The first job for the University of Alabama's offensive line isn't to worry about opening holes or making room for a running back. The linemen's first job, head coach Nick Saban said, is to manhandle the men in front of them.
“What we would like for this offensive line to be, not just this offensive line but every offensive line, is to be very physical on the line of scrimmage, be able to create movement and play with a relentless tenacity and toughness that makes it more difficult for the defensive front that they're playing against and have a mentality that we're going to wear these people down because of how physical we can play,” Saban said.