Mike Johnson on Bama offense

Thanks for the link. Mike and Andre used to mash on that left side, and Glen Coffee was highly underrated.

The Millers Edge show might be the best. He has insight of the program and actually played. Some things he cant talk about but i respect it.

You got downvotes, but that's the impression I got. I think Deboer is a good coach but his choice to keep the line coach and OC will be his downfall. I personally believe you fix the Oline everything will be ok. I don't hate the scheme, but shuffling Oline most of the season, slow developing routes, running outside zone with fat arse lineman with zero splits is a disaster for any scheme.

Could the OC make calls to help? Absolutely. But it was evident to most when you need trickery to gain short yardage, you are in huge trouble. You can't out scheme getting your arse whipped at the LOS.

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You got downvotes, but that's the impression I got. I think Deboer is a good coach but his choice to keep the line coach and OC will be his downfall. I personally believe you fix the Oline everything will be ok. I don't hate the scheme, but shuffling Oline most of the season, slow developing routes, running outside zone with fat arse lineman with zero splits is a disaster for any scheme.

Could the OC make calls to help? Absolutely. But it was evident to most when you need trickery to gain short yardage, you are in huge trouble. You can't out scheme getting your arse whipped at the LOS.

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I couldn't care less about the downvotes. There are millions of Bama fans and not everyone is going to have the same opinion, so I get that.

i just got the feeling Johnson doesn't think DeBoer's scheme is going to make it in today's college football, specifically the SEC. You can tell he also isn't a fan of Grubb and seemed to think he doesn't know how to successfully implement a running game. He alluded to that is why Grubb got fired at Seattle.

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Yeah, I can hear it in his voice that he has concerns about Kalen DeBoer as a coach.

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Well most of these same people had doubts about Saban after going 7-5. They always have their doubts then are the loudest to celebrate when it all works out

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Grubb and seemed to think he doesn't know how to successfully implement a running game. He alluded to that is why Grubb got fired at Seattle.

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No need to allude to that. Mike Macdonald, the Seahawks HC, came out and said it. He said he wanted a strong running game and physicality, and the offense was going in a different direction than his vision for it. So, he made a move.

As for Johnson to say that this offense won't work today or in the SEC, there's two years of evidence that its been a struggle. Now, if it's been a bad fit personnel wise, which has been pretty obvious, or something scheme related, we'll find out. Hopefully the turnover this year via to portal will address the player scheme fit issues. Then we'll have a clearer answer.

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I think Deboer is a good coach but his choice to keep the line coach and OC will be his downfall.

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Has this been made official yet? I thought there were reports that we were waiting on Scott Huff from the Rams to become available to bring him in as OL coach.

Yeah that does not give me the warm and fuzzy but I’ll take Mikes word over internet warrior fans. This staff better adjust or this will be a short term staff

I’m thoroughly convinced that Grubb will be CKD’s undoing if not replaced, and Idk if he will be willing to remove his close friend.

The defense and special teams (except the this year’s abomination of a Punter), have been good enough to win most every game since CKD has been HC.

It’s crazy to think that it’s the offense that is holding this program back when CKD/Grubb has been so good in the past (including 5-0 vs Sark and Lanning and averaged 38ppg in those wins).

I watched both highlights and entire game footage of CKD’s Washington/Fresno/Indiana offenses when he was hired at Bama, and was very excited about the offense.

I thought if the defense could manage to just be middle of the pack in the SEC that they would be very difficult to beat. I never would’ve fathomed what has occurred offensively these first two seasons.

Everyone knows the offense must find a way to run the ball, but I don’t think that’s a priority for Grubb, nor has it ever been. They won by Penix throwing for 400+ypg every week.

I watch our offense and fail to see any semblance of an identity. There is no quick game, no playaction, no moving the pocket, no RPO’s, and seemingly a stubbornness to account for 5-6 man pressures (blitzes).

Nearly 80% or more of the offense consists exclusively of “Duo” in the run game and 5-step drops (only) in the passing game with long-slow developing routes.

That is why Bama has little-to-no success on the ground bc there are no gap-schemes or much variety whatsoever. This is why we get blitzed (heavy) constantly. DC’s know that our running game is an inside-zone Duo scheme between the Tackles only, and the passing game consists of 5-step drops while waiting for passing concepts like “Yankee/Seattle/Sail” (our 3 most common passing conceits) to develop, which are wll slow-developing. Also, these are all primarily “Zone beater” route concepts that take time to develop…hence the 5-7 man pressures from defenses that play Man-free or Cover 0 (man coverage) behind it.

I just do not see any way possible how this offense can ever be prolific or even overcome that 20-point celling that was the 2025 offense.

CKD was a very balanced play-caller at Indiana and Fresno. He even had the 2nd team all Big10 RB while at Indiana and his run concepts featured both “gap scheme” (Counter/Power/Iso) and also zone schemes.
The passing game featured quick game/RPO’s/Playaction and also took (quick) vertical shots down the field.

I just don’t understand it. I just hope CKD is willing to do what he has to do to correct it and isn’t willing to lose his job bc of friendships.

I think CKD is a good coach and if we were running the offense he ran at Fresno and Indiana (you can go pull it up on YouTube) then Bama would have one of the top offensive units in the conference.

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He basically said 9-3 would be considered best case scenario; and he'd be happy if we maintained status quo.

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The fact is is that its harder and harder to predict results pre-season in the current era. His prediction doesn't really mean anything.