OT Cyrus Kouandjio Updates

[RTR91]

Cyrus will be on his official in Tuscaloosa this week.

 

[CapstoneGrad06]

With Carpenter graduating and McCullough a Jr. there is a definite opportunity to play early for either Cyrus or Arie.

I feel that one of the Kouandjio brothers will be the starting LT for Alabama in 2011.

 

[cmmiller711]

How do you throw over that?

would you even have to?

 

[TheRealPokeChop]

I feel that one of the Kouandjio brothers will be the starting LT for Alabama in 2011.

I agree one will be starting, i have that feeling, but I also wonder if DJ Fluker gets moved over to the left, his improvment between aday and this season was tremendous.

 

[wileybb22]

would you even have to?

^^ This ^^

 

[jps1983]

I agree one will be starting, i have that feeling, but I also wonder if DJ Fluker gets moved over to the left, his improvment between aday and this season was tremendous.

He has improved but his footwork in pass pro is still lacking to be perfectly honest. He is a great run blocker, just needs to improve technique before protecting the blind side of the QB. RT is the right spot for him.

 

[buzzincuzzin]

Competition at LT is T-H-I-N at best. Mostly he would just have to beat out his brother. The loser would get to pick on Fluker.:biggrin2:

 

[mark4tide]

The advantage will have to go with Arie. It is very hard for a freshman to come in and start at LT. I think that Cyrus would need to come in a redshirt. That is the best for OL's right now. The talent is there for this to happen.

 

[buzzincuzzin]

Where? I don't see it.

 

[bamaslammer]

I hope he rolls with the tide, he's crazy big but still lean and mobile. Still has room to pack on muscle. They are both appear to be intelligent kids who are focused on whats important.

As for our line. Its possible Fluker could move to left and the right will be open, but I'm not sure if Fluker impressed enough to get that job.

One sure sign will come January. If we do NOT sign a jr college tackle you can bet a current lineman is good enough to do the job. If I'm betting I'm putting my money on Arie.

As for Cyrus, if he comes in this spring he will get a shot at a starting assignment. With our complete failure to run the ball this year I would try him at guard. Then he could move out to tackle as he gets stronger.

 

[buzzincuzzin]

Fluker barely has enough footwork to play RT. The top two T backups are Love and Alfred. They are doing all they can do but neither has shown they can be an SEC starter at this point. The good news is road-grading Gs are abundant. I don't like the thought of adding another juco but,,,,,,,,,,, This is a position we need a pleasant A-Day surprise.

 

[jps1983]

The advantage will have to go with Arie. It is very hard for a freshman to come in and start at LT. I think that Cyrus would need to come in a redshirt. That is the best for OL's right now. The talent is there for this to happen.

We are really thin at OT and our current backups are serviceable (AM more so than TL). Arie or Cyrus (even both) could possibly start next year. DJ is a force in the running game, but his footwork needs improvement (which is why he's staying at RT and won't move to LT).

 

[glasscutter256]

We are really thin at OT and our current backups are serviceable (AM more so than TL). Arie or Cyrus (even both) could possibly start next year. DJ is a force in the running game, but his footwork needs improvement (which is why he's staying at RT and won't move to LT).

Let's give Arie and Cyrus the same # and sub them in and out to keep them fresh. Those DTs will start hating life. This reminds me of the Pouncey twins...but better.
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[CapstoneGrad06]

I agree one will be starting, i have that feeling, but I also wonder if DJ Fluker gets moved over to the left, his improvment between aday and this season was tremendous.

D.J. Fluker has made massive improvement, and was great down the stretch after coming off the injury. However, I'm not sure his skill set would allow him to succeed at LT just yet. He's still very new to the offensive line. He didn't play the position until his senior year of high school.

 

[CapstoneGrad06]

Fluker barely has enough footwork to play RT. The top two T backups are Love and Alfred. They are doing all they can do but neither has shown they can be an SEC starter at this point. The good news is road-grading Gs are abundant. I don't like the thought of adding another juco but,,,,,,,,,,, This is a position we need a pleasant A-Day surprise.

I don't either, but Coach McElwain was in Arizona yesterday visiting JUCO OT Aaron Douglass.

 

[CapstoneGrad06]

We are really thin at OT and our current backups are serviceable (AM more so than TL). Arie or Cyrus (even both) could possibly start next year. DJ is a force in the running game, but his footwork needs improvement (which is why he's staying at RT and won't move to LT).

I think we could see Austin Sheppard push Alfred McCullough and Tyler Love for the backup tackle spots.

 

[rangerman]

I don't either, but Coach McElwain was in Arizona yesterday visiting JUCO OT Aaron Douglass.

you dont think thats because we missed on cyrus do you ? i sure hope not.

 

[buzzincuzzin]

you dont think thats because we missed on cyrus do you ? i sure hope not.

No. It's because only AK on the current roster stands a prayer of playing great LT in the SEC. We desperately need some competition for the spot.

 

[CapstoneGrad06]

you dont think thats because we missed on cyrus do you ? i sure hope not.

Not at all. Cyrus could come in and be the next Andre Smith, but OT is a tough position to excel at as a true freshman. Alabama is losing a two year starter at LT, and we only have two real candidates currently on the roster that are capable of playing LT in the SEC (Arie Kouandjio and Tyler Love). Our depth at OT isn't what we would like either.

 

[Heisman4Bama]

If anyone doesnt remember, Fluker got our QB knocked out cold with a serious concussion. I hope he can improve on his pass protection during this offseason (which I think he will) otherwise I cant imagine how many times poor McCarron/Sims will get nailed in the back. Now with that said, he has improved immensely over the past 2 years at RT. He was a force in the run game (one of the only ones on the line that did). But I saw Arie a couple of times practice, and he looks extremely good with his footwork and hands. Now I dont know how Arie will do in the live games with quick SEC defenders in huge atmospheres, but I am definitely expecting him to be our LT or RT next year. But I believe Cyrus will come in and redshirt then he will move Arie to the LG spot in 2012 and it will be a mammoth Kouandjio left side of the line:biggrin2:.