SMART Goals Recap Week 1 & onto Week 2!

Well, I checked out the smart goals and Auburn almost achieved every one of them! Here is what the tally looks like! Not too bad. I know we were 3 or 4 yards off the rushing and passing numbers but the goal was a 400 yard day heavier on the passing.

No time to rest on our victory though, that game is over and always room to improve. As the great Vince Lombardi said;Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence." I love that quote and live by that quote in everything I do. Of course I fail miserably sometimes but then I get back up because Vince also has a quote for that! 😉

So onto the ASU Hornet game! this team is coming in confident and full of swagger they have won 4 of their last 5 games and want to make a name for themselves and beating Auburn in Jordan-Hare would send shockwaves across College Football that would be talked about probably through to next season. So no room to dismiss, look forward or take this team lightly. They want to make history and is our Tigers job to stomp the bug! 

So here are my SMART goals for this weeks matchup and the Tigers have to stay focused and get much more disciplined. Last week they were sloppy when it came to the penalties and that needs to get cleaned up immediately! 

Let me know what you think. Pretty basic blocking and tackling here but cannot get complacency or look over this ASU team. They are on the field and deserve our respect. 

Look forward to your comments and feedback!

War Eagle y'all!

Looking Ahead to Alabama State

ALABAMA STATE BAND photo courtesy of AL.com

This Saturday at 6:30pm in Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn football will host the Hornets of Alabama State University. It will be the Tigers home opener for the 2018 season.

ASU defeated their rival Tuskegee University in the annual Labor Day Classic on a 30 yard scamper around left end for the overtime victory. It was their first win against Tuskegee since 2011.

The Hornets special teams also had a big play blocking a FG attempt in the game. This something that Auburn has been working on to stop. Hopefully that work pays off. 

Here is Gus Malzahn's Tuesday press conference where he reviewed the Washington game, and looks ahead to Alabama State:

On a side note, fans at the game may want to get to the concessions stands early, so they don't miss the halftime entertainment. Alabama State has a very good "Show Band" as opposed to Auburn's marching band. Should be fun to watch.

War Eagle!

Let's Hear It For the Band

Let's Hear It for the Band

Auburn band playing after the win against Arkansas in 2010

Photo from my personal collection @tatershell

Several years ago, I saw a football player comment about a band t-shirt. The shirt in question said "Leave it all on the field." The player in question indicated that saying was not appropriate for band. His exact words were, "Are you kidding me?" I later got the chance to meet that player. More than anything, I wanted to take every band shirt from my collection and dump them on his table where he was signing autographs and autograph a band t-shirt for him.  Of course, I did not do that. I did not say anything at all. Maybe I should have but since his comments took place over Twitter, I did not think he would even pay attention. Needless to say, I lost a lot of respect for that player that day.

If you did not know, I was in the band when I was in college at Southern Miss. I've written a blog about the band before, but I thought it might be good to revisit some band appreciation. 

Auburn band takes the field!

I follow A LOT of student athletes on social media. I probably follow too many of them. I often see things said such as, "Regular people don't know what student athletes go through." One particular time, the student athlete commented that often they were held past dinner then had no place to eat. I can COMPLETELY sympathize with that! Let me rewind just a little and start at the beginning shall we?

Auburn band halftime show in 2017

So preparation for football season (we call it 'marching season') begins early in the summer when music is mailed to students. It is probably sent electronically these days. When a band member shows up to band camp, it is expected that the mailed music has been memorized. I memorize poems and other things easily but playing music from memory was a challenge for me. Not to mention that for my freshman year- when I was TERRIFIED of showing up without having it perfectly memorized- I had my wisdom teeth out and could not play for quite a while. Note to others- No one cared what the reasons for not practicing were. So before regular band camp, there is freshman band camp as there is in high school. TERRIFYING. I wish I could impress upon everyone how TERRIFYING older members of the band are to wee little freshmen. Later, of course, it turned out that I was completely afraid of the wrong people. The TERRIFYING folks were the really nice ones. After a couple of days, everyone shows up for band camp. Then it begins full on. There are not many people on campus yet. Mainly its band, cheerleaders, football players and some other student athletes. A few SGA members. Morning practice is usually about 7:00 am. A lunch break somewhere around 11 or 12. Then back at it for the afternoon.  This is in August in south Mississippi, so its hot beyond description. Sometimes there is a dinner break and sometimes dinner is part of the "bonding." At night, sometimes we had a binding activity then more practice. Pitch dark doesn't stop the band from practicing. They just brought in portable lights. Of course, now the practice field has lights. This might go on until 10:00 or so. Then guess what??? Tomorrow is pass-off day when playing your music from memory to an older band member occurs. I cannot impress upon anyone how absolutely terrifying this can be. 

