Is the quarterback race over at Alabama?
Some burning questions as we head into the weekend scrimmages:
Is the quarterback race over at Alabama? Coach Nick Saban will cringe if he reads this because nothing is over until coach Saban says its over. But, barring injury, I think it’s over. Based on the numbers, junior Greg McElroy was impressive and showed a very good grasp of the offense in Wednesday’s first scrimmage, completing 22 of 33 passes for 214 yards and 4 TD (2 INT). Redshirt freshman Star Jackson completed 6 of 16 for 25 yards and an interception. Walk-on Thomas Darrah threw three interceptions in 20 attempts.
McElroy is ahead and he should be ahead because he has played and knows the offense. Saban and OC Jim McElwain want to keep the competition open so that the players involved develop as much as possible between now and Sept. 5. That’s what coaches are supposed to do. But it’s hard to see Jackson or Darrah or any freshman closing that gap between now and the spring game on April 18. And when everybody returns in August it will be time to get a quarterback ready to play Virginia Tech.
Bonus Alabama question: Who is going to be the heartbeat of the Alabama defense? A year ago that role belonged to Rashad Johnson, who went from a walk-on to a two-time All-SEC free safety. He was the unquestioned leader of that Alabama defense. IMO, that role now has to fall to Rolando McClain, the junior middle linebacker from Decatur, Ala. McClain was a freshman All-American in 2007 and led the team in tackles last season with 95. He’s got to be the guy to step up and lead a defense that returns nine starters.
How’s that Brandon Warren experiment working out at Tennessee? Warren is from the Knoxville suburb of Alcoa but had to take a long and winding road (via Florida State) just to get to Tennessee. He was a freshman All-America tight end at Florida State in 2006. He had to sit out the 2007 season (after transferring to Tennessee) and caught 10 passes for 85 yards in 2008. The new coaching staff sees his athleticism (6-2, 216) and moves him to wide receiver, where the Vols definitely need some help after losing their top four pass catchers from a year ago. And how does Mr. Warren react now that he FINALLY has an opportunity to have a major impact? Published reports by Dave Hooker on govolsxtra.com have him stripped of his No. 1 jersey this spring because of what coach Lane Kiffin called “some screwups.”
You’ve been waiting three years for this chance and you have some “screwups?”
And Warren’s departure at tight end leaves returning starter Luke Stocker (13 catches, 139 yards) and senior Jeff Cottam (6-8, 260) at the position. Will that be enough?
Bonus Tennessee question: Will Lennon Creer be the only tailback to leave? I got word on Wednesday that Creer, the junior from Tatum, Texas who was second in rushing (388 yards) last season, had decided that the depth chart was looking a bit daunting at running back. The Vols entered the spring with four tailbacks and to that group will add two of the nation’s best recruits in Bryce Brown and David Oku. If he stays healthy I still think Montario Hardesty (289 yards last season) is the guy until the freshmen prove otherwise.
Auburn holds its first major scrimmage on Saturday. What are we looking for? New head coach Gene Chizik is going to close the scrimmage of 90 or more plays to the public and to the media so I guess we’ll have to take his word for it. But I want to hear some more about LB Eltoro Freeman. Freeman, a transfer from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, was a pretty big recruit when he signed with the Tigers in 2007 but then went to junior college. He played for a year and redshirted a year and is now making some noise in the Auburn spring camp.
How will the Auburn quarterbacks look? If Kodi Burns is going to be the guy, he needs to start showing it pretty soon. Chris Todd, who started five games last season, is still recovering from should surgery and no one will say when, or if, he will be cleared to throw this spring. Neil Caudle and Barrett Trotter are in the mix. I’m anxious to see the numbers in the first big outing in Gus Malzahn’s offense.
What should we be looking for in Florida State’s spring game on Saturday? Not sure we’re going to learn a whole lot. There are too many missing bodies. If backup QB E.J. Manuel was healthy, we’d find out if he’s ready to be No. 2 behind Christian Ponder. But he broke a finger and won’t return until this summer. If wide receiver Taiwan Easterling had not ruptured an Achilles tendon (he had surgery back in February), we might know if he was going to be the go-to receiver that Florida State needs. We still don’t know if Easterling is going to be back for the 2009 season. Maybe that role falls to Bert Reed. The offensive line, which has been a weakness for so long, is finally rounding into shape in the third year under OL coach Rick Trickett so it will be interesting to see how Florida State runs the ball. OC Jimbo Fisher likes this batch of running backs. And I’m hearing there are still some major concerns in the secondary. Some incoming freshmen are going to be counted on to help on defense. Note that Florida State will have three more practices after the spring game. Florida State has been my early pick to win the ACC Atlantic but there are going to be a lot of unanswered questions going into preseason practice in August.
