Based on Stoops words of Towles having a leg up in the race I figure him but looking for some solid intel. ???
Who went with the ones today, Towles or Barker?
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Today Stoops said he expects Towles is "going to have a good year"..make of that what you will..not sure if he can make it any clearer..he also said there's "no clear-cut starter" at RB (even though anyone with two eyes could see that Boom is the best RB on our team)..make of that what you will..Towles is the best QB, Boom is the best RB, but there are good players behind both so Stoops wants them to "earn it" (he repeated that phrase 5 or 6 different times)
That's about as clearly as I can put it, there is no debate, there is no true "competition"..Stoops just wants every guy to "earn it" at positions where there is quality depth..Stoops did everything short of coming out and naming Towles the starter today..when asked about the QB situation he spent 2 minutes talking about Towles and then spent 15 seconds talking about Barker, make of that what you will lol earlier this summer he told us to "READ BETWEEN THE LINES WITH THE QB SITUATION" that's about as clearly as I can put it..each and every time the QB "competition" is brought up to Stoops he immediately brings up Towles first thing (he's never brought up Barker first) and will spend 90% of his time (if not all of his time) talking about Towles and will spend about 15 seconds discussing Barker when discussing the "competition"..make of that what you will
Today he even went as far as to talk about what kind of season Towles is going to have THIS year, make of that what you will lol I just don't know what else to say
If you're "reading between the lines" like Stoops told us to do, I don't think it could be any clearer who the starter is and who the best QB on the team is and who gives this team the best chance to win games..if it was a true "competition" he wouldn't spend basically all of his time talking about one guy and one guy only..we've seen how Stoops acts when there is a TRUE toss-up at a position, and THIS is not it
He does this exact same thing with Boom..it's really not very confusing..he's just an old school defensive-minded coach that wants guys to earn it (even if they're the "best" player). I took what Stoops said today as being more confident than ever that Towles is the guy..if you watch his interview I'm pretty sure you'd leave with the same impression, especially when he says he expects Towles "to have a good year." That's about as clear as it gets. A guy doesn't "have a good year" if he's not playing lol
That's about as clearly as I can put it, there is no debate, there is no true "competition"..Stoops just wants every guy to "earn it" at positions where there is quality depth..Stoops did everything short of coming out and naming Towles the starter today..when asked about the QB situation he spent 2 minutes talking about Towles and then spent 15 seconds talking about Barker, make of that what you will lol earlier this summer he told us to "READ BETWEEN THE LINES WITH THE QB SITUATION" that's about as clearly as I can put it..each and every time the QB "competition" is brought up to Stoops he immediately brings up Towles first thing (he's never brought up Barker first) and will spend 90% of his time (if not all of his time) talking about Towles and will spend about 15 seconds discussing Barker when discussing the "competition"..make of that what you will
Today he even went as far as to talk about what kind of season Towles is going to have THIS year, make of that what you will lol I just don't know what else to say
If you're "reading between the lines" like Stoops told us to do, I don't think it could be any clearer who the starter is and who the best QB on the team is and who gives this team the best chance to win games..if it was a true "competition" he wouldn't spend basically all of his time talking about one guy and one guy only..we've seen how Stoops acts when there is a TRUE toss-up at a position, and THIS is not it
He does this exact same thing with Boom..it's really not very confusing..he's just an old school defensive-minded coach that wants guys to earn it (even if they're the "best" player). I took what Stoops said today as being more confident than ever that Towles is the guy..if you watch his interview I'm pretty sure you'd leave with the same impression, especially when he says he expects Towles "to have a good year." That's about as clear as it gets. A guy doesn't "have a good year" if he's not playing lol
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Typically install days have everyone learning the concept with multiple groups operating and rotating simultaneously.
Here's what Stoops had to say about the QB "situation" today..make of it what you will lol
Q. Coach, have you made any progress deciding on a quarterback?
COACH STOOPS: Yeah, again, we feel very good about it. I know it's something to write about and all that, but just like the running back position or whatever, there is a lot of competition that goes on. Nothing's going to be given to you in this program. You're going to earn it. You're going to work for it. I've made no bones about it.
I've been proud of the quarterbacks. I've been proud of Patrick. I've been proud of the work he's done. I think he's improved. You could go back to again, I could go back to the story when he was named to third team and a high profile talented quarterback could have put his head down and walked away and quit, and all he did was get better. I've asked him to get better from last year to this year, and that's what he's done.
So there is pressure on all of our players to improve. So that will work its way out. It could work its way out in one day. It could work its way out in two practices, it could work its way out in two weeks or through the first game. I don't know.
Again, as I've said, I think it's more of a compliment to Drew and his capabilities than anything negative in Patrick, because Patrick has done everything we've asked him to do. He's getting better. I think he's going to have a great year. But I feel, again, I go to Drew and the good things he's done. He deserves that opportunity, and we're going to get a good look at him.
Translation: Towles is the guy, but Drew's worked hard so we're going to give him a chance to compete for a starting spot just like every single other player on the team..when I recruit these guys I tell them they're going to have every opportunity in the world to win the starting job so I'd feel guilty if I didn't at least give him a shot
I have a feeling they both will get playing time this season. Barker has to be ready to go on a moment's notice. So I'm hoping they compete right up to the opening game.
Really like what Saban said this week.....we have no depth chart right now, guys have to earn a spot.
I believe CMS has the same process to keep guys working hard...we actually have talent at all positions, let them battle it out for playing time.
I believe CMS has the same process to keep guys working hard...we actually have talent at all positions, let them battle it out for playing time.
They both look great, but Towles looks stronger and has 2" on Barker, not to mention the experience. He looks a lot stronger than last year. I would love to see Barker get about 10% of the plays to gain some game time exp. hopefully he can play a couple 3rd and 4th qtr games in some blowouts at the very least. I wouldn't mind seeing Our 3rd string get some minutes out of able to and not necessity of course.
I for one will just be glad to see what Drew can do during garbage time since there is no redshirt to worry about this year. Kid could play in high school and just looks the part of a QB.
What I make of it is Towles and "Boom" are the starters, but obviously Stoop's is keen on making sure they feel they have to compete for it. Nothing wrong with that. It goes on all the time in any elite program with a lot of talented player's. Hopefully the result is better players and depth at each position which is important in football because there are always injuries as the season goes on. I think it's also important for the guys we may think won't be the starter's to believe they have a shot at it. We have some real depth at RB, and it's inevitable a lot of those guys will get significant snaps this year starter or not.
Bear would do an interesting thing from time to time. His 2d team QB would get the first series of the 2d Quarter regardless of the score, opponent or field position. Worked for him too. One year Namath had a knee injury and Bear had to rely on Steve Sloan. Since Sloan had game experience they hardly missed a beat. Of course, with the brutal defenses Bryant had not much else mattered.
If Towles isn't the starter I'd be very shocked/surprised. He played pretty well at times last year, and he will only get better this season. Barker's time will come, and he will get some run this year as well.
With better line play and more assets i'm hoping things will slow down for him !! Happy feet last year and early success running hurts us in a few games last year !!
I understand why, I was in the stands at some games and had happy feet when I watched our oline's play.
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