Bryant’s legacy still with ‘Bama defense

By Stephen Jerdan  |   Thursday, July 13, 2006  |  Comments( 2 )

Alabama Crimson Tide
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When trying to compare anything football related to the late, great Paul "Bear" Bryant, one must be careful. To many in the South, Bear's playbook is comparable to Scripture, and to refer to his football days without justification can be considered blasphemy.

Respectfully, Bryant believed that an effective and aggressive defense was the way to win championships, which he managed to prove six times while at Alabama. While today's football is significantly different from that of Bryant's era, the basic gist of the game is still very similar. Without coincidence, Bryant's defensive legacy can still be seen in today's Crimson Tide coached by Mike Shula.

In 2004, the Alabama Crimson Tide finished the season with a 6-6 record and three trivial SEC wins against Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Kentucky. Shula, entering his third year as Alabama's head coach, tweaked the defense and sent his Crimson Tide into 2005 with a winning mentality - and win they did. The Tide rolled to a 10-win season, Alabama's first since 2002, and gave 'Bama fans everywhere hope for things to come.

Highlighted over the course of last season, however, Alabama's defense unquestionably paved the way to the Tide's 10 victories. The Crimson Tide gave up an average of 255 yards per game throughout the season, and finished second in the nation behind only Virginia Tech. Alabama's defense, led by All-American linebacker DeMeco Ryans and free safety Roman Harper, also finished first in the nation in scoring defense, allowing only 10.7 points per game.

This season, however, 'Bama lost all but four starters on defense, and will be forced to reload. Key replacements will be necessary if the Tide hopes to pick up where they left off last season.

Ryans' replacement will likely be Terrence Jones, who is extremely talented and may prove to be just as good as his former teammate.

Jeffery Dukes, a rising senior, replaces Roman Harper at the free safety position. Dukes has always been one of the more athletic players on 'Bama's roster, and his only challenge will be to adapt to the mentality of being the defensive field-general.

Other replacements that could make an immediate impact are SS Marcus Carter, CB Simeon Castille, and LB Bobby Greenwood, a freshman All-SEC pick last season.

Out of the four returning defensemen, senior linebacker Juwan Simpson is probably the most talented and the best leader, considering he has 21 career starts. Shadowed by Ryans last season, Simpson finished the year with 64 tackles, 1 1/2 sacks and two interceptions.

Cornerback Ramzee Robinson returns for his senior season to anchor the 'Bama secondary, which is in short supply for the Tide this season. Defensive end Wallace Gilberry and defensive tackle Jeremy Clark will be sure to add a big punch to the 'Bama line, which was one of the nation's best last season.

Overall, the Tide, who face a reasonably simple schedule, should enter 2006 as one of college football's returning defensive powers, regardless of the amount of talent lost over the offseason. So while Bryant, himself, is no longer with the college football community, his legacy still lives on through his coveted Alabama defense.

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