" Few things give me more satisfaction than watching Nick Saban beg for that second back." - Casey Kelley
Sunday, March 20, 2016
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
Auburn Softball Visits Samford University
Auburn won the game 18-1 after 5 innings and Rachel Walters pitched the first no hitter in her career. Jade Rhodes had another great game going 2 for 2 with a grand slam home run and 5 RBIs.
Kasey Cooper was 2 for 2 and hit a two run homer with 4 RBIs and Tiffany Howard had three hits and two RBIs.
It was a good tune up game prior to the upcoming weekend series with Mississippi State and Clint Myers was able to get all of the back up players into the game.
After the game the Auburn girls and Clint Myers signed autographs and visited with the fans. As I have said before, Coach Myers and his coaching staff has done a remarkable job with this Auburn team and he has recruited well for the future.
My compliments to the Samford fans and the student representatives for their hospitality.
This Auburn team will be fun to watch this season while they for another visit to the College World Series.
War Eagle!
Auburn Women's Basketball: NCAA Tournament Selection Show Reaction
That joy feel after all the hard work pays off.
Congratulations to the Auburn Women's Basketball team.
Yeah, we be dancin' (in my best Jamaican voice)
War Eagle!
Saturday, March 12, 2016
Friday, March 11, 2016
Running Back University
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| Bo Jackson honored on the side of JHS. photo by Klell Lawrence |
Various schools claim to be "Tailback U" or whatever, but the truth of the matter is this; Auburn University leads all SEC schools in total numbers of Running Backs taken in the history of the NFL Draft.
Auburn is tied for 6th All Time in total RB numbers in the nation, and first in the SEC. Just click on that link, and see for yourself.
That being said, it stands to reason the moniker "Running Back U" is a valid and reasonable title among the most powerful football conference in America. In fact, three of the Tiger's regularly scheduled opponents each season were among the Top 17 defenses versus the rush in 2015, yet Auburn managed it's 6th consecutive season where at least one RB carried for more than 1,000 yards.
An amazing statistic considering how inefficient the Auburn offense was at times last season.
The question is; Who is going to carry the mantle into the 2016 season as the starter? The answer would appear to be #29 Jovon Robinson. Robinson carried the ball 117 times for 639 yards averaging 5.46 yards. These numbers were compiled in just 8 games.
Still, Robinson can not be expected to carry the entire load. Indeed, Gus Malzahn has shown a penchant for spreading the ball around when it comes to the running game. Four RB's saw meaningful carries in 2015, as did 3 WR's.
Roc Thomas averaged 6.0 yards per carry, and Kerryon Johnson over 4, so there is plenty of talent to push Robinson, or just relieve him. Then there is the highly heralded true Freshman Malik Miller.
Unless there are several injuries at this position in 2016, there is confidence that Gus Malzahn will field a talented, and experienced group at the RB position. One more than capable to extend the record to seven consecutive seasons with at least one 1,000 yard rusher.
WAR EAGLE!
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
Auburn Softball
This was my view at the Auburn/Georgia State softball doubleheader on Sunday. As you can see, additional seating has been added due to the increase in attendance. The Auburn softball team is now 20-1 and number 3 in the USA. They will play Tennessee State this Wednesday in a doubleheader and then start their SEC schedule. The number 1 Florida Gators are coming to Auburn this weekend for 3 games and it should be a great series to watch. Clint Myers has really put this Auburn softball team on the map and they now have depth at pitching which had been lacking in the past.
I do feel that this Auburn softball team will compete for another World Series title this season so come out and watch a game if you are in Auburn.
Enjoy the games!
Friday, March 4, 2016
Auburn's Quarterbacks: Then & Now
Last week we looked into the offensive line and and the T.E. positions. Looking ahead at what Auburn might try to accomplish, and of course list the players names that are on the roster for the spring practice sessions.
For the official 2016 spring roster click HERE
Let's talk Quarterbacks today. Shall we?
My answer to that question is: We might as well get this over with.
Honestly though, it is the hot topic when we talk Auburn football this preseason. Amazing what a difference a year makes.
This time last year we were all sure that Jeremy Johnson was going to be Auburn's starting QB and with all of the glowing reports of Sean White's days of Trent Dilfer and the Elite 11 Quarterback Challenge, everybody just knew we had a solid backup to Johnson when it came to mop up time.
Yeah. Never really materialized.
Jeremy Johnson was tabbed to be the Auburn starter, and what we saw was a shell of what we had come to expect from Jeremy.
**stats from ESPN.com
As the season progressed Johnson's output started to decline, and the number of Interceptions kept increasing. The most troubling aspect of the Johnson decline was when he started holding onto the ball longer, and eventually getting sacked, instead of throwing the ball away. This eventually led to Gus inserting Red Shirt Freshman Sean White into the lineup.
**stats from ESPN.com
Regardless of the reasoning, Auburn's quarterback play was dismal at times in 2015. Not all of which can be blamed on the QB's. We will address some of them when we talk about the Wide Outs in our next post.
Gus Malzahn and his staff went out and recruited the top Dual-Threat QB in the JUCO ranks, and signed John Franklin III. Franklin comes to Auburn with world class speed, and what has been described as a very strong arm. Think Nick Marshall with a better arm at this point in his career.
In Senior Marcus Davis' first press conference this spring, he eluded to the voluntary passing sessions with newcomer John Franklin III.
Plus, Tyler Queen is healthy now. Gus says that Queen is on a "pitch count." Meaning the Doctors have limited the amount of full throws that Tyler Queen can make to keep him on a healthy recovery. A recovery from elbow surgery.
""The procedure is “similar” to Tommy John surgery that many baseball pitchers undergo to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in their elbows, and Malzahn said the hope is to have Queen back in the fold for spring practice next March.""
