Kalen DeBoer tells what he feels is wrong with the Alabama run game

Alabama football has two weeks to identify why the running game is struggling, and when asked about the team’s inability to run the football, Kalen DeBoer made sure to say the blame lies on everyone involved in the running game, not just one player or position.

“I think it’s the whole group,” DeBoer said on the SEC Coaches Teleconference. “It’s not just one person or one part of it. I think it’s the whole group. It’s a different piece, not being consistent and doing what they got to do everything single play. There are good reps, and then there’s ones where we struggle. I think it’s also being in sync with our running backs and them giving us something too on the back end whether it’s falling forward for yards or breaking tackles. I think it’s a full group effort. A lot goes on the offensive line, obviously, but we just got to keep working and keep getting better.”

Basically, DeBoer did not give any specifics as to what is causing the rushing attack to stumble, but the point he made is implying Alabama is failing to get good reps from every offensive lineman and running back at the same time.

The interior of Alabama’s offensive line is struggling to get movement up front. Kam Dewberry, Parker Brailsford and Jaeden Roberts were the interior linemen who started against South Carolina and played the majority of the game. Geno VanDeMark was dinged up, so he did not play against the Gamecocks.

Wilkin Formby and Michael Carroll are competing at right tackle, and the eye test says that Carroll is getting more movement when run blocking than Formby. Against South Carolina, Formby had a few good reps, but he also had reps where he got in the way of his own teammates, or he appeared to be either confused on the assignment for the play.

The part that is unsettling for Alabama fans is that Alabama seems to make changes to the starting offensive line every week, but the production is not improving. DeBoer brought up the idea of some of the struggles being on the running backs too, and Daniel Hill is a guy that is getting more carries as the season progresses. Jam Miller is the starter, and Kevin Riley’s playing time has faded since Miller’s return.

Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb visited with legendary NFL coach Jon Gruden yesterday, so maybe that meeting will have a positive impact on Grubb and give him the answers to get the running game going more consistently.