This is an opinion column.<\/p>\n
Time for an off-beat Saturday mailbag while everyone dreams of spring.<\/p>\n
The Super Bowl is eight days away and all Seattle had to do to reach the big game was send former offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb to Alabama. The de-evolution of the Tide\u2019s offense continues to fill up my inbox, but we\u2019re also discussing Auburn\u2019s plan to run the ball with quarterback Byrum Brown, Alabama incoming freshman EJ Crowell, Navy football and, of course, a new Space Force Academy in Huntsville.<\/p>\n
Speaking of outer space, naturally, we\u2019ll kick things off with Ron Artest.<\/p>\n
Thomas writes \u2026<\/p>\n
I\u2019m living in Atlanta, and read your column<\/a> every now and then, but you sometimes write<\/a> like you\u2019re having hallucinations<\/a>. Just saying<\/a>. Have a good sober weekend.<\/p>\n ANSWER: This is a true story, and I have witnesses. Metta Sandiford-Artest, aka Metta World Peace, aka Ron Artest, once asked me at a Lakers practice if I was on ecstasy. I was not eating beans at Lakers practice, but it remains one of the three funniest moments of my career as a sportswriter.<\/p>\n B-Man in Duluth, Ga., writes \u2026<\/p>\n Wow, you certainly nailed it with your column<\/a>! I don\u2019t expect you\u2019re sipping beers after work with Kalen DeBoer or Ryan Grubb anytime soon, however, you are absolutely right \u2014 if a new offensive line coach does not produce a running attack that works, and BETTER pass protection, these guys are toast. <\/p>\n And, rightfully so. <\/p>\n Let\u2019s not forget that the 2025 version of the Tide\u2019s offensive line was supposed to be one of the most talented in the country. And the NFL, apparently, thinks a lot of Ty Simpson, so \u2026 if the last half of the season did not convince anyone the play calling was atrocious, maybe your column will.<\/p>\n Adrian writes \u2026<\/p>\n Seattle\u2019s running attack has had a lot of impact on Sam Darnold\u2019s success as well. He\u2019s been very comfortable not having to do more than he is capable of. Maybe Alabama should look to its history when complementary offense was its forte.<\/p>\n ANSWER: DeBoer and I do not drink beers together, no, but I\u2019m not opposed to pouring a Bud Heavy for Alabama\u2019s coach every now and then.<\/p>\n Grubb seems like a Triple Hops IPA guy, but I could be wrong.<\/p>\n I really do have the smartest ball-knowers for readers, though. Wiser words have never been written when it comes to the difference between this year\u2019s offense for the Seattle Seahawks and Grubb\u2019s version of the Tide. <\/p>\n Quarterback Geno Smith had great numbers on paper in 2024 (4,320 passing yards), but Grubb still got the boot in Seattle. Smith and Ty Simpson seem like a decent enough comp to my eyes, which means the Las Vegas Raiders will likely draft Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with their No.1 pick.<\/p>\n The knock on Grubb in Seattle was an offense that leaned too heavily into the passing game. Coach Mike Macdonald wanted a balanced approach so the Seahawks could play complementary football. (That means it\u2019s OK to punt sometimes and play defense, among other things.)<\/p>\n Let\u2019s take a look at Alabama\u2019s last national championship-winning offense. The season was 2020. Not a lot of punts for the Tide that year either, but what everyone really remembers are all the passing yards by Mac Jones and the Heisman Trophy-winning season for DeVonta Smith.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s the thing about that.<\/p>\n Smith was always open because defenses had to account for running backs Najee Harris and Brian Robinson. Harris alone rushed for 26 touchdowns. That\u2019s only two fewer than Derrick Henry\u2019s monster Heisman season. For context, Mark Ingram only rushed for 17 touchdowns during his Heisman campaign.<\/p>\n When is Alabama going to have its next first-round running back? That\u2019s what Alabama fans want to know. Alabama should have gone into the transfer portal and found one. DeBoer tried … and failed<\/a>. Alabama officially lost its mystique with the Hollywood Smothers fiasco. Also, let\u2019s not forget that Nick Saban grabbed Georgia Tech\u2019s Jahmyr Gibbs out of the portal. Saban wasn\u2019t all about \u201cThe Process\u201d in the end. <\/p>\n It\u2019s not all doom and gloom, though. Alabama running back AK Dear has potential. I\u2019m hopeful, too, that EJ Crowell can quickly develop into Alabama\u2019s next signature back. I visited with Crowell<\/a> this past season in Jackson, Ala., and I love the kid. He gave me hometown burger recommendations and everything. <\/p>\n William writes \u2026<\/p>\n