When the fall camp starts there will be another name in the mix for the starting QB job. Heralded Dual-Threat QB Woody Barrett. Barrett is the guy that Gus Malzahn said they've recruited for three years to bring into their system.
The hope of course is that in 2016 quarterback play will be much improved.
WAR EAGLE!
For the official 2016 spring roster click HERE
Let's talk Quarterbacks today. Shall we?
My answer to that question is: We might as well get this over with.
Honestly though, it is the hot topic when we talk Auburn football this preseason. Amazing what a difference a year makes.
This time last year we were all sure that Jeremy Johnson was going to be Auburn's starting QB and with all of the glowing reports of Sean White's days of Trent Dilfer and the Elite 11 Quarterback Challenge, everybody just knew we had a solid backup to Johnson when it came to mop up time.
Yeah. Never really materialized.
Jeremy Johnson was tabbed to be the Auburn starter, and what we saw was a shell of what we had come to expect from Jeremy.
 |
| Gus Malzahn w/ Johnson. photo by OANow.com |
| CAREER STATS | ||||||||||||
| SEASON | CMP | ATT | YDS | CMP% | YPA | LNG | TD | INT | SACK | RAT | RAW QBR | ADJ QBR |
| 2015 | 95 | 157 | 1054 | 60.5 | 6.71 | 77 | 10 | 7 | 9 | 129.0 | 53.7 | 63.4 |
| 2014 | 28 | 37 | 436 | 75.7 | 11.78 | 62 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 201.4 | 98.0 | 98.8 |
| 2013 | 29 | 41 | 422 | 70.7 | 10.29 | 67 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 195.7 | 95.3 | 93.4 |
As the season progressed Johnson's output started to decline, and the number of Interceptions kept increasing. The most troubling aspect of the Johnson decline was when he started holding onto the ball longer, and eventually getting sacked, instead of throwing the ball away. This eventually led to Gus inserting Red Shirt Freshman Sean White into the lineup.
 |
| Sean White. photo via YouTube.com |
| CAREER STATS | ||||||||||||
| SEASON | CMP | ATT | YDS | CMP% | YPA | LNG | TD | INT | SACK | RAT | RAW QBR | ADJ QBR |
| 2015 | 83 | 143 | 1166 | 58.0 | 8.15 | 47 | 1 | 4 | 10 | 123.2 | 40.2 | 43.5 |
Regardless of the reasoning, Auburn's quarterback play was dismal at times in 2015. Not all of which can be blamed on the QB's. We will address some of them when we talk about the Wide Outs in our next post.
Gus Malzahn and his staff went out and recruited the top Dual-Threat QB in the JUCO ranks, and signed John Franklin III. Franklin comes to Auburn with world class speed, and what has been described as a very strong arm. Think Nick Marshall with a better arm at this point in his career.
In Senior Marcus Davis' first press conference this spring, he eluded to the voluntary passing sessions with newcomer John Franklin III.
Plus, Tyler Queen is healthy now. Gus says that Queen is on a "pitch count." Meaning the Doctors have limited the amount of full throws that Tyler Queen can make to keep him on a healthy recovery. A recovery from elbow surgery.
""The procedure is “similar” to Tommy John surgery that many baseball pitchers undergo to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in their elbows, and Malzahn said the hope is to have Queen back in the fold for spring practice next March.""
When the fall camp starts there will be another name in the mix for the starting QB job. Heralded Dual-Threat QB Woody Barrett. Barrett is the guy that Gus Malzahn said they've recruited for three years to bring into their system.
The hope of course is that in 2016 quarterback play will be much improved.
WAR EAGLE!
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
What Must Auburn Do Offensively?
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| Questions along the line as Auburn starts Spring practice |
This is the first in our series of posts that will look upon what we think Auburn must do to improve to an SEC Championship caliber team. Lets face it, Auburn can not contend for a spot in the College Football Playoff ( CFP ) without winning our conference.
We start where the biggest disappointment developed as the season progressed. The Auburn offense. Where the Tigers offense had been an exciting and explosive unit. Last season it was anything but explosive.
Offensive Line: The loss of Avery Young and Shon Coleman are just the tip of the iceberg. Auburn has recruited very well with some of the country's best linemen in camp this spring. The question here is: Who will step up and take over the starting tackle spots? Below is a list of linemen currently on the roster.
Senior Xavier Dampeer RS Fr. Kaleb Kim RS Fr. Ryan Meneely Senior Alex Kozan
RS Fr. Mike Horton Soph. Tucker Brown RS Fr. Bailey Sharp RS Fr. Tyler Carr
Senior Robert Leff Jr. Braden Smith Jr. Austin Golson Jr. Dion Mix
Senior Jordan Diamond RS Fr. Marquel Harrell Jr. Darius James
With new Offensive Line coach Herb Hand, there may be lots of shuffling along the line this season. The exception may be with Golson and Dampeer, which are proven dependable Centers.
At the Tight End ( TE ) position the Tigers seemed pretty well set until the announcement this past week of Chris Laye leaving the program. This position wasn't utilized a lot last season. After having the likes of Phillip Lutzenkirchen and C. J. Uzomah setting the bar at Auburn at this position, the Tigers need to find someone who can block, catch the ball when needed and who knows the full playbook.
Gus Malzahn's offense has to have an active TE to reach its full potential. The list of potential starters looks like this: Senior Greg Hall Soph. Jalen Harris Fr. Landon Rice
That's not a lot of folks at the TE position and I would expect Gus to move some kids into that area for depth reasons. My guesses are that Soph. Logan Rice and maybe Jr.Tyler Stovall will get looks here as well.
In our next post we will look at the Wide Outs, the H Backs, the Quarterbacks, and the Running Backs. Until then.
WAR EAGLE!
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