2012/ 2013: The Passing Grades, Review of the Two Seasons

The Auburn Tigers have gone through some drastic changes in only a year under Gus Malzhan that has him as the leading candidate for the Coach of the Year Award. Thank heavens 2012 has passed rather quickly. Truth is, if Auburn has any success last year, do they fire Gene Chizik? As miserable as last year was I would take that hurt to be where the University is today. AU new day is upon us and players, coaches, and fans alike have put the past behind us and are 1 win away from being SEC West Champions.

Here are a few stats and grades that can express just how big of a turnaround has taken place:

2012

September 1, 2012; Atlanta, GA, USA; Auburn Tigers quarterback Kiehl Frazier (10) fumbles the ball after being hit by Clemson Tigers linebacker Marcus Bullard (57) in the second half at the Georgia Dome. Clemson won 26-19. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-US PRESSWIRE
Offense- Points a Game- 18, Offense Grade: D

Passing- Last year the QB play was abysmal. Frazier played out of his element under the new offensive coordinator and it showed just how unprepared he was to play the position. Clint Moseley also was not up to speed with how the offense ran and Jonathan Wallace could have had better stats if he would have been implemented sooner than he was. Passing Grade: F

Rushing- One of the only bright spot about last years team was Tre Mason. He broke the 1,000 yard mark in the Alabama game, but he fought all year and demanded the ball more after each game. Kudos and a ton of respect for how he played last year. Rushing Grade: C

O Line- Only a few words are needed for last years O Line I'll keep it short and sweet. BAD. O Line Grade: D

Defense- Allowed Points a Game- 28, Defense Grade: F
LBs, Secondary, and D Line- I almost turned away from the T.V when we came up on defense. My wife and I attended 3 games last year; ULM, LSU, and Arkansas. By the time we played Arkansas destroyed us, I had all but completely lost hope in our defense. Entire Defense: F

Special Teams- The only other bright spot of the 2012 season was Special Teams. Cody Parkey was automatic as usual and Steven Clarke had a few mishaps, but he was solid and played a key role for the Tigers. Special Teams Grade: A

2013

Nick Marshall celebrates with the Auburn fans after his two-touchdown game in the Tigers' victory over Ole Miss. (USATSI)

Offense- Points a Game- 39, Offense Grade: A-

Passing- Nick Marshall has been an absolute game changer for Auburn this year. He has had experience in the SEC as a DB for Georgia and played a whole year on the JUCO side of football and excelled. His dynamic playmaking ability and cannon for an arm have made teams play true to their position. His accuracy is getting better each week, but a little improvement and the Tigers will be a threat through the air as much as they are on the ground. Marshall has 9 passing TDs through 11 games while Auburn as a team last year only totaled 8 between 4 different players. Jeremy Johnson has been magnificent when he touches the ball. A true passer, but has decisive speed when he needs it. Passing Grade: B

Rushing- Auburn is SECOND in the Nation in Rushing Yards only behind Army, which rarely passes the ball. Tre Mason, Corey Grant, and Cameron Artis-Payne all share the ball and contribute greatly when each touch the ball. You can't leave out Nick Marshall from this category either. Mason has evolved as the go to back, even though all play and play exceptional. Mason also leads the SEC in multiple categories and has stacked up some really impressive stats for anyone's eye's. Rushing Grade: A+

O Line- The Offensive Line has been a key factor in the success. Aiding Auburn's Rushing attack, the Line also gives Marshall ample amount of time to pass or make a play. The O Line is also a main reason why Auburn is 10-1 to this point. O Line Grade: A+

Defense- Allowed Points a Game- 22, Defense Grade: B

LBs, Secondary, and D Line- Keeping this short and sweet again with the Defense, but Auburn's freshmen have stepped up all year long and are filling out their expectations. The Defensive Line has been able to make plays all year long and the LBs and Secondary have forced turnovers and made plays that have won games on multiple occasions. LBs Grade: B-, D Line Grade: A, Secondary: B+


Special Teams- The Special Teams are the only consistent part of the 2012/ 2013 seasons. Except this year, the Tigers have added more of a threats in the Return Game. Chris Davis has been electric  since his return and has yet to disappoint when he gets a head start. Special Teams Grade: A+


Well there you have it. As you can see just in this small review, Auburn has made leaps and bounds in only one year. Much credit is to Malzahn and his staff, but these players are simply fighting and playing harder than every game except the LSU game last year. Auburn has a chance to make even more history this weekend by knocking off the top ranked Tide in Jordan-Hare. Can the Tigers somehow pull out another Miracle in Jordan-Hare? We will see this coming Saturday.





