News of the day, 8/6

Hey everyone. It's been a pretty busy morning and early afternoon.

Here's what is happening:

*WR Chris Slaughter (pictured at left) has been cleared by the NCAA. He was one of the highest-valued members of the Tigers' 2007 signing class. He missed summer workouts and the first five days of camp, which is detrimental to his chances for playing time. Coaches are saying he has a chance to play right away. I don't buy it.

*LB Steve Gandy suffered a concussion during practice Saturday and now seems resigned to give up football. He walked the sidelines quietly today in his No. 26 jersey and shorts. It was the fourth concussion of Gandy's three-year Auburn career. I'll have more on this in Tuesday's editions of the Advertiser.

*I heard Hugh Nall tell Mike Berry that he's the No. 1 guy at right tackle now. That was mid-way though today's practice. Then Oscar Gonzalez took most of the RT snaps during an 11-on-11 drill that concluded the workout. Then Tuberville said at his 1 o'clock press conference that Berry is the leader at right guard. I have no idea what's going on. They need someone to start playing ball at right tackle. I haven't seen a whole lot from anyone at that position.

*Tommy Tuberville hilariously said he expects Brent Slusher, recently moved from TE to DE, to play this season. No way this happens. I'll bet my house on it.

*There were more one-on-one blocking drills today. Here are your matchups and my pick for winner. Most of these matchups are for two plays; I'll indicate at right which player won each play of the series:

Quentin Groves (54) vs. Oscar Gonzalez (78) -- even, 54.
Pat Sims (95) vs. Leon Hart (72) -- 72, even.
Josh Thompson (97) vs. Jason Bosley (68) -- 97, 68.
Mike Blanc (93) vs. Tyronne Green (71) -- 71, 71.
Sen'Derrick Marks (94) vs. King Dunlap (77) -- 94, even.

Antonio Carter (45) vs. Andrew McCain (75) -- 45, 75. That first one was an easy win.
Brent Slusher (35) vs. Mike Berry (66) -- 66, 66. Dominating.
Zach Clayton (98) vs. Nate Farrow (65) -- 98, 98.
Tez Doolittle (99) vs. Jordan Timmerman (64) -- 99, 99.
A.J. Greene (90) vs. Bryon Isom (57) -- 90, 57. Great matchup there.
Mike Goggans (49) vs. Antwoin Daniels (70) -- 49, 49, 70.

Brandon Haley (93) vs. Lee Ziemba (73) -- 93, 73, 93, 93. Ziemba hung in there overall.
Blanc (93) vs. Bart Eddins (53) -- 93.
Clayton (98) vs. Isom (57) -- 98.
Greene (90) vs. Chaz Ramsey (76) -- 90, 90. First one was an easy win.
Bryant Miller (51) vs. Jared Cooper (79) -- 79, even. Really nice effort from Cooper.

Groves (54) vs. Berry (66) -- even, 54. Beat him badly with an outside speed rush.
Sims (95) vs. Hart (72) -- 95, 95.
Thompson (97) vs. Ramsey (76) -- 97, 97. Ramsey was at center. Not his usual position.
Blanc (93) vs. Green (71) -- 93, 71.
Marks (94) vs. Dunlap (77) -- 77, 77. Dunlap was strong.

Carter (45) vs. Gonzalez (78) -- 45, 45. Nall was quite upset.
Doolittle (99) vs. Farrow (65) -- 99, 99.
Greene (90) vs. Timmerman (64) -- 90, 90.
Clayton (98) vs. Isom (57) -- 98, 98. Isom led early both times but Clayton had great second effort.
Goggans (49) vs. Daniels (70) -- even, even.

Slusher (35) vs. Ziemba (73) -- 73.
Bo Harris (40) vs. Ziemba (73) -- 73, 73. That earned some praise from Nall.