So after band camp is over, its time for the season to start. Practice during a home game week is Tue-Fri for 2-3 hours. Friday practice is a little longer. Friday night, we would do a "pep rally" but the ironic thing was that the pep rally was so late, the football players could not attend because it was after curfew.  Saturday morning, there is a practice VERY early. Then,a few minutes to eat or visit with the parents if they came to the game. We were MUCH  better off living on campus during these days! Then our band would do a concert on the quad. Then it is time for the "parade" (whatever particular "walk" is)- one time, there was some sort of delay with the football players and we stood in the street for over an hour waiting for them. Then we would do the stadium entrance. Then it is time for pregame. At this point, I am going to mention the wearing of a big, heavy band uniform in September in the southeast. After pregame, its time to go in the stands. This takes approximately 27 hours. Play cheer #4 8,214 times. Time for halftime! After halftime, it takes another 27 hours to get back in the stands. Play Cheer #4 another 2,178 times. After the game, we played a post-game concert called Fifth Quarter. Then, we would be released, go back over to the band hall building and collect all of our stuff, then head home. 

We have practiced or played in snow, tropical storms, and with the water on the field covering my feet. In over 100 degree weather and almost zero in a bowl game in Boise, ID. We went to Ireland for the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland. 

Some friends and me in 1998 in Ireland in Killiney Bay on the Irish Sea

Before the parade in Dublin. It was windy and cold.

If it was an away game we were travelling to, the same schedule applies EXCEPT we did not do the pep rally. Only a few times did we travel to a game where we needed to leave Friday night. We left for one game at 3:30 AM on Saturday. Usually it was about 4 or 5 am we would leave for the away game. During my time in the band, we traveled to New Orleans, Memphis, Tallahassee (that one required an overnight trip) Baton Rouge, Tuscaloosa, Knoxville, and Jackson. (On a bus! We had over 300 members, so we took 6 buses. We made an entrance!) The only times we flew were to Boise, ID and Ireland. If our trip involved an overnight trip, we would also play exhibitions on Friday night at a high school local to the university we were playing. We would get back home usually, around 1-2 am on Sunday morning. Then start it all over again the next week. Once, I remember going to a bowl game, and we had to be back on Christmas Day. 

Playing a Fifth Quarter

There were also games where the emotions were hard to keep inside. I cannot find the words to explain what it is like to play an emotionally involved halftime show when there is something special going on. One example, I was in school when Oseola McCarty, a lady in Hattiesburg who washed clothes for others donated her life savings to Southern Miss. We played a special halftime show and the crowd got very involved. It's an emotion I cannot explain. The whole crowd gets into it and you truly get a feeling of being a part of something bigger than yourself. If you want to read more about her, you can read it here:

Oseola McCarty

Our dean of students was killed in an accident while I was in school also. We played a tribute to him as our halftime show. The longtime president of USM retired and we played a special show. When the band can "feel" the emotions of the crowd, it can be quite overwhelming. 

With some friends in the Superdome after an exhibition performance at a Saints game (vs 49ers)

I don't tell this story to compete with any student athlete. I know they have ridiculous schedules. I know MORE is expected out of the student athletes. I tutor some student athletes. I get it.  Keep in mind, thought that most band students have very little, if any scholarship for their time. I was lucky and a had a small scholarship. Since we were on scholarship, we also had to do basketball band- which I loved- but in the time that marching and basketball band crossed over, it could be extremely exhausting. I would not trade anything for my time in the band. The next time you see a band member on game day busting their tail to get across campus toting a bookbag and a large instrument, remember they have had a VERY long day already and will continue to have a long day. I would not change anything at all. I made friends and had experiences that can never be reproduced. It's a whole different experience now to watch the band. I've been out of school for TWENTY years, but watching the band makes me feel like I am still there. (Even if I do mostly go see Auburn's band when I was in the band at Southern Miss)

So, if you ever get the chance, tell your friendly neighborhood band member "thank you!" Thank you to ALL the members of college and high school marching bands!!

