Let’s be real, Alabama fans knew stepping into a post-Saban era wouldn’t be a cakewalk. But even the most pessimistic Tide diehards probably didn’t see this coming. Kalen DeBoer’s first year? Sure, they pulled off that epic upset against Georgia—a game for the ages, no doubt. But then reality hit. Nine wins, four losses, and missing out on the brand-new 12-team playoff? That’s a gut punch, especially when you’re Alabama. It’s like, one minute you’re on top of the world, beating your biggest rival, and the next, you’re watching the playoffs from your couch. Honestly, offense and consistency were completely off the table. Turns out, replacing the GOAT isn’t just about leading—it’s about stopping the walls from caving in.
Alabama’s offense was a mess last season under Kalen DeBoer, and it showed. Not a single receiver got more than 11 catches, so their WR coach JaMarcus Shephard didn’t hold back. In the Fox Nation series “The Tides That Bind: Inside Alabama Football,” Shephard openly criticized his receivers. He observed a lack of competitiveness among the players, noting that they were merely going through the motions.
He expressed his frustration by stating, “I’m tired of sugarcoating s— for people in this room anymore. I’m not sugarcoating. It’s a tell-tale sign our two receivers who have the most production in the room are the two taking notes right now. It’s a tell-tale sign that’s how it is. I’m sick of this s—. The ba-l goes in the air, we’ve got to want it.” Turns out, those two note-takers were Ryan Williams and Germie Bernard. Now, this fiery rant’s got people wondering: were other guys just checked out because they weren’t getting the play time? Did they think they wouldn’t get a shot, which is why so many hit the portal?
But Bama’s former staff member Gerald “Smoke” Dixon sees no reason for Shephard to get all hyper on players for not taking up notes or writing stuff that is being said in the meetings. He believes that every player has their own way of learning. “At some point, if guys aren’t getting it with notebooks and notepads—because some people don’t know how to take notes. Some are kinetic learners—you might need to change up your teaching methods. Most receivers don’t need to sit in a classroom. Some receivers, or DBs, or players need to go out and do walkthroughs.”
Shephard wasn’t done, though. He went on a bit of a tear, saying, “Everybody wanna be cute. All these weak-a– haircuts y’all got. S— all pristine and s—. Ain’t nobody got no dog in them.” Now, Gerald “Smoke” Dixon’s response to this? He’s like, “I’ve always wanted to address the play, not the player. I wanted to address the attention and action, not the act.” However, can we blame JaMarcus Shephard for being furious after what we witnessed the entire season last year?
A major factor in Alabama’s struggles was the decline of its passing game, which only averaged 236.4 yards per game. Quarterback Jalen Milroe had a setback in what was anticipated to be a standout season, and no Crimson Tide wide receiver recorded more than 50 catches. Ryan Williams led the team with 865 yards and eight touchdowns, while senior transfer Germie Bernard caught 50 passes for 794 yards and two scores. But is that enough? Plus, it is worth noting that even now there has been no improvement in the wide receivers’ department.
Kalen DeBoer’s weak WR room explains the frustration behind the rant
Well, people tend to misinterpret harsh words, but JaMarcus Shephard is not just talking—his track record with playmakers like McMillan proves it. He didn’t intend his statement, “No dogs in the room,” to be disrespectful; he meant to emphasize a certain mentality. The lack of offensive firepower was evident in their losses to Michigan and Vanderbilt. When a unit doesn’t perform well, coaches typically push harder, as is the case here. Shephard is looking for players who strive for greatness, not those who wait to be instructed.
It was obvious Alabama’s offense faltered throughout the season, resulting in challenges against elite competition. They lost five WRs in the portal, gutting their depth. Gerald even said, “I know Bama fans don’t want to hear this; the receiver room talent wise not good enough.” Plus, the losses of Caleb Odom, Amari Jefferson, Emmanuel Henderson, Kendrick Law, and Jaren Hamilton created a significant void. Now, all pressure lands on the 18-year-old Ryan Williams, who’s still developing. That’s not smart.
Sep 28, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Ryan Williams (2) runs against the Georgia Bulldogs during the first quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Will McLelland-Imagn Images
Jalen Milroe threw 18 passes to Williams against Vanderbilt, completing only eight. Putting too much stress on a freshman won’t solve the problem. Gerald put it bluntly: “The number one guy there that’s a difference maker is Ryan Williams. And Ryan’s a baby. I mean everybody else need to grow up, and they need to get their level play higher and he need to play with more of an attitude.” Williams needs assistance, not a heavy workload, and his talent deserves better use. So Kalen DeBoer’s gotta step up and get more players prepped. He needs to find some depth and those ‘dogs’—and fast.
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