Midseason Offensive Line review

[drsmithofga]

After rereading this discussion which involved detailed offensive line comments
from back in July, is the O-line far exceeding expectations, or are they yet to see a strong defense, or both?

Closner: Leadership grade? A.
Tatum: Game is slowing down for him, has upper hand with every matchup
Capps: Seems to be able to step up when he wants to, improving each week
Caldwell, Stabler, Davis: Performing very well as freshman, someone could get postseason recognition on All-Freshman teams.

Backups: Do we have "serviceable twos" yet?

Coach Connelly: Considering what he's had to work with, great job coach.



That's my opinion. I guess the next two games would really help determine where this unit is at.

 

[TerryP]

I'm still not sold on Con yet...

but I have to give him his due.

He's been one that didn't like advice given to him...almost to the point of claiming "He's the best OL coach out there."

However, he's said he's learning. That in itself speaks loudly to me. He's starting to grown into the position...changing his outlook on just how the OL should be handled. I didn't expect it.

There is a lot of questions still left to be answered out there...

I wouldn't be surprised to be blown off the ball by the UT DL.

 

[jthomas666]

I wouldn't be surprised to be blown off the ball by the UT DL.

That's my fear as well. The OL has done well pass protecting, but they're still inconsistent in opening holes up for the run. And we will need to run to beat TN.

 

[bamar]

it will be hard to gauge our offensive line against tenns def line when you consider that fla, lsu, and ga did not have any success against them. ga ran well the last 8 minutes with game out of contention. tenn has a great def line, maybe the best in college football. we will have to beat them with the short pass, deep pass, pass out of the backfield. the defense will have to win this game.

 

[bamatex82]

I wouldn't be surprised to be blown off the ball by the UT DL.

I'm worried about that, too. UT's DL will be the most physical we have seen to date.

 

[talisitider]

I have not seen any threads from the BC bashers that were on here in the summer just ripping his technique that he teaches. Where are all of those posters? David Ross believes, Alex Stadler, Taylor Pharr, B Motley and that's good enough for me.

UA still has some unfinished work, but I think it's fair to say that BC's group is doing well thus far. I know the OL was a major concern coming in and yes we're heading through a tough stretch to say the least, but I'm very pleased with the progress thus far replacing three starters.

 

[drsmithofga]

Terry, isn't that just a bit harsh? Its difficult to blame CBC for the quality of athletes you and Jess told us about during the summer. Look at what is being recruited now and last year. Sure the rest of the season holds the real answers, but I don't think many would have guessed that our offense would have the success its had so far, especially since the first two games. CBC and the O-line deserves recognition for what they've done so far. As far as UT blowing them off the ball, do you think UT will have more success against Bama than against their other past opponents? Will UT crank it up a notch, and Bama won't? Personally, I think its unfair criticism.

 

[TerryP]

Terry, isn't that just a bit harsh? Its difficult to blame CBC for the quality of athletes you and Jess told us about during the summer. Look at what is being recruited now and last year. Sure the rest of the season holds the real answers, but I don't think many would have guessed that our offense would have the success its had so far, especially since the first two games. CBC and the O-line deserves recognition for what they've done so far. As far as UT blowing them off the ball, do you think UT will have more success against Bama than against their other past opponents? Will UT crank it up a notch, and Bama won't? Personally, I think its unfair criticism.

Harsh? I don't think so. Just an observation based on what I've seen/heard. CBC has changed his coaching style/philosophy/technique. He's practically come out and admitted it recently at a few Alumni/Booster meetings. (In fact, I don't think you can call it practically now that I think about it). He wasn't a proponent of drive blocking at all...and now he's saying the players have convinced him that they can do better in running situations if they do drive block.

From the way he's been acting in recent booster functions I'd say he's had a complete change of heart/attitude....especially when it comes to the technique the players are using on the LOS.

On the UT end...it's the most talented DL we've faced all season long. Perhaps, one of the best in the NC2A. Next week, Ole Miss. Following that, another big time test.

 

[Crimson Surfer]

I thought I would pump a little sunshine in from Today's Bama Team News.

Bama's Offensive Line Answers The Challenge (Video)

Unsung Closner a key player in Tide’s success

When the rock of the University of Alabama offense sits down to have a conversation, his body language is nothing like that of a student.

While a baseball cap will likely be turned around, with unkempt hair emerging from back, JB Closner is most comfortable in a chair slightly leaning his 6-foot-4, 288-pound frame forward.

