Film Room: What's Wrong with Alabama's Offensive Line?
For the first time under Nick Saban, the Alabama Crimson Tide has allowed five sacks in back-to-back games. The total number is up to 12 this season.
The Crimson Tide had some bright spots in its 17-3 win over USF on Saturday. Jase McClellan and Roydell Williams pounded the ground down the stretch. The defense looked improved yet again from the abysmal fourth quarter against Texas. James Burnip flipped the field several times for Alabama.
But it is said that football games are won in the trenches — and the Crimson Tide is still drastically behind other teams in that category, including the team that has won just five games in the last four seasons.
If Alabama continues to play like it has over the last five quarters, it's shaping up to be one of the worst seasons of the Saban era. And it all starts up front.
Roll the tape.
Sacks, Sacks, Sacks
While Tyler Buchner actually started the game, it was Ty Simpson that finished the game. And oddly enough, Buchner wasn't sacked once while Simpson was knocked to the ground for a loss five times.
Bear with me on the broadcast camera — ESPN was having issues after the lengthy weather delay in Tampa.
So, Simpson is in the game for the first time here. After a bulk run by Jase McClellan, the Crimson Tide is in the red zone on Simpson's first possession.
Within moments, the pass rush is already in the backfield.
Simpson actually does a nice job of getting out of the tackle box and throwing the ball away to save lost yardage here. There's really no one person at fault here — the Bulls brought a big blitz right down the middle of the Alabama offensive line. Seth McLaughlin can only block one person at a time. It was a good disguised call from the USF defense and Simpson wasn't prepared for it.
Just two plays later, the Crimson Tide has a very important 3rd and Goal inside the 10-yard line. Once again, the Bulls bring some pressure through the middle of the line — but Alabama does a slightly better job on this one.
The mistake this time comes from true freshman Kadyn Proctor, who has serious trouble with the athletic edge rusher on the outside. The defender runs right past him and hits Simpson hard from the blindside.
Nothing kills a drive like a sack on first down. Saban talked a lot about "drive-stoppers" last week during media availabilities — this is exactly that.
Simpson has some time to throw the football, but let's not act like it was a ton of time. It is likely that there weren't any receivers open downfield and Simpson didn't want to force a throw in a 10-3 game late in the third quarter. With more playing time, he should play with more confidence and look to make a throw here. Either that or get out of the pocket and throw the ball away.
JC Latham is going to be in the NFL next season. He is undoubtedly the best player on the Crimson Tide's offensive line but he is at fault here.
It's a simple four-man rush from the Bulls here — Alabama has five blockers. The numbers would make you think that a sack in unlikely, right? Wrong. Latham gets beat on an inside move and another drive goes down the drain for the Crimson Tide.
The Final Push
The Alabama offensive line play was poor throughout. However, it was mostly in passing situations. On the last drive of the game, Saban held a meeting with the unit, imploring it not to give the ball back to USF.
The group came together and delivered what may have been the best drive of the season, albeit coming against a struggling football program.
The Crimson Tide has missed drastically on its goals to be a physically dominant offensive line thus far. But right here — this is the vision.
Credit where credit is due — Roydell Williams was a force on this drive. But look at those holes that he is able to run through. Where has that been all season? And the sheer bullying on the QB sneaks, too. It reminds me of Michael Oher driving the opposing defender over the fence in "The Blind Side." Saban would have been upset if someone had been called for an unnecessary roughness on one of those, but it's good to see some fire finally, right?
Can Alabama use this drive as a spark moving forward? Time will tell.
See Also:
Did Alabama Football Change Its Defensive Play-Caller? Lane Kiffin Seems To Think So
