montgomeryadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:
10.24.2008

Tuberville speaks, 10/24

*"Defensively, we never matched up with them very well. That's one of those that you always dread having. We've got to find some answers there. They have to be in there somewhere."

  • "It's like the second game of the season for this offense."

  • "We've been a first-half football team all year long."

  • "We're a team that's trying to find somehow, someway to put four quarters together. We just ran out of steam. Coming out of an open date, we hoped we'd be able to get those four quarters. We didn't."

  • "It's just been one of those years."

  • No "significant" injuries reported.

  • On second-half problems: "It's like you start looking at it after eight games. It's after three, four, five, six, seven games. We just don't play reckless. We're playing a lot of guys for the first time. A lot of the older guys are trying to do more than their share."

  • "We got out-quicked on the corners and things like that."

  • "We're starting to move along on offense, but we're taking steps back on defense. These are problems we've never had before. The effort is there. We've got to get back and play as a group. We have to believe in each other."

  • On Jerraud Powers: "He was struggling last night. We had nobody to put in his place. He was playing on one wheel for most of the second half."

  • What is your best offensive attribute?: "We don't have a big-play guy on offense. We tried to take the pressure off (Burns) so he doesn't have to execute on every play. I think it helped."

  • Tough time for you?: "My job here is to win football games and be a positive example to 120 young guys. It's tough. It hurts. You know how many people are counting on you. When you can't find the answers and you know they're there, that's what gets to you as a coach. We're going to keep working on this offensive scheme and make it better."

  • Is it hard for these kids to believe in each other?: Sometimes you have to question yourself. That's what we've talked about as a team: Can I give more? Everybody has to ask that question of themselves."

END OF TELECONFERENCE

Photo credit: Todd Van Emst/Auburn University

Questions? Comments? Post directly to the blog below or email me at jgtate@gannett.com.

207 Comments:

1 – 200 of 207 Newer› Newest»
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Is that Tubs duck hunting coat?

3:04 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Preseason is over with , now its time for some ball.

3:05 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Do you know what the deal is with that photo? I've seen it several times today. It looks like everybody is just standing there looking around.

3:06 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Never matched up good against them defensively?

Really? I thought AU's defensive speed was their distinguishing trait.

3:07 PM  
Blogger Chris03 said...

The picture is from right after the game when CTT got to the middle of the field before WV's head coach did.

They're just waiting for him to get out there.

3:10 PM  
Blogger Eddie McCoy said...

THe picture is right after the game at midfield when Tubs is looking for Stewart to shake hands.

3:10 PM  
Blogger Chris03 said...

Beat ya to it. :)

3:11 PM  
Blogger Eddie McCoy said...

Yepp.

3:13 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

That's a wrap for this teleconference. Shorter than most.

3:15 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

And who is at fault that we don't have a big play guy on offense?

3:15 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

They couldn't print enough money for me to be a head football coach of an SEC school. I can't begin to imagine being in his shoes right now

3:16 PM  
Blogger Chris03 said...

I need more information to read!

3:16 PM  
Blogger Eddie McCoy said...

I bet Tubs didn't want to say much of anything.

3:16 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wow. Live reporting. What a concept. Great work Jay. (KY is a long way away) Email me with scoop!

3:17 PM  
Blogger Eddie McCoy said...

Oh, I could be a head coach for that amount of money. I would go coach pakistan for that much money.

3:17 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

What's you percentage now Jay?

3:18 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Agreed kmo171 - the bs has gone on long enough

3:18 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

Thanks for your support, "roundtable."

I like live reporting.

3:18 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

There really wasn't much for him to say. It's been the same story since the Miss St. game.

3:18 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

roundtable=doug

3:18 PM  
Blogger WarEagleRK said...

I can't believe someone didn't pull the trigger on the big question about his job security.

3:18 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

>90%

3:18 PM  
Blogger Eddie McCoy said...

Who doesn't like live reporting. Thats what makes this place AUSOME!

3:19 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

If he survives this that will make three things that could survive a nuclear bomb. Cockroaches, twinkies and Tuberville.

3:19 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

I figured lots of people were headed for Grayson, Ky., today ...

3:19 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

ha ha Eddie - I value my peace of mind too much, but I hear ya.

3:19 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

Why Grayson?

3:20 PM  
Blogger Eddie McCoy said...

Good one Tim.

3:20 PM  
Blogger frizzle said...

Last playmakers we had on offense was Cadillac and Ronnie Brown.

3:21 PM  
Blogger Eddie McCoy said...

Courtney Taylor was a play maker.

3:22 PM  
Blogger Scott M. Brannan said...

nice comparison anon. cockroaches, twinkies, and Tubs.

3:22 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

LOL @ "Tim"


hey Eddie was the marketing too much? I prolly should have asked the Jay first.

3:23 PM  
Blogger ADP said...

what's in Grayson? (echo)

3:23 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Why didn't they utilize their timeouts at the end of the game and at least work on some type of a two minute offense? That could come in handy later on. I thought coaches were supposed to continue coaching. Tubs has always said it isn't about winning it is about getting better. Yeah right.

Have they given up too are was it that cold and they just wanted it over with?

3:24 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

broadcasting small college game in grayson. Should arrive around 11:30 tonight, at which point I'll be checkin' out HABOTN!!!!

3:24 PM  
Blogger Eddie McCoy said...

Jay takes publiz anyway he can get it. Heck, all of us on the HABOTN love the publiz.

3:24 PM  
Blogger Scott M. Brannan said...

oh, i forgot, ANONYMOUS = TIM.

got it now.

nice with Tim.

3:25 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

ahhh ok I wondered - that's just 30 minutes from me - sheesh that's a loooooooooooong drive.