It makes the protruding brow stand out even more, creating the image that he might be a descendent of Conan the Barbarian. And anyone who wants to get to senior quarterback Brodie Croyle first has to deal with him.

Connelly has Tide line improving: Inexperience, injuries have UAassistant working late

If it was poor-mouthing, give Bob Connelly credit. If it was honesty, still give him credit.

"I told our coaching staff when we came into this season, I told every fan that asked me, I said I don't know where we're gonna be game one," said Connelly, the coach of the Tide's offensive line. "But we're gonna be better game two, and we're gonna be better game three. And that's what I get paid to do."

In his third season at Alabama and 11th as a college assistant, Connelly said he's in the middle of what could be his toughest season yet.

Rivals.com Recruting Team Ranking - Offensive Line: Bama # 2

 

[Crimson Surfer]

Stabler earns starting offensive line position

Stabler, a red-shirt freshman, got the starting nod against South Carolina two weeks ago and now is fully entrenched as the right guard.

Stabler likely would have been the starter in the season opener, but a knee injury slowed that down.

“My knee is very close to being 100 percent,” he said. “But I really haven’t thought about the hype of being a starter.

 

[kcin_4_BAMA]

I don't think enough can be said about the great job this unit has done. I hope to see them "step up" to another level this week in preparation for UT & then show everybody how good they really can be against the VolinTears next week. After that, I think we will be saying, "This is going to be a GREAT front line for the upcoming years."

RTR

 

[Proxigean Tide]

I think the jury is still out regarding Tennessee's defensive line. Yes, they are big and talented, but our o-line practices against the best defense in the SEC.

Yes, UT can stop the run...if that is all you try to do against them. However, If LBs have to start covering TEs, RBs and FBs out of the backfield, things could soften up for Darby and company in a hurry.

I know the coaches are stressing Ole Miss and taking one game at a time, but you have to know they started scheming for UT right after the Florida victory.

UT has been in dogfights with LSU. UF and UGA. They haven't held anything back for future opponents. What you see is what you get -- and their leading tackler was injured against Georgia. Now if this front four is so great, why are the DBs the leading tacklers on the team and who is going to replace Jason Allen's 35 solo tackles?

I think our young, thin O-line will hold its own against UT...primarily because our passing threat will keep them from loading up against the run and Brodie's 3-step drops and quick release will frustrate the upfield rush. RTR.

 

[ryno]

I will admit..I was critical of CBC before the year...I now need to give the man his due. This OL has played much better than I thought they ever would and CBC deserves some of the credit for that..the rest goes to the players of course. It should be noted that our OL really started to perform when 2 things happened....

1. We had a solid starting 5: Capps, Caldwell, Closner, Stabler and Tatum. there is alot to be said for continuity on the O-line.

2. Before the USC game we seemed to change philosophies and start drive blocking more.

I saw a big difference between the first 2 games and the last 3 and this unit seems to be getting better. I don't expect to manhandle UT however I do think that we will hold our own with them. This young group will continue to get better and with the new talent coming in next year we should have a solid OL for years to come.

 

[TexasTideFan]

All of our OL would grade out as well above average so far. Their run blocking is looking good, their pass protection is very good, and they have kept the penalties to a minimum. As far as I'm concerned, they have exceded my expectations after losing some key starteres from last year and hopefully have blown away expectations for several regulars on this site.

 

[TIDE-HSV]

For all the "I told you so"

group, we wouldn't be having these glowing threads on the OL if CBC hadn't changed his philosophy on drive blocking. I give him all the credit for doing so. I also hear that there is evidence of change throughout his life, and I commend him for that. With that out of the way, we will come out passing against UT and pull those LBs back into coverage. No matter who replaces JA, he will not be his equal, so they will be open to the long ball, even without Pro. I don't think we run right at them until later in the game or for a change of pace. But, what do I know?

