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3.11.2008

News of the day, 3/11

Hey everyone. I hope you Montgomery-based peeps enjoyed my brief bit on WMSP-AM with Barry McKnight this morning. I don't like participating in that radio program because McKnight and the other guy think it's trendy to rip the Advertiser on the air.

It's as if that radio program somehow is a bastion of journalistic credibility. Now that I think about it, though, it is pretty credible because the announcers generally recite our stories on the air.

OK, on to football. The Fighting Tigers held an almost two-hour practice this morning amid foggy-ish, overcast conditions. There were some interesting things occurring, which is a big jump up from Monday.

Here are The Things You Need to Know:

DE Antonio Coleman was dressed in pads at practice, participating in what I'd describe as "light running" exercises. He's still dealing with some lingering neck stiffness. All the neurological signs are good. Coleman confirmed that he had spoken with LT Lee Ziemba, whom, depending on your perspective, was directly or indirectly involved in the hit that caused Coleman's temporary paralysis.

"It definitely won't happen again," Coleman said. ``That's all I'm going to say about that."

QB Chris Todd, he of the injured throwing shoulder, participated in throwing drills for the first time in almost two weeks. I can't say he was great or terrible. He wasn't really challenged or anything. OC Tony Franklin didn't seem all that impressed with Todd's work, saying the youngster was at 30 or 40 percent.

Bad news for QB Neil Caudle: Franklin, days after admonishing No. 19 for his interception troubles, threw another shrimp on the barbie Tuesday. Franklin said Caudle is paying too much attention to the rush. That's a bad thing. Franklin was asked why it's such a bad thing.

``If I drop back, then all of the sudden I feel it, and start looking at it, you've got no chance to ever play," Franklin said. ``You've got to feel the rush, and as I feel it, my eyes stay (ahead) as I slide to avoid it. But if you look at it, and try to find a way to avoid it, you can't play. It is not going to happen."

DT Tez Doolittle thinks he will get a sixth year of eligibility. That much is clear. And Auburn has assured Doolittle that he'll have a scholarship if the NCAA allows him to play in 2008. He tore an Achilles tendon during two-a-days last year. Doolittle said he's encouraged by the information he's received so far.

``I'm just waiting. I don't know what all they're saying, but it's looking good," Doolittle said during Pro Day on Monday afternoon. ``When Coach Lutz said I had my scholarship back, I was happy about that. I could have gotten the year back and not gotten the scholarship, then I'd have to pay out of my pocket or go to a school that would have given me a scholarship."

NOTE: Andy Lutz is a high-roller administrative guru.

DT Jake Ricks suffered an injury to his right hand during three-on-three blocking drills mid-way through practice. That's why you don't seem him listed in the one-one-one breakdowns below. Assistant coach Don Dunn said Ricks was headed to the hospital for x-rays.

Here are results from today's one-on-one line drills. Offense was the winner.

Mike Goggans (49) vs. Lee Ziemba (73) -- 73, 49, 73
Tyronne Green (71) vs. Zach Clayton (98) -- 71, E
Mike Blanc (93) vs. Jason Bosley (68) -- 68, 68
Sen'Derrick Marks (94) vs. Byron Isom (57) -- 57, 94
AJ Greene (90) vs. Ryan Pugh (50) -- 50, 50

Ryan Burse (97) vs. Jared Cooper (79) -- 79, 79
Luke Farmer (64) vs. Kyle Coulahan (58) -- 58, 64, 58
Clayton (98) vs. Mike Berry (66) -- 66, 66
Blanc (93) vs. Bart Eddins (53) -- 93, 93 (he was offsides), 53
Greene (90) vs. Andrew McCain (75) -- 90, 75, 90

Burse (97) vs. Lee Tilley (74) -- 97, 97

Antoine Carter (45) vs. Lee Ziemba (73) -- 73, 45
Marks (94) vs. Green (71) -- 94 (outside), 94 (inside), 94 (straight up) **schooled**
Farmer (64D) vs. Jackson Timmerman (64O) -- 64O, 64O
Clayton (98) vs. Isom (57) -- 97, 57 (then Nall calls for the "rubber match"), 57
Goggans (49) vs. Pugh (50) -- 49 (blew him back like a truck hitting an apple cart), 50

NOTE: That next-to-last hit by Goggans on Pugh was the hit of the day for me. Pugh is a good player, no doubt, but Goggans brought a different level of rage to the table there. Pugh quickly regrouped as you'd expect. I'm just saying: Goggans is so much better than he was this time last year.

