Link: In Terms of Starts, Alabama's OL is 106th Most Experienced OL in Nation
- Thread starter RTR91
- Start date
If you have an inexperienced OL, it's good to have a QB with 28 starts and two NCs under their belt.....
I'm not as worried as some about our OL. A good OL has to be able to communicate and at least on the left side we have two brothers who certainly ought to know how to communicate with each other. Next you need a smart center capable of holding the middle and I think Ryan fits that role and may be better than Barrett in some areas. Steen anchors the right side guard position which leaves us with right tackle.
As big and good at run blocking as Fluker was he could be beat by a good pass rusher too many times than I wanted to see. Western KY owned him that game. From what I've seen Sheppard looks more capable at pass blocking and he may get beat out by someone better so we may in some ways be better at that position.
On top of that where we've had a weakness on offense in the past was when good defenses sold out to stop the run and we weren't consistently good enough in the passing game to take advantage of that. Last year we were more capable in that area except in the two games where AJ was hurting, (LSU and TAMU).
I expect our passing game with the talent and depth we now have at receiver and a proven top QB to help our OL and RB's have a better running game. At least that's my story and I'm sticking to it.
As big and good at run blocking as Fluker was he could be beat by a good pass rusher too many times than I wanted to see. Western KY owned him that game. From what I've seen Sheppard looks more capable at pass blocking and he may get beat out by someone better so we may in some ways be better at that position.
On top of that where we've had a weakness on offense in the past was when good defenses sold out to stop the run and we weren't consistently good enough in the passing game to take advantage of that. Last year we were more capable in that area except in the two games where AJ was hurting, (LSU and TAMU).
I expect our passing game with the talent and depth we now have at receiver and a proven top QB to help our OL and RB's have a better running game. At least that's my story and I'm sticking to it.
10 Years ago this would spell doom but let's remember CNS has been stockpiling "big uglies" for several years now.
It's hard to say but our second team OL last year was probably better than many teams in the country. Now most of these guys are just stepping up from being 1b to 1a.
It's hard to say but our second team OL last year was probably better than many teams in the country. Now most of these guys are just stepping up from being 1b to 1a.
What about games played? That's a bikini stat there, conceals as much as it reveals.
Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk 2
Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk 2
No, it's all CyKo and SteenRoller. Coach Saban said he was happy about the OL and not worried after spring practice so when he says that I stop worrying. Now the secondary depth is what he said he was worried about.
In number of "starts" pre-season 2011 A.J. had none.
In number of starts pre-season 2012 our running backs and wide receiving corp had none.
At Kentucky, this O-line deal would be a big problem. At Bama-it's called " progress of the process". I'm gonna worry for about let's see--two seconds. Thousand one - thousand two. Ok ...not worried anymore!
sip
In number of starts pre-season 2012 our running backs and wide receiving corp had none.
At Kentucky, this O-line deal would be a big problem. At Bama-it's called " progress of the process". I'm gonna worry for about let's see--two seconds. Thousand one - thousand two. Ok ...not worried anymore!
sip
Last edited:
Let's not get too upset about this. It is simply a statistic. One that is actually an improvement upon what has been used to measure experience (classification only).
If ranking who has the best OL, I would guess Steele would have us much, much, much higher.
If ranking who has the best OL, I would guess Steele would have us much, much, much higher.
I've never worried about this one bit and I'm really big on the big uglies. It's simple, CFB has never seen a Nick Saban coached team in it's 7th season. I think it's gonna be something to see.
I mean, it's not like we're gonna be replacing anybody with a bunch of pencil-necked geeks. The newbies are gonna be the next group of highly talented, highly recruited blue chip studs that have been waiting their turn to step into the spotlight. (Well, as much of a spotlight as an O-line gets. ) And let's not forget that these guys have been cutting their teeth against better competition than they'll be facing on Saturdays.
FWIW, I pretty much feel the same way about every other position or unit on the team too. Coach Saban's "Process" is alive and well in Tuscaloosa. Remember, after 09 he told us "This isn't the end, it's the beginning."
He convinced me.
I mean, it's not like we're gonna be replacing anybody with a bunch of pencil-necked geeks. The newbies are gonna be the next group of highly talented, highly recruited blue chip studs that have been waiting their turn to step into the spotlight. (Well, as much of a spotlight as an O-line gets.
) And let's not forget that these guys have been cutting their teeth against better competition than they'll be facing on Saturdays. FWIW, I pretty much feel the same way about every other position or unit on the team too. Coach Saban's "Process" is alive and well in Tuscaloosa. Remember, after 09 he told us "This isn't the end, it's the beginning."
He convinced me.
Last edited:
During Spring he said he was pleased with the OL. That's high praise from coach. He seemed to be pleasantly surprised and pleased. If he is feeling that way then I feel good about the line.
The area I'm concerned about is CB. Saban has mentioned that they are thin there and need more players to step up. If Belue plays at the level he did in the A-day game I think will be fine as long as we don't have an injury.
The area I'm concerned about is CB. Saban has mentioned that they are thin there and need more players to step up. If Belue plays at the level he did in the A-day game I think will be fine as long as we don't have an injury.
All I know is I wouldn't trade our returning group of O Linemen..For any other college teams returning O Linemen..
I love the fact that all the guys who are in line to start have at least 3 years of experience as reserves. I expect some hiccups but they'll be fine I believe.
Latest threads
-
SEC West Showdown Sends Alabama to Oxford to Meet with Ole Miss- Started by Diamond Tide
- Replies: 0
-
Davis II Named to Stopper of the Year Midseason Watch List
- Started by Diamond Tide
- Replies: 0
-
Eleven-Run Third Powers Alabama to 14-5 Win over Samford
- Started by Diamond Tide
- Replies: 0
-
Maybe aTm's Pockets Aren't So Bottomless After All -- Layoffs In The Athletic Department
- Started by 4Q Basket Case
- Replies: 5
-
Time to un-vacate 2005-2007 on field victories and un-forfeit the 1993 season?
- Started by CmdrThor
- Replies: 21
-