3:25 PM  
Blogger Jim in Scranton said...

Kenny Irons was a playmaker. Too bad the coached didn't see that until the 6th game of 2005.

3:25 PM  
Blogger ADP said...

so roundtable really is doug. Howdy. glad you get the whole hottie thing.

3:25 PM  
Blogger frizzle said...

Courtney Taylor was a playmaker in 04.

3:25 PM  
Blogger Eddie McCoy said...

jrmax...because they don't intend in being in a game late in the 4th for the rest of the season.

3:25 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

phormerly phred, my man!!!!

3:25 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Yo dude.

3:26 PM  
Blogger Eddie McCoy said...

Roundtable is going to be putting two twigs toghether tonight trying to start a fire.

3:26 PM  
Blogger Scott M. Brannan said...

first J.Moon, then Tubs, now Doug?

the celebrities can't keep away can they?

3:27 PM  
Blogger James in Auburn said...

The CTT quotes are priceless observations of the obvious.

"We've been a first-half football team all year long." - Because you and your staff fail to make halftime adjustments.

"It's just been one of those years." - Kind of like every year OTHER than 2004?

"We got out-quicked on the corners and things like that." - You recruit speed on D don't you CTT?

Geez...

3:28 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm here too!

3:28 PM  
Blogger WarEagleRK said...

Almost everyone was a playmaker in 2004.

CT wasn't a playmaker in 05. Irons was in 05, but it's been a struggle on offense since halftime of the Iron Bowl of 2005.

3:28 PM  
Blogger Reynolds said...

Man...THAT was painful.

3:29 PM  
Blogger Eddie McCoy said...

Roundtable- I hope you have some sources with Juicy info to share with all the Hotties in the future.

3:29 PM  
Blogger frizzle said...

In a crazy kind of way cutting off the heaters was a halftime adjustment.

3:29 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

James - CTT didn't have a whole lot to work with. ha ha What was he going to say? "Well, fellas, we're suckin' air right about now and I don't blame whoever put that pine box in my front yard."

3:31 PM  
Blogger ADP said...

I still don't understand the heater thing. Was CTT just having a hissy fit or what? That sound like the decision of a desperate man. "I'm pissed and freezing, so by God, you are gonna be pissed and freezing too."

3:31 PM  
Blogger Eddie McCoy said...

It's not good when you get out quicked and all you recruit is speed.

3:32 PM  
Blogger Reynolds said...

So Jay..

When you wrote: >90%

Do you mean there is a GREATER THAN 90% chance that Tubs stays?

Or a greater than 90% chance that Tubs is gone?

3:32 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

I thought the heater thing was odd (and a little juvenile) unless there was some great reason I haven't heard yet.

3:33 PM  
Blogger Eddie McCoy said...

The heater thing is crazy. I can't believe that he would even think of that during a game and make the decision to deny heat.

3:33 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

Greater than 90% that Auburn has a new coach in 2009.

Don't leave Reynolds off the celebrity list. He's a bigger star than all of us combined.

He's on an international TV network.

3:33 PM  
Blogger Scott M. Brannan said...

Eddie, i vote you the Hottie with the most profile pics in a 2-day period. congrats! ha.

yeah, the heater thing was pretty lame. let's see, the offense is ice cold and can't move the ball, so....brilliant! turn off the heaters!

3:33 PM  
Blogger Eddie McCoy said...

Reyonlds- Jay means gone. I would bet he would have it greater than that if not for 2003 when it was 100% chance.

3:34 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

mr. U! ... As for sources, mine don't rival Jay's, but I do have some folks I visit with-relationships I had back whenbi covered AU for the advertiser in mid-80s. This is all new to me, but if Jay G Tate is involved, I'm in!!! Looking forward to having fun with you guys and gals!!!! Yep, holiday inn express in grayson is my destination!

3:34 PM  
Blogger Eddie McCoy said...

He's on telemunda?

3:34 PM  
Blogger Cory said...

Did you ask him why we don't have any playmakers on offense? You would think after traveling 2500 miles he could find somebody to make plays when the ball is in their hands. Laughable! Time for a change.

3:35 PM  
Blogger Eddie McCoy said...

I've decided profile pics will now reflect my mood. Glad someone noticed :)!!!!

3:35 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

What I heard Jay say on the radio that was something new (to me at least) was that Auburn doesn't have talent. That it's not that CTT has lost the team it's just that the talent isn't there. That's all a paraphrase. Did I hear you right, Jay? Straighten me out on that.

3:37 PM  
Blogger frizzle said...

Tim Hawthorne was supposed to be a playmaker.

3:38 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Seriously? "Second game of the season?"

That is friggin' laughable.

3:38 PM  
Blogger ADP said...

I would like to congratulate Trott for not batting down any passes last night.

His ability to catch seems to be proportionate to his distance from Mom's Party Shop. Is that still there?

3:38 PM  
Blogger Eddie McCoy said...

Time for me to get the kids. I'll see you all back here in a little while!!!!

3:38 PM  
Blogger Scott M. Brannan said...

well, if that's the case eddie, i think i'll just stick with the one i've got. i'm sure any pic i put up that reflects my mood isn't going to be too pretty the rest of this season.

3:39 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

Later, Edde.

3:39 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Seriously "It's like the second game of the season for this offense?"

That's laughable.

3:39 PM  
Blogger WarEagleRK said...

Someone should ask Tub about winning those crazy recuriting battles with USM & La Tech in the past couple of years and if that has the impact on why we don't have the players he was wanting on offense.

3:39 PM  
Blogger ADP said...

Clinton Durst

3:40 PM  
Blogger Scott M. Brannan said...

All-SEC on offense? that's pretty funny.

