On quarterbacks, 9/3
Hey everyone. We've had a surge of new readers this season. Pageviews are up about 300% of what they were last season. I occasionally get emails about what "HABOTN" means ... why do I refer to male readers as "HOTTIES" ... other stuff.Lemme lay a few things out.
This is the Hottest Auburn Blog on The Net. We call it The HABOTN for brevity. I pronounce it "ha-BOT-un." If you're wondering why I chose hot as the key adjective there, well, that's because it's impossible to disprove.
Anyone who willingly inhales the HABOTN is referred to as a HOTTIE regardless of gender. We have HOTTIES from California. We have HOTTIES in New York. I think we even have HOTTIES in Grenada, which drew 11 hits last week.
So that's the deal.
ON TO BUSINESS:
So we have a new starting quarterback at Auburn. I know this because I read it on the ESPN crawl last night. Amazing.So we're looking at Chris Todd. I agree with several HOTTIES who observed that Todd's arm strength last week was less that exemplary. He looked really good during two-a-days. He didn't look good last weekend. What's the deal? Who knows.
One thing we definitely know: His arm isn't perfect from a structural perspective. His arm strength is going to be inconsistent.
Something else we know: Kodi Burns' injury really isn't that bad. One of my friends, Jeff from Wetumpka, said The WMSP Morning Guys were saying Burns' laceration went all the way to the bone. I don't think so. He was back at practice yesterday and players reported that Burns appeared to be his usual self.
That doesn't sound like someone who is seriously injured.
I believe Burns is going to emerge soon. He's the more dynamic player. He has a stronger arm. He knows the offense. If Chris Slaughter catches that long pass and Rod Smith is in bounds on that almost touchdown last weekend, Burns finishes the game 6-of-9 for 100+ yards and two touchdowns.
I'm supposed to believe Todd still would be this weekend's starter?
VIDEO UPDATE: I'm going to hold off on video today. I'll work up something for you all tomorrow afternoon, then drop another pre-game production before kickoff Saturday. Since it's an early game, I think I'll be able to produce a post-game piece as well.
Photo credit: Todd Van Emst/Auburn University
Questions? Comments? Post directly to the blog below or email me at jgtate@gannett.com.
posted by Jay G. Tate at
1:47 PM
46 Comments:
Glad to see some real honesty about these QBs here in a public forum. I know us fans think we know it all. And we don't. But some of us have been around a long time and some things just aren't that complicated. As I've seen it over years during this Tuberville tenure, on average the things fans scream for most end up coming forth but often times too late. Kenny Irons was one of them. Ronnie Brown was one of them. Blitzing the damn quarterback when you're loaded with primo DEs was one of them.
I just stand comfortable in my opinion that Tuberville likes to keep things complicated. That just seems to be his MO. I think he likes it when the perception is that he swoops in and takes over the autonomy he's given to his coordinators and saves the day with the obvious coaching move.
Barber declined medical redshirt???
That stuff is so random!
Ok. What if I said I had bad gas? I do. I have terrible gas today and it's kind of a layover from the weekend. Hurricanes bring out the best in country cooking. You never know when it's your last comfort dining session.
So..
Crudup for Pres ...
Who said Barber declined a redshirt season?
The NCAA rejected his request, meaning he's now a senior.
Didn't see the game but listened to it on the radio. How many droppped ints did the LaMonroe defense have with Todd at QB? I thought I heard at least two that should have been picks.
Jay, that's all the same, right? I mean, the end result is that he lost his junior season. That sucks.
Either way, yes, Vot's junior season is a memory.
He was minutes -- literally a few minutes -- past the NCAA's redshirt threshold. It's incredibly bad luck ... though Frenchy is the Master of Disaster.
As far as Todd's INT situation ... I remember one pass that was truly hideous. The linebacker just dropped it. I don't remember the second "almost interception," though I may have missed it late in the game. I was writing.
Has anybody noticed how not that big of a deal has been made of "Frenchy" being injured. Didnt you write that he was maybe auburns most dynamic reciever. How big of a loss is it really. I know if recievers keep going down it isnt going to matter who throws the ball. But really how bad is his loss to us?
He is remarkably fast, which is always a useful trait. He also looked skilled to me as well, which is useful.
I think he would have been a really good No. 2 outside guy this season.
I'll tell you, this LaVoyd James kid from Williamson High School in Mobile and LaDarius Perkins are lighting, I mean lightning fast! In Perkins' first game he only rushed 5 times. But he tallied about 240 yards and two TDs. He also added a third 70 yard punt return TD. Check Perkins out on youtube. He's got one extremely high gear that doesn't seem to burn out on long runs.
I was curious why in the world we would offer 3 or 4 guys that appear to be the same player. After seeing James last Friday in person now I understand. Perkins is already kind of an internet sensation. He has tons of highlights at youtube. Both of these guys are in the 5'9" or 5'10" range if they're lucky.
a.) That kind of player is what Franklin's offense needs.
b.) Auburn offers 4; expects one or two to accept.
They've all accepted but I'm sure one or two drop. Brandon Heavens is wishy washy. I hate talking about recruiting right now but I'm just looking at what I saw last week and trying to make sense of what the offense will need.
