The term "joyless murderball" was supposed to be a derisive term, coined during the peak of the Alabama football dynasty, when Nick Saban's Crimson Tide would physically overwhelm and bludgeon opponents week after week. Most games were talked about more in terms of what the margin of victory would be, and not whether or not Alabama would be victorious.
Being an Alabama fan sounds miserable. This is what people have to come up with to be entertained by Saban’s joyless murderball. https://t.co/nSrd0HBKri
— Mark Ennis (@MarkEnnis) July 27, 2018
This tweet was sent out without a hint of irony in 2018, six months after Tua Tagovailoa's miraculous 2nd-and-26 touchdown pass delivered Alabama its fifth National Championship in nine years. Misery indeed.
Alabama fans took the term and ran with it, using it to describe what most consider the most fun aspect of Tide football: the dominance, particularly up front on the offensive line, paving the way for a devastating ground attack.
It's more joyful murderball than joyless. But it's been absent for a few years now. Alabama hasn't won the National Championship since 2020, the program's longest drought since the 17 years between Gene Stallings winning the title in 1992 and Saban's first National Championship at Alabama in 2009.
Alabama has rarely physically manhandled opponents in recent seasons, and it's been longer since the Tide had a dominant ground game.
It's not something that is necessarily expected with Kalen DeBoer and this coaching staff. DeBoer and OC Ryan Grubb have always preferred a more pass-heavy diet, but with what should be a physically imposing offensive line, and a deep stable of running backs, running the damn ball might just make its return to the Alabama menu.
Ryan Grubb is excited about Alabama's offensive line in 2025
Ryan Grubb was asked after Tuesday's practice what part of the offense has him excited. His response should fire up Tide fans, particularly those who are partial to the old-school, ground-and-pound style of yesteryear.
"I'm really excited about the way the O-line is playing, the physicality they've been showing," Grubb said.
That's music to the ears of Alabama fans.
The starters on the offensive line are not yet settled, and while depth could be a legitimate question mark, Alabama has six guys they are comfortable going to war with up front. Three spots seem set in stone with LT Kadyn Proctor, C Parker Brailsford, and RT Wilkin Formby. At right guard, Jaeden Roberts, who joined Proctor and Brailsford on the Outland Trophy preseason watchlist, was expected to be entrenched at right guard, but for two consecutive practices, Roberts has run with the second team with Geno VanDeMark operating as the starter.
It's notable, but likely much ado about nothing. VanDeMark is competing with Texas A&M transfer Kam Dewberry for the starting job at left guard, but regardless of the outcome of that competition, VanDeMark will be the top backup at all the interior positions. Even if he starts at LG, he would slide over to C or RG in case of an injury. Because of that, Alabama is making sure he gets first-team reps at all three spots. He ran with the first team at center on Saturday as Brailsford missed practice to participate in the University's commencement ceremony.
Regardless of who DeBoer, Grubb, and OL coach Chris Kapilovic settle on for the starting five, it should be a unit that is able to impose its will on opponents. With senior Jam Miller back at RB, and a deep group of backs competing for carries behind him, this could be Alabama's best rushing attack in a few years.
With Alabama breaking in an inexperienced starter at quarterback, having a productive running game to lean on is all the more important.