3:40 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

I don't see much talent on offense. Eight games in and, like Tuberville said himself, I'm not sure there's one guy who would even be considered for the All-SEC team out there.

You tell me ...

3:40 PM  
Blogger WarEagleRK said...

I thought the OL might have a couple of stars on it with Ziemba & Green to start the year, but wow I was wrong.

3:41 PM  
Blogger ADP said...

g ... that was weird. somehow I answered your question before you asked it. I must be in the Zen today.

3:42 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

He's had 6 years to get the top recruits in the state and has failed.

3:42 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

I agree, Jay. Hadn't heard anyone say it straight up before today. Well, I heard a big celebrity like you say it before today.

3:42 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

I gotta take a quick nap or something. I'm all messed up.

See you all in a bit ...

3:42 PM  
Blogger Reynolds said...

Jay,

I really hope you're wrong about Tuberville.

The dude should be allowed to have an "off" year.

Bear Bryant, Shug Jordan, Dodd, Schembechler, and Hayes ALL HAD OFF YEARS.

Tuberville has been wonderful for Auburn. If we ditch him for one bad season, then we're no better than Bama fans.

3:42 PM  
Blogger frizzle said...

I think Robert Dunn would have been considered All-SEC after the Southern Miss game, but the season isn't two games.

3:43 PM  
Blogger ADP said...

somebody re-post our records since 2004 for reynolds. he can't seem to see the trend.

3:44 PM  
Blogger WarEagleRK said...

"Bear Bryant, Shug Jordan, Dodd, Schembechler, and Hayes"

How many trophies did these guys have after 10 years?

3:45 PM  
Blogger Jim in Scranton said...

SEC record:

2004 8-0
2005 7-1
2006 6-2
2007 5-3
2008 2-3

Notice a trend?

3:46 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

I think some see it as more than "one bad year." 10 years with one SEC title, one BCS bowl, steady decline in SEC record and total offense since 2004, dismal recruiting...

3:46 PM  
Blogger WarEagleRK said...

2004 13-0 (8-0 SEC)
2005 9-3 (7-1 SEC)
2006 11-2 (6-2 SEC)
2007 9-4 (5-3 SEC)
2008 4-4 (2-3 SEC)

3:46 PM  
Blogger WarEagleRK said...

When you look at it from a huge distance, it looks silly for people to want Tub out, but when you start looking deeper, you start seeing more than just overall record and an undefeated year.

Same stuff was said when we booted Bowden 10 years ago, 10 years later we look back and it was best for him to go despite his overall record.

3:48 PM  
Blogger Reynolds said...

Phred.

I know the records. I see the trend.

I think Tubs should get another year.

Who do you really think would be better? If all you care about are wins and losses, then get another coach.

I want someone who wins, but also runs a clean program, has kids that stay out of trouble, players that graduate, and represents Auburn well.

I'm an idealist, I know. Perhaps very unrealistic. Winning matters to me, but there are other aspects that are extremely important.

If you just want wins, then we need a Saban clone.

3:50 PM  
Blogger James in Auburn said...

Amen Jim.

3:50 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

Those stats Jay posted listing total offense by year and OC were interesting too. Anyone have those handy?

3:50 PM  
Blogger Jim in Scranton said...

I will follow that up with the fact that the SEC being significantly better now than in 2004. We aren't keeping up with LSU, UGA, UF and (shudder) Bama.

3:51 PM  
Blogger Brent Lane said...

Since someone asked, AU under Tubs is 3-26 in games where we have trailed by double digits (wins were LSU -10 in '00, UGa -13 in '00, and Syracuse -17 in '02).

In contrast, AU is 63-7 in the last 9+ seasons when we have led by 10 or more.

Losses:
MSU +16 in '99
UGa +11 in '02
LSU +10 in '07
LSU +11 in '08
Van +14 in '08
Ark +10 in '08
WVU +14 in '08

3:53 PM  
Blogger ADP said...

Reynolds ... who do you think would be worse.

Yes, all I care about are wins and losses, if you can manage to do it with some class and dignity. I want a coach who can win and runs a clean program. Do I want too much? Not in my opinion.

The point is moot though. He's gone. Period.

3:54 PM  
Blogger WarEagleRK said...

The best way I see to look at it.

Look at where the program is right now as far as talent and coaching. Think about how our schedule is set up next year and down the road. If things stay somewhat status quo, or even with a change of a couple of assistants. Are we any better in the next couple of years than we are right now?

If you think this staff and the way things are going can reverse the trend and move forward, then you should support Tub.

If you think it's only going to get worse unless someone comes in and makes drastic changes, then you make the change now and start ASAP to get things moving forward.

I wish I had confidence in this staff, their coaching and their ability to turn this around, but each year we seem to get more chinks in the armor that we aren't repairing.

3:55 PM  
Blogger WarEagleRK said...

Jim in Scranton,

I'm not sure about the SEC being better this year than 2004. I'm not sure who is really good and who isn't this year outside of a couple of teams. Seems there are a lot of average teams.

3:56 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Next year, can you all show WVU fans how people really act at a true football game and stadium. If I heard it once I heard it 1000x's. F- Auburn. Before they even played.

There were fans that actually stepped up and made great comments about WVU fans not being all idiots.

My quick thougth F WVU

3:57 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Noel Devine was a back up last year. He was hard to see over the line and then would either squirt out or fly to the edge.

We just didn't tackle. I will say, the offense did look better. At least there are signs.

3:58 PM  
Blogger ADP said...

I'll say this, CTT is resilient if he is nothing else. If anyone can survive this and turn it around, he can. If he does, I will be proud for him. But, I will be surprised. I think this time, he's come to the end of the road.

