Alabama Crimson Tide's Midseason Report Card: A Team-Wide Breakdown

Larry Burton (Syndicated Writer)

Like it or not the season has reached its midway point and it's time to see how Alabama's midterm grades are going, so without further ado, let's see how the team is shaping up.

Offensive Line - B

Carpenter has allowed some quick move sacks and Fluker still hasn't gotten the footwork down in pass protection. Solid play from the center and guards have kept the grade up however. They get a C+ for pass protection and an A for run blocking.

Combine the two and that comes out to a solid B. That in itself is less that what was expected from this line.

Running Backs - A-

A minus from the best running back duo in America?

Yes.

The letdown in South Carolina got them the minus because they didn't come through when the team needed them the most.

Their yards per carry were not outstanding or up to their usual standards, so don't blame the offensive coordinator for not calling more running plays when the ones he did call failed so often.

Quarterbacks - A

Despite taking too many sacks, Greg McElroy has delivered when needed and the loss at South Carolina was not from him not doing his part.

When given playing time, backup A.J. McCarron has shined as well.

Receivers - B

Julio still has a case of the dropsies almost every game and other receivers have been hot and cold as well.

Plus this group hasn't stretched the field very much this season like they did last year.

This is too talented a group not be turning in an A by this time.

Tight Ends - A

When called upon as receivers, they have done their part and pulled in some good and important catches.

As blockers, they have been devastatingly good as well.

They have been the most consistent group on the offense so far this year.

Defensive Line - B-

This group has done well in most games in run support, but are still lacking any sort of sack numbers that they should be getting.

Nicked up with a lot of little injuries is no excuse with the depth on the line, but it has taken a toll.

The South Carolina game proved that even this late in the season they still can have sloppy tackling at times also.

The defensive ends, which I'll put in this group, have not gotten the pass rush or sack numbers everyone thought they'd see, but they have done well in run support.

Linebackers - B-

Nick Saban is still shuffling in and out linebackers hoping to find the set in the right positions that make this group click.

Dont'a Hightower proved to be a step too slow in pass coverage, but is back at home at the WILL linebacker slot which deals more with run support where his skills still allow him to shine.

Other linebackers, like Nico Johnson, have had good plays and bad ones and the group overall has been inconsistent in pass protection duties and helping raise the defensive sack numbers.

Defensive Backs - B-

Heroes one game, then burned the next. That is the nature of a group this young.

Talent allows them the occasional great plays and youth puts them in the wrong place at the wrong time just as often.

This is a group that can pull the final grade up to an A, it's just going to take a lot work and focus on the job each and every play.

Special Teams - C

Missed field goals, shanked punts, bad snaps and holds have all plagued this group.

This past week, Shelly even missed an extra point that could have been costly had the game been closer.

Only decent kicking and punt coverage kept this grade from being lower.

Coaching - A-

Overall the coaches have done a remarkable job with such an overall young group.

Why the minus?

The lack of second half adjustments in the South Carolina game proved costly.

Overall Team Grade - A-

Alabama has played at such a remarkable level for so long, winning 19 games in a row, it was only a matter of time until they couldn't keep that torrid pace.

Now the question is, will they correct after the slip and pull their grade back up to a solid A or continue to slide the other way?

Stay tuned and we shall all find out.