Bama Hammer
Fansided

Alabama Football: The five greatest threats to a 2017 championship season

By Ronald Evans

Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Bo Scarbrough (9) runs the ball for a long touchdown during the fourth quarter in the 2016 CFP Semifinal against the Washington Huskies at the Georgia Dome. Alabama defeated Washington 24-7. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Bo Scarbrough (9) runs the ball for a long touchdown during the fourth quarter in the 2016 CFP Semifinal against the Washington Huskies at the Georgia Dome. Alabama defeated Washington 24-7. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
Alabama football must replace Cam Robinson
Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Cam Robinson (74) works at the line of scrimmage during the first quarter in the 2016 CFP Semifinal against the Washington Huskies at the Georgia Dome. Alabama defeated Washington 24-7. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

Who can deliver at Right Guard and Right Tackle?

Jonah Williams will anchor the left side of the Alabama football offensive line. Replacing an Outland Trophy winner is never easy, but most experts are confident Williams can replace Cam Robinson.

The move of Williams to the left side leaves both right guard and right tackle without certain starters. There is no shortage of highly rated talent among the contenders. We discussed the contenders before Spring Practice began in a post about the Future Big Uglies on the Offensive Line.

The players who got the most spring rotations with the first or second team “rep” groups were: Lester Cotton; Chris Owens; Deonte Brown; Scott Lashley; Alex Leatherwood and Matt Womack.

Junior college transfer Elliot Baker appears to be below the players listed above and likely headed for a redshirt season. Late enrollee Jedrick Wills was rated by Rivals as a 5-Star. No doubt Wills will fight for 2017 playing time but like Baker, Wills is expected to redshirt.

Nick Saban expressed confidence during the spring that Lester Cotton could play either right guard or right tackle. If Cotton has regained Saban’s confidence both on and off the field, he is likely to be the fourth offensive line starter.

It appears the fifth best offensive lineman battle is between Brown, Lashley and Womack. Leatherwood may push for playing time by midseason but his pass protection must improve first.

Alabama football was unsettled at right guard throughout 2016. The possibility of being unsettled at right guard and right tackle going into 2017 is worrisome.

The 2017 Tide cannot excel if the offensive line is not at least as good as 2016.

Home/Alabama Crimson Tide News