What does it take to build a strong O-line?

[Bama Alum 92]

Even since fRAN was here, we've heard about not having depth at the offensive line. This year, it seems, is when all the seniority and "talent" ran dry but can these guys "grow" into great linemen? Is it going to take some bigtime recruits to come in as freshmen and after 2-3 years grow into being a strong line? Maybe some Juco transfers? Bottom line is we need to win the battle in the trenches regardless if we run the ball or pass and it seems were more caught up in recruiting a high power QB than the men only mamma loves... and high powered QB's ... okay maybe the running backs too.

Go Vandy

 

[Jack Bourbon]

Well, having WR's that catch, for starters, and a QB that doesn't freak out every time the ball is snapped would help. Not that Croyle is at the heart of the matter. I honestly think that our dozens and dozens of dropped passes at critical times turned a weak, but passable, OL into a crippled one; and our fearless QB into a survivalist skeptic.

We seriously need some attitude adjustment among the OL guys as well--Yale's OL could pass block better than what we saw today, and everyone knows it. Talent isn't the sole cause of the problem we witnessed vs the Barn.

 

[TexasBammer]

Step 1.

Don't get put on probation....

Thins you out where injuries can really hurt your chances

 

[RollinOnBayou]

As Allen Iverson would say, "Practice.... We talkin bout practice"

 

[kwftide]

New techniques?

 

[TommyMac]

I'm at a loss for an explanation. We all knew the O-line would be suspect early in the season, but I think we all felt like they would become more effective as they gained experience. The reverse happened though, they peaked in the Gator game and got progressively worse after that. I think you have to question the coaching after that spectacle yesterday. There's no way that ALABAMA should have the worst O-line in the SEC, but we do, even worse than MSU and Kentucky. Vandy is worlds ahead of us. We would still be unbeaten if we could protect the QB as good as Vandy. I hope all the studs we're recruiting for the O-line take notice and see the possibility of early PT

I think you have to give the receiving corps their share of the blame too. Their frequent drops killed a lot of drives which maybe could have boosted the confidence of the entire offensive unit if successful. There's obviously a LOT of room for improvement here. I think it's asinine to keep thinking they're all of a sudden gonna start catching the dang ball and continue to send them out there. It's past time to try something else.

Thank God for Kenneth Darby, he was the rock that our 9-2 record was built upon. He should win the Heisman for rushing for over 1000 yards behind our O-line and without the threat of a passing game. A real CRIMSON warrior.

By the way, I was not forgetting our great defense when I said that KD was our rock. I meant that strictly on the O side of the ball. Our D bailed us out time after time.

 

[Really Big Bama Fan]

Well Coaches Shula, Rader, and Kines could visit the Alabama High School Championship game, decide which team has the best coached OL, and then hire that team's line coach for the Bama staff.

 

[GulfCoastTider]

Blame it on Franphoney

Franphoney was the coach who recruited the current senior class. His lack of emphasis on the front lines is showing. Coach Shula has been rectifying that to some degree, but the scholly limits have hindered him as well. Our current commitment list includes David Ross, Taylor Pharr and Alex Stadler. They are well regarded linemen, but unless they're absolute studs they're likely headed for a redshirt year.

The youth and inexperience issues we suffered this year can only be solved by training room time, practice time and playing time. We won't be a whole heckuva lot better talentwise next year. But 2007 should be a fun one--we basically get the same home/away schedule for SEC games and we should have adequate depth.

Coaching is an issue. I just don't think the current line coaching is getting the job done. I bet I'm not alone in that belief.

 

[tidefan23]

Don't get put on probation....

Thins you out where injuries can really hurt your chances

Ya, one injury to the OL was a knockout for us ... er, wait, we weren't much better before the injury.

 

[thunderz7]

kwftide asks --- New techniques?

That's where we should start,
scrap the hinge, on the heels, read and react crap that allows the D to penetrate the line.
Go to power drive blocking for runs, on the toes, take initiative, move the line of scrimmage back, (if we can run we can throw, if we can't run we can't do either -that's proven fact)

Would be nice to see KD at or past the line of scrimmage before he has to make his first move, (instead of 2 to 5 yards deep, like now)

If Connelly can change fine, if he can't let him go.

The whole coaching staff, head included need to come to the realization that this is college football not Pro.

T7

 

[briancm]

Bama OL...

I'll say this. If after 3 years you can't find 5 guys and teach them to stand in front of someone and not let them get by you for 2-3 freaking seconds, it IS the coach.

I played football once and before I got to play for coach "Hootie" I was just out there. He got in my face and challanged me. I took notice. I started every year after that. And I was playing with guys older than me.

Our problem right now is COACHING for OL positions.

