Getting Ready for Spring Battles!

[4Q Basket Case]

I look at it as Ty's injuries and limitations were caused by the Oline. He got hammered in the Missouri game where he initially injured his back/neck. After that game, the OL blocking got worse because defenses were starting to figure them out. He kept getting hit more and more and his performance kept getting worse and worse.

CAN I get an Amen?!?!

Nothing matters more than improving the OL. Not even who wins the QB battle.

 

[day-day]

Running backs. AK Dear and Isaiah Crowell.

Ezavier Crowell?

 

[Con]

Ezavier Crowell?

I get my running back Crowell mixed up with the guy from Georgia from a few years back.

 

[day-day]

I get my running back Crowell mixed up with the guy from Georgia from a few years back.

Maybe @arthurdawg did the same thing unless he meant somebody else.

 

[bamajas]

CAN I get an Amen?!?!

Nothing matters more than improving the OL. Not even who wins the QB battle.

My apologies to both of you. Of course it's the biggest single factor.

But does that mean there's no room for conversation and nuance? When has football stopped being a complimentary sport?

I'm sorry; I repent for suggesting that the OL is not the ONLY ones culpable for breakdowns

 

[4Q Basket Case]

My apologies to both of you. Of course it's the biggest single factor.

But does that mean there's no room for conversation and nuance? When has football stopped being a complimentary sport?

I'm sorry; I repent for suggesting that the OL is not the ONLY ones culpable for breakdowns

I think I must have come across in a way I didn’t intend, and that I’m the one who owes you an apology.

We discuss all position groups. All views are welcome, especially when they’re accompanied by reasons — which I admittedly omitted above.

I think improvement in the OL is most important because its poor performance in 2025 directly affected all other offensive performance. And indirectly affected the defense.

Others may see it differently, and that sort of discussion is why TideFans exists.

If I came across as wanting to quash different opinions, I sincerely apologize.

 

[Windsortide]

I am looking forward to :
The QB battle
The RB battle
The LB battle
The oline battle.
This will be a very intriguing spring practice this year.

 

[AWRTR]

This is where I'm at. Don't think we could have our talent/program level and get any worse

AND the regression of the OL occurred along the same timeline as Ty's injuries and limitations

A healthy QB who attacks every inch of the field (and can scamper for a first down) and a RB who can get 1-3 yards when necessary can go a long way in building continuity and confidence on the OL

I disagree. Even before Ty's injuries the running game wasn't good at all, and Ty was getting hit regularly early in the season. He was just able to work around the issues on the OL to some extent, and as teams got more and more film to watch they took advantage of the OL's weaknesses. The coaches and OL couldn't adjust to cover the weaknesses.

 

[AWRTR]

CAN I get an Amen?!?!

Nothing matters more than improving the OL. Not even who wins the QB battle.

A great OL can make a mediocre QB and RB look good because the holes are there and the QB has time to let someone get open. It also allows the OC to be able to call a wide range of plays including long developing plays. A great QB lying on his back isn't very effective.

 

[CoolBreeze]

Spring is upon us and hope abounds. Frankly, think we have a long row to hoe and it will start and finish with the O Line. Just feel there is way too much work to be done before we can feel the line is SEC caliber at this juncture. We may have to scheme our way early in the season until guys can gel but we will see. This will be coach's best effort yet regarding team building and am curious to see how he performs.

 

[CB4]

I certainly hope we don’t come out of fall camp with a “work in progress” oline and running game. Whomever is the starter at QB (Mack or Russell), they will need to lean into the run game early in the season until they “get their legs underneath them” as a starter.

I’m very hopeful these coaching changes will have a positive impact in that area.

 

[AlexanderFan]

I disagree. Even before Ty's injuries the running game wasn't good at all, and Ty was getting hit regularly early in the season. He was just able to work around the issues on the OL to some extent, and as teams got more and more film to watch they took advantage of the OL's weaknesses. The coaches and OL couldn't adjust to cover the weaknesses.

It was a solid bet at least one person on that line would get beat very badly every play. I mean terribly beaten. The worst part is it was never the same person or by the same technique. There was no way for an injured quarterback to succeed consistently.

 

[DrollTide]

The Film Guy (Austin) has a really good study of the two quarterbacks, highly recommended. If 45 mins is too much for you, the TLDR is Mack will start: he is huge and can take a hit while the OL develops, he understands the system and plays within it. Keelon is the fireworks, makes great throws, but misses the easy score while playmaking a hard score, takes too many hits, and does not yet work within the system.

 

[BamaMoon]

The Film Guy (Austin) has a really good study of the two quarterbacks, highly recommended. If 45 mins is too much for you, the TLDR is Mack will start: he is huge and can take a hit while the OL develops, he understands the system and plays within it. Keelon is the fireworks, makes great throws, but misses the easy score while playmaking a hard score, takes too many hits, and does not yet work within the system.

Sounds like AM's time in the program is showing up early this spring.