Wednesday wrangling, 9/24
Hey everyone. Just got back from a mind-freeing workout at the gymnasium and I'm now ready to serve you, the HOTTIES, in various ways throughout the afternoon and early evening.How will I do this?
I'll be blogging, taking your calls, producing a video and writing several stories for the Advertiser's weekly "GameDay" section, which I hope you have been savoring each Saturday. As always, we have several items to discuss.
- As I mentioned in today's story, my friend Bryan Matthews of AuburnSports.com has put the kibosh on new threads about Chris Todd and Kodi Burns. It was getting pretty raucous over there throughout the day Sunday. B-Matt finally had enough. So my question is: Why is everyone so up in arms about this?
Why all this angst over the quarterback? You all know I'm not really pro-Todd or anything, but he was at least passable against LSU. He wasn't the problem. - As far as Burns goes, I think he's going to have a better chance to play this weekend. I tried to get answers about why Burns hasn't been summoned lately. I didn't get any information worth relaying. I can say that Tony Franklin is making the personnel decisions and, despite chatter to the contrary, Tuberville isn't micromanaging anything. He's letting Franklin work ... as promised last December.
- I'm still getting questions around town and via email asking if Burns' lack of playing time lies in not understanding Franklin's offense. I am 100 percent certain that is not the case. Aptitude and attitude are two of Burns' biggest strengths.
- It's odd how Antonio Coleman said yesterday that Auburn misaligned "90" percent of the time. Tuberville indicated it happened approximately 10 percent of the time. I'm no math whiz, but that's a big disparity.
- I stopped by to talk with an offensive assistant yesterday. His first question to me: "Are they ready to run us out of town yet?" He was only kidding, I think.
- Chris Todd was unusually chatty yesterday. I've never seen him so ... up.
- Three cheeriest guys on the team:
- 1.) Tez Doolittle
- 2.) Brad Lester
- 3.) Sen'Derrick Marks
- 1.) Tez Doolittle
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
11:23 AM
62 Comments:
Jay,
Has there been any talk as to why we didn't attempt a FG before the 7yard punt? I know that it would have been a 51 yarder, but Wes made one from 52 against USM. I understand that the D was dominant in the 1st half, but that would have given us a 2 TD lead. Was this just another case of Tubs conservatism?
How long will it take for someone to say "Todd was so chatty because he knows Franklin would never demote him to back up" or words to that effect?
Has there been any discussion at all about what needs to be done to get the running game moving forward?
I'm done with the QB "controversy" talk. There is no controversy unless you still listen to Prince. Todd's the starting QB and he looked better vs LSU than he has in 3 previous games. Kodi will play. And he's always one snap away anyway.
Jay was the rest of the staff convinced of the Franklin System as much as CTT? Ziemba and the o-line look like fish out of water back on their heels pass-blocking so much and the running game is non-existent. I cant believe Coach Nall is enthused about seeing shot-gun formations on plays inside the 5-yard line.
The running game wasn't "non-existent" in games before LSU. Look, that's a really god ball club with some truly outstanding defensive players and a truly outstanding OL.
I mean, there isn't a ton of shame in losing to that team.
It's like Auburn lost to Louisiana-Lafayette or something.
Bo ... speakin the truth as usual.
So Coach Nall and the other assistants are as convinced as CTT on the new offense? I'm just curious as it seems so much different from past schemes and Nall AND CTT both seemed happy to line up and run what they wanted and see if the other team could stop it. I'm not saying one or the other is the best way it just seems like a huge leap of faith for the coaches as well as the players. Does that question make more sense?
They all just want to win and, yea, they believe this offense can make that happen.
Franklin is respected among the staff, if that's what you mean. He's pretty receptive to suggestions made by other guys along the Coaches Hallway.
I'm not really in on the QB controversy. My only question with Todd is will his arm hold up? We know it isn't back to full strength and may not get back there. Do you think he makes it through the season or does it get worse as the season plays out?
