Mike Johnson goes from sandwiched to spotlighted

December 31, 2008

By Ken Rogers

NEW ORLEANS—Mike Johnson spent most of this football season in an enviable position — sandwiched between first-team All-Americans Andre Smith and Antoine Caldwell.

So long, anonymity. Johnson slides from left guard to left tackle to take the suspended Smith’s place. David Ross will start at left guard.

Much of the attention — and outcome — of Friday night’s Sugar Bowl game against Utah will center on how effective Johnson is against sophomore defensive end Paul Kruger.

As mentioned in Thursday’s Alabama notebook in the Eagle, Johnson is getting tips from a reliable source: the suspended Outland Trophy winner.

“He’s helping me out with the defensive end that we’re playing against and giving me some tips,” Johnson said. “(Kruger) can get up the field and plays with quickness and he’s a really big, strong guy. He’s a big, fast defensive end. He’s got a lot of stats this year — well deserved, too. He’s a good player.”

Coaches on both teams said the loss of Smith won’t change what Alabama does.

“Well, you know, I don’t think we change our strategy. I think we have a lot of good players and I think it is an opportunity for somebody else to play well,” Saban said. “Mike Johnson played well for us all season long. He is a good player, David Ross has had a significant amount of experience, and you know, we are going to do what we do best and feature the best players we have. It is not going to change what we do.”

“I am sure they would rather play with him, but it’s the University of Alabama,” Utah co-defensive coordinator Gary Andersen said. “I am sure there is another great player playing right behind him.”

Johnson sounds comfortable with the change. He played left tackle against Tulane. He was a left tackle most of the time in high school.
His physical adjustment is one thing; his mental adjustment hasn’t been bad, either.

“I played next to Andre all year,” Johnson said. “Me and him communicated every play, so I know what’s going on through his head. This hasn’t been that big a deal. I’ve slid over a little bit. It’s a little different view from over there, but hey, you know, you just have to adjust to it.”

He was asked about the pressure of being the center of attention.

“I don’t see it that way at all,” he said. “If you want pressure in, say, the Florida game. or some of the other games we’ve played this year, this isn’t that bad compared to that. We’re going to go out there and try to enjoy ourselves. We had a good time all week. We want to come away from this game with a W.”

He’s got confidence in David Ross, who will take his spot at left guard.

“I told him the same things I’d be thinking in that situation,” Johnson said. “Kind of the same things that I’ve been trying to do at left guard all year. You know, just come out of your hips and make sure you keep your head back on pass protection. He’ll be just fine.”

His big task in practice has been communicating with Ross.

“We’ve been working together the last few days,” Johnson said. “I know he’s a good player. He’s got a good head on his shoulders. I know he’s capable of doing what he needs to do to win the game.”

It was suggested this might be a preview of more left tackle to come. Smith is expected to be an early first-round NFL Draft choice if he decides to turn pro. Johnson, who played right guard and right tackle at times last season, said that was the coaches’ decision.

“They’ve asked me to play left tackle this week. I’ve told them, you know, that I’ll come in and do the best I can,” Johnson said. “If they ask me that same thing next year I’ll do the same.”

Johnson was asked how odd it was to be answering these questions.

“Nothing I didn’t expect when I walked in here,” he said.

He also stuck by his friend and teammate.

“He’s a great guy,” Johnson said. “I don’t know any details of anything that’s happened. He’s been a great friend to me and a great teammate to all of us. It’s unfortunate that we’re having to playing without him. But we know he’s watching and we know he’s rooting us on.”

Saban focuses on who he has, not who he doesn’t

By Ken Rogers

Near the end of his post-practice press conference, Alabama coach Nick Saban was asked how tough the suspension of Andre Smith was for the coach personally.

Saban’s answer didn’t have much to do with the question, but it’s worth noting.

“I am really interested in talking about the players who are going to play the game, and all the ones who have made the right decisions and the right choices to have the opportunity to play in the game,“ Saban said.

“That is what I am focused on. This team has made a tremendous commitment, from the very beginning, from the end of last year’s bowl game, all through the off-season program, all through spring practice, all through the summer, all through the season. And (it) has made a tremendous amount of progress because of the choices and decisions they have made, and the commitment they have made to playing good football. And my focus as a coach is to help those guys finish the season the right way. That is where my focuses are. That is what I am worried about. And when I don’t sleep at night, that is what I don’t sleep about.

Aight? Happy New Year.

McClain gives credit for rapid development to Steele

December 30, 2008

By Ken Rogers

Enjoyed talking with middle linebacker Rolando McClain, who is featured in Wednesday’s Dothan Eagle.

He knows football like Rainman can count match sticks. How else can you explain a kid who starts at middle linebacker in Nick Saban’s defense as a true freshman? He is rarely out of position and loves to punish the man with the ball.

But I was struck by his self-awareness. He called himself “weird” and admitted that he likes to be left alone. 

McClain credited his development to working closely with defensive head coach Kevin Steele. But he credited Steele for also dragging him out of his shell.

