Trust drives relationship between Jalen Milroe and Alabama offensive line
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe had one of his best games against LSU on Saturday night. Milroe was a dominant force on the ground, running for 185 yards and four touchdowns, and stayed upright all night as the offensive line didn’t allow a single sack all game.
In order to have cohesion as on offensive unit, the relationship between the quarterback and the offensive line is paramount, especially when the quarterback is as mobile as Milroe is.
Following the Crimson Tide’s practice on Wednesday, Alabama offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic was asked about the relationship between Milroe and his offensive line, and he spoke very positively about Milroe’s involvement with the unit.
“I think it’s good. He comes in our meeting room just about every day,” Kapilovic said. “They have a little dinner they do on Thursday nights. They’re a close group. Quarterback wants to make sure the o-line loves him, right, because they’re the ones protecting him. I think when the o-line loves and respects the quarterback it just means a little more. So there’s a good relationship there.”
Not only does Milroe have a good relationship with his offensive line, but with Kapilovic himself.
“I have a great relationship with him as well. It’s important. The quarterback’s gotta know that he can trust us, and I think that’s a big deal for him to be having trust and not scared for his life,” Kapilovic said.
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The play of Alabama’s offensive line has been night and day compared to what Milroe had to deal with last season from a protection standpoint. Last season, Milroe was one of the most often sacked quarterbacks in the country, and spent game after game running for his life behind the line of scrimmage seconds after the snap.
This season, that’s been far from the case. Alabama’s offensive line was named a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award this week, the award presented to the best offensive line in the sport. Milroe has been much better protected by this unit, and the results have shown.
In addition to protecting him when he drops back, this line has the added responsibility of blocking for Milroe as a runner. The blocking was excellent for Milroe against LSU, and as Alabama continues to lean into the quarterback run game, it’ll remain all the more important.
“Jalen was Jalen. He had a great performance,” left guard Tyler Booker said. “He ran the ball really well, he had great ball security. It’s just great blocking for that guy. I know when I do my job, he’s gonna do his job, and great things happen when we both do our job.”
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