During Alabama football‘s 24-17 loss to Tennessee on Saturday, wide receivers Germie Bernard and Ryan Williams mimicked a basketball shot, presumably with no blocking responsibility, on a quarterback sneak by Jalen Milroe. The display drew heavy criticism on social media under the presumption that the players had done it on their own. That’s not the case, according to Crimson Tide offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan. Asked about it Monday, Sheridan said the display was coached.
“There’s nothing on the field we’re not coaching,” Sheridan said.
Milroe was successful, barely, on the sneak attempt. Sheridan did not address the optics of it, nor how those optics might have worsened had Milroe’s sneak been unsuccessful.
The Crimson Tide offense struggled for much of the game with poor pass protection combined with a lack of accuracy in Milroe’s passes, and a running game that was only intermittently effective. In sum, it was Alabama’s worst offensive performance of the season. Amid all of that, basketball moves mid-play looked out of place at best. That said, it can’t be pinned on a lack of discipline by players if it’s something the coaching staff has either coached, or expressly permitted.
The Crimson Tide (5-2, 2-2 SEC) plays host to Missouri on Saturday for Alabama Homecoming.
Reach Tuscaloosa News columnist Chase Goodbread at cgoodbread@gannett.com. Follow on X @chasegoodbread.
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