Paul Finebaum calls Alabama QB situation ‘a state of confusion’ after A-Day performance
Perhaps the biggest surprise that came out of the Alabama quarterback play Saturday during the Crimson Tide’s A-Day is that there was no surprise, contends Paul Finebaum.
The SEC Network analyst, who joined “McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning” on WJOX-FM 94.5 in Birmingham on Monday, reacted to the play of Jalen Milroe and Ty Simpson.
“We are exactly where we thought we would be: In a state of confusion,” Finebaum said Monday. “However, I don’t think it means as much as some on social media are saying that it will.”
Milroe, who led the White team with first-team offensive players, completed 19 of 37 passes for 245 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
Simpson, quarterbacking the Crimson team, completed 12 of 26 passes for 155 yards, no touchdowns and one interception.
“Ultimately, the quarterback can do you harm and that’s what you don’t want,” he added. “That was the most negative takeaway from Saturday. It looked like – at least from the initial sampling – those two could do a little bit of harm.”
To ease Alabama fans’ minds, Finebaum cited Georgia two years ago. “I don’t think anyone was 100 percent sure – or even remotely sure -Stetson Bennett could lead Georgia to a national championship, and he did,” said Finebaum, who added there were other reasons to the Bulldogs’ success.
Still, the quarterback play Saturday, Finebaum contends, will have one impact more than any other on the upcoming season.
“I think what it will mainly mean is that expectations are going to be dialed down just a hair.”
Mark Heim is a sports reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim.