Practice report: 8/19

Hey everyone. We've got some big news involving Gabe McKenzie. See below.

• Gabe McKenzie has been moved to defensive end. He'll be working on the strong side behind Michael Goggans. It's obvious now that coaches are concerned about Raven Gray's immediate availability.
  
  
• That means DT Sen'Derrick Marks will be staying right where he is. That was the alternative plan, though now DT Jake Ricks now is struggling with some physical problems. Losing Marks in the middle would have made that the team's thinnest position. Plus, Marks is a tackle and it's time for him to play at the correct spot.
  
  
• Here is Tuberville implausible official statement on how McKenzie's move was received by coaches: ``He came to me. It was kind of a surprise to all the other coaches when I went and told them that we had somebody moving to defensive end."
  
  
• Darrell Roseman has been moved to guard. He had been playing at defensive tackle.
  
  
• I heard TE Vance Smith's name today. He's a freshman. He's now the de facto No. 2 tight end behind Tommy Trott, though that doesn't mean what it used to under Tony Franklin. Tight ends and inside receivers are grouped together.
  
  
• Bailey Woods, who is a second-year tight end, apparently will be vying only for special-teams responsibilities.
  
  
• TE Brent Slusher was at practice today for the first time this year. He's been out with what coach Tommy Tuberville referred to as physical "issues."
  
  
• Jomarcus Savage's shoulder injury isn't considered serious. Still, he's going to miss at least a week at a time when missing a week is a big deal.
  
  
• Tuberville said there has been no word on TB Reggie Hunt's status.
  
  
• Auburn has made true freshmen off-limits to the media until after the Louisiana-Monroe game. If you want daily updates on Frenchy or Neiko Thorpe or Harry Adams or Barrett Trotter ... you'd better consult the Ouija board.
  

Photo credit: Todd Van Emst/Auburn University