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61 comments Add your comment
Kid Ray
April 3rd, 2009
8:17 am
how about UGa’s OL?
IE'66
April 3rd, 2009
8:25 am
Good reporting Mr Barns. I appreciate your style and your well thoughtout paragraphs. You start with a good lead in sentence, then support it with a few that follow. My style of writing. You don’t see it enough on the blognets.
Back to foot-ball (or football, as is the popular way to write it now), let’s get a report on what is going on over at Tech. And don’t tell me about some robot – that’s the most assinine nickname ever. The kid’s name is Josh Nesbit. And he’s a good QB from what I’ve seen.
There will be no QB battles at Alabama and they will decline this year to a 9 win, maybe 8 win season. Auburn will win 7, but a few will be big ones. LSU may just win them all.
Good day Mr Barnhart.
GeoffDawg
April 3rd, 2009
8:29 am
Nice column Tony. What’s the over/under on complaints today that you only gave 25% of it to an ACC team?
LSWho?
April 3rd, 2009
8:38 am
“LSU may just win them all”. Ripping good yarn!
Nachos
April 3rd, 2009
8:39 am
Will Georgia “blackout” the first homegame this year? YES
WIll Georgie beat Florida this year? NEVER
Are UGA fans delusional, trash talking losers? YES
Monvol
April 3rd, 2009
8:41 am
Warren is doing better at UT in the last few days. Tough to lose Creer, but we probably have enough depth there. Brown and maybe Oku will carry the ball in the first game barring injury. Toney Williams from Milton is already impressing also.
We moved a FB to TE yesterday, but if any GA high school TEs are reading, there will be opportunities for playing time next year. Just sayin’.
GeoffDawg
April 3rd, 2009
8:44 am
Maybe Warren just isn’t “wild boy” enough.
Monvol
April 3rd, 2009
8:53 am
He’ll come around Geoff, but thanks for the concern. Warren is one of the single digit jersey wearers (#1) and Kiffin is making a big deal of the single digits being special and those that wear them must earn it. Creer (#3) wasn’t willing to earn it and had fallen to fourth team. Some won’t be onboard, and they’ll be gone unfortunately for them and us.
Otto
April 3rd, 2009
9:29 am
It was McElroy’s job to lose before last season ended.
Tony, At Auburn Todd is further out of the race and Caudle more in it than your article leads on to.
Otto
April 3rd, 2009
9:30 am
Nachos, you should read the Bammers over on al.com if you want to see delusional trash talkers.
MtnBama
April 3rd, 2009
9:32 am
There has never been any doubt that McElroy would be the Tide’s qb this year and next for that matter.I think everyone is going to be surprised if not shocked at Bama’s improved passing game this year. Bama has so many great players on defense it does not have to worry about who the “leader” will be.As for those who think Bama will decline this year please be advised that in order for Bama to lose the opponent must actually score.
corrine brown (D) FL
April 3rd, 2009
9:37 am
Where be Percy Harvey and Coach Urban Meyers?
Go Gator!
Otto
April 3rd, 2009
9:40 am
MtnBama is correct the passing game will be much improved at Bama but they still need a leader at QB to win it all. McElroy is capable.
GeoffDawg
April 3rd, 2009
9:47 am
Corrine – I think you mean “Corch” Urban Meyers. go gator.
corrine brown (D) FL
April 3rd, 2009
9:56 am
Sorry Corch Meyers, Me bad.
GO GATOR!
