Five Things The Alabama Crimson Tide Can Improve On For 2014
By Chris Hale
Nov 30, 2013; Auburn, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive linesman Chad Lindsay (78) prepares to snap the ball at the line of scrimmage against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan Hare Stadium. RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports
Offensive line issues
Last season’s production from the offensive line wasn’t bad from most school’s perspective, but if you’re an Alabama fan that has heard Coach Saban preach on perfection, it can be improved.
The 2012 season featured three All-Americans in center Barrett Jones, tackle D.J. Fluker, and guard Chance Warmack. Nine times out of ten, you won’t be able to replace players of those caliber and just continue to maul folks in the trenches.
During the opening game last season, the Tide only rushed for 96 yards against Virginia Tech, and allowed four sacks of signal caller AJ McCarron. That’s a pretty big step down from the 227.5 yards per game averaged the season before that.
Things seemed to settle down a bit against Texas A&M in College Station, as Alabama gave up no sacks to the Aggies and rushed for 234 yards. However against Colorado State, the Tide only rushed for 66 yards and the Rams got to McCarron for two sacks.
After all was said and done for the season, the Tide ending up averaging 205.6 yards a game and gave up 22 sacks, with seven of those coming in the Sugar Bowl loss to Oklahoma. That rushing average was down a bit from 2012 (227.5 yards per game) and the sack total (23) was about the same.
As of now, your starting offensive line appears to be Cameron Robinson, Arie Kouandjio, Ryan Kelly, Alphonse Taylor and Austin Shepherd. With this unit, at least we will see some experience on the line. Freshman Cameron Robinson would be the only one without collegiate playing time. However, from all of the practice reports and comments from players and coaches, the youngster appears to be settling in and has had a great fall camp as well as spring, benefiting from enrolling early.
Give them a few games to settle in and I believe it will be business as usual for this unit.