The Players Speak, 11/24
We talked with a few of your favorite players today.
Here's a look at what's being discussed:
Photo credit: Todd Van Emst/Auburn University
Questions? Comments? Post directly to the blog below or email me at jgtate@gannett.com.
Here's a look at what's being discussed:
- Sen'Derrick Marks said, again, that he probably won't be leaving for the NFL Draft. He said he'll be seeking coach Tommy Tuberville's guidance when and if a decision has to be made. Marks is one of those kids who doesn't think he's good, so take his comments with a grain of salt. If he's second round or better, he'll be gone.
- Jerraud Powers also was asked. He said, as you'd expect, that he'll talk with people after the Iron Bowl. I don't see how Powers would leave early. He's short and not that fast, though he's a very intuitive player. I think he'll be back in 2009.
- Marks said linebacker Tray Blackmon is planning to return next season -- contrary to popular reports. Marks should know: He shares living space with Blackmon.
"He can't wait to come back next year. He's doing real good. It's not like he's down about himself or he's throwing everything away because he couldn't play one year. He's ready to come back." - Jason Bosley seemed (politely) annoyed by the questions about Terrence Cody. The storyline is intriguing because Bosley will be conceding 100 pounds to Alabama's beefy noseguard on Saturday.
"I don't worry about it. I'm going to go out and play hard. It doesn't matter who you're going against." - Kodi Burns said he already has identified the most important part of his Iron Bowl performance:
``Patience is a big thing. I think that over these last few games I've played, I've really learned that. This game being as big as it is, I'm really going to have to have a lot of it this game."
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
4:44 PM
17 Comments:
Jay, let's say Marks and Coleman both leave early. How good can the AU defense be next season? I say these two and Powers are the three best players on the defense. Huge losses for a defense that has hardly been overpowering this season. Thanks.
Hmmm, I would like "Fear the Nallsminger" on the back of my "Live to Punt" t-shirt.
I am kind of confused why people are not seeing the improvement of this football team. We hung with both Ole Miss and Georgia. Earlier in the season I believe either would have destroyed us. To miss the improvement of the offense, and particularly Kodi Burns, bewilders me.
It also seems pretty shocking that people wouldn't expect a very improved team next season. This team was weak on senior leadership. We don't loose much to grauduation.
As for people saying arguing what is a bad season, I cannot believe a 9 win season would be considered bad. Even an 8 win season is pretty good typically, but you have to consider the teams that you played rather than some mind numbing evaluations based solely on wins and losses. Yes, this is bar far the worst season Tuberville has had, and in my mind the only bad season. Some will talk about 2003, but when you look at who we lost to, we had a pretty good season. The losses to Ole Miss and Georgia Tech were disappointing, but both had good teams.
depressedAUfan, we have one of the top rated defenses in the nation. I think I heard we were around 12th.
People say that every year. Last year it was "what will we do without Sims?" Players leave and others step up. that's the way it goes.
I didnt realize that Bosley was conceding 100 lbs to Cody. That's major.
I've seen Marks projected as high as 11th best player eligible for the NFL draft. If the thing about him being 2nd round or better = gone ends up being true, then he's as good as gone. I hadn't really seen anybody talk about Powers possibly leaving after this year... I doubt there's much demand for him as of right now, considering he doesn't possess all that great of measureables.
Nice to see Blackmon will be back. But now the question is, will either he or Bynes switch positions next year? It would seem that Bynes moves to an outside spot...Blackmon is too good to leave off the field, but not playing Bynes would be a waste.
we just need to run where mount cody ain't.
I think we just need to get Mount Cody headed in the wrong direction. I am wondering if we don't see a lot of fullback this game with Tate or Davis at fullback with Lester and Fannin handling the tailback duties.
NCAA Stats
Rushing Offense 64 144.82
Passing Offense 98 170.18
Total Offense 98 315.00
Scoring Offense 107 18.91
Rushing Defense 45 130.27
Pass Efficiency Defense 30
Total Defense 24 309.18
Scoring Defense 10 16.36
Net Punting 16 37.57
Punt Returns 14 13.37
Kickoff Returns 4 26.06
Turnover Margin T-88 -.45
Pass Defense 26 178.91
Passing Efficiency 103
Sacks T-61 1.82
Tackles For Loss T-35 6.36
Sacks Allowed 51 1.73
T=tied at this ranking
By the way, if Simms had returned this season, this defense would have been scary good. Marks and Coleman are as good as anyone. Marks may have even played the other end spot if Simms had returned.
I don't see marks being a first round guy. I think he is very skilled and is quick off the ball, but he lacks some size. I see him falling to mid to late second round.
One thing we have in our favor is Sims falling to the third round last year, he would have gone much earlier this year.
Steve, I don't know the numbers that well, but the D has looked to be in decline since the beginning of the season. Injuries have no doubt played a part in that but I don't think they have played as well as hoped. As for improvment, I think Kodi has for sure, but would you say the WR's, OL, and RB's have? And as Eddie said, no more points. And I would say just being able to hang with Ole Miss is hardly a sign of encouragement. UGA did everything they could to keep us in that game, and we still couldn't pull it out. I know some think I am always negative, but I honestly see little reason to be optimistic. I respect people that think otherwise and maybe you are right. Hopefully, you are.
As mentioned in the numbers I posted above, we are 45th against the run and 30th against the pass.
Making us 24th overall.
10th in scoring D.
New video posted.
I don't think our defense has been all that great this year. We defend the pass better but we give up yards on the ground. Something that needs to end on saturday. We got to slow down the run and play man on the outside and take our lumps with Julio. yes, he is known just as julio in mobile kinda like prince or madona, it makes me nauseous. It is him or saban on the front page everyday on the press register.
Our defense started to decline a bit around the Vandy game, but 10th isn't that bad considering the amount of injuries we have sustained, which is directly attributable to the lack of offense. I am very pleased with our overall defense when considering that.
As for offense, I like the improvement we have shown. The biggest disappointment remains the offensive line. In terms of the running game, we haven't shown a lot of improvement, but some. In terms of recievers, I am very pleased that we saw Slaughter finally step up against Ole Miss. Receivers still remain as the most underachieving area of this offense.
on the beach in Charleston today....beautiful weather and not having to listen to all the radio talk has been a blessing! I am here with GA fans and they are tremendously disappointed in the season and they are 9-2!!
Ran into Stan White today in Mobile at the Convention Center. Gave him a "WAR EAGLE, STAN!" I think I scared him a little because his eyes bugged but he gathered himself and said War Eagle back. If he hadn't acted so startled I was going to go in for a high-five. Maybe next time.
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