Sarcasm. Mostly you boast about Bama and you get what you deserve. I reiterate . . . Bama took major losses on the OL and they will not dominate like last year. It's a weakness. Live with it. 2013 Alabama football's 10 things to know 6. We probably shouldn't just assume the line will be amazing again There's a chance you might be able to follow the stop-the-run script a bit easier in 2013. (Not easy, mind you, but easier.) Leading rusher Eddie Lacy is gone, as are three All-American linemen. Yes, the new starters are potentially going to be just fine -- especially sophomore back T.J. Yeldon (hold onto the ball, T.J.) -- but the line was historically strong last year, and there's no guarantee it will be as good. Alabama has a new offensive line coach (former FIU head coach Mario Cristobal), and as strange as it sounds, Alabama hasn't recruited at quite as high a level at OL as it has in other units. Yes, former all-world recruit Cyrus Kouandjio is still in the mix, and yes, All-American Chance Warmack was, like a few of this year's probable starters, only a three-star recruit. Still, if you're looking for cracks in Alabama's armor, it is at least feasible that the offensive line will be a little bit glitchy after its near-perfection last year. Lacy and Yeldon were almost never touched in the backfield and didn't have to make their first move until past the line of scrimmage. Those are luxuries Yeldon and company won't always have this time around. You try to cloak your cheerleading with humor and just plain oddness, but I am not fooled, Varmint.
Yes, but if I may reiterate, I said I expect Bama to be less productive on the O-line then last season. You continue to express yourself in such extremes. In my brethrenhoodliness, I want to reach out in a spirit of football reconciliation that I hope will, in time, overcome any feelings of competitive disconnect we may be having. Perhaps try to summon more of your inner Pepe le Pew?
When I read this earlier today my thought was "that's a very declarative statement." It's not true if we take it literally. Saying "will not dominate like last year" I'd readily agree with. Now we're getting into something where I have to disagree. If we want to compare it to last season, it's likely to be weaker. A weakness for the team? No sir. In a manner of speaking that opinion is much like the one we discussed a few weeks ago that was talking about how LSU has to replace so many starters without giving recognition to the players with experience still on the roster. How much do you actually know about these guys projected to start this fall red? As much as I've paid attention to this group, both as a unit and individually in those specific responsibility's, I don't carry concern going into the fall. I certainly can get into specific detail if you like. Otherwise, I can only ask for you to try to trust what I'm saying. It's interesting you paste/link this excerpt. Notice "probably shouldn't just assume." "There's a chance you might..." "...the new starters are potentially..." The last one bolded is one we can look at if you like. "Still, if you're looking for cracks in Alabama's armor, it is at least feasible that the offensive line will be a little bit glitchy after its near-perfection last year." It is at least feasible...a little bit glitchy. He's certainly not saying "won't dominate anybody" and he's not calling the line a "weakness." He's leaving a lot of room to wiggle because to him it's unknown. In a quick grading scale, using + for improvement and - for a downgrade. LT + LG - C + RG + RT - (biggest question mark for me on the line.)
I know that three of your starting offensive linemen have never started a single game. For comparison, all five of LSU's have started.
I was using the LSU analogy not as a comparison between the two units, but as an analogy stating what is being said doesn't tell the whole story. What you've said is true. Yet, it doesn't tell the story in its entirety. The LG and RT have two years of playing experience. Last season, both saw action over 75% of the games played. Both saw action in 50% of the games played the previous year. The C played in 10 of the games in 2012-'13. It's not a case where the guys stepping into those roles are "green." Stepping back just a tad to the paste you provided earlier with this caveat that I put about as little value on offensive lineman rankings as I do QB rankings, the author says: Alabama hasn't recruited at quite as high a level at OL as it has in other units. Yes, former all-world recruit Cyrus Kouandjio is still in the mix, and yes, All-American Chance Warmack was, like a few of this year's probable starters, only a three-star recruit. Two of these three new guys on the line were ranked higher than Chance and he writes "like a few of this year's probable starters." Simply not true. That player, the right tackle, is the one I put the notation beside in the post just above this one.
You may know this off the top of your head. Phil Steele has the starts for LSU's offensive line as 49, combined. Do you know if that number is correct?
Thanks. That's 11 more that the total combined Bama is starting the season with... Tennessee has 123, Georgia with 101, Mississippi State with 95, and Florida with 92 have the most in the conference. Of note there is Miss. State in my opinion. Tyler Russell returning, LaDarius Perkins as well, behind a seasoned offensive line? A disappointing season for the Bulldogs may be enough to put Mullen on the hot seat for 2014. At a glance, they should fall around 4th in the West and be bowling for the fourth straight season.
Would you trade with Tennessee? My point is that teams with 4 or 5 returning starters usually get out of the blocks quicker than teams with 1 or 2 returning starters. Everybody is big, strong, quick, and smart at this level. It always takes time for new guys to get tough. Anybody's new guys.
I do like Stone, their center. Agreed on getting out of blocks. Experience goes a long way in that regard. Back a few posts I mentioned I looked at our C as an upgrade. One of the reasons I like him over Barrett Jones—despite all of his accolades—is a quicker snap, football, and he's been quicker shedding blocks. RT has quicker feet, but isn't the bull dozer Fluker was...don't make many of his size.
