Alabama Football: After A-Day moving on and expecting more

The Alabama Football, spring quarterback battle is over. At this stage, the Crimson Tide has no clear leader to become QB1. To the extent Jalen Milroe leads the QB group, the outcome is far from settled.

Next up is a continuation of the QB competition through player-led workouts. The summer drills are an effective tool to build chemistry between the quarterbacks and receivers. At times in the A-Day game, the chemistry was lacking.

As important as the summer work is, it will not resolve the quarterback competition. Fall camp might determine a QB1. The fall camp scrimmages are a much better measurement of players than a spring game.

Jalen Milroe or Ty Simpson could seize the starting job in August, but that might not happen until September. And it is possible a third quarterback could contend to be QB1. For much of his limited work on Saturday, Dylan Lonergan appeared to be the Tide’s most poised QB. Then again, he wasn’t competing against Alabama’s first-unit defense. It would have been interesting to see how the freshman would have done with the ‘ones’ on offense.

Eli Holstein did not have the poise shown by Lonergan. He is a talented freshman and it is far too early to predict his upside.

Nick Saban could add another wrinkle by adding a transfer QB. There are currently no known prospects. A quick look at the available QBs in the Transfer Portal shows no better options.

Alabama Football – Work in Progress

• The Tommy Rees version of the Alabama offense is a work in progress. It will continue to be through at least half of the regular season. The Crimson Tide has enough playmakers its 2023 QB does not have to be great, just consistently good. Consistency starts with, as Nick Saban says, eliminating bad plays that get you beat.
• The A-Day game’s dropped passes were frustrating, but no cause for panic. Saban and his assistants will open the regular season with a solid core of five or six dependable receivers.
• If Elijah Pritchett cannot handle speed rushers, between Latham, Booker, and Kadyn Proctor, Alabama will have two starting tackles who can.
• In the fall the running game will be strong. Milroe and Simpson can both help a deep running back group on the ground, with Milroe able to make chunk plays frequently.
• Before midseason, the also deep, Alabama secondary can be outstanding. So too can the linebackers. The defensive line should also be a strength.

Naysayers will downgrade the Crimson Tide’s 2023 chances for months. Let them. It is too early for conclusions about opponents who are also ‘works in progress.’ But Alabama Football will have five games of experience before its first hostile environment against a talented team. Later the Tide gets Tennessee and LSU in Tuscaloosa.

There will be plenty of time for the Crimson Tide to reach championship caliber. And it will – count on it.