Extra Video From Auburn's Opening Day Win

9th ranked Auburn's win over 6th ranked Washington has the Auburn faithful giddy with excitement. It was the first opening day victory over a Top 10 ranked opponent since 1957.

I thought we would share these videos with you so your enjoyment can continue into the start of your work week. 

First up are the highlights of the game from ESPN and Hylights.

Next we have the post game press conferences from Washington, and Auburn featuring Jarrett Stidham, and Darrell Williams. Video courtesy of AL.com

War Eagle!

Auburn Wins Chick-fil-a Kickoff Classic

Two of America's best college football teams played a true slugfest in Atlanta Saturday afternoon. Jatarvious "Boobee" Whitlow saved the Auburn day when he took the handoff from Jarrett Stidham and went right up the gut carrying the Tigers to victory over Washington 21-16. 
Whitlow's first collegiate score came at 6:15 to go in the game. It was the first time Auburn beat a Top 10 team on opening day since 1957.

First the offense looked awesome. Then, not so much. Then looked better.

 Washington's Red Zone defense was stellar in the first half. Auburn's first three drives ended up with just 9 points.

A beautiful pass from Stidham to Sal Cannella at the 11:45 mark in the first quarter in the corner of the end zone capped a hot start from Jarrett, and the Tigers. Stidham ended the day 26 of 36, for 273 yards a TD and zero INT's.

After a couple of drives in and near the Red Zone, Anders Carlson went 2 of 3 on FG's. Then with just 1:23 left in the half. Carlson kicked another FG from 53 yards. A great start for Carlson.

The game was marred by penalties. Over 200 yards of penalties called by the B1G officiating crew.

Auburn rushed for 147 yards, yet never really set the tone with the run game. Give the Husky defensive line a lot of credit, they played a great game.

Auburn's offense finished with 27 first downs and 420 yards. Not too shabby against one of the best defenses in the country last season. 

First the defense looked awesome. Then, not so much. Then looked fantastic.

Last season Washington averaged 36.2 points per game. Saturday the Tiger defense held them to just 16. Less than half! Two turnovers created by the Auburn defense were instrumental in keeping the Huskies in check.

Jake Browning was held to 18 of 32 296 yards with an INT and a TD. The Husky ground game wasn't nearly as effective as many pundits predicted. For the afternoon, Washington was held 80 yards below their average last season.

The premier RB for Washington is Myles Gaskin. Gaskin holds many school records, and he will set more this year. On this day however, Gaskin was held to just 75 yards on 17 carries. 

In the end, Auburn held Washington to just one TD, and created two turnovers. A really good night.

Overall

Special teams looked better. Much better in fact. Anders Carlson looks as though he will have little trouble carrying on the Carlson legacy at Auburn. 

Too many penalties. Many were deserved. Hopefully many were from first game excitement.

The offensive line struggled a little at times. That can be cleaned up though and they will play much better after a couple games.

This was a hard fought game that was won with determination. That is what Auburn is about. So take it. Revel in it. Next week Auburn plays at home.

See you there,
War Eagle!

Auburn wins at the Benz now can we talk about this year?

What a game! I have to say I was absolutely thrilled with our first quarter. We walked out there with the swagger and determination that we were not going to be denied. Unfortunately the next 3 quarters did not go like that BUT our Tigers found a way to win and be strong when they needed to be.

Highlights 😉

• Snapped out of the funk and in the end our guys won the game.
• Receivers caught the balls.
• Special Teams did their job.
• Red Zone Defense ...gave up chunky plays but only allowed 1 TD!
• Our FG Kicker is for real and did great for his first D1 collegiate game against a Top 10 opponent.

Low-lights 😖

• Jarrett got flustered and started to lose his timing, held onto the ball to long and started to get happy feet. Bright side - he settled down in the fourth and lead the team to a Boobie Whitlow TD.
• On Twitter the Gus bashing started before the First Half even ended, seriously stop it, we are not %#^$'n bammers. 😡 Just freaking stop it already.
• Penalties and discipline, not saying Auburn did not commit the penalties but would like consistency from the zebras. 
• The 2 point conversion attempt to start the game. In hind sight it was a ridiculous gamble.

First stamp on the ride this year is a W and we should ALL be happy about that. We are 1 - 0 and we beat the #6 team in the country!

