News of the day, 9/3

Hey everyone. Auburn begins practice today around 4 o'clock. I expect it to be a pretty long session. I'll have fresh information available at 9 p.m. or so.

Auburn picked up a pair of commitments this morning. Check below for details.

In case you were wondering, that picture over there is of the one and only Brad Lester celebrating with TE Gabe McKenzie. He can roam the sidelines. Can't play. I'd hate to be in that position as a junior -- practice all week, spend Saturday watching everyone else have fun.

Thanks, as always, for ingesting another invigorating dose of the HOTTEST Auburn blog on the 'net.

Auburn nabbed two more 2008 commitments during the weekend, and both are from Miami. WR Harry Adams, from Dillard High in Ft. Lauderdale, picked the Tigers over Florida, Florida Stae and LSU among others. Adams (6-0, 175) was a track-only athlete until his junior season, when he began applying his speed to football. He ran a 4.3 40-yard dash at Auburn this summer.

George Baker of Miami's Archbishop High also committed after the Kansas State game. Recruiting services list him as an "athlete," but he's expected to play defensive back at Auburn. He has competing offers from LSU, Kansas State, Ole Miss and Rutgers.

Auburn now has 11 commitments. Three other JUCO/prep-school players -- defensive end Raven Gray, defensive tackle Tim Pugh and tailback Enrique Davis -- are expected to sign with the Tigers as well.

Each week, Auburn defensive coaches closely track some statistical markers they consider critical to success. Here is a look at the defensive goals:

Win: YES, 23-13
Allow 13 pts or less: YES, 13
Allow 3.3 yards per carry or less: YES, 2.6
Allow 5.0 yards per pass or less: YES, 4.45
Create at least 3 turnovers: YES, 3
Allow no big plays (defined as 15+ rush or 20+ pass): NO on run (1); NO on pass (1)
Allow no TDs inside "red area": YES
Force opponent to convert less than 30% on 3rd down: YES, 28%

Also, KSU's YAC (yards after catch) number was 124

Auburn's defensive coaches track their players' individual levels of productivity closely. Points are awarded for good things, taken away for mistakes or loafing. Here are the Tigers' top 10 performers from the KSU game:

DE Antonio Coleman, 34 points
DT Pat Sims, 29
DE Quentin Groves, 24
CB Pat Lee, 24
DT Josh Thompson, 19
CB Zach Gilbert, 18
S Zac Etheridge, 14
LB Tray Blackmon, 12 (only played 1/2 the game)
LB Chris Evans, 12
CB Eric Brock, 10
DE Sen'Derrick Marks, 10

Auburn fans who showed outrage over QB Brandon Cox's omission from the Davey O'Brien Award Watch List now can affect that. The award now includes fan voting. If you think Brandon is worthy of being named America's Best College Quarterback, you can vote once per day.