3:59 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

100 non-game-time comments in an hour

3:59 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

One more thing. AU Fans travel well. There was a bunch of us there and that was neat. From all over. 50k of them, 10k of us.

4:01 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

I agree that CTT should get another year.

I also see talent, offensively and defensively. I see wasted talent. I see poor coaching on offense, not just the OC, but in general. That is purely due to a consistent offensive philosophy.

Guys like Tate, Lester, and Davis are all very talented. Burns is too. Ziemba has loads of talent. Many of our receivers have a lot of talent too.

I think the real question is, why is Auburn where high profile receiver recruits go to disappear?

4:16 PM  
Blogger WarEagleRK said...

That question should be asked to Greg Knox

4:19 PM  
Blogger Eddie McCoy said...

The Hottie nation is talkin'!!!!

4:21 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

On the upside, from what I saw against WV and late in the Arkansas game, Burns has the ability to be a very successful SEC QB. He is finally making better decisions when to scramble and when to stay in the pocket. We do need more routes ran over the middle behind the linebackers that are crowding the line.

4:28 PM  
Blogger Lovecrafty said...

Hope you held your breath au1 after exiting the stadium. I hear that the fumes from burnin' couches can be pretty toxic.

And yeah, I've heard those WfV fans are a real classy bunch.

4:35 PM  
Blogger michael said...

Tristan Davis could break some long ones if asked to do something besides play full back. Why not get some screens to him?

And I want to applaud Tommy Trott, he gets a lot of hate around here. The locals have been calling for Slusher after all of the inside info we have here. I thought Tommy did a pretty good job.

4:35 PM  
Blogger Lovecrafty said...

Have to agree with you Michael. Trott played a pretty decent game last night. Unfortunately, Kodi was the only other one on the entire team who played decently too.

I thought it was funny how both during and after the game there was a close-up camera shot of Hawthorne, who dropped that right-in-his-hands pass to kill the late drive.

4:40 PM  
Blogger Reynolds said...

Phred,

Dude..sounds like we want the exact same thing. Only I hope the Tubster gets another year.

But like you mentioned earlier..it may be a moot point..if forces are already in motion to push him out.

Funny thing---I was chatting with my wife over dinner (she's a Michigan State grad) and asked her what she would think if the Spartan AD fired a coach who had roughly 50 wins in a five-year span with 6 consecutive wins over Michigan?

She looked at me like I was insane.

I mean like, more than usual.

4:43 PM  
Blogger michael said...

I haven't been following the comments real closely, but has it already been discussed how horrible it was to punt with under 7 minutes left and down two scores? To me, he gave up there and said, "I want to keep the final score as close as possible" rather than win.

4:51 PM  
Blogger Reynolds said...

Remember this:

ALABAMA FANS WOULD LOVE US TO FIRE TUBS.

Now, ask yourself why?

Probably the opposite reason WHY we wanted Shula to stay.

4:53 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

But Reynolds the streak begins the other way if something is not done

4:55 PM  
Blogger Reynolds said...

But what if the streak continues?

4:56 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Jay does the economy come into play or can our big boys still handle the dough?

4:57 PM  
Blogger Lovecrafty said...

Hypothetical from Finebaum today: If I let an hour of my show turn into a telethon to raise money towards Tuberville's buyout, how much money would be raised?

4:59 PM  
Blogger michael said...

As new as this here reynolds dude is, I agree with him. One more year! One more year!

Yeah, but he's gone no matter what we think, so it's all a bit moot.

5:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

That's exactly why I think Tubs will be released before the Bama game, how can you fire a guy after beating bama 7 years straight.

5:02 PM  
Blogger michael said...

hypothetical from michael today: if finebaum ate cow crap and tap danced naked, would I then care about anything he says?

5:02 PM  
Blogger WarEagleRK said...

If this were 1965 he would probably get 5 more years just based on what he has done so far, but it's a different time.

I think he probably deserves another year if certain changes are made to his staff. If he's unwilling to make those changes, then it's probably time to go.

I'm just afraid that we are in the middle of a downhill trend that Tub can't get us out of.

5:12 PM  
Blogger Reynolds said...

It all comes back to this..WHAT DO WE EXPECT FROM TUBS?

Here's my to do list:

1) run a clean program

2) graduate players

3) players stay out of trouble

4) play hard, competitive football

5) beat arch-rival consistently

For me, Tuberville has met and surpassed all realistic expectations I've ever had for him.

True, I can think of a few games (Arky in 2003, Georgia in 2007, and last night) where we just gave up in the 4th quarter. But typically, Tubs has our guys playing hard in every game.

Of course, I'd love to win the SEC West every year and play in the conference championship, but I also realize this conference is a total skull-crusher.

As far as the BCS Championship--to me, it is merely a beauty contest. If we get there, fantastic. If not, it doesn't take away the greatness of a season.

For example--I don't need a damned crystal football in a trophy case to validate my opinion that Auburn was the best team in 2004. But that's just me.

What is YOUR to do list for an Auburn coach?

5:13 PM  
Blogger michael said...

I'm all for forcing changes. I imagine he is pretty receptive to change right about now, more than he ever has been in the past.

5:13 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

I would just like to take this opportunity to thank Coach Tuberville for not suggesting we need to simplify the offense today. That was refreshing.

5:14 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

My To Do list is for high achievers. Especially consider the price tag.

5:19 PM  
Blogger WarEagleRK said...

Reynolds,

In no particular order, you need to add the following to the list.

Championships

Cut the fluke losses to inferior teams

No job searches

& add "consistant, winning" after the word "competitive" on your 4th point.

5:19 PM  
Blogger Reynolds said...

Monica..

Are you suggesting he hasn't achieved anything?