Next game we are at home in Jordan-Hare playing the Alabama State Hornets 🐝 September 8th, 2018 @7:30pm ET

War Eagle y'all and will be following up with the SMART goal recap and next week's SMART goals.

The Player's Paradoxical Commandments

So you all know I am predominately on Twitter tweeting my Auburn tail off. Trying to find things that are interesting, fun and sometimes head shaking. Well I came across a post attributed to anonymous and it was the "Paradoxical Commandments." Funny thing is one of my AUsome followers and Auburn Family member @SurferChicify pointed out it was not anonymous who wrote this but actually was written by a 19 year old Harvard student in 1968. The link is here: Kent Keith the author of the Paradoxical Commandments. All I can say is brilliant and am going to check out his book!

What I have decided to do is adapt those for our Auburn athletes as we are already in another school year. Soccer & Volleyball have started out amazing! We have high expectations for our Football and Basketball teams followed by all of the wonderful spring sports from Equestrian to Golf to all of those ball players!

I am excited for this year and hope as Auburn Family we remain respectful to each other and supportive of our players AND COACHES!!!!! Can we please remember the creed. We love Auburn unlike our little sister to the north that only loves their team when they are winning (proof is their fan base immediately post the Iron Bowl last year when we owned then 26 - 14 and wasn't even close)....

War Eagle and Go Tigers!

The Best Auburn Football Teams

Debate has raged on since the first time someone said "That's the best Auburn football team ever."  The arguments made, and some refuse to budge regardless of new "facts" entered into the conversation.

The 1983 team won the Sugar Bowl by beating Michigan and was denied the title. 

The 1989 team changed the face of Auburn football forever by hosting that hated rival from Tuscaloosa for "The First Time Ever."

The 1993 team went undefeated, with a new head coach and the secure knowledge they would not be playing in a Bowl game due to a postseason ban. 

The 2004 team went undefeated through their schedule and was once again left out of the championship picture. The slight by the BCS Bowl Committee left a sour taste in Auburn.

I have left off so many teams. In a program that has won at the level Auburn has, it's nearly impossible to list all the great teams. That's the making of a book. Not what we try to do here. 

So, what's ahead? The 2018/2019 football season begins. It's time start for our Tigers. I am hard pressed to find a true weakness in this team. The talent level at every position is as good as it has ever been at Auburn. The schedule is as difficult as it has ever been. 

If this team runs the gauntlet undefeated, it will secure a spot among the very best of Auburn teams. Here's to the start of what I believe will be a special season for these Tigers.

War Eagle!

Game 1 - Setting the SMART Goal!

In life there is always one key to getting what you want. Everyone talks about it, you hear it practice, in the classroom, in business, even in gaming! That is to set goals. Without goals you are a rudderless ship in the big ocean of life trying to land somewhere, no predictability, no idea of the outcomes and no clue if you are going to be prepared for what lies beyond once you get there. Don’t get me wrong, enjoy the journey to your goal and be flexible but keep your focus on achieving your goals!

Now this is not any type of rocket science or Mensa level thinking, this is just some straight great stuff that I learned and was taught along my journey. It is pretty simple too, and it is referred to as the SMART goal methodology. Simple, easy to follow. The “S” stands for specific. Make your goals as specific as possible, the more unclear, the more ambiguity and the more wiggle room you give yourself to not achieving it. The “M” is measurable, make your goals have the ability to be measured. You are going to write 10 pages, draw 50% of the drawing, get the framing done, make it measurable. The “A” is attainable. Make sure you can achieve the goal. A goal like; “I am going to Mars” when were not even sure if there is a vehicle to get their yet may not be a great goal. Start reasonable. The “R” is relevant. Make sure your goal matters, to you, your situation, where you want to be and go and that you have passion for it. Finally, the “T” and probably the most important of the five is make it time bound. Goals are not meant to be forever things, have the discipline to give yourself the appropriate amount of time, remember make it attainable but not slack.

So here we go into the 2018 Auburn Football season and here is my Game 1 SMART goal outlook. Hopefully I have a good formula and if the team can achieve the measurements we should be in a good position to achieve the goal…. WIN! Now this is the team goal, but every player should have a set of goals given an opportunity to contribute to the overall team goal. Hope you enjoyed, love all feedback and if this is a game by game graphic you would like to see I will do more.

War Eagle Y’all and much love to my Auburn Family!

