Jam Miller on O-Line Progress: “I’ve seen a lot of improvement”

Alabama has made significant progress since their Week 1 loss at Florida State. That defeat highlighted areas needing improvement, suggesting that the Crimson Tide could become a formidable team if they addressed these shortcomings.

Get our free mobile app

One of the most glaring issues in Week 1 was the performance of the offensive line. They allowed three sacks, resulting in a loss of 28 yards, and were responsible for seven tackles for a loss of 37 yards. Consequently, Alabama's ground game was limited to 87 rushing yards on 29 attempts, a stark contrast to the Seminoles' 230 rushing yards on 49 attempts. 

Following that performance, the offensive line knew they needed to improve to contribute to Alabama’s offensive success. During media availability on Tuesday, running back Jam Miller spoke about the offensive line’s improvement since Week 1, stating, “I’ve seen a lot of improvement; they’ve been taking it day-by-day, just working on their craft. Anything they’re not good at, you’ll see them after practice just working on it.”

The schedule following Week 1 presented a series of tough matchups against some of the nation’s best teams. The offensive line not only had to elevate their play but also needed to introduce something new to keep defenses off balance.

A key innovation came during the road game against Georgia when 360-pound offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor executed an 11-yard screen, rumbling from the 17-yard line to the 2-yard line. This play set up a touchdown, extending the Crimson Tide's lead to 24-14 before halftime.

Using Proctor as a receiver has proven effective for Alabama, as many teams don’t expect it and by the time they stop him he has already gained yards. Miller shared his perspective on Proctor's role, stating, “It’s something new; I’ve never seen anything like that before, but being able to run through people, you know that’s a big thing.” 

Alabama's journey since their opening loss has been marked by improvement and strategic innovation, particularly within the offensive line. Their ability to adapt and introduce unexpected elements into their game plan has not only enhanced their performance but also make them an unpredictable and challenging opponent.