Jay, our running game wasn't exactly explosive against Mississippi St. either, and the next week Georgia Tech ran all over them. I agree that we were playing one of the best defenses in the country, but it's clear our running game has problems of its own. Tubberville said he wants more consistency in the running game, I'm wondering what he's going to do to get that consistency. Run different plays, or hope for better execution?
on Todd's arm: I think it slowly worsens as the season wears on.
on the running game: They'll keep going at it like this and hoping for better execution. LSU, as I said earlier, has an outstanding defense. It's not reasonable to abandon and entire offensive approached based on one poor outing against an elite defense.
I'm really not trying to be a schoolmarm here. I guess the dissent here comes from the fact that I don't view seasons as linear events.
So what if GT whipped MSU's butt last week? What does that have to do with anything? I see each game as its own entity -- complete with trends that may or may not mirror prior performance.
If Alabama rushes for 80 yards this week at UGA after trampling Arkansas last week, does that mean they need to re-think their approach?
I was just pointing out that Auburn's running game has had trouble with teams other than LSU. I wasn't suggesting that we abandon the entire offensive approach, I just found that comment by Tubs interesting, I thought he may want to change a few things. Maybe have two backs and get some direct snaps to the halfback. Ronnie Brown had like 5 TD's with that this weekend. I just thought we may see a few twists with the running game since it has been somewhat struggling. Not a complete 180.
Jay G...
I know it's waaay early for this conversation, but do you have any perception about which Juniors might bolt early for the NFL?
I mean if we can keep SenDerrick, A.C., Tray, and Jarraud around for another year, we ought to have a pretty good D in 09, right?
What's the odds?
My early guess, based on no real information, is that Sen'Derrick and Coleman will leave for the NFL.
I think their stock will be very high.
I think NFL teams will be skeptical of Jerraud Powers' size and speed relative to other defensive backs. So my guess is that he'll stay.
I have the same opinion -- using the same reasoning -- of Blackmon.
It looks like Hawthorne is returning a punt in that picture...
I still don't get it. Todd is a vast improvement over Cox. The coaches and players have seen both QBs in action all summer. I remember Burns from last year and I don't see any improvement in his game time performance. It is like the world is moving in fast forward to him. I still see the same QB that I saw last year in the Tn Tech game. There is a thing in sports that is the undefinable "it". Burns, right now in his career, does not have "it." Todd does.
Additionally, in regards to scores of other teams. You simply can't compare scores. Match ups are different, game plans are different, there are too many variables. Real games are not some computer geek game that will be consistent every week. They are just not.
I must feel the need to be frustrated by some of the posters here. I don't see a QB controversy.
I guess with a team that has the expectations of an Auburn you want more out of your QB than "at least passable".
I do agree that Todd doesnt do anything to really harm us, but he doesnt pose a threat to any defense. There were some throws that Lee made on Saturday that were on the button, on a rope 25 yards downfield. He hit his receiver in stride and gave him some field to work with. todd doesnt possess that. Our receivers have to stop to catch Todd's ball and by that time a defender is on them.
Bottom line is you cant win consistently with a QB who poses no running threat and cant get the ball more than 30 yards downfield without it looking like a punt.
Hey, Denny Crum. How is retirement treating you?
Todd's arm isn't quite that bad. He's short of Jarrett Lee, no doubt, but I'm certain Todd can make throws that Brandon Cox couldn't.
He also works well outside the pocket. I was surprised.
RE: Outside the pocket.
I do agree with that. I was really curious as to why they didnt do that more.
the ESPN announcers even talked about that when i watched the replay yesterday. they said how much better he and the offense looked.
if only they had rolled him out on that last series when ziemba was looking for a hot dog vendor....
LZ thought a back was supposed to pick up that guy, so he blocked down.
More of that "miscommunication" Auburn keeps talking about.
i'm assuming 'communication' has been a pretty hot topic this week on both sides of the ball, eh?
denny
there is no way you can make a legitimate claim that Kodi doesnt have "it". he has not been given a real shot to play and show how he can play this year. practice is different than under the lights, just ask billings. my bet is that if auburn had give the keys to the car to kid from the start, auburn would be playing at a higher level right now offensively. defenses would have more to concern themselves with and CTF could do a whole lot more. this offense depends on having a dual threat QB. Chris Todd is not one.