Be sure to follow me on Twitter @austin_preiss19. Leave questions or comments on any Topic that you would like me write about in the coming weeks.

Coach Lashlee on Quarterbacks

 Here is a short video from al.com with Gus Malzahn, and Rhett Lashlee talking about the challenges ahead installing their offense.
Click on this LINK if video fails to appear. 

 

WAR EAGLE!

What Will It Take?

Looking forward to 2013

There are many questions, and areas of concern for this Auburn team heading into the 2013 football season. Whomever is selected by the committee to turn things around as the new head coach will have a job on his hands. What will it take to put Auburn back into contention in the West division?

 First, the attitude of this team needs some "tough love" adjustments. The defensive line needs to be told they played soft this past season. The difference seemed to be that when the helmets were strapped on, their personalities never changed. 

 As a defensive lineman, once those pads and helmets are on, your inner mean streak is what should take over. You have to take on the attitude that you are willing to scratch, claw and fight your way to defend your position.

 Taking on double, and sometimes triple team blocks should be looked at as a badge of honor. That unit has got to establish that Auburn defense is the roughest toughest place to enter in the country. It's evident that hasn't been the case in quite some time. Now is the time for change!

 The rest of the defense has to play with a fierce determination to stop the ball carrier in one on one situations. Too many times we saw Auburn safeties, and defensive backs diving at feet, without their hands and arms reaching for the legs of the opposing runner. We must tackle better. That is an attitude that must be enforced by the incoming coach.

 Offensively, Auburn has to find some players to step up for two very good graduates. Phillip Lutzenkirchen, and Emory Blake are going to leave a void in the pass catching department at AU. While we have recruited very well in that area, the results have been far from convincing that we are ready to be successful at catching passes thrown our way. Sammie Coates may be the exception to that.

 A very young offensive line has been through the wars, and should be much better in 2013. Auburn has recruited the top offensive line class in the last two cycles, so, the talent is there, and we have one of the best O-line coaches in the country in Jeff Grimes. I have every confidence that this unit will be a huge plus heading into next season.

 The number of Running backs is low, compared to most top programs. The Jovon Robinson issue may have an impact on just how many RB's get recruited to The Plains. Whether or not Robinson is able to return, will determine how many RB's AU tries to recruit in this class. The returning guys are good, with Tre Mason being a returning 1,000 yard rusher. 

 The biggest challenge to any coach coming in at Auburn, is to recruit and develop quarterbacks. Realistically, we are not in the best of shape at this position. Clint Moseley has been hurt most of his career at Auburn, and his shoulder is the big area of concern. When he was forced into playing time this year, he limped into his first huddle. Unfortunately, it didn't end well for Moseley. 

 Kiehl Frazier went through the typical sophomore jinx in his development this past season, looking as though he wasn't getting what the coaches were trying to instill in his play. I blame the coaches more so than Kiehl, because we have seen what he can do, and what a great improviser he can be with the ball in his hands. 

 Kiehl looked as though he was having to count his steps, and make sure his feet were in an exact place before he could start his actual reads. He was playing constricted. Way too much emphasis was placed on how, and not enough on his actual talent, which is move around and make plays. Those are the things that made him the #1 Dual Threat QB out of high school. Not being forced into becoming a pocket passer. Round peg, meet square hole!

 Jonathan Wallace was a true bright spot in the otherwise gloomy QB play. His development may be the biggest key to how quickly this team can return to competing for the Western Division title.

 I would imagine the overall mental state of this team needs molding. It's going to take a task master, with an attitude to get the slack out of these AU players and make winners of them. They have it in them, of this I am sure. The question is, who will be chosen to bring this team into a football state of mind?

