Nick Saban Explains Why Alabama Hasn't Made a Switch at Left Tackle
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama is currently ranked 130th out of 133 teams in sacks allowed with 31 sacks given up through seven games.
Is that concerning to head coach Nick Saban?
"Hell yeah," Saban said Monday.
But more importantly, is it fixable for Alabama?
"These are not all capability issues," Saban said. "Some of them are things that we could fix. When we’re sliding out to block three-on-three, and the guy doesn’t slide out to block the third guy, and he runs in and sacks the quarterback–that’s a mental error, that’s not a physical problem. It’s a combination of all those things that need to get cleaned up with better communication, better execution. And maybe the more knowledge and experience we get, we’ll be able to be more effective and consistent in those areas.”
Not all of the sacks can be placed on any one player or position. Blame can be shared along the line and also on quarterback Jalen Milroe for holding on to the ball too long sometimes. But in the win over Arkansas Saturday, the five sacks all came from the left side past the protection of Kadyn Proctor and Elijah Pritchett, who were rotating reps at left tackle.
Alabama has a preseason all-American at right tackle in JC Latham. So why hasn't the Crimson Tide made the switch to put Latham protecting Milroe's blind side? The solution isn't as simple as that.
"I guess you always hope that if we move the right tackle to left tackle that that would make everything better," Saban said. "But I guess the question you also have to ask yourself is, would that make us any better at right tackle? Or do you just try to attack the solution of trying to get the left tackle to play to the standard that you need him to play without making multiple changes in the offensive line?
"We can have a debate about that. Nobody really knows the answer to that. We have made a commitment to try to keep some stability with the guys where they’re playing. And get the guys to play left tackle better.”
Proctor has started all seven games at left tackle this season as a true freshman, but Pritchett has been getting more reps at the position since the Ole Miss game.
Alabama has also made a switch at right guard the last two games with Jaeden Roberts starting in place of Darrian Dalcourt. The three players along the offensive line that have stayed in the same position with the first team all year when healthy are Latham at right tackle, Tyler Booker at left guard and Seth McLaughlin at center.
This Saturday, Alabama will be facing a Tennessee team that is third in the SEC in sacks with two of the top pass rushers in the conference with James Pearce Jr. and Tyler Baron.
"We're going to have a lot of fun," Milroe said. "We don't care about none of that. It's just another opportunity for us to have fun. We get to play in front of our fans this weekend. So we're excited for that. A lot of energy's going to be floating in the air with facing a great opponent. We're looking forward to the challenge."