I think the main reason people are so frustrated with the QB situation is that Auburn is a big time program with a mediocre JUCO transfer QB. If you look at most of the tops teams, the QBs of those teams are players that everyone talks about about as some of the best in the country ie Chase Daniel, Tim Tebow, Mark Sanchez, et al
Bottom line is that when Todd throws the ball, a lot of people - myself included - hold their breath. and when the game is on the line, I have zero faith that Todd can march the offense down the field and win the game. Funny thing is that I had complete faith that Brandon Cox would. You know good and well that Cox would have given us a better shot at winning on that last drive.
Another interesting parallel is AU to OSU. Here sits Ohio State with a senior QB and a freshman dual threat guy with a lot of upside and hype. What do they do? they give him the keys against Troy and he plays well (yes in know its troy, but still)
What do you think Jay?
anyway, just my two cents. regardless of who plays, I still bleed orange and blue
WDE
spelling correction:
given the keys to the car to kodi*
also
barkley -
i completely agree about Ronnie Brown direct snaps.
it is beyond me as to why Mario fannin isnt utilized this way. Houston Nutt his playmaker (Dmac) the same way.
My pre-season prediction was that CTodd would initially start with Kodi coming in when running the standard offense sputtered. I also predicted that as the season progressed, Kodi would eventually become the starter. The 8"-80 stitch gash prolly inhibited Kodi's involvement in games 2 and 3.
Until now, I haven't called for Kodi to be put in....for me it has been a "trust the coaches" thing. IMO now that we must get Kodi into the games and get him experience. Once he is able to operate the offense, then his physical abilities will cause defensive adjustments that will open up holes for the RBs. The coaches have been able to see the offense operate as designed, by Todd and have made adjustments. This offense with Todd can be fine tuned each week and will be good enough to win all but the 2-3 tuff games remaining. I would like to see Burns increasingly added to the equation each week so that we have his talents inserted and reliable by the WVa game.
This may cause us to lose some style points and have few close wins if there is the predictable learning curve, but that's OK if it works. If it doesn't work, then I guess this could be considered a "Les Miles" type of decision.
Right on Taylor. I cringe almost every time he puts one up as well.
Just a matter of time before one of those "short out" floaters is taken back for a touchdown.
This offense needs a running QB. If the QB is not a runner, he needs to be a much better than avg passer (which Todd is not) to compensate.
I'm not sure Kodi Burns is a Terrelle Pryor kind of player.
If he was that good, don't you think Franklin would play him? It's not like Franklin won the lottery two years ago and is just chillin' on this big wad of money and masquerading as a offensive coordinator in his spare time.
He thinks Todd gives him the best chance to win games. Based on what I have seen, I agree with him.
I also see the need to develop Burns. If wilting in front of huge crowds is Burns' problem, the only way that gets fixed is to ... play in front of huge crowds. No amount of practice time will provide relief.
Did you know Rod Stewart used to sing behind amps early in his career? He was scared to death about being on stage. Seriously. It happens.
I think he got over it.
Todd is Franklin's job security right now. The biggest issues is us fans aren't convinced Kodi can't be as good or better. Practice and games and different animals like Jay said. The only way to find out if to let Kodi have some sort of package. If Todd goes down it's Kodi's job and that could very well be a bad thing.
Who knows?
We need to see what Kodi can do at least in a limited capacity.
Jay said "He thinks Todd gives him the best chance to win games. Based on what I have seen, I agree with him."
But do you honestly believe that Todd alone gives AU any type of chance to win the whole enchilada?
"Whole enchilada" meaning a national championship?
Auburn doesn't have enough playmakers to reach those heights.
I thought Todd made a lot of progress last week. Many of you all didn't see it that way. We'll soon find out who was right.
There's no winning national championships without a very solid QB and O-line. A very solid QB doesn't have to be an NFL prototype and usually isn't. We've got enough defense to play the part.
Is there anything else to talk about?