 WAR EAGLE!

The Case For Jonathan Wallace

Cam Newton the last winning quarterback at Auburn

The popular ESPN College Game Day segment has inspired this old man to make a case for Jonathan Wallace to be the starting quarterback for the Auburn Tigers throughout the rest of the season. I am not a lawyer, and have only served on one jury, so my actual legal experience is basically squadoosh!

 Evidence exhibit A
 Wallace is the only Auburn quarterback not nursing any injuries. If the coaches are to be believed, Frazier has a bum shoulder, and Moseley has a tired shoulder. When Moseley was brought into his very first action of the season, he limped in from the sideline. He had yet to play a down in 2012, and he limped into the game! 

 Evidence exhibit B
 Jonathan has taken snaps at "key times", a Gene Chizik trademarked phrase, in games on the road, and at home.

 Evidence exhibit C 
 The only two drives that resulted in a touchdown in the same quarter of play for Auburn this entire season, came with Jonathan Wallace at quarterback. 

 Evidence exhibit D 
 Have you listened to this young man in an interview? He has maturity well beyond Freshman status.
Listen as Wallace runs through the questions. 
 


 Summary 
 It's no secret, every year somewhere there is a quarterback that the fans want to see play. Somehow when things aren't going really well, the answer always seems to be "play the backup QB" from the fans. The fans think that the backup will somehow be able to perform better than the guy that won the starting job.

 In this case, the fans are correct, and the coaching staff needs to listen to them. One reason to listen is this seems to be the only topic with the fans that doesn't involve someone packing suitcases. The other reason, is that it took most of these same coaches 5 games into the 2010 season to realize what a special talent Auburn had with Cam Newton. Chizik openly admits that he had to be persuaded by the offensive coaches to even grant Newton a scholarship.

 Finally, Jonathan Wallace performed head and shoulders above what either of the two QB's have. Sure, it was mostly against the backups of the Texas A&M  defense, and The Aggie defensive coordinator may have "called off the dogs", but nonetheless, Wallace did something with this offense, that the other two could not. He put together two scoring drives that resulted in touchdowns,and had ZERO interceptions on the day.

 I rest my case.

WAR EAGLE!

Points of Interest: Ole Miss

 If you came here for a tourist guide of "The Grove', I am sorry to disappoint you, this is not where to find that information. rather, this is a list of points I hope to see this Auburn football team create in what I hope is a victory against the Rebel Black Bears.

 First and foremost, we have been promised a downhill running game since January. Where is it? Auburn must run the ball successfully against Ole Miss if the first SEC win of the season for Auburn is to come about in Oxford, MS this weekend.

  If we find ourselves in second and two during the early stages of the game, Auburn needs to run inside, and create first downs. "Keep Drives Alive" should be the motto here. First down after first down keeps the ball going forward, and the Ole Miss offense getting cold feet on the sidelines.

 Secondly, Auburn's offense must find a way to control the clock. See above. With the Auburn offense on the field, the Ole Miss offense won't be wearing out the defense of our beloved Tigers. This keeps the chances, I can't believe I have to type this, of pulling off an upset more in the probability range, than say, no chance at all.

 The next point of emphasis is that this young team needs to play with enthusiasm, and effectiveness. Execute the plays, and most importantly, play as a team. we as fans should push this point hard, and show our unwavering support for our gallant warriors of the gridiron.

 Lastly, the Auburn coaching staff must call the best possible plays to ensure the chances of all of the above points to be carried out. Gone hopefully is the three wide set on second and short, and more inside run plays, along with an occasional screen pass or play action pass play.

 Make all the snap counts on the first drive on the first "hike" called out by the QB, whoever that will be, and keep the game plan simple for our young Tigers. If we see these things come to fruition, then we will leave Oxford with some confidence, and more importantly a victory!

WAR EAGLE!

The Passion of Sammie

 Earlier this week Sammie Coates called out some of his Senior team mates, questioning their leadership and desire to win. here is an excerpt from his statement.

"We don't have leadership," said Coates. "Everybody talks about wanting to win, but nobody is showing how they want to win."