Shula will show me what he is made of by Spring Practice.

 

[Dixiedawg]

In a word "Time"

Linemen in todays college game are hard to find, they have so many blocking schemes to remember it's tough being an offensive lineman and it takes time to develop the skills they need to compete. We will get there,but it takes time.

 

[7Tech]

I remember back when

Britt, Smiley and Mathis were freshman starting on the O-line. We were not having these debates about blocking tech, and attitude then. now we have only two freshman (rs) a couple of soph and a few juniors. OL like the Dline is an attitude thing ! you have to have the attitude of Chris Samuels, John Hannah, Wes Britt, Justin Smiley and Evan Mathis. You have to think you are going to grind the guy in front of you into the ground all day long. You actually have to have a hate that burns with the fires of Hades intensity inside of you to even be a half way decent offensive lineman !! I do not see that when they show a close up of the O-Line on tv these days. I see a soft, weak hope I don't screw up look in there eyes. THAT STARTS WITH COACHING !!! Look in the eyes of Demeco Ryans, the guy looks like he is ready to kill you on the field. If we ever hope to improve on this years record the Line, BOTH LINES better have a coach that has intensity in everything he does. I'm not calling for a change in offensive philosophy, but I am calling for a change in attitude. hopefully with this years recruiting class that can change. Hopefully Andre Smith was not swayed to go to the barn last night by what he saw. I can promise you, if Smith comes to Bama next year he will be starting at LT. If you so not believe me get a sub. to Rivals or Scout.com and watch his clips. the guy is a monster he looks to pancake the dlineman everytime. Stadler, Pharr, Motley and Ross are great but Smith is a monster O-lineman.

 

[smokies1]

Linemen in todays college game are hard to find, they have so many blocking schemes to remember it's tough being an offensive lineman and it takes time to develop the skills they need to compete. We will get there,but it takes time.

Time is part of it, coaching has ALOT to do with it, our OL has gotten worse over Time and that's not a good sign.

what's this I hear about LSU OL coach breaking things on the sideline first half of our game out of fustration with there lines performance, maybe we need (needed) a coach that do a little more for motivation and a little less "soul searching"

 

[Bama Alum 92]

From what I'm reading

there are several schools of thought. Clearly a freshman or sophmore is younger and theoretically less experienced than a junior or senior and yes our line is young; However, it would also be reasonable to expect that at the last game of the season a freshman would be experienced as a sophmore and a sophmore a junior, etc. Losing Closner was bad but the line was weak to begin with and we knew he was a Senior. What plans do we have for next year? Stay with the same guys and hope they get bigger and better in the off season? Is the coaching there to get them into the mold of a star line? Is the talent there to be a solid line?

 

[RamaJamaDog]

Good point

Well, having WR's that catch, for starters, and a QB that doesn't freak out every time the ball is snapped would help. Not that Croyle is at the heart of the matter. I honestly think that our dozens and dozens of dropped passes at critical times turned a weak, but passable, OL into a crippled one; and our fearless QB into a survivalist skeptic.

We seriously need some attitude adjustment among the OL guys as well--Yale's OL could pass block better than what we saw today, and everyone knows it. Talent isn't the sole cause of the problem we witnessed vs the Barn.

I agree, also consider Brody has not been as quick with release as JPW showed.

 

[jthomas666]

there are several schools of thought. Clearly a freshman or sophmore is younger and theoretically less experienced than a junior or senior and yes our line is young; However, it would also be reasonable to expect that at the last game of the season a freshman would be experienced as a sophmore and a sophmore a junior, etc. Losing Closner was bad but the line was weak to begin with and we knew he was a Senior. What plans do we have for next year? Stay with the same guys and hope they get bigger and better in the off season? Is the coaching there to get them into the mold of a star line? Is the talent there to be a solid line?

We have one or two potential keepers. Caldwell and Tatum show promise. We've got a couple redshirts waiting in the wings, and we have some very talented committments.

My preferred scenario:

1. We get a new OL coach (you probably guessed that one. )
2. In spring practice, no spot is safe. You earn your starting spot or you're demoted.
3. Do a lot of work with the OL against the 1st string defense, to better assess strengths and weaknesses.
4. In the fall, take one or two of the most talented freshman and work them into the rotation--particularly if you think they can reasonably be expected to compete for playing time by midseason.

Now, might Connelly turn things around and generate an OL that I could run for 1000 yards behind? Possibly. But, as my magic 8-ball says, the signs aren't favorable.

 

[formersoldier71]

Coaching is an issue. I just don't think the current line coaching is getting the job done. I bet I'm not alone in that belief.

You certainly are not alone.

 

[BamaSkins]

coaching,
recruiting,
teaching,
leadership,
did I say coaching?