5:20 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

What did you read in my post that would suggest that?

5:20 PM  
Blogger WarEagleRK said...

I expect us to not take a back seat to anyone...and look like a well prepared football team week in and week out.

We've only had that for one season.

It's the lack of consistancy that's really tough.

The only thing consistant is our inconsistancy. Right now we are trending downward and when you look at the overall picture on the field in 10 years, we don't have a lot of hardware to show for it.

Even Arkansas made the SEC title game twice in the last 10 years. Do we want to be considered on the same level as Arkansas?

5:22 PM  
Blogger Reynolds said...

Just throwing this out there...

Would you be happy with Tubs if we won three SEC Championships in the past 5 years but lost to Alabama each time?

What if Tubs had three National Championships under his belt, BUT LOST TO BAMA EACH TIME?

I sincerely doubt many of us could stomach it.

I sure couldn't.

CHAMPIONSHIPS AREN'T EVERYTHING.

5:23 PM  
Blogger Reynolds said...

Monica..

Oh I don't know..maybe THIS LINE:

"My To Do list is for high achievers. Especially consider the price tag."

I'm not ripping you, just curious.

That's all. :c)

5:25 PM  
Blogger WarEagleRK said...

So we would be 2-3 vs Alabama, but with 3 SEC titles and 3 National titles?

I'd take it.

Until this programs and the fans main focus isn't on beating Alabama, we'll never get over the hump to being a consistant national power.

Tell me this, when is the last time we lost to a lower level team and people were actually shocked that it could happen to us? Every time USC, Ohio State, Florida, Texas, Oklahoma and schools like that lose to teams they shouldn't or get blown out it's big news. When we lose to teams like that, it's sadly just something that happens every year.

5:27 PM  
Blogger WarEagleRK said...

Those 3 proposed SEC and National titles vs 3 losses to Alabama. I'd take the trophies every time.

That would mean more exposure for the school, the program, a chance to get higher level recruits, more respect nationwide...it would open up doors we now only dream of opening up at Auburn.

5:29 PM  
Blogger Seanzie said...

Do you think anyone at LSU or Florida the last couple years cares that we beat Florida, or UK and Arkansas beat LSU?? Oh yeah because they have the crystal ball that signifies their the best. Nobody remembers the also ran, unless you happen to a fan.

5:34 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

You're trying to be argumentative if you read my post and think I'm saying CTT hasn't achieved anything.

You just value a win over bama more than me. Expecting our program to graduate players and run clean program is a given. However, along the way some of our fans have allowed themselves to be convinced that the most important thing is beating bama. This is an argument that goes on and on. I happen to believe we should play for NC's. If you're saying you would rather beat bama than have the NC...well, that's a real shame. I'd rather our boys leave Auburn with a diploma and a NC ring, not a diploma and "bragging rights".

5:35 PM  
Blogger Reynolds said...

Wareaglerk,

We just think differently. That's cool. I still think championships (especially the BCS) are often overrated.

Alabama will always be our top priority. Trust me, beating us is theirs. That is why they hired Saban. Trust me, if Shula had beaten us a few years ago, he'd still be in Tuscaloosa.

Seriously, if Bear Bryant was a consistent winner at Bama but couldn't beat us regularly, he never would've stayed 20+ years.

If simply winning mattered to Bama, Curry never would've been kicked out in '89. The man was a decent coach..but couldn't beat Auburn.

Kinda like John Cooper at Ohio State--Great coach, never got embarrassed by any small teams, always finished in the Top 25. Still, he couldn't beat Michigan.

Poof. He got punted into the stratosphere..

5:36 PM  
Blogger ron mexico said...

I am a tuberville guy. I want him to stay. I don't think alot of people realize what a good coach we have. If tubs does go we need a proven winner at a big time school. There aren't many out there and there are zero that are better than tommy tuberville in my opinion

5:37 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

We have had mean successful seasons under Tubbervile, including 2006 and 2007. Insisting on regular SEC championships isn't realistic. We have won or tied for the west in about half of Tuberville's seasons. I cannot see anyone complaining about that.

The days of one team dominating the SEC conistently are over. That died when Spurrier left for the Redskins.

I would like to see us in the SECCG every 3 or 4 years. I think that is a more realistic goal.

Some fans appear to be the all or nothing types. Too often if you insist on having everything, you end up with nothing.

5:38 PM  
Blogger Reynolds said...

Monica..

You completely misunderstood my...oh, forget it.

Nevermind. And no. I'm not trying to argue with you. I guarantee you that I'd never win. I'm not that smart.

It is a damned shame that we're all even discussing this stuff. I wish like HELL we were talking about who we might face in the Fiesta Bowl. Or something.

Just anything other than this.

5:43 PM  
Blogger Seanzie said...

Well Reynolds, 4 losses doesn't exactly get you to the Fiesta Bowl, now does it?

5:44 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

I just want to say that au1n04's assessment of WVU fans is spot on.

I was only around a small portion of their fans, but what I saw both inside and outside the stadium was pretty dadgum classless.

On the flip side, I talked with several WVU fans during the airport security check at PIT this morning and they were great people.

5:45 PM  
Blogger Reynolds said...

Steve from Columbia..

You stated precisely what I've been trying to articulate over the past hour.

Thank you, sir!

Rock on!

5:45 PM  
Blogger ADP said...

Rhetorical question: If championships aren't everything, then what the heck am I playing for?

5:45 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

I'll also reiterate something I said on the radio this afternoon ...

I think would keep Tuberville if I was the athletic director. To pay out all that money in this economy -- with people losing their savings and jobs and homes -- is going to be a really bad PR move for Auburn on a national scale. If I was A.D., I would work hard to avoid that.

