| FTBL The Experience of the OL!!!

[aMAZEnFan]

You can say what you will about the OL's inconsistency, but you can't deny that this is by far the most experienced group that will take the field this fall.

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[Guest]

Good stuff Maze

 

[BigAl]

Good write up. One thing you can say is this bunch will be the best we've had in quite some time. We are not where we wanna be just yet but we're headed in the right direction.

 

[aMAZEnFan]

Good stuff Maze

Thanks, Weezy!!

 

[aMAZEnFan]

Good write up. One thing you can say is this bunch will be the best we've had in quite some time. We are not where we wanna be just yet but we're headed in the right direction.

Yep, I just got this feeling the OL will overachieve for the first time in a while. Most people I talk to don't expect the OL to impress, but I do.

 

[aMAZEnFan]

Good write up. One thing you can say is this bunch will be the best we've had in quite some time. We are not where we wanna be just yet but we're headed in the right direction.

Another thing that is clear is that we are not what we used to be and that speaks volumes on what we can expect in the near future.

 

[Guest]

The Ol is a big key for us. I thought we'd see a big upgrade last year, but the suspensions created a chaotic situation for the second half of the season.

When we can have third and short and just line up and knock the other guys off the ball, we'll be where we need to be. That may happen this year.

 

[reger60]

Nice write-up. I, for one, believe this has been the root of all of our recent problems. It's comforting to know that that this staff understands the importance of the talent and depth of the offensive line.

I like it. Roll Tide!

 

[aMAZEnFan]

The Ol is a big key for us. I thought we'd see a big upgrade last year, but the suspensions created a chaotic situation for the second half of the season.

When we can have third and short and just line up and knock the other guys off the ball, we'll be where we need to be. That may happen this year.

WOW!!! I was just thinking about this. I definitely see a different outcome if Antoine and Marlon hadn't been suspended, but that is water under a bridge now.

I can't wait until we are pushing DLs back at will.

 

[aMAZEnFan]

Nice write-up. I, for one, believe this has been the root of all of our recent problems. It's comforting to know that that this staff understands the importance of the talent and depth of the offensive line.

I like it. Roll Tide!

Thanks. I agree that Coach Saban obviously gave Pendry a vote of confidence by retaining him. Hopefully, the OL will finally dominate the trenches like they have been predicted to do the past couple of years.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

Not to be the ole bucket of water on the fire but this group (heck the entire offense) was "experienced" last season as well and folded like a chair as the season went on. The suspensions didn't help but even before the suspensions we weren't very impressive from a run blocking standpoint on the OL except for the Vandy game.

This group needs to go out and PROVE something this season. It's time and our season hinges on it.

 

[aMAZEnFan]

Not to be the ole bucket of water on the fire but this group (heck the entire offense) was "experienced" last season as well and folded like a chair as the season went on. The suspensions didn't help but even before the suspensions we weren't very impressive from a run blocking standpoint on the OL except for the Vandy game.

This group needs to go out and PROVE something this season. It's time and our season hinges on it.

What do you think was the main cause of the late-season debacle? I know it is a culmination of things, but what?

 

[Bamabuzzard]

Not to be the ole bucket of water on the fire but this group (heck the entire offense) was "experienced" last season as well and folded like a chair as the season went on. The suspensions didn't help but even before the suspensions we weren't very impressive from a run blocking standpoint on the OL except for the Vandy game.

This group needs to go out and PROVE something this season. It's time and our season hinges on it.

What do you think was the main cause of the late-season debacle? I know it is a culmination of things, but what?

I think the best way to describe it and it will cover all the "reasons" is simply the "losing culture" that is within our program. A lot of our games were lost not only because of physical issues (depth, injuries, suspenions)but mainly because of mental issues such as mental toughness to focus for an entire game and not "quit" when things start going bad.

Combine that with the physical issues we encountered last season (not having depth, injuries, suspensions)and you've got the great debacle of 2007.

 

[aMAZEnFan]

Not to be the ole bucket of water on the fire but this group (heck the entire offense) was "experienced" last season as well and folded like a chair as the season went on. The suspensions didn't help but even before the suspensions we weren't very impressive from a run blocking standpoint on the OL except for the Vandy game.

This group needs to go out and PROVE something this season. It's time and our season hinges on it.

What do you think was the main cause of the late-season debacle? I know it is a culmination of things, but what?

I think the best way to describe it and it will cover all the "reasons" is simply the "losing culture" that is within our program. A lot of our games were lost not only because of physical issues (depth, injuries, suspenions)but mainly because of mental issues such as mental toughness to focus for an entire game and not "quit" when things start going bad.

Combine that with the physical issues we encountered last season (not having depth, injuries, suspensions)and you've got the great debacle of 2007.

Absolutely! Coach Saban said this from Day 1. He has always been an advocate for thinking like a Champion before you can actually become one. I will also add that many of the players always "thought" about winning championships, but they weren't "doing" the necessary things to obtain them. I am confident we are seeing many guys grasp that concept now!!!

 

[Bamabuzzard]

Not to be the ole bucket of water on the fire but this group (heck the entire offense) was "experienced" last season as well and folded like a chair as the season went on. The suspensions didn't help but even before the suspensions we weren't very impressive from a run blocking standpoint on the OL except for the Vandy game.

This group needs to go out and PROVE something this season. It's time and our season hinges on it.

What do you think was the main cause of the late-season debacle? I know it is a culmination of things, but what?

I think the best way to describe it and it will cover all the "reasons" is simply the "losing culture" that is within our program. A lot of our games were lost not only because of physical issues (depth, injuries, suspenions)but mainly because of mental issues such as mental toughness to focus for an entire game and not "quit" when things start going bad.

Combine that with the physical issues we encountered last season (not having depth, injuries, suspensions)and you've got the great debacle of 2007.

Absolutely! Coach Saban said this from Day 1. He has always been an advocate for thinking like a Champion before you can actually become one. I will also add that many of the players always "thought" about winning championships, but they weren't "doing" the necessary things to obtain them. I am confident we are seeing many guys grasp that concept now!!!

I don't think they have much choice. :wink: Saban is a tough cookie.

 

[Guest]

Everybody has a choice. Last year a lot of the didn't choose wisely :?

 

[aMAZEnFan]

EABAMA

Everybody has a choice. Last year a lot of the didn't choose wisely :?

I think he was saying that they don't have a choice, if they want to play. If they don't want to do the necessary things asked of them, then NO they will not play. The choice has been made-Do it the Saban Way or the highway.

 

[mongo4bama]

This is great the O-line will be a force this year.

 

[aMAZEnFan]

I hope a force to reckon with and not forceless!

 

[TerryP]

There is a lot made about the chemistry between QB's and WR's. It is important, but I don't know if it is more important than the chemistry along the offensive line.

"Giving the offensive line time to gel" is a cliche used a lot, but it is a very accurate statement. It isn't too hard to see a team starting a different line 3 quarters of their games last season leading to other problems mentioned in this thread. There were times last year when I could see Caldwell try to block his man and at the same time trying to assist some of the replacements with their assignments. Sometimes is was just missed assignments. (See MSU last year with the INT...hell, fumble against LSU as well)

I've seen people try to disclaim the theory of the OL being a problem when using the UT game (first game suspensions hit) as the basis for their reasoning. I don't see it that way. UT was punched in the mouth on the opening kickoff which affected their players mentality and then stupid coaching decisions by them sealed the deal.