Dee Hart Tears ACL: What Impact Will This Have on Alabama's Offense?

The Orlando Sentinel is reporting that Alabama running back Demetrius "Dee" Hart tore his ACL on Tuesday, July 5 while participating in 7-on-7 drills.  If true, this could not only affect him this season, but his entire career.  Some players are just never the same after an injury like this, and the lingering effects are seen throughout the rest of their careers.

Alabama football fans may or may not have panicked when hearing about this, but realistically, it probably won't affect their offense at all this year.  It's not like Alabama is lacking depth at running back. 

After two years of waiting, the job finally belongs to Trent Richardson.  Obviously, everyone has their own opinion, but mine is that Trent Richardson is the best running back in the country, and honestly, it's not even close.

Some South Carolina fans will say that Trent Richardson isn't even the best back in the SEC, and will try to make a case for Marcus Lattimore.  Hated Auburn fans will make a case for Michael Dyer, but that's an even further stretch.

Alabama not only has Richardson in its backfield, but also Eddie Lacy.  Lacy will certainly get his fair share of carries this year, as he has the absolute perfect body for a pro-style offense, standing 6'0" and weighing just over 200 pounds.

Size is the one knock on Dee Hart.  Standing only 5'9" and weighing 185 pounds, he is way too small to be an every-down back in a pro-style offense.  In an offense like this, he would probably be used as a change-of-pace back, or possibly even swung out to play slot receiver.

A little, quick back like Hart can be used in a variety of ways, and can be a spark plug to an offense without being an every-down player.  He can be used for trick plays, kick and punt returns or even used in the Wildcat if Alabama wanted to give McCarron or Sims a rest.

With a possible torn ACL, though, some of that burst and speed could be gone.  The school Hart was once committed to, Michigan, recently had a player with a similar situation.  Vincent Smith, from nearby Pahokee, Florida, came to Michigan as a speedy back with a stature similar to Dee Hart.  In his freshman year of 2009, he showed lots of burst and looked like he had a promising future.

However, at the end of the season, he tore his ACL and never showed the same burst or quickness again.  I'm not saying this is what will happen to Hart, but it's something to be aware of.

If the injury doesn't end up being as bad as some think it is, then he may recover fully and have no lingering effects.  If that is the case, it'll be very interesting to see how Jim McElwain uses him, especially in a year or two.

If Trent Richardson chooses to leave after this year, depth at running back could become a slight issue.  This wasn't a concern until recently, when Corey Grant did the unthinkable and somehow transferred to Auburn.

If Richardson stays through his senior season, though, it could be a while until Hart plays a meaningful role in the offense.  However, once he does start seeing the field regularly, SEC defenses will have to account for him and know where he is at all times, even if he's not the focal point of the offense.