we haven't had that in a long time. I hope both play in the FAU game so we can truly see what Coker has.

CP - We need to worry about those games, but not because of Sims. We need to worry about those games because of our defense. My worry list for Sims and Co. on offense is LSU, MSU, and the Black Bears. Those defenses all have terrific pocket pressure.

Sims should be able to get through the first four games without too much difficulty.  Hopefully by then he'll have progressed enough or Coker will have grasped the offense well enough that we won't have to worry too much going into the more difficult games.

Whoa!!! You're writing off Florida with the likes of Southern Miss. Florida is no cupcake. They have a boatload of talent and a very solid D. Their problem last year was having something like 10 starters injured. I think this D could give Sims a lot of problems.


 :o

I'm not writing them off.  I do think the team is good enough to carry Sims as he grows, or Coker as he learns the offense.  Florida will be tough, but with the game at home and Bama having better all around talent I don't expect too much trouble.

Sims played well in his first start. He was not perfect. He has room to improve and there is a lot of work to be done. I was very impressed with his ability to avoid a drive ending sack. Several times he turned a negative play into a positive play. I think HSC said we only had 3/4 negative plays all game.

I think WV is a good offensive team but we will see much better defenses as we get into the heart of our schedule. We did not play like a champion this week but I do think we can get better. Sims and the offense played well. The defense must improve... a lot.

The longest pass completion by Sims was 15 yards, we can not survive with a dink & dunk passing attack. I think his lack of arm strength & "touch" will be what gets him benched. The D is a bigger concern for me. We have to be more physical & put pressure on the QB.


 :deadhorse: :deadhorse: :deadhorse:

I'm not sure why everyone thinks Sims doesn't have good arm strength.  I know we didn't see him attempt many long throws except for the one that Jones dropped.  I have noticed that on some of the intermediate throws that they have some sizzle.  I'm not on either the Sims or Coker bandwagon.  I've just been wondering why I keep hearing this.