“Coach Steele did a great job with me. He taught me a lot of stuff. He sat me down in meetings and we just worked from there. He’s a great coach. We bonded together in a weird way. That’s how we learned so much so fast.“

In a weird way?

“I’m not a big people person and he’s just an outgoing, crazy guy. Something like, he got me to come outside my shell. A lot of coaches aren’t able to do that. And he did it. It’s not just business with him. In the meeting room or practice we can have fun. That’s what I like. That’s why I like being around him so much. That’s why he’s such a good coach.“

There are reports that Steele may not be around much longer. Clemson reportedly is making a big push for his services.

Defensive coordinator Kirby Smart said he and Steele work well together.

“Oh, it’s been awesome. Kevin and I, obviously when I was at FSU he was there. I was a GA there. We worked well together then. Good friends,” Smart said. “When I was at Miami and we thought things were going to happen he called me. We both talked about coming in together (at Alabama under Nick Saban). We worked well together.

“Kevin Steele’s a great guy. A lot of our decisions are made defensively among us three and Lance (Thompson) and Bo (Davis) as well. It’s a collaborative effort. Everybody shares information. Steele’s a great guy. A great person, a great friend of mine, a great football coach.”

Smart’s passion shows on the sidelines

By Ken Rogers

Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart likes being on the sidelines a lot more than being up in the press box—or worse.

Smart recalled a harrowing experience when he was coaching for Bobby Bowden at Florida State in the Superdome before the 2003 Sugar Bowl against Georgia.

“I was stuck in the elevator with the Georgia staff. It’s funny, because the Georgia staff, a lot of them were my best friends. ... We were going up in the elevator, I remember, ‘Is it too much weight?‘ It just kind of locked up. ... Got a little nervous before the game. “

Repairs were made in time that the coaches barely made it to their places by kickoff.

“That’s never happened before or since,“ he said.

It doesn’t happen now. He’s carrying on along the sidelines, pumping up his players. He has chest-bumped Terrence Cody and leaped into Rashad Johnson’s arms after Johnson intercepted a pass in overtime against LSU. It is evident he’s having fun.

“That’s why I do it. If I could still play, obviously I’d love to play,“ Smart said. “I wasn’t good enough, so I’ve got to teach somebody else to do it and live vicariously through them. Play the game with them. That’s why you do it. You enjoy the game, being around the players. If you don’t have that passion, I wouldn’t do it. The day I don’t have that passion, I want to get out and go do something else. Right now that’s why I do it. That’s why I coach. To be around the guys like Rashad and Javy (Arenas).“

And his antics keep his players in the game.

“Those kids get excited. They want to be excited. They want to see you excited,“ he said.

But chest-bumping Cody?

“Yeah, that’s a little scary,“ he admitted.

That energy is similar to what his boss brings to the practice field. Saban clearly enjoys being on the field, working with his players. He has said on several occasions that he’s just the highest-paid GA in the country.

“He’s a lot smarter,“ Smart said when asked about his “assistant” compared to most GAs. “He does a heck of a job. I’m glad to have him in there. He helps, I guess it’s four or five years now, having been in the room with him. We work well together.

“Our secondary guys got to feel like they’re getting hit from both sides. One time he’s saying something to them. Then they mess up and they’re getting it from two people. If they do well they’re getting it from two people. So it’s kind of a double-edged sword for them. But they get a lot of information. It helps me. I’ve learned an enormous amount of football from him and respect the fact he’s in there every day.

“He loves it. He’s got the same passion I do. He loves coaching. If I’m ever in those shoes I’d want to coach, too.“

Teammates support Tide’s suspended Smith

By Ken Rogers

There was a red flag early Monday morning about Andre Smith’s status with the Alabama Crimson Tide.

The team’s offensive players went through a press conference. The Outland Trophy winner wasn’t there.

A couple hours later, everyone knew why.

Suspended. Sent home. And now a state attorney general’s office inquiry into allegations that there was improper contact with an agent.
While the NFL awaits with open arms, this can’t be the way anyone wanted Andre Smith to close out his college career.

Neither of the two seniors who spoke after Monday’s practice were angry at Smith.

Asked if he felt let down, center Antoine Caldwell said, “Not really. Whatever happened has happened. I know Andre, he’s a great person, a great kid, a great football player. And I know that whatever happened was just luck of the draw, I guess — something that just happened.”

Caldwell said he was disappointed, but remembers that he was suspended for four games last year as the school investigated improper receipt of textbooks allegations.

“I can relate myself, I was in a situation like myself last year (textbook scandal). I felt like I let the team down in some way. You’ve just got to bounce back from it. He knows we’ve got his back and we’ve got to be ready to play this game on Friday.”

Quarterback John Parker Wilson knows Smith has had his back for three years. Wilson had Smith’s on Monday.

Asked if he felt let down, Wilson said, “To tell you the truth, I don’t know the circumstances, so I’m going to say one way or another.”

The quarterback said he supports his left tackle.

“Totally, he is a great guy, and no matter what happened, he is still a good friend,” Wilson said.