By Brandon Foshee
Alabama will open the 2008 season with one of the most experienced offensive lines in the conference. Andre Smith, Antoine Caldwell, Marlon Davis, Evan Cardwell, and Mike Johnson combined to start 50 games last season, even though both Caldwell and Davis were each suspended for four games stemming from the illegal distribution of textbooks.
While those five players are not guaranteed to make up the starting unit this season, you can bet that they will all play significant roles, and offensive line coach Joe Pendry feels good knowing that they all have valuable experience in the trenches.
While there are few certainties in life, Tide fans can rest assured that All-American candidate Andre Smith (6'5", 340) will anchor the offensive line at left tackle. Smith raked in several awards after a stellar sophomore season, including being named the winner of the Jacobs Trophy (the SEC’s best lineman).
As he readies for his junior year, and what is likely to be his last at Alabama before turning pro, he has already been named to the Playboy All-American Team and has been placed on the Outland Trophy watch list as well.
Smith’s backup at left tackle will likely be junior Scott Deaton (6'6", 286). Deaton has worked at left tackle extensively in practice, but has yet to see any live game action. Other possibilities as backups to Smith include Antoine Caldwell, Mike Johnson, Barrett Jones, and Tyler Love.
The left guard position along Alabama’s line is a position that could be up for grabs going into the Clemson game. It is possible that junior Mike Johnson (6'6", 298) will occupy the spot, but Antoine Caldwell, Davis Ross, and Patrick Crump are also candidates.
Johnson started all 13 games for the Tide last season, and has seen game action at right tackle and both guard positions, making him a versatile player.
Caldwell is an intriguing possibility for this position because it would line up both of the Tide’s best linemen together on the left side, making it one of, if not the best, such combinations in the nation. Caldwell is an All-SEC center, however, so his services might be more needed there.
David Ross (6'4", 297) is a sophomore who has seen only limited action in games, but he impressed coaches this past spring. Patrick Crump (6'3", 267) is a redshirt freshman who has benefited from a year in the strength program and a good number of practice reps since the Tennessee game last season.
The center spot belongs to senior Antoine Caldwell (6'3", 292) unless junior Evan Cardwell (6'2", 278) can impress coaches enough to allow Caldwell to slide over to left guard.
Caldwell is the leader of the offensive line both on and off the field. He is a versatile player who could play any position along the line, and did play center, right guard, and right tackle at various times last season.
With 34 career starts under his belt, he is the most experienced lineman on the squad. He was recently named to the Rimington Award watch list (for the nation’s best center), and is sure to be a preseason All-SEC selection.
His backup, Cardwell, has some experience at center himself. He notched seven total starts as a sophomore and saw action in all 13 games as a freshman.
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