 

[talisitider]

Speaking for myself, I'm not so much as an 'I told you so' groupie as I am that of let's wait and see how it goes this year with Croyle back and a healthy RB. As for those that are attributing the success to the change in technique and style, at least give BC some credit for being willing to change instead of being stubborn (see Earle's post where he does this)

I think there is negativity towards BC for whatever reason and some refuse to give him any credit at all. I mean if there are sour grapes about last season and the lack of success, I think there's plenty of other areas that could share the burden. What is it? I'd really like to know. I mean can't the same be said for BC as for MS? Well he's had injuries here or there, let's see how he does with certain players back. You always hear how a TB is only as good as his OL. I think it works both ways, if you don't have the back that can make that guy miss or even one where you say 'he got a lot of that on his own' then yeah the OL will be scrutinized even more. I felt Hudson was doing fine, Darby did well at times, but when those guys got hurt and we see a backfield with SP and AJ, then we as fans we might start looking for excuses or reasons why the wheels have come off. BC seems to me like caught the brunt of the blame. It's almost like we forget how depleted our backfield is and start nailing BC and his technique. Thing is you gotta have both, a quality backfield and quality OL, they go hand in hand. We are seeing that this year so far.

And even then is it solely b/c the technique and style has changed or ist it a combo of that along with a healthy Castille, Croyle, and Darby and others? I mean the OL looks good, but they would not be getting this praise in my opinion without that great backfield. The OL and backfield complement one another. One looks good the other looks good. One looks bad, all of a sudden it's solely the OL and the OL coach's fault. The unsung heroes rarely if never score a TD and for the most part go unnoticed, but let them get a holding call, a false start, give up a sack, or miss that key block and then it's all eyes on them. The only time I've really seen an OL praised this year was when AC pulled and leveled the DB against USC.

I think it's the sign of a good coach that can change to a style that works with his players instead of being stubborn and eventually getting fired.

 

[Crimson Surfer]

group, we wouldn't be having these glowing threads on the OL if CBC hadn't changed his philosophy on drive blocking. I give him all the credit for doing so. I also hear that there is evidence of change throughout his life, and I commend him for that. With that out of the way, we will come out passing against UT and pull those LBs back into coverage. No matter who replaces JA, he will not be his equal, so they will be open to the long ball, even without Pro. I don't think we run right at them until later in the game or for a change of pace. But, what do I know?

I know I don't speak for the "I told you so group" myself but I wasn't telling anybody anything except that I was optimistic about their chances for improving enough to be competitive. Now all I am saying is that I am very happy for the Bama offensive line play and the entire Bama team for their great start to the season.

I sure don't know the reasons. Whether it is just plain hard work and determination or the staff incorporating better line schemes, foot placement, legal nutritional supplements, yoga, Zen meditation, watching old tapes of the Washington Redskin Hogs, or positive reinforcement by the coaching staff, etc. it has worked. They have improved beyond most people's expectations, especially this early in the season. Let's just all hope they continue the progress and Bama keeps winning. The next big test will be the DL of Tennessee then we will see just where they stand and how good their footing is. So far Bama's OL has been rock solid and I am happy for them.

 

[drsmithofga]

I am thankful for any technique changes that have assisted in their improvement. However, I'm also thankful for what I see as Closner's leadership of this group. Hearing him and Tatum talk about their thoughts over the last year, and how they realized early that they had to take the bull by the horns. I believe that some were not impressed with the O-linemen regardless of technique, and those people should really be impressed about right now. Watching some of Brodie's long throws this year, he could have sipped tea before throwing, especially the long one to Tyrone.

 

[ihatefulmer]

I'm not sure if I was 1 of those "i told you so" but our line is about what I thought it would be, avg at best right now. I know they are not as bad as some thought they were going to be but I dont think they are as good as some on this thread do. IMO, we dont run the ball as well as I think we should be able to with the passing game we have and UF got way to much pressure on BC on passing plays. If I remember right UF had only 10 sacks coming in.
The O-line is still the weakest part of the team but when you look at the rest of the team i thinjk we match up really well with any team in the country. I do think in the years to come these young inexperience lineman, Capps, Caldwell, Stabler and Davis will be a group that might be unmatched in the SEC.


I'm also worried about UT's D-line agasint our O-line. UT has the best D line in the SEC. We want face a better one all year, or until our bowl game, with the only one coming close will be LSU. UT's experienced line agasint our young line is a big + for the Vols. I think it is going to be a D struggle just last season.

 

[bamar]

i stated earlier in this thread before the miss game that the tenn def line would be the best we face all year, and after watching miss manhandle our guys, i see no reason to change that thought. yes, we probably was looking past them, some, but, their defense really came after our guys all game long. one big run by darby, and that saved the game for us. anyone doesnt expect tenn to blitz like mad against us, and i am concerned for brodies health in this one. we really need to have some quick hitters to backs, and tight ends. i dont like all the dropped passes as well.