With two weeks to go until Alabama’s spring game, Nick Saban was asked for a new update on the progress of the quarterbacks competing for the starting role this fall. Saban shared that as of right now he’s been pleased with the efforts from both Jalen Milroe and Ty Simpson.
“I think both guys have made really good progress,” Saban said. “We’re not disappointed in anybody’s progress. I thought they both played well in the scrimmage. Both guys have had their moments in practice, and they’ve also had learning opportunities when they’ve made mistakes. And both of them have responded very well and made improvement.
“I don’t have an evaluation other than that we’re coaching every one of the four quarterbacks that we have in the program every day to try to help them develop to be the best players that they can be. We’re going to continue to do that, and hopefully, those guys will continue to have the right attitude about trying to play winning football at the position.”
Milroe entered the competition with a bit more experience than Simpson as he had two instances of extended playing time a season ago. When Bryce Young left with injury against Arkansas, Milroe filled in for the final two quarters of action and would lead the Crimson Tide to a win over Texas A&M the following week.
Although having any experience at all surely helps, Saban emphasized that taking care of the football and eliminating small mistakes throughout games.
“One of the things that sometimes you have to learn that you’ve got to eliminate the bad plays to play winning football,” Saban said. “So there’s some plays in the game that kill you. So to be able to eliminate those things is as big a part of being able to execute all the good things. And that’s what helps you play winning football. You eliminate mistakes and you can execute and take advantage when the opportunity presents itself because you’re going to distribute the ball on every down.
“And we don’t ever want to turn it over. You’ve heard me use the analogy before, we want every series to end in a kick. It might be a punt, it might be field goal, it might be an extra point, but we’re not turning it over and giving it to the other team, and that’s an important part of being able to execute at the quarterback position.”
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Patrick Dowd is a Reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via Pat_Dowd77