I think Auburn's problems could be fixed. I would give someone with Tuberville's experience and stature time to turn things around.

That likely will not happen. I'm just saying that's what I'd do.

5:48 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

Alabama will always be our top priority. Trust me, beating us is theirs. That is why they hired Saban. Trust me, if Shula had beaten us a few years ago, he'd still be in Tuscaloosa.

I don't strain my thoughts through the bama filter. I don't care what their top priority is. If our GOAL is NC's, bama will remain a road bump along the way as it should be.

5:50 PM  
Blogger Reynolds said...

Sean..

You lost me.

I was referring to WISHING we were in the middle of a decent season (not the 4-4 nightmare we're in).

At 4-4 and seeing who is left on the sked, I'm thinking we aren't bowling ANYWHERE.

5:50 PM  
Blogger Reynolds said...

MONICA = ANGRY

5:51 PM  
Blogger Seanzie said...

Reynolds, fair enough. I agree the rest of the schedule doesn't bode well for the rest of the season. I'm not on the fire Tubs wagon, but on the same token I'm not saying we need to definitely keep him. The CEO of the coaching world needs to make some executive decisions to get this program back on track.

5:52 PM  
Blogger Reynolds said...

Sean,

I hear you, man.

5:54 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

I thought we were talking about football. Not sure why you're calling me angry, but ok.

5:55 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Auburn is already a laughing stock for the nat'l media anyway. Why should firing a head coach that fired an off coordinator in mid season matter?

5:57 PM  
Blogger Reynolds said...

Okay. Let's try this:

If Tubs is gone--who would we want next?

5:58 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

It doesn't matter what WE want.

6:01 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Unless you are RJ Reynolds

6:02 PM  
Blogger ADP said...

So, if you make really bad decisions, even though you've been there a while, you don't suffer any consequences? Wouldn't a good and seasoned coach have made some better decisions if he had been closely involved? If you are making in excess of $2,000,000, do you get to completely drop the ball and just say "whoops."

CEO's get fire all the time. And for all the same reasons. Those reasons apply here. CTT can turn it around, and will if given the chance. But will he make better decisions in the future? My confidence in that is lower than it was after this year.

Is this our cycle?

6:02 PM  
Blogger Seanzie said...

Everyone has their favorite replacement...I've heard Butch Davis, Lane Kiffin, Chris Peterson, offensive coordinator from Mizzou...who knows, I think Tuberville can still get it done.

6:04 PM  
Blogger WarEagleRK said...

Ok, I'll try to explain my point differently.

Tub has a really good record over the past 10 years.

I'd be close to being fully happy with that record had we shown some consistancy.

If the losses to Bama in 01, Ark in 99, 01, 02 & 06, UGA in 03, 06 & 07, LSU in 03, WVU last night, Syracuse in 01, Wisconsin in 05 and games like that been hard faught competitive games where we looked like we were ready to play and just got edged out by the better team, then I'm fine with them. However those games and a couple of more that I didn't mention were games we were grossly unprepared for, and that's been a trend over 10 years.

Then there are the losses to Vandy & Ark this year, Miss State & South Florida last year, Ga Tech in 03 & 05, Ole Miss in 03, UNC in 01, Miss State in 00 & Miss State and Ole Miss in 99 where there isn't an excuse to have lost all of those games to lesser opposition, and the majority of them at home.

It's not always the number of losses, its how we are losing them.

6:06 PM  
Blogger wartiger said...

I still on the CTT bandwagon as well

6:06 PM  
Blogger wartiger said...

he's been nothing but good for AU. As far as the duck hunting/job hunting trip. Finebaum speculation isn't necessarily fact.

6:08 PM  
Blogger Kris said...

Reynolds, everyone else, great views. If given the choice between championships and beating bama, I take championships every time. After all, what is always their claim to fame? 12 national championships, not that they have beaten us more times throughout the series.If AU wins a NC, but loses to Bama, who the heck cares? Do you think UF cared that we were the only team to beat them during their run? Does that trophy have an asterisk? Does Kentucky run around now crowing that they beat LSU last year? 3 Mil per is on par with all of the other coaches that have won a NC. Sure Tubbs got jobbed out of the chance in '04, but where are the majority of those programs that pay their HC that kind of scratch now? They are in the hunt, not in the toilet. Just freakin sayin....

6:10 PM  
Blogger Kris said...

Last night's performance on national television was an embarrasment to Auburn University. No amount of spinning will change that fact.

6:14 PM  
Blogger WarEagleRK said...

I like Tommy and I'd love to see him be the one to turn it around. However, like Phred said my faith in him has dropped over the years.

I'm just tired of the worn out lines.

"We're a young team"

"That's the best (insert offensive/defensive) team we'll play all year"

"That's the best team we've played yet this year"

"That may be the best team we play all year long"

"If you want to see a HS offense, out there we'll play him"

"I don't know what it is about these early kick offs"

"we just couldn't stop (insert player or play name)"

6:14 PM  
Blogger WarEagleRK said...

Wartiger,

What about the speculation of everyone other than Finebaum?



Jay,

What were your thoughts last year when Tub was hunting in Ark?

6:15 PM  
Blogger ADP said...

Y'all are completely missing the point. Whether or not we like CTT is not at issue.

Here it is - Try to imagine yourself as the owner of a multi-million dollar business. Your CEO, who is generally liked by the company, made some decisions last year that have completely screwed up your whole company. There are drastic effects in the short term, and possibly drastic long term effects as well. His decisions, the ones you gave him the power to make, have significantly hurt what you have worked to build and could have an impact on the future of your life's work, and not only in intangible ways, such as reputation, but in financial ways - profits are going to be way down.

What are you going to do?

