Alabama fans had a collective gasp last Saturday, when the Tide’s offensive identity and moneymaker, QB Keelon Russell, came up limping after a play.
A quick trip to the Gimp Tent, and an emergency x-ray later, ruled out a broken ankle, but, an injured ankle it most certainly is.
Yesterday, in the weekly podium roundups, Coach DeBoer updated Russell’s status, and said Key will try his mightiest to be out on the field, but he is going to be “day-to-day” this week.
If there were ever anytime for Keelon to be injured, it is in this final three game stretch, where Alabama gets a season-ending breather, facing two of the SEC’s bottom four, and the usual FCS bodybag game. It is is a great opportunity to let Mack get some tape for his inevitable transfer in January, let some of the freshmen QBs see action, as well as for a lot guys with lingering injuries to heal up for the playoff stretch run.
Perversely, a minor injury may also be a good thing for Russell, as much as an injury can be productive.
Russell is an incredibly gifted athlete, and one of the country’s most dangerous QBs in the open field. But, that athleticism and running ability has been a bit of a crutch for him.
His first instinct in a lot of pressure situations is to take off with the ball, instead of staying in the pocket and finishing his progressions. And, when in the pocket, he has too often trusted his athleticism and escapability to give him extra time. As a result, he has not improved his processing speed and decision-making as much as he should have. Russell has taken a lot of sacks this year, but by no means are those solely on the offensive; far too many of them arise because he thinks he has more time than he actually does.
But the SEC is not Duncanville High School. He doesn’t have that extra second or two to think things over that he had in high school. He doesn’t get an extra moment to try to escape. At this level, linebackers can run every bit as well, and the safeties can hit as hard as anyone.
And nursing an aching ankle is almost certainly going to hinder his desire to take off, and a natural tendency to favor it and protect himself from contact could improve his ability to get rid of the ball faster. In other words, limiting one of his skills can help hone the others and make him a more well-rounded quarterback.
Such is the hope anyway. Hope for the best, and Roll Tide
Maybe I’m just coping, but there really could be a silver lining here.
I am all for him resting two weeks. And, right before the IB, force the Barn to prepare for both QBs.
That was my thought too — live fire in the IB before the CFP, but enough time to heal.
Austin Mack wining the Iron Bowl while Keelon rests his ankle would be the ultimate troll move
We were assured repeatedly that Sam Leavitt’s injury had a similar impact. And while he didn’t exactly turn in the world’s most impressive performance last Saturday, and his alleged improvement may have had a fair bit to do with the lesser competition he was facing, I do suspect there was at least a little fire underlying that particular smoke-billow.
And even then, he took off a fair bit. I think he had 8-9 scrambles.
Metz made him pay for one of those.
One of the best things about football is that one violent tackle, block or run can change the outcome…teammates get juiced and old mo’ has its way with opposing team.
I don’t like the idea of any more called runs for KR…unless it the untouched magic carpet ride to pay dirt.
I don’t think you completely remove his ability to run though. The RPO game is functionally what we use for our play action. The offense doesn’t work without it.
In the Saban method I trust. Let him play. First half do what you’re supposed to then you get one series in the third quarter. Put Mack in for all but the last few minutes then bring in the freshmen.
That’s not a bad way to handle it, assuming he’s healthy
If Keelon is limited in anyway they need to sit him, if he can start look to being in Austin asap against Vandy, let Austin start against Chattanooga. One thing from last year that has me still miffed is finding out Ty was injured, pretty significantly and they started him again Eastern Illinois, just no excuse for that.