News of the day, 9/11
Hey everyone. It's 9/11, which will be a confusing date for all of us for the rest of our lives. Hard to believe that was six years ago.
On to less significant but more enjoyable topics ...
Auburn held a nearly two-hour practice this morning. I think there was a lot going on there, but the media isn't permitted inside. Let's just say there are many questions to be asked of Tommy Tuberville at his 1 o'clock press conference. See below for details.
Thanks for seeking another fill of the HOTTEST Auburn blog on the 'net.
Looks like the Tigers may do something different at quarterback. Backup Blake Field threw out a surprising "no comment" when asked if the team was making changes. Then wideout Rob Dunn indicated that Kodi Burns, the freshman quarterback, apparently was taking on a more high-profile role with the offense today. Needless to say, Tuberville will be fielding a lot of questions about this situation soon. I'll run my "Tuesdays With Tommy" segment here around 1:30. Check back then for up-to-the-minute details.Here are your weekly "Tuesdays With Tommy" quotes.*On Auburn in general: "This team needs work, obviously, in some areas."
*On Brandon Cox: "Brandon Cox is our quarterback. He will be our quarterback. I'm proud of him."
*On the team's emotional state: "The attitude is great."
*On punter Ryan Shoemaker: "Ryan is out this week. We have all confidence in Patrick Tatum."
*On kicker Wes Byrum: "Byrum could kick off this week."
*On the USF loss: "We've lived on the edge for three years. This one got by us."
*On MSU coach Sly Croom: "If Sylvester Croom is on the hot seat, we need to look around and check ourselves. Here's a guy that came in and took over a program that was dismantled, out of control, that needed some leadership in their football program, and bring some dignity and character back to it. He has definitely done that."
*On the job Croom has done: "He brought some dignity back to that program."
*On Tray Blackmon: "I don't want him to go unless he's full speed. There's no reason."
*On Merrill Johnson: "Merrill, he's probably doubtful."
*On moving some WRs around: "We're moving some guys around to different positions to get some better matchups."
*On not being a "riverboat gambler" after wasting the final 30 seconds of regulation time against USF: "I'm a gambler, but I'm not that much of a gambler. You've got to pick and choose. We ran the ball to see if we could get something. After we didn't get much, I pulled the plug. That wouldn't be gambling. That would have been suicide."
Here are your top defensive producers from the USF game, followed by your overall top defensive producers:FROM USF GAME:
LB Chris Evans -- 45
DE Quentin Groves -- 33
DE Sen'Derrick Marks -- 31
CB Jerraud Powers -- 22
FS Eric Brock -- 21
OVERALL:
Evans -- 57
Groves -- 57
DE Antonio Coleman -- 51
Marks -- 41
Brock -- 31
Here are your team defensive goals for the USF game:Win: NO, 23-26
Allow 13 pts or less: NO, 26
Allow 3.3 yards per carry or less: YES, 3.3
Allow 5.0 yards per pass or less: NO, 5.37
Create at least 3 turnovers: NO, 0
Allow no big plays (defined as 15+ rush or 20+ pass): NO on run (3); NO on pass (3)
Allow no TDs inside "red area": YES
Force opponent to convert less than 30% on 3rd down: YES, 27%
Also, USF's YAC (yards after catch) number was 130
posted by Jay G. Tate at
11:26 AM
20 Comments:
Can we expect Kodi to come through with a "Tim Tebow-like" jump pass? Everyone would that that's cool. Also, what if they put Jerraud at quarterback?
You're thinking of Jerrard.
I still think Gilbert is the best option.
Jay,
As an Auburn Tiger (and former Gannett employee…but that is besides the point) living outside of Alabama I really enjoy your great blog. Please keep up the good work and keep 'em comin'
Mark in Baton Rouge
Thanks, Mark. Check is in the mail.
I really hope that Burns can become the starter. I hear he's something special.
If we lose to MSU, I would guess all bets are off regarding any spot in the lineup, starting with QB.
By the way, when can we stop talking about all the games Cox has "won?" With very few exceptions, many of those games were won by the defense and special teams in spite of Cox. He seems like a great kid and very hard worker but, contrary to what Tubs said before the season, he will NOT be playing on Sundays. He WILL be selling insurance.
I don't consider "wins" as a football statistic, which is why you never see me write a word about how many games Cox has "won." Football is the most team-oriented game out there. Individuals don't win football games.
That's my view. Other writers whom I respect disagree with me, but this is my blog. The HOTTEST blog.
As far as Burns being the starter, I don't think that's going to happen. If he plays, it'll be in a more peripheral role. I understand the logic of giving your future star a chance to develop, but Auburn is 1-1 right now. It has an outstanding defense. The season is far from tanked. There's no need for Tuberville to wave the white flag at this point.
Agree on Burns. He can't be the full -time QB, from everything I have read. I would love to see Caudle and Burns get some snaps in games this year, though. There is no need for this team to go into next season with a QB who has never taken a meaningful snap in a game before and if those guys are going to compete for the starting job in the future, let's see how they do in a game.
Well, it doesn't seem like we're running a wide-open offense right now. Is it not knowing the plays that is keeping Burns from starting, or is he just too young and not ready to lead a football team. If he played a lot in the next two games, would he be ready for SEC play?
If Caudle hadn't gotten hurt, he'd already have game experience. I believe that. You also wouldn't hear much about Kodi Burns.
The main problem with Kodi, in my eyes, is that he hasn't been around the game long enough. He's been playing college ball since 8/2. Imagine being hired as a bank teller on 8/2 and being promoted to region vice president on 9/15. You'd be hopeless. You gotta see how bank operations work first.
As Greg Knox would say: LAWST.
Croom brought dignity back to MSU football. Wow. Who knew?
I hope our (MSU) next coach brings winning back to MSU.
Good analogy on Burns. I would say in real terms it means having a thin playbook with no audibles.
So you think Caudle would have played already? Doesn't say much for Field, in that case. Is Caudle close to being healthy?
Tuberville loves taking shots at Jackie Sherrill.
Caudle was cleared for full contact on Sunday. He's probably two weeks from being back to where he was before the shoulder injury. He has to get back in the groove, get his timing back, etc.
Wait. You think football is more team oriented than polo? Or even nigerian jai alai? And I agree with CPF. the key to this team is Gilbert.
Jay,
Who's got the best chance of playing? Field, Caudle (when healthy) or Burns? Or none of above?
Also, keep up the good work. Serious fans love the straight, objective dope with no sugar coating.
SO HOW WOULD YOU INVISION THEM USING BURNS JAY?
I think the "No red zone td's" goal was not met - the td in OT scrimmaged from the 14.
Also, no one has mentioned the Kazahkastani curse hexed upon Auburn this past weekend by Borat, the USF fan at the game in the shiny green singlet. There oughtta be a law against that!
D in ATL
I didn't see the Borat look-alike at the game. I'm pretty bummed about that. I love me some Borat Sagdiyev.
You bring up a good point about the OT touchdown. My guess on that (and I'll ask Will the next time I see him) is that OT doesn't count because the other team starts at the 25. Not much red-zone wiggle room there.
As far as Burns goes, I think he'll play in some manner. I don't expect him to play a big role. I'll expound upon this in today's blog.
Keep in mind USF and K-State aren't W. Carolina and Vandy. These are two pretty good football teams, that the experience of playing early should come in handy later in the season, or so I hope.
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