Gen Neyland
April 3rd, 2009
9:57 am
CLK made it known to his players early after taking the HCing job that some may leave on their own, some will be forced to leave. That in itself is not unusual when a new coach comes in. As far as TE goes, Stocker has high marks. Some have put him on a level with Whitten in his day. Warren is basically an experiment at wide out and one that Tennessee needs to make happen. His size and ability makes him the proper choice to move out there. Between Warren, Cottam and Stocker, none of them is a #3 on a three deep chart. This tells me CLK won’t go to a double TE set very often unless short yard situations dictate, then Warren can move in tight as an option. As far as carrying 2 TE’s on the opening day roster, we’ll just have to see what shakes out between now and then…
Tony Barnhart
April 3rd, 2009
10:04 am
MtnBama,
I’m going to disagree with you a little on that one. Every great team I have ever seen had one or two guys who were “enforcers.” They make sure the guys don’t slack off when the coaches aren’t around. Talent is important, but at this level of football if you don’t have leadership from within to enforce team discipline you are not going to win a national championship.
TB
Gen Neyland
April 3rd, 2009
10:13 am
…and as far as Creer goes, seems I recall CMR recruited him also. Right or wrong..? Had he come to Georgia to begin with, I wonder where he’d be on their depth chart this year.
jobu
April 3rd, 2009
10:17 am
Tony B… you are correct about leadership within- see UGA last year.
SecIsFootball
April 3rd, 2009
10:27 am
Mr. Barnhart….as a BAMA fan, I agree completely and I agree with your thoughts on Rolondo McClain being the guy who steps up. I look for him and Cody to be the defensive leaders this season.
Miles
April 3rd, 2009
10:33 am
Alabama’s McClain is only second to Tennessee’s Berry on the Defensive Stud Chart…both are extremely fast and epitomize SEC defense…as good as Kodi Burns is, I suspect he’s not the right fit for Malzahn’s offense…throwing the ball is not Burns primary strength…have a good weekend Mr. Barnhart!
Moses Malone
April 3rd, 2009
10:50 am
Tony,
I’m can’t believe you wrote that crap today. You got the stats and came up with the entire article.
You didn’t talk to anyone on the staff… Your getting to be “Finebaum” lazy in your reporting…
Your making a ton of money on the 500.00 radio appearance rodeo, but that ain’t being a repoter , now is it….??? Please do us all a favor and get off your lazy butt, and tell us something we don’t already know…
mmj
Otto
April 3rd, 2009
11:04 am
As good as Kodi Burns is? What was his TD to pass attempt ratio. He never failed to throw an int in the closing driving. See the WVU and UGA games. Let Caudle or Trotter step in.
Tide rising
April 3rd, 2009
11:21 am
Hey Tony,
There is no disputing who the defensive leader is. It is Ro McClain. At 6′5 255 lbs this guy runs like the wind and he has actually had a leadership role and has been the defensive captain since he was a freshman. That’s how thin we were after the probation and Shula years.
Kareem Jackson has kind of taken a leadership role in the defensive backfield and Mount Cody and Lorenzo Washington seem to be taking leadership roles on the D line which is also extraordinarily deep for the first time in a long time. Linebackers and defensive backfield are also finally deep and will get really deep with all the 4 and 5 star recruits coming in the fall. Saban recruited a lot of lineman and highly touted defensive players so he’s doing a good job of really stockpiling athletes. Its been a while since we’ve seen this kind of talent at Bama. Have to go back to the good ole days of Gene Stallings in the 90s to see such defensive talent.
McElroy came out of high school in Texas the same year as Stafford. There was a reason why Greg McElroy was the state of Texas 5A player of the year and set the state record for single season td passes with 56 and also ran for nearly 1,000 yards as a qb. He has as strong an arm as Wilson did and is certainly a better runner than Wilson. He just needed his time in the system. He plays in a qb friendly offense and will surpass Wilson in every aspect.
