Alabama football does not have AJ McCarron, Jacob Coker, Tua Tagovailoa, Mac Jones, or Byce Young at quarterback anymore.
McCarron, Coker, and Jones were pocket passers and game managers. Tagovailoa and Young arrived as dual-threat guys; however, they were more so efficient passers. Jim McElwain, Lane Kiffin, and Steve Sarkisian game planned to the skill set of the signal-callers they had. Bill O’Brien, contrary to popular belief, did a good job with Young — coaching him to a Heisman Trophy.
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The balance that McElwain, Kiffin, and Sarkisian brought helped the Crimson Tide win national championships.
Now, Tommy Rees is the offensive coordinator for the Tide. He used motion, multiple tight end sets, run-pass-option looks, designed quarterback runs, short passes, and deep shots to keep defenses off balance at Notre Dame. Jalen Milroe has become more comfortable in the pocket, but it’s not his strong suit. He excels in quarterback roll-outs, RPOs, designed quarterback runs, and having simple reads in the passing game. Milroe possesses athleticism and a very strong arm, but he’s different from Young.
The offense Alabama needs for Milroe is a RPO scheme. Rees needs to use seven-man protection on developing routes, but he should also roll Milroe away from pressures. The 30-year-old has to call plays to have Milroe attacking defenses. He needs to work in screen passes to running backs/wide receivers, jweet sweeps, pop passes, and create matchups for tight ends in the flat.
RELATED: Alabama QB Jalen Milroe is ‘more comfortable’ in the pocket, per Nick Saban
Alabama’s offensive line is not built for long-sustained blocking plays, so Rees needs to have plays where Milroe is getting the ball out of his hands quickly. Milroe is at his best when does not have to think as much. Rees needs to have an offense where he can go fast.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
