Started By
Message
Stolen from the rant board: Is 2022 The Year of the Golding Defense?
Posted on 1/28/22 at 9:52 am
Posted on 1/28/22 at 9:52 am
2021 was the third year with Golding at DC and it was clearly his best unit of the bunch. Alabama was a very solid defense by the end of the season despite having a lot of limitations in the secondary due to injuries and inexperience.
Arguably, Alabama only needed slightly better play from the corners and they might've been able to still win the CFPCG even without a functional offense. That's a far cry from where the defense was at in early 2020 (Ole Miss). Essentially the defense was let down by an offense that couldn't play good complimentary ball in the national title game.
You can kinda see my leaning on this question already. I think 2022 ought to be the best Alabama defense since 2017. It took half a decade but the slight tweaks in scheme are finally going to line up with a roster that can execute it. If the secondary develops as I suspect, Alabama ought to be a very aggressive defense that reminds folks of the 2015-2017 units that were a threat to score enough on their own to win games.
Arguably, Alabama only needed slightly better play from the corners and they might've been able to still win the CFPCG even without a functional offense. That's a far cry from where the defense was at in early 2020 (Ole Miss). Essentially the defense was let down by an offense that couldn't play good complimentary ball in the national title game.
You can kinda see my leaning on this question already. I think 2022 ought to be the best Alabama defense since 2017. It took half a decade but the slight tweaks in scheme are finally going to line up with a roster that can execute it. If the secondary develops as I suspect, Alabama ought to be a very aggressive defense that reminds folks of the 2015-2017 units that were a threat to score enough on their own to win games.
5
Posted on 1/28/22 at 9:58 am to Diego Ricardo
I'm just hoping that we can actually go a season without a significant injury and the Defense doesn't wait until the back half of the season to get their arse in gear.
Posted on 1/28/22 at 9:59 am to RammerJammer91
quote:
Defense doesn't wait until the back half of the season to get their arse in gear.
Yep, the best you can expect is a good defense later in the year.
You can hope for more, but I wouldn't wager any money on it.
This post was edited on 1/28/22 at 10:04 am
Posted on 1/28/22 at 10:10 am to Teague
A lot of us felt like 2021 was the year of the defense, but key injuries at the worst times derailed that.
I think 2022, sparing injuries of course, could be that year.
One of the most underrated parts of Saban’s defense is safety play. A lot of people point out the LBers we had in the past, but look at when we’ve had elite safeties.
Mark Barron, Eddie Jackson, Landon Collins, Minkah (kind of played all over the field), etc.
Now we’ve got Hellams and Battle returning and that’s HUGE
I think 2022, sparing injuries of course, could be that year.
One of the most underrated parts of Saban’s defense is safety play. A lot of people point out the LBers we had in the past, but look at when we’ve had elite safeties.
Mark Barron, Eddie Jackson, Landon Collins, Minkah (kind of played all over the field), etc.
Now we’ve got Hellams and Battle returning and that’s HUGE
Posted on 1/28/22 at 10:14 am to Diego Ricardo
On paper, this should be a terrific defense. Problem is, playing defense in today's football world is not what it once was. Alabama gets flagged for PI and targeting every other play it seems. The commentators calling our games always seem to push for it. Again, on paper, this should be an awesome defense with the talent in the secondary and at outside linebacker. Just need someone to step up at Will linebacker for Harris and a couple of Alphas in the interior defensive line.
Posted on 1/28/22 at 10:16 am to Warmth in Winter
I would include Brian Branch, too. The secondary should be outstanding with the addition of Ricks and the maturation of Kool Aid. Outside of unfortunate injuries like last year Golding has no excuses.
Posted on 1/28/22 at 10:20 am to Warmth in Winter
We really need to upgrade from Hellams. He takes bad angles and is a poor open field tackler which is kinda a prerequisite for a safety. Seems a little heavy and stiff. He would probably have made a good ILB if switched earlier in his career.
