Robert Griffin III calls for Alabama to turn back to Jalen Milroe: 'He gives you the best chance to win'
As Alabama struggled on offense against South Florida, the decisions surrounding the quarterback position leading into the game are coming under fire. On the ABC telecast, color commentator Robert Griffin III laid into Nick Saban and his coaching staff for benching Jalen Milroe in favor of Tyler Buchner and, in the later stages of the game, Ty Simpson.
Alabama holds a 10-3 lead over the Bulls in the second half, and the entire operation has looked out of sorts. It had Griffin offering some full-throated criticism.
“When you look at what’s happening with Tyler Buchner today and Ty Simpson, there has been nothing to offset any negative plays and poor decisions. They’re just playing bad football. Why, in this moment, wouldn’t you put Jalen Milroe back in the football game? He’s clearly shown he gives you the best chance to win,” Griffin said.
Milroe was 1-1 as the Alabama starter, leading a blowout win over Middle Tennessee State and then helming the offense in a 34-24 loss to Texas in Week 2.
Buchner started the game and went 5-for-14 for 34 yards. Saban made the call late in the first half to insert Simpson into the game. Simpson has since gone 3-for-7 for 52 yards.
Saban explained going to Simpson at quarterback as the teams came out for the second half.
“We said we wanted to see if we had a quarterback that could play winning football,” Saban said. “Thought we struggled a little bit. Maybe it was the rain. I don’t know. Ty was the guy that practiced the best this week as a backup player, so he’s got a chance to play.”
Griffin isn’t alone in questioning taking the ball from Milroe
On Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff Saturday morning, former Alabama star Mark Ingram said that decision was a bit rash.
“I think this is an overreaction. There were a lot more glaring issues than just the quarterback play,” he said, explaining that Milroe’s talents may not have been properly used in the loss. “For one, they dropped him back 39 times. You think we have Brady Quinn back there? Utilize his skillset, move the pocket, let him roll. Let him utilize his playmaking abilities, which he showed us several times in that game.”
Ingram also pointed his finger at other facets of the Alabama team that didn’t come through last weekend, including the defense.
“But let me tell you, on defense, they allowed six plays of over 30+ yards for two touchdowns. They lost by 10 points. And they had no sacks! Quinn Ewers was back there wheeling and dealing. [Brady Quinn] said he looked like a first round pick in that game.”