Dorsey Hill
April 3rd, 2009
11:48 am
Now we know why Harvin did so poorly on the Wonderlic:
http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/falcons/stories/2009/04/03/nfl_drugs.html?cxntlid=homepage_tab_newstab
The Percy Harvin Blues
I was gonna go to workout for the draft but then I got high
I just got some cash from my agent then I got high
now out of ball and selling dope and I know why
- cause I got high [repeat 3X]
I was gonna be drafted in the first round before I got high
I was gonna pay my momma’s bills but then I got high
they took me in the Sixth round and I know why
- cause I got high [repeat 3X]
I was gonna pass the Wonderlic but I was high
I was gonna score a 30 but I was high
Now I known as a dumb azz – because I got high [repeat 3X]
I was gonna pay for a nice car until I got high
I was gonna drink Cristal on my boat but then I got high
now I’m driving a Datsun and I know why
- because I got high [repeat 3X]
I messed up my entire life because I got high
I lost my chance at stardum because I got high
now I’m sleeping on the sidewalk and I know why
- cause I got high [repeat 3X]
I’m gonna stop singing this song because I’m high
I’m singing this whole thing wrong because I’m high
and if I dont catch one pass in the NFL I’ll know why
- cause I’m high [repeat 3X]
Kiffinisatosser
April 3rd, 2009
12:16 pm
Creer was a pretty effective back. If I were the urnge, I’d take him at least for the 1st half of the season over the freshmen. This sort of thing seesm to me to be exactly the sort of junk that Kiffin’s philosophy is going to yield. Good luck with Cromptoid and a couple of frosh in the backfield if Hardesty goes down. Those guys will make the Keystone Cops look organized.
Corrine Kiffin
April 3rd, 2009
12:20 pm
Coarch Myer is a cheata…he pump gas. Go vol
Barnhart’s Got Some Questions About The SEC | MrSEC.com
April 3rd, 2009
12:26 pm
[...] with some hot questions regarding three SEC teams.As always, you can get his answers by clicking the pretty red letters.Alabama — Is the quarterback race over, won by Greg McElroy?Alabama — Who is going to be [...]
AUtiger
April 3rd, 2009
12:30 pm
I agree with Otto, I think Neal Caudle is in the mix for Auburn’s QB. I think Burns has had his chance, and unless he really improved is passing by leaps and bounds, he will not be the starter. Whoever it is, Coach Malzhan needs to make a decision by the end of the spring or Auburn will be in the same predicament as last year going in to fall practice. As a fan, I don’t not want to re-live that nightmare.
matt r
April 3rd, 2009
12:41 pm
BCS Officials disgusted by the NCAA tournament…
http://www.theonion.com/content/news/cheering_fans_thrilling_ncaa
FireChipTowers
April 3rd, 2009
12:53 pm
Chip Towers needs to be handed his walking papers by the AJC after his shameless attempt to “report” that UGA was seeking to hire Oliver Purnell or Frank Haith. He was so far from the actuality of the situation that he had to sink to “backtracking” by saying that the AD did speak with both yesteday. This is the worst type of reporting, saying stuff without foundation or substance while trying to “be the first in the know” – hopefully, the AJC brass will terminate this type of minor league “reporting”.
dat Seminole
April 3rd, 2009
12:55 pm
I just wanted to say
1,2,3,4,5
dem Gates are dumb and high!
Gradulations to Mr. Warren and a Gradulations to Coach Urvan Meyers (CUM)
Monvol
April 3rd, 2009
1:25 pm
Corrine Kiffin, you sound hot. Could you post a pic? Go Gator.
Monvol
April 3rd, 2009
1:45 pm
Hey Tosser, you got a little hate spilled on your chin. If you read the article, Creer QUIT. He wasn’t kicked off. He fell to fourth team behind a soph. from GA, Tauren Poole, and a true freshman from GA, Toney Williams.
Instead of working his way back up the chart, which he should have been able to do, he walked away without competing. If anything, Kiffin’s philosophy is to make the players EARN their spots on the depth chart…something not done nearly enough under Fulmer.
Creer will be a good, maybe great back for someone else. He certainly has the talent for it.
IE'66
April 3rd, 2009
2:38 pm
I found a worm on my pant let yesterday morning. And now all these kids are testing positive for drugs.
Last yaer Saban could have found a few more opportunities to get McElroy some game time experience. There should have been ample time to play McElroy and prepare for 2009.
Yet Saban elected instead to let it roll with John Parker, as he’s done before. Remember 2003? At LSU, Saban rode senior Matt Mauck all the way to the national title, with backup Marcus Randall rarely seeing any grass. Yet even that was about four times the number of passing attempts that McElroy got.
So what happened to the Tigers in 2004? The offense sputtered and the team paid the price, losing 2 more games than the previous year, including both of their tough road games.
Same thing this time around.
Foot-ball.
IE'66
April 3rd, 2009
2:39 pm
Thanks Russ Mitchell. I owe you a biscuit.