Keep him?

Or try to find someone who will not put you in that position again?

6:15 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

Kris said: Do you think UF cared that we were the only team to beat them during their run?

ha ha ha amen!

6:18 PM  
Blogger ADP said...

FYI - there are important people connected to AU that have a WHOLE lot more money than Lowder.

6:22 PM  
Blogger WarEagleRK said...

To Add to Phred's phrasing.

Your CEO is a nice guy, and he has kept you ahead of your most fierce local business rival.

Forget the fact that your most fierce local business rival's stock has been around $10 per share after the FTC devalued their stock, you are still beating them in your local market.

Now there are several other business in the same industry that have had better returns in the past few years, but all your executives are so focused on the local business they aren't noticing the big picture.

Suddenly, Standard and Poor has upgraded your local business rival in recent months, and your CEO had to do some downsizing due to low performance a couple of weeks ago. Then all the sudden the Board for your company starts to notice where you are fitting in the big picture with all the companies in your industry and the current standing isn't good, and the future is questionable.

What do you do? Do you continue to downsize the staff and bring in leaders from other companies or do you can the CEO who might have lost his focus?

6:23 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

I very much like CTT, but I like Auburn more.

On this particular issue, I've agreed with Steve on one point. It would most certainly be more fiscally responsible to invest big money in a new OC and assistants than the whole buyout nightmare. I just don't know if the politics of it all would allow for the replacement of the entire O staff and not CTT.

Jay?

6:23 PM  
Blogger Reynolds said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

6:24 PM  
Blogger Seanzie said...

The CEO analogy is a good one, he has made some decisions, notably on the offense which have set us back now for the better part of 3 seasons. We lose games we have no business losing and some are just downright embarrassing. We now have two coordinators being paid not coach, a failed interim offensive coordinator who is back and the offense isn't getting any better. Doesn't inspire confidence in the decision maker does it?

6:24 PM  
Blogger Lovecrafty said...

You beat me to the punch RK regarding the Quantity vs. Quality of Losses point. Well stated sir.

And like you I don't necessarily think it's time for him to go. But you know that neither you nor I will have a hand in making that decision.

6:26 PM  
Blogger Reynolds said...

As a guy who comes from a family full of Gator alums---trust me, Florida fans would care if the only team that beat them during their MNC year had been FSU.

Seriously.

6:27 PM  
Blogger Kris said...

Phred, you are correct...money aint the issue. The issue is, who do you hire that is better? There's not another saban and I don't want Butch Freakin Davis. I know how you feel about this situation, but I'm not sure how you feel we should go. I don't know either.

6:27 PM  
Blogger ADP said...

right now, he is recieving a lot of "votes of no confidence" from people who matter.

And that is not us. But guess what? They think just like we do.

6:28 PM  
Blogger Kris said...

comon Reynolds....

6:28 PM  
Blogger Lovecrafty said...

I'm waiting for Phred to come up with another brilliant Zen phrase for the quandry we're in regarding CTT.

6:31 PM  
Blogger Seanzie said...

As a guy that grew up a Gator fan and being from a family full of Gator alumni, I assure you that the FSU loss would not be even thought of if they had won the MNC in the same season. All I had to talk about was how we beat them in the regular season and the come back was well...we won it all in the end so what does it matter? Bingo.

6:31 PM  
Blogger Reynolds said...

Okay Monica..

Say we keep Tubs BUT get a new offensive coordinator AND allow him to bring his assistants (in other words, Knox, Nall, Ensminger, are gone).

DO WE STAY WITH THE SPREAD?

-OR-

DO WE RUN THE FOOTBALL THE WAY BABY JESUS INTENDED??? POWER STYLE-PUNISHING RUNNING GAME?

For the record, the Baby Jesus loves the Wing-T and Wishbone formations.

6:31 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

been waiting for the same thing, lovecrafty

btw, thanks to Phred, anytime I see Franklin I think Buddha

6:32 PM  
Blogger Seanzie said...

Reynolds, I couldn't care less what the scheme is, what our base formation is or even if we invent a new offensive position as long as we're scoring points and winning games. This staff can't do that on a regular basis. I hope the next one (whomever is on it) can.

6:33 PM  
Blogger ADP said...

Honestly, I don't have a real opinion either way. I can see both sides of the argument. I'm torn between the two. And that is most likely a common issue among a lot of people right now. What exactly should be done?

We say that what we think doesn't matter, and for the most part that is true. But listen, large groups of people create pressure. Pressure affects decisions. I promise you, these things are being discussed right now in places that would blow your mind, and they are feeling the pulse of pressure. Count on it.

6:34 PM  
Blogger Jim in Scranton said...

"Who do you hire that is better?" to me means "This is the best we can hope for, so live with it".

Should we not expect more than 1 SEC title in 10 years, 2 west titles, annual beatdowns by inferior opponents, uncertainty about his loyalty to AU, and a coordinator carousel?

I do.

6:35 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

Scoring this season

FIRST HALF: Auburn 105, opponents 36

SECOND HALF: Auburn 46, opponents 90

6:35 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

Tubbs has said we're sticking with some form of the spread so I guees keeping CTT answers that.

I'd sure rather see something along the lines of OK's or Texas Tech's version.

6:35 PM  
Blogger Reynolds said...

To me, the spread is/was too much like Bowden Ball.


Terry had a thing for 170lb. running backs like Markeith Cooper and Demontray Carter were crushed by SEC defenses.

Not good.

6:37 PM  
Blogger Jim in Scranton said...

I'd take that 170 lb. RB West Va had last night.

6:39 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

Devine did pretty well last night.

6:40 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

Auburn tried hard to get Devine.

