OK, I'm resurrecting an old subject....OL

Crimson Bourne

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Jun 23, 2005
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A+ for the O-line this week against SC. I really liked watching BJ Stabler dominate guys off the line. Several times I saw him just bury his man. If they just keep working hard and continue to come together ---- man this could be a very special year.

Roll Tide
 

Crimson Surfer

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Jul 14, 2001
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Is this a great season so far or what? Bama is 3-0 with no significant injuries and the hottest reoccurring argument is whether or not the O-Line is too small or are they on the balls of their feet or flat footed at the LOS. :)

If they keep playing like they did against USC I don't care how they position their feet or how small they are. :biggrin:
 

drsmithofga

1st Team
Dec 7, 2004
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These O-line discussions are interesting to me. Earle, don't you think, when it comes to run blocking, having more weight on the hands allows for more of a horizontal push? It has appeared at times that the hand on the ground is almost just for show. This may provide a good base for pass-blocking, but the angle of thrust on running plays is raised. Heel up/down doesn't seem to be as critical as how much weight is transfered to the front.
 

TIDE-HSV

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Oct 13, 1999
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I agree totally...

I wasn't as gleeful to see the heels up as some. Whichever we do, I want to do it every time. We don't want the DL to look down at their feet and say "uh-oh, run coming." If we don't do it one way or the other, then we need to mix it up and run from flatfoot and pass from heels-up. And that gives the OL one more thing to think about, when as a very young OL, they're already in overload...
 

drsmithofga

1st Team
Dec 7, 2004
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But Earle, aren't you looking forward to the day when we really don't care what the defense knows? I guess I'm fantasizing too much, but our O-line looks to be SEC showcase quality in the coming years.
 

TIDE-HSV

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A little deception...

doesn't hurt - as long as you don't go overboard like Fran did and base your whole playbook on it. The OL have made great strides this year already. And, we only lose Closner and Capps, that I can think of. Also, Capps is playing on what's turning out to be the weaker side of the OL...
 

Love the Ping

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Jun 15, 2005
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Kyle Tatum has really impressed me in the way he has played this year. I can't remember him getting beat by a DE yet. I know he hasn't been playing against great DEs yet, but he has looked much improved.

Looking toward the future, what is the thought on Antoine Caldwell? Do we think he will remain at LG (he looked good pulling from that spot on Saturday) or will he move over to center next year? I feel good about Stabler, and everything I gathered from the coaches since the beginning of fall camp, that is the guy they wanted to win that RG job.
 

drsmithofga

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Dec 7, 2004
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I'm sure Antoine will be the frontrunner at center in the spring because of the need for someone with knowledge. Evan Cardwell and Cole Harvey are other names mentioned previously for center. Evan's already got size for the position (6'3" 290). Cole may not report far behind. He was a bit undersized at around 250, but of what I know of him, he's probably lifting weights like a madman.

You just gotta like how the foundation is being laid by CMS.