JD PicKell breaks down the importance of Alabama's supporting cast around quarterbacks

It’s fair to say that there are a few concerns down in Tuscaloosa right now in regard to their quarterback spot. Even so, On3’s JD PicKell says not all the blame should always go on the Crimson Tide’s QB options.

PicKell explained his point during a recent episode of ‘The Hard Count’. The root of his argument is that Alabama’s style is based on each position being supportive of each other across the board. While many will be upset at the Tide’s quarterbacks for their poor play, he wants everyone to keep in mind that, while they are considering the engine, they aren’t the only cog in their offensive machine.

“The style that ‘Bama wants to play? As I already said, it’s gonna be complementary,” PicKell said. “So let me tell you what’s gonna happen here when we get to the fall. Whether it’s Ty Simpson or Jalen Milroe? Drop back to pass and let’s say they get sacked. There’s gonna be a lot of people quick to say, ‘Man! Jalen Milroe has no pocket presence!’. Or, ‘Man! Ty Simpson? This game is way too fast for him! He can’t do it!’. I would say pause, take a deep breath, watch the tape, see what happened there.”

“Before you blame the quarterback, you’ve got to ask yourself this question…Is everyone around the quarterback – offensive line, running backs, wide receivers – up to par with the expectation you have for your quarterback? Because this offense is going to be complimentary football,” continued PicKell. “What does that mean? The quarterback, for him to do his job? We’re asking the running back and the offensive line to move the line of scrimmage. For the quarterback to do his job? We’re asking receivers to finish plays…and we’re asking them to win outside.”

To be fair, this point was made before Alabama’s acquisition of Tyler Buchner through the transfer portal. The commitment from the former Notre Dame quarterback completely reshapes the Tide’s quarterback room. Even so, PicKell’s point still stands. Whoever wins out as QB1 for Nick Saban next season is going to need the help of others in order to succeed in their role.

PicKell knows how vital it is that things run smoothly at quarterback for ‘Bama, especially in their transition away from Bryce Young. While he’s not excusing their struggles in the spring, he just also wants people to know that it may, at times, go past issues at !B.

“What I’m saying is the quarterback position? It’s going to be extremely important. But it’s going to be very dependent on the variables around them to be successful,” said PicKell. “That’s not me making excuses for Jalen Milroe, that’s not me making excuses for Ty Simpson. I just want to make sure we’re crystal clear on the expectation for whoever wins that job.”