Like Jay said, that's it. It needs tons of speed, high revving motors, and good hands. But then who will get the ball to them and how?
I think Kodi Burns is going to be fine. He's still a young 'un. He's far more advanced than Jason Campbell was at this stage.
Remember how awful Ben Leard was a sophomore? I mean, this is how things go ... when you're not dealing with a kid like Timothy Tebow.
That's true, Jay. Both Ben and Jason were treated poorly around town when they had their bad times. Ben had notes on his door, horrible voice messages, etc. Terrible stuff. And, you're right about Kodi. He is in a more advanced place mentally as opposed to JC at the same time. Which coach was it that helped JC with his mechanics from junior and senior seasons? Borges? Ensminger?
Check out this article on Rudi. Pretty funny stuff....
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080903/BLOG21/80903043/1048/sports
I totally agree Jay! Kodi was clearly moving the offense better. You also have to consider his sixty-something rushing yards.
Also, if the cut had gone all the way to the bone, he wouldn't be "questionable." He would be "out."
Also, he wouldn't have gotten up and jawed after the run. He didn't even know he was hurt until he LOOKED DOWN to straighten his sock. I doubt he'd have walked to the locker room either. I'll bet Tubs is just using cautious language in case it gets infected or something before Saturday.
Jay G,
Have you heard anything about Chaz Ramsey? Rumors say that he may be looking to transfer, if so, where would he go?
I haven't heard that about Chaz.
Good. Thanks...love the blog.
Why would Chaz transfer? He's hurt. He's not been replaced.
There are 2 storys on AL.com about the rumors of him transfering. CTT was asked about it and said he heard the rumors but didnt know for sure. Sounds weird
I wasn't up there today.
I have talked with two coaches about Ramsey this week ... and they told me he was in school.
I've digested as much information as most would care to regarding the QB debate and am still left with no real explanation as to why Todd is in front this coming weekend. Especially, after reading that his arm still looks inconsistent in practice this week.
I'll save you a seat on the "Franklin/Tubs QB Rift" bandwagon
What is with this Ramsey rumor of him leaving?
Crudup, how's your constitution this evening?
They said Ramsey was in school, but did they say which school? Oh, and the other rumor is that the reason you weren't in Auburn today is because you were too busy absconding Rudi's drawers.
Jay,
after watching the game and digesting the information my thoughts are this: CTF's spread has to have the threat of a running QB, Kodi Burns gives them that best shot. Chris Tood arms was no better than the last QB we had for 3 years that could not throw deep, on time or with any velocity, no offense to BC. Kodi will be the starter come the MSU game and never give it up for the next three years unless he gets injured, mark my words.
Phred, my constitution has cleared up quite a bit. That stuff eventually wears itself out.
I'm diggin the Replubican Nat'l Convention this evening.
The ladies had JFK and Clinton. We may get this sweet looking chick as a VP.
Mrs. Sarah is hot, no doubt.
She's also a little out there ... I mean, she wants creationism taught in schools?
I'm not into politics, though.
I just want gas prices lower, XBox games xheaper and free Apple laptops once per year.
I gotta get one of the elusive Apple laptops. I want to be in with the in crowd and I'm not. I want to be an Apple guy. I've never known anything but Microsoft.
Give me 3 of the biggest differences in Apple and MS, Jay?
Convince me.
I just heard that Ladarius Perkins had 5 carries for 234 yards in his frist game. I am having a hard time digesting this information.
To your point about Palin being a little out there. A tad. John M? A tad more. But being out there a tad is great. I can't hang out with anybody that's not a tad weird.
Perkins is a speeding bullet. He's like a bigger version of Noel Devine. So he's only about 5'9" 180lbs. But he goes one speed and one speed only- full blast. Youtube the kid. It's fun stuff. I hope Croom Doom doesn't steal him away.
he's looking at miss state?
They're trying toi lure him.
He's thinking about a visit. I can tell him what it looks like. Ugly.
Boys, I gotta know. What about either of them is "out there"?
I don't want to start a political debate, but I did want to say this.
Scientifically, and yes I am serious, creationism is as relevant as evolution and the big bang theory. Adherence to either one requires the exact same common denominator ... faith.
I'm cool with faith. Very cool.
Leave it to the church.
I agree for the most part, except for this. School is about learing all the "theories." Flaws and all, and then making choices. It's why I am glad I don't live in China.
All I am going to say in the open forum, but remind me to read you the last line of Origin of the Species by Charles Darwin, a book I have read.
Last thought on it. I think you missed my point about faith. Faith is not a religious idea. It is what is required to believe in something you can't prove ... like religion ... or theories.
or the spread offense. :-)
had to throw that one in because I knew Crudup would be dying to say it.
Ha! Beat me to it, Phred.
I have Faith. My faith is understood word for word in the Holy Bible. But I'm no better than anybody else out there. I just keeps it real.
i have faith in the spread. 'i believe, i believe!'
can I call this blog His HABOTNess, of HABOTNer or el HABOTNerino, since I'm not into this whole brevity thing?
I'm not Jeffrey Lebowski. I'm The Dude. So that's what you call me.
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home