@AURobUSA

A Fan's Perspective: Grading Auburn Football Coaches

Auburn Head Coach Gus Malzahn photo via Google images

Before we get started I feel it only proper to say a few things. I have only coached football one year. Back in the early 80's. It was an 8 years old and under team. You get the idea. This is not a technical breakdown, film watching, grading of the coaching staff.

Instead, this is what I have surmised from watching the games, and video segments on YouTube.

Feel free to disagree, and comment as much as you like on social media, or here on our site.

DEFENSE:

 The Auburn defense has steadily improved since the arrival of Kevin Steele. The players praise how simple his scheme is, and how it allows them to play fast and loose. The continuity since Stele's arrival is a real blessing. 2018 should be a banner year for Auburn's defense. 

An analyst on SEC Network said "Auburn may have the 4th best defense in the country." I'll say this right now, Improve throughout this season comparable to the improvement witnessed last season and this will be the best defense in the country!

Coach Rodney Garner has continued to recruit at a high level, and prepared his men for battle in the toughest division in college football. Several have gone on to play in the NFL.

Travis Williams has been nothing short of a Godsend as the Linebacker coach. He has inspired some of his men to play above their potential. Recruiting quality players, and coaching them up to SEC West ability seems to be something Coach TWill can handle.

The secondary coaches are Greg Brown, and Marcus Woodson. These two men have their hands full this upcoming season. Auburn lost talented DB's from last season's position group.

Overall, I believe this group of coaches is on a level comparable to Pat Dye's and Tommy Tuberville's best units. Lofty company, I know.  That's a solid A for a grade.

OFFENSE: 

The offense is where things are more fluid. Last season was Chip Lindsey's first as OC at Auburn. The Tigers took down two number one teams, and came within one quarter of making the CFB Playoff.

That's the good. 

Lindsey continued to run the ball with a much less effective Kerryon Johnson, who was at times injured, while not utilizing the talented group behind Johnson as often as this fan would have liked. Here's where things get tricky. I do not have access to practices, and have never coached any of those young men, so I can not answer as to why this happened.

Is it a lack of trust? Is it a lack of ability? I wouldn't think so, because all of these guys were pretty highly recruited.

Auburn has had success in the past with two and three RB's. Last season however, the two leading carriers each were injured. Kamryn Pettway was injured during the Arkansas game, and Johnson against Alabama.

That's the bad.

Kodi Burns has recruited well, and Auburn's receivers blocked well down field last year. Look for more of the same. 

So many great things have been said about Coach Tim Horton, and still, Coach Horton doesn't get the credit he deserves from the media for his role in the current streak of NINE straight seasons with a 1,000 yard rusher. Think back at the guys that have run the ball under Horton's tutelage (highlighted) since joining Malzahn's staff in 2013. 

1.) 2009 Ben Tate                         1,362 yds.
2.) 2010 Michael Dyer                 1, 093 yds.
3.) 2011 Michael Dyer                 1, 242 yds.
4.) 2012 Tre Mason                      1, 002 yds.
5.) 2013 Tre Mason                      1, 816 yds.
6.) 2014 Cameron Artis-Payne    1, 608 yds.
7.) 2015 Peyton Barber                1, 017 yds.
8.) 2016 Kamryn Pettway            1, 224 yds.
9.) 2017 Kerryon Johnson            1, 391 yds. 

Coach J.B. Grimes has returned to coach the offensive line at what may be the best possible time for Auburn. Grimes will add to the value of the offensive coaching staff from day one. 

The Tight End/H Back coach is Larry Porter. I am interested to see the development of the guys at this position. Auburn has to improve in the intermediate passing game, and that should involve this group. 

Thinking back, it's difficult to imagine an OC coming to Auburn and having a better first year. The talent on this side of the ball is truly amazing. Still, play calling and player rotation lead this writer to grade the offensive staff overall a B plus.  

Combine the two units and we get a very solid grade of A-. 

Throw in the lack of top tier kick return coverage, and sub par punt return coverage, and the grade drops a bit. Auburn finished ranked 109th in punt coverage, and ended the season dead last in Kick Off coverage. Unacceptable!

Factor in losing to UCF in a New Year's Day Bowl last season? This coaching staff barely earned a B minus from this writer. 

Certainly a good grade, and a passing grade. The big question for me is: Can this staff, step up, improve, and take this team to the top? 

Get to the playoffs, while winning the SEC would be an A. Winning it all? A plus! 

Let us hear what you think. 

WAR EAGLE!