Alabama football is in the midst of both development and transition. What happens in the Arkansas State game can impact both.
Bear with us Alabama football fans as we combine two subjects into one post. The theme is development and transition at this precise point of the young 2018 season.
There are development and transition issues going on throughout every season. They involve many players. Much of the attention now is on Jalen and Mac Jones. But across the Tide roster, players compete in every drill to improve their performance and their opportunity to make a meaningful impact. There has been drama in the QB situation. Similar drama will occur if a starter on either line, at linebacker or in the secondary were to suddenly be lost for the season.
More on that below, but first a review of Tuesday’s practice session.
Tuesday practice
During the season, Tuesday’s are tough. All the mistakes from the last game have been identified, reviewed and redirected to fruitful results. On Tuesday full pads are donned and the hard work of getting better continues, which includes lots of hitting.
- After being limited on Monday, Alex Leatherwood was back to regular work.
- The first unit secondary showed no changes from the Louisville game.
- Jarez Parks was not seen for a second practice. There have been no official updates on Parks. There has been a rumor he was excused from practice due to a death in his family.
- Another rumor is Ale Kaho is close to a second-team role at inside linebacker.
Turning back to development and transition, let’s focus on the backup quarterback. With Tua settled in as the starter and the new redshirt rules, playing Jalen against Arkansas State is of no value. It is of no value to Jalen, to Mac Jones or the rest of the Alabama football team.
Jalen may choose to limit himself to four games this season. Alabama football fans may not embrace such a choice. It could be considered bailing out on his teammates.
But having Jalen available to play two or three games late in the season, due to a Tua injury, is a worthwhile alternative. In the meantime, Mac Jones needs more than mop-up game experience.
For now, and maybe for the rest of the season, playing Tua and Mac makes the most sense. If Jalen wants to hold on to two years of eligibility, it works for him as well. Of course, while he sits, Mac Jones could pass him and become the first option if Tua goes down. That downside risk would be of Jalen’s own choosing.
We have no idea if Jalen will sit on Saturday. If he does, Alabama football fans should at least consider it not being such a bad idea.