This was taken from an article on al.com by Charles Goldberg. 

 Whenever a team mate calls out the team leaders, its usually to get everyone's attention that he is tired of and frustrated about, losing. Nobody likes to lose, and especially the way Auburn has found ways to lose this season.

 Up until the Arkansas game, Auburn has led scoring average in all of the first three quarters of the games it has played this season. The fourth quarter has proven to be the Achilles heel.

 Too much has been made of the quarterback change last Saturday. Coach Chizik was looking for someone to spark an inept offense, that quite frankly has been very inconsistent all season long. That spark was not found against the defensive unit the Hogs put on the field Saturday.

 The question remains about Sammie Coates and his frustration. Is this team floundering because no one will take charge on the field on Saturdays? Tough questions deserve tough answers, so I'll try my stab at it.

 I guarantee that someone has to take charge of the Auburn offense on Saturdays, and that someone has to be a QB. Like it or not, if you are the man in the huddle calling the plays, and you are in charge of reading the defense to change some of those play calls, then by God you better be in complete charge of that team on the field.

 Frazier, Moseley, or Wallace each have to pump up their offensive line to bust someone's ass, and have everybody's attention of the snap count. All of this is on the quarterbacks. No. One. Else!

 Auburn must get better. It's a plain and simple statement, but one that has more and more urgency. Here is to hoping that comes about, before it's too late.

WAR EAGLE!

Words We Live By: Auburn Creed

Thanks to the Auburn Athletics YouTube channel for the video.



WAR EAGLE!

Kiehl Frazier Set to Improve

 Auburn fans everywhere are questioning the continued support of Kiehl Frazier by Coach Chizik and his staff. As we have stated here, Frazier may be the only hope at QB for the Tigers this season.

 Regardless, Frazier knows he can step up his play, and it seems he is intent on doing just that. Watch the following video, and please feel free to comment below. Just click on the word comment, and a box will appear for you.



WAR EAGLE!

Issac & Other News

 While The Weather Channel prepares us for the Tropical Storm named Issac, which is predicted to become a hurricane, we look forward to today's biggest headlines.

 In multiple reports late yesterday afternoon Coach Gene Chizik announced the "indefinite suspension" of DeAngelo Benton for "undisclosed violation of team rules". In a much heralded switch on National Signing Day Benton chose Auburn over LSU. Benton never quite lived up to the hype. At times he would amaze coaches and players alike and prompting position coach Trooper Taylor to announce that Benton would "rewrite the record books" while at Auburn.

 This writer hopes that Benton will do what is necessary to get back on the field, and become good enough to reach the NFL. It would be a shame we have seen all too often for this GOD given talent to go to waste.

"If we had to play this weekend, I think, as a unit, we would be ready" says Kiehl Frazier, Auburn's leading candidate to  win the quarterback position.  Clint Moseley, the closest competitor for Frazier says in an interview after practice yesterday, "They say if I was a pitcher, they'd put me on the DL," "I need a break," he said, "but I can't have that right now in this competition."  The report by Charles Goldberg goes on to state "Moseley said there's nothing torn in his shoulder, and that he doesn't need surgery". 

 All of this goes to support what we here at AUTB have been saying for two weeks now. Kiehl Frazier will be the starter. Moseley will be the emergency relief, and Jonathan Wallace can't get caught up too soon. Auburn would need Wallace if Frazier were to suffer some sort of season ending injury. From the sound of things via Clint Moseley, he would not be able to run much of the Scot Loeffler offense right now.

 The scheduled Beach Fest has released a more detailed itinerary. According to a report by Dennis Pillion at al.com "All three current head coaches will make their appearances on the main stage Saturday, with Chizik going first at 11:20 a.m., Miles at 3:20 p.m. and Saban at 6:15 p.m. 

The BeachFest Fan Zone will be open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. The Fan Zone will feature autograph sessions and coaching clinics with SEC Legendary Players and Coaches. Friday and Saturday entrance require SEC BeachFest wristband or ticket. Sunday entrance will be open for free to the public". 

 Sounds like a fun time for all. 

WAR EAGLE!