Tide seeking right mix on offensive line

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Alabama offensive line coach Joe Pendry is searching for the right combination.

The Crimson Tide is seeking to replace All-Americans Andre Smith and Antoine Caldwell and right guard Marlon Davis while maintaining similarly strong chemistry.

``That's a big deal, that's what last year's O-line had compared to '07,'' lineman William Vlachos said. ``That's why coach Pendry does so much shuffling. One day you're playing center, the next day guard and then you're playing tackle, left side, right side.

``That's why it changes. He's going to find where you play best, who you play best next to. It's finding where we're going to be the best.''

Smith, Caldwell and Davis combined for 112 career starts. Their potential successors bring far less experience to the mix, with most of that coming at center.

Vlachos and Davis Ross are vying to replace Caldwell. Ross played in every game last season, making his third start in the Sugar Bowl.

``There's no question the opportunities I had last year have helped me tremendously in becoming a better player,'' Ross said. ``Just the speed and getting the feel for things. You can never really replicate a game.''

Ross hasn't started at center, while Evan Cardwell played in 26 games over the last three seasons starting seven times in 2007 and Vlachos has seen action in nine games.

The 6-foot Vlachos, one of the team's stronger players in the weight room, can play both guard positions as well despite being short for an offensive lineman.

``Everyone brings up my height,'' he said. ``It doesn't bother me at all.''

Mike Johnson, a second-team All-Southeastern Conference selection last season, seems entrenched at left guard. Drew Davis returns at right tackle.

There are plenty of young players vying for spots on the depth chart.

Junior college transfer James Carpenter enrolled early and is practicing in the spring, along with fellow signee Chance Warmack. Carpenter is a candidate to replace left tackle Smith, who won the Outland Trophy.

Three signees from last year John Michael Boswell, Barrett Jones and Tyler Love are also competing for spots in the rotation. Tackle D.J. Fluker arrives in the summer as one of the Tide's top recruits.

The current players are too busy to worry about starting.

``You never know when Coach Pendry is going to put you in a position that he feels is going to help the O-line out,'' Ross said. ``That can change from day-to-day, week-to-week. You never really know. You have to be ready to play any position that he asks you to play.

``You can't have that mindset at all.''