Ryan Grubb reveals how Alabama aims to fix Ty Simpson’s continuing issue that came back to bite the Crimson Tide vs. Oklahoma
A simple, but not so easy fix for Ty Simpson.
If the Alabama Crimson Tide ultimately overcomes the speed bump that was the loss to the Oklahoma Sooners and makes a deep run, it’s going to be on the back of quarterback Ty Simpson. Barring a miracle, what you see is what you get with the run game.
That portion of the offense, along with poor execution from the kicking unit, ultimately cost Alabama the game on Saturday. But Ty Simpson wasn’t exactly the Heisman hopeful he had been all year against OU. Beyond an interception that was returned for a TD, Simpson had a fumble.
That makes five games in a row that Simpson has fumbled; it just finally caught up to Alabama on Saturday. Well, offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb knows that the trend needs to end, and he has a simple, but not-so-easy fix.
Ryan Grubb wants Ty Simpson to get rid of the football
“Take care of the ball in the back-end of the pocket, two-handed monster,” Grubb said via the Alabama Crimson Tide YouTube channel. “The message all week that Ty knows and was frustrated about was, kind of get the ball out of his hand. And then understanding when your back gets chewed up in protection, what’s going on with the route concept and where to put the ball. And Ty knows that. He beat himself up more than anybody.”
If you watch the strip sack fumble in the clip above, you can tell that Simpson feels the pressure. He is stepping up and away, keeping his eyes downfield. All of that is excellent. Where the issues arise, and have all year, is that little voice in the back of his head. That internal clock that keeps ticking.
Sometimes, holding on to the ball leads to splash plays and big touchdowns. But often, it creates these kinds of turnovers. It’s a very delicate balance. Trying to tinker with a dynamic QB’s internal clock is not an easy process, even if it’s as simple as getting rid of the ball sooner.
But that’s where coaching comes in. It’s why Kalen DeBoer was hired, and it’s why Ryan Grubb was brought in to be Alabama’s offensive coordinator. It might be late in the season, but Simspon is still young in his development.
Taking the message and turning it into repetitive action is the task of Grubb and DeBoer. Because if Alabama takes care of the football and plays defense the way they did on Saturday, the Crimson Tide has as good a shot as anyone come the CFP.
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