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Although coaches strive for more, Alabama’s offensive line off to good start
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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. _ One of the biggest causes for concern about this year’s University of Alabama football team has instead turned out to be one of the biggest surprises so far, the offensive line.
Although the Crimson Tide has playing a true freshman at left tackle and essentially platooned two players at right guard there appeared to be very few mishaps during the first two games.
“I don’t think statistics always really prove exactly how our group did,” Coach Nick Saban said. “The pass protection was good for the most part. We got movement in the running game for the most part. We just didn’t probably run it quite as much and that was a little bit determined by their defense.
“I thought that all the guys up front made improvement and I think it’s going to be important that we continue to do that.”
So far the only sack given up was when junior Jacob Coker mishandled the play-call on third-and-2 at the Florida Atlantic 4-yard line with 7 seconds remaining the first half.
Meanwhile the running attack is averaging 239 yards per game and 5.9 per carry, with five rushing touchdowns.
As for penalties, senior left guard Arie Kouandjio was flagged for a chop-block against FAU, and senior guard Leon Brown had a rough season opener with two holding calls on the same possession against West Virginia.
Brown, who had an summer foot injury, was back working with the first-unit on Tuesday after sophomore Alphonse Taylor made his first career start against FAU.
“The first couple of games it’s hard because you’re just like, ‘Wow,’ you’re big-eyed,” senior right tackle Austin Shepherd said. “Now it’s easier to do.”
The entire second unit — which has recently been from left to right: Grant Hill, Isaac Luatua (true freshman Ross Pierschbacher has practiced at left guard but is poised to redshirt), Bradley Bozeman, Brown/Taylor, and Dominick Jackson — played against FAU.
It was the debut for both Bozeman and Jackson, a junior-college transfer who could play either guard or tackle. Coaches had hoped Jackson would challenge for a starting job during training camp but he sustained a high ankle sprain during the first scrimmage.
Meanwhile, Bozeman was inserted early with the starters to get extra reps. Ryan Kelly only made nine starts last season due to a stretched MCL and his backup Chad Lindsay transferred in hopes of starting at Ohio State, but on Monday announced he was ending his career after sustaining an undisclosed injury.
“We had no idea,” Shepherd said about Bozeman’s first-team reps. “I think right before it was a TV timeout or something and we were standing there on the sideline and coach said, ‘Get him in there. Kelly you’re out.’ We were all just like, ‘OK. Let’s go.’”
Christopher Walsh has covered Alabama football since 2004 and is the author of 19 books. In his free time, he writes about college football.