Posted on 1/28/22 at 10:22 am to Bamafig
Hellams was playing on a bad ankle all year and had to have surgery right after the national championship game.
Posted on 1/28/22 at 10:24 am to Bamafig
quote:
He takes bad angles and is a poor open field tackler which is kinda a prerequisite for a safety.
He missed 3 tackles the last 7 games
Posted on 1/28/22 at 10:40 am to Diego Ricardo
It better be. This should be the best defense since 2016. Honestly, it is absolutely national title or bust for next year's team. If the defense falters or causes us to not achieve our potential, then its on Golding.
Posted on 1/28/22 at 10:51 am to Roll Tide Ravens
What's the deal with Malachi Moore ? I keep hearing rumors about a nagging back injury. I hope that's not true. I remember him having a bad coverage bust in the Tennessee game that led to a wide open touchdown and seemingly losing his job to Branch after that. If he can't improve then maybe Terrion Arnold gets a chance.
Posted on 1/28/22 at 10:53 am to Teague
Anybody downvoting my first comment hasn't been paying attention. Show me a Golding defense that has ever started the season playing well.
Now, maybe he's gotten better and maybe this year will be different because of returning players, or less injuries, or whatever. But, like I said, that's basing your expectations on what might happen, rather than what we've seen up to this point.
We were saying the same things about last years defense before the season and they started slow just like every other year.
Now, maybe he's gotten better and maybe this year will be different because of returning players, or less injuries, or whatever. But, like I said, that's basing your expectations on what might happen, rather than what we've seen up to this point.
We were saying the same things about last years defense before the season and they started slow just like every other year.
Posted on 1/28/22 at 11:19 am to Diego Ricardo
Tim Anderson is a Micah Parsons type player that takes your defense to another level by himself. Dallas Turner has a chance to be close to that.
I think Golding gets too much flak, but he has ponies that other DCs don't, including past Bama DCs.
Last year's UGA team was the exception and not the rule in terms of defense in today's game, and TBH I think they aren't even looked at in the same light if they played against a typical Clemson offense week 1 and the East wasn't especially bad like it was this year with Florida firing a coach and other schools breaking in new ones. Offenses are going to score points now.
I think Golding gets too much flak, but he has ponies that other DCs don't, including past Bama DCs.
Last year's UGA team was the exception and not the rule in terms of defense in today's game, and TBH I think they aren't even looked at in the same light if they played against a typical Clemson offense week 1 and the East wasn't especially bad like it was this year with Florida firing a coach and other schools breaking in new ones. Offenses are going to score points now.
Posted on 1/28/22 at 11:43 am to Bamafig
I thought Hellams was actually really good this year. I thought he made a big jump from last year.
Posted on 1/28/22 at 11:54 am to Bham Bammer
He was third or fourth in tackles. Dude is legit.
Posted on 1/28/22 at 1:26 pm to TrussvilleTide
quote:
Tim Anderson is a Micah Parsons type player that takes your defense to another level by himself. Dallas Turner has a chance to be close to that.
I don't follow recruiting like I use to...need to check this kid out.
Posted on 1/28/22 at 2:01 pm to Diego Ricardo
quote:
Arguably, Alabama only needed slightly better play from the corners and they might've been able to still win the CFPCG even without a functional offense. T
Exactly. Corner play kept the Bama defense from dominating and winning the game. The 2 and 20 TD throw was terrible. All Jackson has to do is look for the ball and it’s probably an int.
Posted on 1/28/22 at 2:28 pm to TS1926
If we don’t have a top five defense across the board next year with this talent the whole damn staff…..I’ll let you finish it
We gonna be the best defense a defense can be in this era of flag happy refs.
We gonna be the best defense a defense can be in this era of flag happy refs.
Page 1 of 1
Latest Alabama News
Popular
Back to top
Follow SECRant for SEC Football News