What does James Carpenter bring?

M2J · 08-23-2009, 02:48 PM

What Does James Carpenter Bring to the Bama Offensive Line? - Tide Corner - al.com

Quote:

What Does James Carpenter Bring to the Bama Offensive Line?
Posted by Terry Pellman August 23, 2009 5:29 AM
Categories: Football

In November of 2008, when James Carpenter announced his intentions to join the Crimson Tide, there was very little known about him and very little fanfare surrounding his commitment.

That isn't surprising when one considers that he was joining a team who had already received verbal commitments from players like Trent Richardson, Nico Johnson and D.J. Fluker.

Alabama fans did take note of his commitment because not only was Carpenter an experienced offensive lineman but he had also been selected as a JUCO All-American. But, the fact remains, as a recruit he simply wasn't that well known.

It's not a stretch to say the person currently in the state of Alabama that knew about James is none other than Gene Chizik. That's somewhat ironic considering Chizik recruited Carpenter during his tenure at Iowa State, but will be on the opposite sideline this fall.

Since exiting the spring as a probably starter Carpenter has garnered a lot more attention than he received as a recruit. So, it's safe to ask, just what does James bring to offensive line as the Alabama coaching staff looks to replace three starters from the 2008 squad--a unit considered the staple of the team last season.

Jared Powers, Carpenter's offensive line coach at Coffeyville Community College, said he wouldn't be surprised in the least if James excelled in his role at Alabama.

"I would say he is the most complete offensive tackle I've ever had," said Powers. "I've had Anthony Boudreaux, who was 6-9 and 370, Kyle Burkhart at Southern Miss, I've coached against [former Oklahoma standout and NFL draftee] Phil Loadholt. Some of those guys may have been bigger, faster, or had better feet, but at the time I saw them, none of them had a better combination of all those things than James did."

While the offense at Coffeyville was primarily based on their running game in Carpenter's first year, last season the team featured more of a balanced attack. Not only did James excel in his run blocking technique, he was just as dominate in their passing game.

"He didn't give up a sack here the whole year and I think we threw the ball around 250, 300 times during the season," Powers said. "For his first time really pass protecting a lot, he did a great job. He picked up the footwork, the hands, the little intricacies of pass blocking.

The high expectations for Carpenter aren't just limited to his JUCO coach, but extend back to his days playing at Hephzibah (Ga.) High where his former coach John Bower extolled his abilities as well.

Bowen has commented that he didn't realize what a special athlete Carpenter was until he tried him out on special teams. Coach Bowen went on to say it was a real eye-opener when James was among one of the first down field coming out of his position on the line of scrimmage on their punt team.

Putting all of this in perspective with his role at Alabama I can't help but think of one intangible quality.

I'm sure the majority of Alabama fans recall the video from last season where Saban questions Andre Smith, "Do you realize just how good you can be?"

While Andre Smith has lived up to his billing as being one of the first picks in the last NFL draft one thing has become clear. The things that Andre could have done to become even a better football player were not taken seriously. One could easily question, despite all the high praise he received from Coach Saban, if Andre took the coaching staff's instructions that seriously.

When I look at Carpenter I see someone who didn't enter the Alabama program with the same accolades as Smith, or D.J. Fluker for that matter. But, I do see something that makes his "upside" that more promising.

His willingness to learn from his coaches, his willing to learn and be taught. Attributes that fit the mold of any recruit Nick Saban cherishes.

I'm really excited about this guy. I think he'll do a great job here, and will do a great job replacing Dre.

There's no doubt that Dre may have been the best run blocker I've seen in college in a long time, but he could be inconsistent (not bad, but inconsistent) against a speedy pass rush . I think Carpenter will be strong enough in the run game, but I believe he has a chance to end his career as a better pass protector than Dre was when he left.

And I think its because of him that we will still have a very strong Oline

Noah.Dreams · 08-23-2009, 02:54 PM

Wow... just wow.

I believe that just made Alabama a 14 point favorite against Virginia Tech.

Where's my bookie?

Quote:

While the offense at Coffeyville was primarily based on their running game in Carpenter's first year, last season the team featured more of a balanced attack. Not only did James excel in his run blocking technique, he was just as dominate in their passing game.

"He didn't give up a sack here the whole year and I think we threw the ball around 250, 300 times during the season," Powers said. "For his first time really pass protecting a lot, he did a great job. He picked up the footwork, the hands, the little intricacies of pass blocking.

CrimsonKid · 08-23-2009, 04:54 PM

I couldn't be happier about Alabama getting Carpenter. It's exciting to know that we aren't losing much at the LT position.

Tider27 · 08-23-2009, 09:48 PM

He'll be a quick fix at LT without a doubt, all be it not as dominating as Andre but just as solid.

I'm more concerned with the C and RG coming together, it'll be top priority when I watch the VT game. Outside of that, we need a TE to step up big time to fill in McCall's shoes. He was without a doubt our most underrated blocker last season, outside of Marlon Davis.

08-23-2009, 11:15 PM		#5 (permalink)
	M2J Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: ‹^› ‹(•¿•)› ‹^› Posts: 4,388 High Fived: 660 in 430 posts Given High Fives: 156 Rep Power: 5217
By the sounds of things, we only need worry about RG, I think Vlachos has his sh*t together. He's one of the strongest guys on the team (maybe the strongest), has been working with Coach Pendry since 97, and knows every play and everybody's position for it (like any center needs to) and is already teaching the young guys like Fluker. I think its possible that the only thing we miss with Caldwell is the fact that he was an amazing leader, and sounds like Mike Johnson and Drew Davis are taking that role. Out of the camp's practices and scrimmages, from what I've heard from various reports and people in the know, the line has been pretty good running the ball (as well as can be expected vs our front 7, before we should start worrying about our D) and pretty damn good individually and collectively in pass protection, but have struggled against blitzes (which mostly is a chemistry thing, and considering how much shifting of the line we've done this fall its understandable). I worry a bit for game 1 vs a good D in a big game atmosphere, that there will be some confusion, but by the time we get into important games in the SEC I think we'll be fine
PVG FTMFW still ‹^› ‹(•¿•)› ‹^›

08-23-2009, 11:48 PM		#6 (permalink)
	UA1221 Roll Tide Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Tuscaloosa, AL Age: 21 Posts: 2,908 High Fived: 358 in 259 posts Given High Fives: 974 Rep Power: 1725
He Brings a BAD MAMA JAMA at LT lol
Show class, have pride and display character. If you do, winning takes care of itself.

08-23-2009, 11:50 PM		#7 (permalink)
	nooneLT Join Date: Jan 2005 Age: 27 Posts: 4,879 High Fived: 886 in 545 posts Given High Fives: 580 Rep Power: 5633
I think it's a good sign Barrett Jones has been playing with the 1s lately. Consistency playing with the same group of people allows the 1s to jel quicker.

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08-23-2009, 09:48 PM		#4 (permalink)
	Tider27 Tiger's Back Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: T-town Age: 22 Posts: 9,931 High Fived: 2,250 in 1,350 posts Given High Fives: 1,660 Rep Power: 14896
He'll be a quick fix at LT without a doubt, all be it not as dominating as Andre but just as solid. I'm more concerned with the C and RG coming together, it'll be top priority when I watch the VT game. Outside of that, we need a TE to step up big time to fill in McCall's shoes. He was without a doubt our most underrated blocker last season, outside of Marlon Davis.

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