Alabama Football: Different packages for Jalen Milroe and Ty Simpson?

Other than hearing both quarterbacks did well in the first Alabama Football spring scrimmage, little more is known. Most of that little, which includes some new information, are reports from Alabama football insiders that Jalen Milroe is much improved.

Ty Simpson has also received very positive spring reviews. The difference in the perceptions of many Alabama fans is that Simpson is expected to do well, while there is some doubt about Milroe.

The small amount of inside knowledge having surfaced about the Tide’s QB competition is leading to confidence the Crimson Tide can win, and likely win big, with either guy.

Nick Saban says neither player leads in becoming QB1. A good guess is Saban will be saying the same thing at the start of fall camp.

Just for conversation value, a sample of scattered reviews from Alabama football insiders suggests Milroe is ahead of Simpson for the starting role.

On the minds of Alabama fans is when will the unsettled situation become settled? None of us knows the answer, but my current guess is mid to late September. There’s more on that thought below, but first, two more important questions. Might Nick Saban and Tommy Rees use a 2-QB system? And/or could there be two different packages for each QB?

Nick Saban has never embraced a quarterback rotation. But Tommy Rees used multiple QBs during some of his time as Notre Dame’s Offensive Coordinator. Rees playing multiple quarterbacks worked effectively for the Fighting Irish.

Previous Notre Dame Offensive Coordinator, Chip Long described Tommy Rees’ play-calling.

"… if he has to run the ball 55 times to win a game, or if he has to throw it 55 times to win a game, he’ll do it. He’s going to do whatever it takes to win."

What we know, because Nick Saban has said it; is that one of Rees’ coaching talents is adjusting his offense to the strengths of his quarterbacks. Jalen Milroe is an outstanding runner. Ty Simpson is a highly accurate passer. This does not mean Milroe cannot pass effectively or that Simpson cannot run effectively. But the differences in their best skills could warrant the Crimson Tide having two offensive packages in 2023.

More realistically, there will be one package, with more than a few added wrinkles to take advantage of each guy.

Unveiling the 2023 Alabama Football Offense

Even if the Alabama football offense intends no adjustments for which QB is in the game, disclosing that before Sept. 9 would be an unwise strategy. Make the Longhorns guess and prepare for every option they might encounter.

Offense is always vanilla in the A-Day game. Crimson Tide fans can expect more of the same against Middle Tennessee.

What Tommy Rees was hired to do is get the ball in the hands of the Tide’s best players. Whatever scheme, formation, play-calling, and player rotation it takes to accomplish that is what Saban wants Rees to do.