Jay, I kind of buy your statement that we don't have enough playmakers. It's an opinion. And it may be right. But don't you have to experiment at some point to determine who your playmakers are or if you really have any? This staff just hasn't done that in a game and that's not been Tubs' style ever.
I mean, when has Auburn experimented? In fall camp? In fall camp they were all over the place according to the statements from coaches and players. This isn't remotely close to what was described by those character in camp.
I'm sure this had been said 100 ways so far and more just on this blog. But I'm going to need a little steak on my sandwich before I pay the little lady.
I think everyone is in agreement that Kodi should see some action. I don't think everyone agrees how much that should be. I gotta trust the coaches know what they are doing, but at some point you have to give Kodi a chance.
Look at last year when LSU had a package during the year for Perriloux. That paid off in the SECCG when Flynn was hurt.
Phred, what can we shift to? We can move to UT. Even before the scribes caught on yesterday, I think this is a dangerous team. Fulmer and crew are capable of coaching a stellar game a couple times a year.
I agree about todd getting better. After the game i wanted to push him out of a window, but when i went back and rewatched it he made alot of good throws and was nowhere near the only problem auburn had all night. His arm strength isn't there, that's a given, but he showed he can get the ball downfield last saturday. The ball just gets there slower and with alot more arch on it, but he can get it there. I think the offense especially the running game would improve with burns during certain occasions, but it's not crucial. I think Chris todd (if his arm doesn't get any worse) could still take us to 10-2 or 9-3 which isn't bad.
I'll pose one more before letting the winds take my sail. What has convinced Tubs that this is his best year EVER on the recruiting trail? Is it the early numbers? The speed? Filling gaping needs?
I think that statement was a little PRish. But I am very impressed with some of these guys. There are some gigantic numbers that are happening even for the high school level by some of these running backs/receivers and these D line prospects. Need one or two more really big OL verbals. Also really need a really good, tall receiver.
Come back?
Have you ever heard any coach say that they weren't having a great class or didn't get the people they want in recruiting? I'd be alot happier if had at least one offensive tackle commited. Hopefully we are not counting on Jermaine Johnson.
Believe me when I say these coaches are more enthusiastic about this class than the nine previous classes.
They got on these guys early, got them committed early and several of them have really blossomed.
The challenge now is keeping them committed.
Hey Jay G...I agree about committments..sometimes too much is made of the class rankings each year. Too much time to change minds...Show me how good they are when the are academically eligible and step on the field. Any idea of a rough percentage nationwide of recruits that don't qualify academically each year?
Those are some strong words there, Jay. That's somewhat refreshing to know. At first i was skeptical of the size of some of the skill players committed, but after watching hawthorne run down the sidelines, we need speed badly. Tony franklin's system obviously calls for jerrel jernigan's of the world.
This upcoming crew looks pretty sharp so far, as determined by what they are currently doing on the field.
Crudup, I know. I thought about it after I said that. There just isn't that much else to talk about, I guess. I hope Tony "the Apologizer" is reading the blog and decides to let Kodi play this week so everybody will quit rehashing the situation, and rehashing, and rehashing, and rehashing, and rehashing, and rehashing, and rehashing, and rehashing, and rehashing.
If we beat UT, and everybody else beats UT, does the Great Pumpkin finally get his walking papers?
I said this when we signed him, and I'll keep thinking it until he proves me wrong ... Spencer Pybus is going to be a superstar.
Any video today?
Video was pushed down my list of priorities, but I'm headed that way now.
I'll work in some Spencer Pybus ... just for you, Phred.
groovy.
Barkley for Gov - it really does look like a punt. sheesh.
I know UT has had a rough start this year, but I'm surprised by the lack of discussion about this t his week.
All the talk is on the QB's and how apparently now LSU isn't a top teir team and we should be apparently embarassed that they beat us in the last two mins.
Jay,
Retirement is sweet. Especially with that $7 million package.
Taylor, Kodi has not inspired the coaches enough to give them confidence he can win ball games for them. I can say that I have more confidence in Todd to lead the offense. In your statement you said he was a mediocre juco transfer. Yet everyone agrees that Todd is better than Cox, a three year starter.