One of the HOTTIES, Jimmy from the West Coast, passed along this interesting commercial featuring former tight end Frank Thomas, whom I believe had a slightly better career in baseball.




Questions? Comments? You can email me at jgtate@gannett.com or post a comment directly to the blog.

32 Comments:

Blogger Unknown said...

Jay,

I find myself enjoying the one-on-one part of your coverage more than any other. I played both sides of the line in my playing days (and was incredibly mediocre) and it really adds to my enjoyment of the game in the fall as I recognize the players during substitutions, etc. I noted that last spring you were one of the first to champion the current starters on the O-line.

Good job, and thanks for the information.

12:03 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

G, We love the line drill reports...keepem coming. Also, nice job on the entire practice.

12:04 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

To be fair, I was fired from my "gig" at AuburnSports.com before the 2004 season because of widespread subscriber upheaval over a column I wrote.

My offending premise? I said Hugh Nall was an elite offensive line coach. AuburnSports.com subscribers, some of whom frequent this here site, went nuts and demanded my head for making such obviously erratic conclusions.

2:12 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

that's honestly one of the stupidest things i have ever heard. Hugh nall in my opinion is the best position coach auburn has, and i would put in the top 5 or 6 offensive line coaches in the nation. Wow, how much better auburnsports.com would be with a down the middle opinion. I subscribe, i read it, i really do enjoy it, but to me it's more or less informed fans writing the columns.

4:58 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

It's important to point out that it was Will Woods -- not Bryan Matthews or Jeffrey Lee -- who made that decision. And really, I'm glad it went down like that because I learned a lot of lessons.

Lesson 1.) Fans are mighty fickle. Just because Hugh Nall had a terrible season as co-coordinator in 2003 doesn't mean he's a terrible position coach.

Lesson 2.) Will Woods is not a nice person.

5:06 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

hugh nall was over his head trying to run bobby petrino's offense but he didn't forget how to coach the offensive line. I don't know this woods character but i'd be willing to say that auburnsports.com is doing alot better without him there. I've noticed they got a new guy on that site. Are we trying to keep pace with bamaonline's massive staff (i think that saban has a large say in what goes on at that site, he has a say in everything else).

5:22 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

16 ppg. 71% from the field. 39% from the arc. No 1st or 2nd team All SEC selection. This is Quan Prowell.

I don't get getting canned over saying Nall was an elite OL coach? Everybody's been saying that for 4 years. What was the major influence in that decision, Jay?

5:30 PM  
Blogger ADP said...

Ron, I don't know that much about Russian hookers, but I hope they don't cost as much as the ones in New York state.

$5000 PER HOUR!!!!!!! PER HOUR!!!

WHAT????????

What in the world?

5:51 PM  
Blogger ADP said...

I am talking about the recent discoveries about the Gov of NY for those who don't know.

5:53 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

The column on Nall was my fourth column overall. I swear there wasn't a back story on this one -- people were so mad at Nall back then that anyone giving the guy credit was considered an idiot.

I may be an idiot. Believing than Hugh Nall is an elite OL coach isn't the reasoning.

6:06 PM  
Blogger ADP said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

7:24 PM  
Blogger ADP said...

I am trying to avoid being guilty of OVERPOST, but I did want to say this to Jay.

I, for one, have never thought you were an idiot. I have always thought of you as the voice of reason when everyone else has lost their friggin' mind. You are generally right on target about almost everything. I agreed with you then, and I usually agree with you now. For what it's worth.

And no, I don't have a man crush.

7:28 PM  
Blogger scott,will not,from tucson said...

Personally, I believe Nall to be a fine coach for the linemen. He has produced some excellent NFL caliber talent. However, as "co-offensive coordinator" he was quite a bust. That being said, he is a very nice, even funny, guy outside of football. I've often wondered how it would have worked out if he had had all of the play calling authority when his responsibilities included more than linemen. That whipping we got at home from USC (yes, I was there for that one), followed by the whipping we got from Ga. Tech in the year we were predicted, prematurely, to win it all, demonstrated that more diversification was needed in terms of offensive play calling. I wonder how much Nall was responsible for that year. On an unrelated note, I've taken to watching the Eli Stone series on tv. quirky, but interesting. Also, just finished watching the movie "hot Fuzz" movie--brit movie about a hotshot police officer in a small village. hysterical.