Eddie Gran knew that kid was awesome. Getting him in school was supposed to be a terminal issue ...

6:42 PM  
Blogger Reynolds said...

Agreed on Butch Davis. I don't want him either.

But are we ready to give someone like Muschamp or Kiffin the reins to Auburn? Do we need to suffer through five years of a young coach gaining experience?

I'd like to think we are the final destination for a coach--not a stepping stone or midway point in a career.

Again, I'm aware that I'm living in a fantasy world, but I'd love to have a coach stay here for 20 years or so. Highly unlikely that'll happen in today's climate.

Not unless Lowder is neutered.

Phred, I agree on all of your points.

6:43 PM  
Blogger WarEagleRK said...

Our SEC D didn't crush the WVU spread with a 180 pound RB.

Jay,

Even worse, in the last 5 games we've been outscored we just have 16 points in the 2nd half

6:43 PM  
Blogger Reynolds said...

Jay.

One question.

Has Tubs lost this team?

6:43 PM  
Blogger WarEagleRK said...

Jay,

Did you ever find audio of Tub's pregame comments on Devine?

6:44 PM  
Blogger Lovecrafty said...

Excerpt from an Auburn blog in regards to Devine:

"...and facing a most unpleasant and unstoppable greased midget able to spin broken plays into 30 yard runs at will."

Credit for this apt analysis goes to The War Eagle Reader.

6:45 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

Devine had "off the field" problems when FSU was recruiting him and wanted out of Florida. Didn't Tubs say he wondered how WVU got him in school? Did I dream that?

As I said last night, getting in WVU wouldn't be a problem with thug or grade issues. Remember, WVU is the school who awarded our governors daughter a masters degree without the pesky enrollment requirements.

6:48 PM  
Blogger WarEagleRK said...

Tub said in the pregame "I wonder how they got him in school. We tried as hard as we could to get him in school here, and couldn't make it work."

6:49 PM  
Blogger Reynolds said...

Monica,

"Devine did pretty well last night."

Agreed. But he played against our defense. Our defense that failed to show up when we needed them the most.
With a defensive coordinator that stopped these bozos cold last year. Unreal.

Problem is, there is a weird mystical thing about Auburn and teeny RBs. We haven't had a GREAT teeny RB since Lionel James. For some reason, since Lionel, small RBs are ineffective for us. They work for Arkansas. They're great with West Virginia. But not us. It's an Auburn thing.

Just like so many of our kickers at Auburn have great success one season and then go psycho the next. Kinda like Wes Byrum and Damon Duval.

Weird, huh?

6:50 PM  
Blogger Reynolds said...

One terrible observation I made last night:

How many freaking times did we make a killer play on defense--a timely sack, nailed a RB behind the line of scrimmage, etc., just to see WV gain all of it back AND more on the very next play?

6:56 PM  
Blogger WarEagleRK said...

WVU had 10 plays over 20 yards & 20 plays over 10 yards.

6:57 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

Well, I don't think it matters if we have huge backs or teeny backs if we don't have a QB that can throw. If we can't keep the defense honest, they just keep stacking on us and begging us to throw it.

7:00 PM  
Blogger Seanzie said...

Yup and then if you can't sustain drives and keep the other offense of the field, your defense gets tired of chasing and trying to wrap up greased midgets. Then you committ more guys to stopping the run, only to get beat on deep routes. Sound familiar?

7:02 PM  
1 – 200 of 207 Newer› Newest»

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home


follow me on Twitter

• THE RING OF FIRE •
INAUGURAL CLASS
Phormerly Phred
Scottie B. in Tennessee
crudup
Hoopie
Ron Mexico
hip-hopanonymous
AUnMobilz
Sullivan013
Scott from Tucson
scottatl
jhag **FRANCHISE PLAYER**

CLASS OF 2008
Peter Frankenschmidt
Mr. Sensible
WarEagleRK

CLASS OF 2009
eddie4au
FakeSteveJobs (aka FSJ)
AUBigCat
michael
Steve from Columbia (aka SteveFC)
kristina
Jet

WHERE EAGLES SOAR
AUFan365 was Larry Bailey, 1948-2010

FEELING THE HEAT
WarEagleGirl
TarHeelTiger
Kathy
D. Miller
Dear Leader
j-z
Norm
digger4au
Harrison
LuvAU1968
cincytiger
mytommyd (is supposed to be mrtommyd)
ehyoutiger
wtc
IV
wakeriderof87
Sean
Scott Chocolate
NoVaTiger
Taylor
BinOBA
wes
Aeronaut
chip chip
Spongeworthy
Loganville Tiger
E-Bro
Ephemeral
au1n04
FearlessFreep
coosa
bear82
wartiger
patdyeswildturkey
atlantatiger
JD the Biscuitator
shesaid
depressedAUfan
dnatl

NOTABLE NEWCOMERS
Cousin Humpers = Bammers (aka CH=B)
dan dan the AU fan
bellefay1
API
Jay 'W. not Tate'
missinit
Craig Miller
AU1292
MLF
Comm'r of Flesh Wounds
Stupup74
61northak
Jimmy
bigdaddy334
Secondaid
Andrew
SCoats
astatguy
Jason Crawford
paulmain
Lowcountry Tiger
BigEZ
Will
WDCWE

MY PEEPS
Wifey
cpf
GritzNGravy
roundtable
Josh_Moon
MrsFrontRim & FrontRim
ChuckCrim
troyznoiz

FIRST DOCUMENTED POSTER
Buck

BANHAMMERED
Hamburglar
ROLLTIDEROLL
hairydawg
DavidOku
Jay_G (an impostor)
WarEagleogDotCom

Powered by Blogger

Subscribe to
Posts [Atom]

Advertisement