Now having said that, I had an adage at U of L, in that if you had a soph. and a senior and they both were equal, then go with the sophmore because he was going to develop more.
Bit of a problem here because we have a soph and a jr. All things are not equal because Kodi has not shown that he can "lead" the offense. I think that by the time he is a senior he may have it, but then Barret Trotter will be the starter, maybe.
Jay, I think it's pretty stupid for you to say Auburn doesn't have enough playmakers to compete for a national championship when we just took the defending national champions down to the wire. Anything can happen, Auburn has a good enough defense to keep them in every game.
Marks AND Coleman? OUCH!I agree with Jay on playmakers for AU. I'm AU all the way but besides R Dunn who on AU's offense makes the defense hold their breath?I wanted to believe Lester, Swinton, Fannin, etc. but it just has not worked out to this point. A lot of good, solid players but not the breakaway threat it seems the top teams have.
It's hard to be a break away threat when you don't have the damn ball in your hands. i.e. Mario.
i think every angle has been covered on the qb situation. but one thing that i still can't relate to is the blind allegiance to the coaches. i am loyal to tubs. he has earned it. but he isn't perfect. are the coaches not human? if you cut them, do they not bleed?
just remember, crowton and miles thought hatch was their man. there were probably a lot of lsu fans saying "don't question the coaches, they've seen them in practice and know what they're doing." but who wound up winning the game for them sat night? (hint: it wasn't the starting qb that the coaches watched practice every day and selected as #1)
that same thing can't happen with kodi???
Yes sir, the same thing could happen. I'm thinking that's what everybody has been saying.
If interested in seeing if Jarrett Lee plays like he did saturday night at any point the rest of the year... my money is on... hell no
Anon,
I am stupid. Can't you tell.
Keep on believing Auburn has a surplus of playmakers. Sure. USC is nothing. Overrated.
jay, "wilting in front of huge crowds"? is that what the coaches are saying? if so, i don't recall him wilting in the georgia dome last year when he threw the only td pass of the game and rushed for the winning score.
Don't we go through this with USC every year?? They look like an NFL team and then blow the season to a team like Stanford! I didn't say you were stupid, I said it's stupid for you to say Auburn can't contend for a national title. Way too early to be counting anyone out right now in my opinion.
Not sure what to tell you, auburnguy.
He's got an issue of some kind. If he was a stud, he'd be playing. It's just simple logic.
USC chokes? That's rich.
jay, respectfully, i am not convinced its that simple. you mentioned that aptitude and attitude are not problems for kb. you have also said you thought kb looked better than todd up until the time they closed practice. it is indisputable that he is a better runner than todd, and i think most everyone on this board would concede he has a stronger arm.
all that said, what other measurable criteria is left? you may be right that kodi isn't a stud, but in light of what i've seen from both quarterbacks on the field i am not ready to rely on franklin's "instinct" as sufficient grounds for making that conclusion. i still think its plausible that favoritism is playing a role here.
I don't remember Crowton & Miles saying Hatch was their man. That's why Jarrett Lee was splitting time with him.
"Sooner or later he’s going to go in the game, there’s going to be a standing ovation and the pressure is going to be off him and everybody. Then I think he will continue to get more and more reps. When we went to one quarterback, it was one of those deals where you expected him to get in, then you hava 3-2 game and a game that goes 26-21 down to the last minute. The opportunity never got there." - Tuberville on quarterback Kodi Burns
denny
with todds shoulder, thats what makes him mediocre. i went back yesterday on rivals and watched his videos. the funny thing is that all the throws on his videos were the rainbow fade routes.almost 98% of the throws on there were not college type throws with zip on them. I just think back to the bowl game watching Kodi and Mario touch the ball a lot (and Kodi's throw to him). How is that wilting or not performing?
Unitl the coaches see him play in a game for at least an entire half, there is no reason to believe he cant run this offense. Im sure there is some reason the coaches arent playing him, but they havent given him a shot to prove one way or the other in a game.
I just dont get not playing him at least a little
And give Mario the ball!
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