Alabama Football: Kouandjio Brothers out for Season, Tackle Depth Suddenly Thin

Arie Kouandjio and his younger brother, Cyrus, have now both suffered season-ending knee injuries, and a Tide offensive line corps that once showed tons of depth is now looking rather shallow.  

Arie was projected as the second-string right tackle, ready to step in if D.J. Fluker experienced an injury or simply needed a breather. Cyrus has been spelling Barrett Jones at left tackle throughout every game this season.  

Cyrus was injured during the Tennessee game, and after a certain play in the fourth quarter, he looked visibly in pain. Cyrus played one more down then hobbled to the sideline. Participating in a full down after the injury may have aggravated it more.  

With neither of the Kouandjio brothers available for the rest of the season, things may become complicated.

Offensive line shuffling late in the season has plagued Alabama for a while now.

In 2008, dramatic changes to the Tide's offensive line (mostly due to Andre Smith's suspension) helped the Utah Utes pummel Alabama in a most embarrassing fashion during the 2008 Sugar Bowl. Then-future NFL running back Glen Coffee was held to only 36 yards rushing in the Tide's 31-17 loss.

2010 saw similar disaster, with a young—and very green—Anthony Steen filling in for an injured Jones at right guard during the Iron Bowl. This could have arguably contributed to the terrible second-half showing when Auburn held the Tide to just a field goal.  

The 2011 squad has not experienced this just yet. Starter Steen's concussion kept him out of the Tennessee game, which was a blowout. The Kouandjio brothers are both non-starters.

But as the second string at two critical positions, where does that leave the Tide without them?

Tyler Love, a redshirt junior, is expected to slide up to second string at either right or left tackle. Love (6-6, 310 lbs.) was formerly a highly desired five-star offensive tackle. Since an injury cut short his true freshman season in 2008, Love just hasn't been able to live up to expectations.  

Alfred McCullough, who started at right guard against Tennessee, is also projected to compete as a second-string tackle. Before the season, McCullough was engaged in a tough battle with JUCO transfer and former Tennessee Volunteer Aaron Douglas, who died this past summer.  

McCullough couldn't convince Nick Saban with his play, and Jones was moved to left tackle. Part of the issue with McCullough is his size. He stands at 6-2, which is widely regarded as too short to play left tackle for an FBS school, let alone the SEC. His arm span would really limit his ability to block.  

Two other tackles showed up on the depth chart behind Fluker for the Ole Miss game: Austin Shepherd and David Blalock. If they are indeed the second- and third-stringers behind Fluker, they're certainly cause for concern.

Shepherd (6-5, 320 lbs.) is a redshirt freshman, and though he has the size to play tackle, he's not quite as big as Fluker and has virtually no experience.  

Blalock would likely fit in even less on the Tide's offensive line during game time. Though he has proven his dedication as a non-scholarship senior, his 261-pound frame is suited best for scout team duties.  

The offensive line is a position that does not perform as well with substitutions throughout the game, let alone a season. Teams benefit greatly from five consistent players holding the trenches. They cannot swap substitutes as frequently as the linebackers and running backs do without skipping a beat.  

Arie and Cyrus Kouandjio were two of the most exciting offensive line prospects in each of their classes. While healthy, they provided an unrivaled depth at their respective positions.  

Saban has faith in all his players, especially those on scholarship, but Fluker, Jones and both Kouandjio brothers are talents that other linemen just cannot match with limited experience.  

Fortunately, Jones and Fluker will both be quite healthy for the game against LSU.

Hopefully, Saban won't have to reach into the depth chart anytime soon to replace them.