Mental toughness is important in every position for Alabama football, especially at quarterback.
Jalen Milroe saw a night and day difference between the response he received after the Middle Tennessee State game and the matchup against Texas. He set a school record versus the Blue Raiders, becoming the first signal-caller in Crimson Tide history with three touchdown passes and two touchdown runs in a game. People who doubted him in the summer started easing their way onto the wagon as supporters. He felt on top of the world for a weekend, but then adversity happened the following week.
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Alabama went up against a good Texas team.
Milroe did not have his best game, despite two touchdown passes and trying to snatch out a victory for the Tide. He tossed two interceptions and took the blame for the loss, but the program’s first early-season defeat since 2015 was not solely on him.
The quarterback is made a hero after wins and a scapegoat after losses. It is the nature of the sports world we live in. Some wonder if Milroe is the right quarterback for the job at Alabama. They want to see Nick Saban look at Ty Simpson or Tyler Buchner for an opportunity, and both are talented. Simpson is a former five-star and Buchner has major college football experience from Notre Dame. Alabama needs a game manager who is quick, decisive, and accurate with the football, but is the coaching staff’s handling of Milroe holding him back? Peter Burns of ESPN’s SEC Network weighs in on the situation via Twitter.
Burns feels like Alabama needs to ‘turn Milroe loose.’
Jalen Milroe = Harold Perkins
Both electric players being asked by their team to do something out of their comfort zone
Bama trying to get Milroe to stay in pocket more, not be so quick to run
LSU trying to get Perkins to learn ILB position
Both need to just turn them loose
— Peter Burns (@PeterBurnsESPN) September 13, 2023
The Tide wants Milroe to develop into more of a pocket passer, but his game works better on the run.
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Alabama had success with a run-pass option and quick-read offense with Blake Sims and Jalen Hurts. Milroe is not a pocket quarterback, but the Tide can win games with him. Burns would like to see Milroe unleashed to play to his style.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
