Auburn update, 1/19

Hey everyone. OT Lee Ziemba of Rogers, Ark., committed to Auburn today at a morning press conference. Rivals.com and Scout.com both list him as one of the nation's top-5 OTs and the kid was one of Auburn's top targets from the beginning.

He and TB Enrique Davis will end up being the so-called "crown jewels" of this recruiting class. Remember, though, that Uncle Jay says Chris Slaughter (a re-sign from 2006) is the diamond in the rough here. He'll play next season.

Ziemba will have a chance to start at RT next season. He'll probably have to beat out Leon Hart, a former crown jewel, for the spot. There aren't many OTs who can thrive as freshmen. Even Marcus McNeill struggled his first season. So it would be wise to temper the short-term expectations a tad.

If you want to get all excited about someone, I'd direct that at Mario Fannin. He's been practicing for a year.

Auburn update, 1/18

Hey everyone. I just finished watching "The Office" (my favorite show) and all I can say is: Wow.

What an episode. Can't decide on my favorite like this week.

Loved it when Michael told Oscar: "Your gayness is not what defines you. Your Mexican-ness is what defines you." It's a brilliant show, certainly worth a little of your time if you haven't yet seen it. Thursdays, 7:30, on NBC.

To Auburn items:

• Lee Ziemba, the 6-foot-7 offensive lineman from Rogers, Ark., will hold a press conference on Friday morning to announce his college decision. I'll be shocked, floored, flabbergasted if he doesn't choose Auburn. There has been a lot of turmoil at Arkansas during the past few days. OC Gus Malzahn left Arkansas to become co-coordinator at Tulsa (of all places) and top QB Mitch Mustain, the program's offensive future, has elected to transfer. Getting Ziemba would be a major recruiting victory for the Tigers. He's been at the top of their offensive wish list for a long time. He'll be given a chance to start next season at RT and that isn't lip service. If he performs, he'll play.
• Several football players stopped by the Auburn-Tennessee basketball game on Wednesday night. Attendees included DE Quentin Groves, WRs Prechae Rodriguez and Robert Dunn, DE Alonzo Horton, DT Mike Blanc and OT Oscar Gonzalez. They congratulated the basketball players as they exited the court, which was fun to see. I've also found it interesting how athletes from different sports become friends. Sports Illustrated occasionally runs a featured called "My Best Friend In Another Sport" and it's my favorite part. Gonzalez must be a big basketball fan; he's always there.
  
• I was surprised that Auburn was able to rally from a 14-point deficit to win the game against Tennessee. The defense was really good in the second half, which was unexpected. If coach Jeff Lebo can get F Josh Dollard to quit taking so many weird shots -- and get more consistency from G Rasheem Barrett -- the team has a chance to make the NIT.
• The women's basketball team will be fighting an uphill battle for the rest of the season. C Keshonda "KeKe" Carrier broke a bone in her left foot and is out indefinitely. That really compromises the Tigers' interior defense. G/F Sherell Hobbs has been playing really well lately. She and G/F DeWanna Bonner are my two favorite basketball players to watch. They have so much fun out there, and they play with a ton of enthusiasm. I just can't get over how thin Bonner is, yet she plays with a total disregard for her body. She's awesome.
  
• Groves' decision to stay at Auburn next season made perfect sense. He's going to be a linebacker in the NFL, and he needs to show scouts that he can handle the position at this level.
• My friend Jeff, fellow Bell Road Y exerciser, refers to former Alabama coach Mike Shula as a cactus. As in: "That cactus couldn't coach a J.V. team." I love it. I'll always picture Shula as a cactus now; green and prickly.