IM4BAMA
April 3rd, 2009
3:26 pm
Bama will be better with McElroy at QB than the last several years with JPW at the helm. It will take a few games for the O-line to gel but when it does, watch out. He will be more accurate for sure and manage the game well; the only question is with the O line.
Rolando McClain is going to have a monster year for the defense, he is the best middle linebacker in the country.
IM4BAMA
April 3rd, 2009
3:28 pm
IE 66
I agree with you on not playing McElroy more last year, I didn’t understand that either.
G8R GRAD
April 3rd, 2009
3:42 pm
matt r:
Funny stuff.
Percy Harvey
April 3rd, 2009
3:50 pm
Pass the pipe and go gator!
Otto
April 3rd, 2009
3:54 pm
Remember Caudle was an Elite 11 recuited by Borges who is healthy really for his first time in spring camp. He has had both ACLs done and a shoulder. Burns was a Tubby recruit not really a Borges recruit. Todd was a Franklin recruit. Yes it did matter under Tubby.
Otto
April 3rd, 2009
3:57 pm
Bama you are not the first Bama fan I have heard that wanted McElroy in last year. The kid has a great arm. We will see this year if he has everything else.
JP was a leader that was asked not to screw things up. Yes what Tony says about leaders is true.
shane#1
April 3rd, 2009
5:10 pm
1- John Parker has been severly lambasted by some Bama fans, just as some Dog fans did not like Stafford. IMO, it was unjustified in both cases. JPW did well enough with good coaching and a strong O line. 2. I don’t think a transfer solves many problems. It’s better to try to solve them where you are. 3- IMO, Burns is the best AU has. The guy is scary. Just let him work all year under one coach and one system for cripes sake. Look how much John Parker improved in his second year with Saban. 4- I piucked FSU to be strong last year too, now I don’t know.
Otto
April 3rd, 2009
5:37 pm
Caudle out scrambled Kodi at the homecoming game and has a more accurate arm. Kodi cracked under pressuse.
IMO JPW should have started he had the team behind him and was a solid QB. McElroy may have more potential.
bama12titles
April 3rd, 2009
6:24 pm
I just can’t see Auburn going anywhere with Kodi Burns. Sorry but I just don’t see it. Caudle was an elite qb coming out of high school but that don’t mean squat for the qb position. Its the hardest position on the team to guage whether or not the person is gonna “get it” mentally at the next level.
I do remember last year Caudle was horrendous in the spring game or one of the main scrimmages. He was something like 5 of 20 with 4 ints. It was so bad that his confidence was very shaken and they just relegated him to scout team status and they just figured he would be either a very long term project or he didn’t have what it took to be successful as a college qb. In any event if you don’t have a qb that can beat out Kodi Burns then you’re in really bad shape. Auburn should just consider spending a lot more reps on Trotter and see how that goes.
JPW does get somewhat of a bad wrap but its because he singlehandedly gave away at least 4 games where he fumbled Arky, LSU, Miss. State, and one other game.I don’t remember who the 4th time it was against but he basically just lost 4 games with a fumble or int that got returned for a td or he fumbled at the goal line, etc. All he had to do was just take the sack or throw the ball away or just hang onto the darn ball but each time he fumbled it was because he was holding the ball very carelessly and just being sloppy. I give him his dues and credit but I certainly do understand the people that were frustrated with him.
m
April 4th, 2009
8:28 am
Tony, do you think if alabammer improves a LOT, that they might could give a team like Utah a decent game for a change?
TommyP
April 4th, 2009
9:43 am
Tony: I was wondering if the AJC has given the blogmeisters like yourself an ultimatum that you must respond at least once on your blog?
‘Cause that’s all we ever see is one response.
And you usually get it out of the way pretty early.
TommyP
April 4th, 2009
9:44 am
bama12titles: You’re absolutely right…Auburn will never do much with Burns at QB.
V
April 4th, 2009
11:21 am
M,
The bammers may not improve enough to beat Utah, but apparently they were good enough to whoop on UGA on blackout night. Still LMAO over that one. Only an idiot like you would point out one loss and act like a team sucks due to one loss. Does Florida suck because they lost to Ole Miss? You are a simpleton lacking any perspective.
Dawg Tired
April 4th, 2009
11:49 am
Who cares?