7:32 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

Thanks, phred.

Any of you all hear of this cat "Tiger in Montgomery" on the radio? Apparently, he's the anti-HOTTIE and gets on the air (Josh and Doug's show on WMSP) ripping me for, among other things, being fat.

I don't listen to a lot of radio, frankly. Are you all familiar with this dude?

7:33 PM  
Blogger ADP said...

I've heard him, but can't think of a meaningful thing he has ever said.

You want me to send my boy down there?

7:38 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Could be a dude named Robert Strichik. Big time bammer. He's been known to pull those types of stunts off.

What is his character voice?

8:05 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

He's been around a while I think.

You should get Mr. United to handle him for you.

8:06 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

I don't think he needs to be handled. Josh made this guy admit that he's heavier than me, which allegedly ended the "Buffet Jay" rhetoric.

It's bizarre to me how often writers get ripped for their weight. I mean, folks, we live in Alabama. Have you looked around lately?

Not to touch off a bromance or anything, but I'm 5-10/205. It's not like I'm a fatty ...

8:22 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Jay,

I enjoyed your segment on 740 this morning. The only reason I listen anymore is to hear the good guests. Unfortunately, sports talk radio in this state has turned into a pissing contest between Auburn and Bama fans with the hosts being the head cheerleaders.

8:48 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

I feel the same way, Jim, about the sad state of sports-talk in Alabama.

You all know how I feel about Finebaum. It's a shame his show isn't more informative.

I learned all I needed to know a few years ago when Tony Kornheiser, whom I adored, was taken off the air in Montgomery because he wasn't popular.

How dare he discuss pop culture!

8:54 PM  
Blogger ADP said...

Bromance ... that's a good one. I am going to use it from now on. See how informative this blog is?

9:05 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Tiger in Alabama ... the HOTTIE POSSE is gunnin' for you dawg.

9:11 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

5'11" 185 here. If I was 20 lbs heavier you would not call me fat. You're not fat, Jay. You're just an Auburn sized linebacker.

9:44 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

"tiger in montgomery" is probably a virgin

11:27 PM  
Blogger ADP said...

we should tell him about the russian hookers

12:12 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Jay,

Why the Franchione treatment with Longshore's name? Can't say it? What's the low down? They do give you shout outs all the time though.

8:50 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

That's one of the problems I have with Finebaum's show (one problem of many). He doesnt really do anything other than field calls and hang up on people. His show isnt really informative, it's just "Bammers and Barners" screaming at each other.

8:54 AM  
Blogger Taylor said...

ill say this about finebaums show, the interview with jason campbell was awesome (about 2 weeks ago). campbell really represented auburn well.

jay, i didnt know you wrote for auburnsports. they seriously fired you for sayin nall is an elite OL coach?

btw, great frank thoms vid. he still looks so young! its a shame he doesnt get mentioned/honored as much as bo at football games. he was a great one

9:21 AM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

I just like playing around with John Longshore in my own little way. I'm waiting for the day he does something really illuminating and I'm there to see it, you know?

Same for Paul Finebaum. He's an incredibly talented man and a gracious man in person. He runs a hugely successful radio program that, in my mind, doesn't accomplish half of what it could.

You're right -- it often devolves into hours of Auburn vs. Alabama vs. Tennessee fans railing on each other and their schools for hours. It's boring. Paul's talent is so incredibly far beyond that.

Also, I don't know if you heard, but my friend Neal McCready is leaving the Register for the Ole Miss Rivals.com site. I'm having a difficult time wrapping my head around that one because, you know, it's bending the way I see the world. Newspapers really aren't the it place for journalists anymore.

12:19 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Heard about Neal a couple weeks ago pondering this. He will enjoy getting back to the old stomping grounds vs. Alabama centric Mobile. He's definitely a better radio host than he is writer though. Pretty much puts me to sleep in print.

5:17 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

neal seems way too honest to be on a rivals site, much like yourself Jay. I figured he was headed out of alabama the way the WNSP thing went down, i just always thought he would wind up in chicago somehow.

6:07 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

McCready's leaving? Nooooo! I guess the rumors that he's coming back to radio in Mobile on another station weren't true. Was there anything to that, Jay?

1:06 PM  

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