Who Can Fill Rashad Johnson's Shoes at Safety at Alabama?

Playing safety at the University of Alabama puts you under the closest of microscopes.  Your head coach considers this his area of expertise and watches your every move and if that weren't bad enough, the defensive coordinator is also you position coach who likewise analyzes each play.

Rashad Johnson could do more than just handle that pressure, he could excel under that scrutiny.  He went on to be not just a leader of the secondary, but of the defense itself, being one of the leading tacklers as well as one of the leading pick off men on the team.

"He was like another coach on the field." Saban would often say about him.  "He is as smart as as he was athletic, or maybe even more so."

So now the question is, who will step in and fill those shoes?

There are two front runners right now with more in the mix.  Ali Sharrief served in the role Saban likes to call the "money back" last year.  Others refer to it as dime back.  The other is Mark Barron a sophomore, five inches taller than Sharieff's 5'9" and 12 pounds heavier, weighing in at 212.

Sharieff was a fixture in most games and started two.  He was most often used in situations where a pass play was imminent like third and long and during two minute offenses.  He supported the run well and made over 30 tackles with no picks.

Barron was mostly used on the kickoff team last year and became known as a hitter.  On defense he mostly did substitute and mop up duty.  His 18 tackles aren't an indication of his defensive prowess because most of them came on kickoff coverage.

If Alabama has a soft spot in this heralded defense, this is it.  Utah exposed it.  Sharieff was put in because of the rapid fire pass happy Utah offense and was burned.  Saban inserted Barron to take over for a much burned Ali only to be burned himself on his first series. 

Sharieff is smart and knows the defense, but Barron is more athletically gifted and has a slight speed advantage to add to his obvious height advantage.  So you could say its a battle of a wily veteran against a young gun with better skills.  Brains or athleticism, which way do you go?

Well according to Saban, there are others he intends to try out as well.  Tyrone King walked onto the Tide team rather than take scholarships to other schools.  He earned his scholarship this past year and the 5'11" 206 Junior reminds Saban of another walk on, Rashad Johnson, who fought his way onto the team.

In Alabama's spring game, the best and earliest indicator of who may lead the pack, Barron may be in the lead based on the stats.  He had four solo tackles with on assist and a forced fumble and for the most part looked sharp.

Sharieff had just one assisted tackle and King had two tackles with one of them resulting in a 10 yard loss.

If Barron can convince the coaching staff that he can handle the mental side of safety, calling the coverages making the checks he would be the clear front runner. 

The safety will have help with most of the defensive backs returning and if any staff can get a man up to speed at this position, you would expect it to be this one.

Nick Saban will make sure of it.

5-28-2009 update

I had dinner last night with Alabama defensive coordinator and safety position coach Kirby Smart and he said I should have put Robbie Green in mix as well as he's been coming on strong and looking better.  It's a position that definately is up for grabs...