Alabama Football: There are holes to fill in the offensive line

Alabama football opened the season in fine fashion against Duke Saturday with one clear exception. As a unit, the offensive line was lacking.

It is not often when an Alabama football offense racks up 512 yards and there is cause for concern. Tua Tagovailoa and Jerry Jeudy were sensational. Nine Crimson Tide players caught passes, four of them caught touchdown passes. The Duke Blue Devils were allowed only one sack.

As well as the Alabama football team performed Saturday, it is hard to grade the offensive line higher than a C-plus. Take away a superb game by Crimson Tide right tackle Jedrick Wills and the position group rating would be much worse. For the record, the Tide’s other tackle, Alex Leatherwood also played well, just not as well as Wills.

The next best Tide O-linemen on Saturday were Matt Womack and Landon Dickerson. Neither was solid at both run and pass blocking.

None of the other Crimson Tiders, Chris Owens, Evan Neal and Emil Ekiyor played to a championship standard. Neal’s difficulties are no doubt related to inexperience. His physical talents are considerable. He should improve and reach what most believe is great potential.

Some Alabama football fans wondered why the interior of the O-line was juggled so much in fall camp. Was the juggling so much the overall unit is yet to gel? Or, could it be, other than Wills and Leatherwood, the Alabama football staff is not sold on anyone?

No answers can be expected this Saturday. The New Mexico State Aggies are not going to win many (any) battles in the trenches. The schedule gives plenty of time for the unit to become stable. Deonte Brown’s suspension if for three more games. If he can do all Saban requires of suspended players, he should quickly become a starter at one of the guard slots.

The bigger concern is the other guard and the center slots. One run play stuffed by Duke was glaring. The Tide had in its power blocking lineup with Leatherwood and Wills both on the right side of center. To the left of center were Emil Ekiyor and Miller Forristall. Center Chris Owens and Ekiyor tried to double-team a Duke defensive tackle. The Blue Devil ran right through them and busted Brian Robinson deep in the backfield.

What lineup to look for?

Landon Dickerson did some good run-blocking against Duke. If he can handle the center role, Brown and Womack could solidify the guard positions.

Whatever evolves, the unit is going to be a work-in-progress for the next few games. Patience is encouraged.