Week Two for the Birmingham Iron shows that there is an ongoing consistency of hard-nosed pursuit on the defensive side. The Iron won the game Saturday against the Salt Lake Stallions 12-9 in a hard fought low scoring game. The defense for the Iron has now allowed a total of only nine points over their first two games. That averages to 4.5 points allowed over eight quarters of football. The defense is making a name itself and Tim Lewis is aware.
Persistence and Resilience are Defining the Birmingham Iron
Defense Keeps Grinding When it Matters
“Defensively, I thought we did a nice job. We did a nice job and the guys played hard, fast, tough and played smart, did what we asked them to do. We had some adversity situations, and they did a nice job stepping up and making plays, ” Head Coach Tim Lewis after the game.
Of course, the big play was the fumble recovery from linebacker Shaheed Salmon that resulted in the Irons’ first score. The play was reviewed but stood as called. Also, Trent Richardson made a key play in the third quarter, when the game looked to be under control for the Stallions. On a third down and seven, at the Irons’ 13-yard line, Richardson turned a short pass into a 23 yard gain. The play helped expand a drive that flipped field position. Eventually, Richardson found the end zone late in the fourth quarter for the game-winning score.
Grit. ?#SLvsBHM #ForgeOn⚒️? pic.twitter.com/5y0EepgeNJ
— Birmingham Iron (@aafiron) February 16, 2019
“I’m going to start fast and finish strong,” Richardson said. One advantage I think I do have, I played with University of Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban. You never see his emotions get the best of him. I learned a lot from that and going to one of the top colleges in the world and playing at the NFL level, you’ve got to stay right here.”
Richardson has been a steady force for the Birmingham Iron the last two weeks.
Trent Richardson Reboot 2019
Above all, it was the defense that kept the Iron in the game allowing no points in the second half. Linebacker Jonathan Massaquoi had another solid game with six combined tackles and a quarterback hit. Linebacker Beniquez Brown lead the defense with nine combined tackles and a sack, including two quarterback hits.
Through two games the defense is proving to be the anchor for this team so far. The bend but don’t break style is working right now. The pursuit is relentless and proved their worth during crunch time.
Of course, the three missed field goals helped immensely too. Regardless, this Birmingham Iron team is now sitting at 2-0 with a steadying force on the defensive side. Since training camp, Coach Tim Lewis emphasized the importance of making sure his players are in position at all times. And that discipline is getting it done on the field.
Next week the Iron go on the road to play the Atlanta Legends.
Main photo:
Embed from Getty Images
