Kalen DeBoer sends a message to Alabama QB Ty Simpson that he can no longer ignore ahead of the College Football Playoff
Kalen DeBoer’s message is simple, but it’s exactly what Ty Simpson needs to hear.
It might be hard to remember, given what has happened in recent weeks, but Alabama Crimson Tide QB Ty Simpson was once favored to win the Heisman Trophy. He was carving up defenses left and right, throwing with confidence and anticipation, and using his legs to make spectacular plays out of structure.
Ever since the game against the Oklahoma Sooners, those throws have been less accurate. He’s looked either rushed or panicked and isn’t playing with the same confidence. It all came to a head against the Georgia Bulldogs when Simpson nearly cost Alabama a spot in the College Football Playoff. Kalen DeBoer is not panicking about his starter, however, sending him a simple message ahead of the postseason.
Kalen DeBoer focusing on the small things to get Ty Simpson back on track for CFP
“It’s just a matter of ‘keep your head up, and we got this. A couple of small things can lead to big things. And we don’t need to make it bigger than it is,’” said DeBoer when asked what he’s telling Simpson via the Alabama Crimson Tide YouTube channel. “We just got to keep chipping away, much like I talked about weeks ago with the run game. Being persistent. Just stay the course, addressing things you do have to acknowledge and address them, and be truthful.
“Small things and sometimes it’s not just you, it’s everyone around you, just everyone picking up their game and doing their part that can go a long ways to a much higher level of success that I know we all expect.”
Ty Simpson has to stop forcing things and play loose in the CFP
When DeBoer talks about the small things and how they turn into bigger things, he’s speaking to Simpson’s process and how that affects the end result. If you think back to the interception that Simpson threw in the middle of the field against Georgia, it happened because he’s pressing.
Was it a bad ball? Sure. Was the ball the reason the pass was intercepted? No doubt.
But watch Simpson hesitate to release the ball at first, and how much his feet are moving in the pocket. It’s third and 6 in the first quarter, and you’re only down seven. You don’t have to force throws like the game is on the line. That’s how things compound, and the little things become big things, to quote DeBoer.
So getting Simpson’s confidence back and getting him back to playing at a Heisman level starts with settling him down, having him play fast but smooth, and reminding him that one throw doesn’t win or lose a game.
Oh, and getting back a safety blanket and you’re starting RB should help that.
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