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1.08.2009

Chizik ushering in new recruiting approach

1/8/09, AFTERNOON

So I mentioned this on the radio broadcast this afternoon, but it certainly deserves its own thread.

I'm intrigued by Gene Chizik's "new" approach to recruiting. Bryan Matthews and Jeffrey Lee, the brains behind AuburnSports.com, have been writing plenty lately about the Tigers' highly ambitious efforts on the recruiting trail.

Auburn assistant Curtis Luper met with Louisiana wideout Reuben Randle at his high school earlier this week. Randle is the nation's top prospect at his position. Luper has been working on Randle from an Oklahoma State perspective for months and simply transferred that progress to Auburn after switching employers last week.

No, Randle wasn't even a first thought for Tommy Tuberville and his staff.

He's not the only top-tier guy the Tigers are working. They have spoken with Kansas tailback Bryce Brown (a 5-star guy) and Texas quarterback Tyrik Rollison (a 5-star guy) and Gadsden wideout Kendall Kelly, who is a big regional name.

Is this going to work?

I think it will to a degree. Tuberville seemed to recruit around his biggest rivals -- often conceding players because they were considered unattainable. It's obvious that Chizik doesn't play that game. He's standing up to all programs and trying to win his fair share of the top prospects.

He's going to get a few of these kids. It's just basic math. Sell your program to 100 kids and at least a quarter of them will be highly intrigued. The promise of a new, hipper coaching staff and a new, hipper offense is going to give Auburn an advantage it didn't have before.

I find this pretty fascinating. Even if Auburn fails miserably, it'll still get the smattering of 3- and 4-star guys Tuberville was going to land anyway.

Chizik's approach is a low-risk, high-reward enterprise.

It'll make for a great story during the first week in February -- regardless of outcome.

210 Comments:

1 – 200 of 210 Newer› Newest»
Blogger Dear Leader said...

great radio show Jay... I got to stream it....

2:45 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

Thanks for your support!

2:46 PM  
Blogger Dear Leader said...

I agree Jay.
I was not sure who on the show stated that it would not work or was a dream (my words not a quote) BUT Trooper and Lup know the SouthEast. They have coached great players and they now have a great product and instant playing time to sell. WHAT 17 year old does not want to be a star and make an immediate impact?

Or they can go to another school and wait thier turn...

2:49 PM  
Blogger centretiger said...

Hey, new poster here...Been following the habotn for months, finally decided to play along.

I agree Jay. This approach is putting Tuberville to shame. It's got to pay off. Maybe not this year, but in the future for sure.

2:49 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

Auburn can promise playing time at WR without a doubt.

They're clearing using that to their advantage.

2:50 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

We needed a hunter not a farmer....don't be afraid of those that say no. But if you never ask, they will never come.

Deep thoughts by a Sales Guy!!

2:50 PM  
Blogger michael said...

Anyone keeping stats on the first commenter on each new post? I think Dear Leader is leading the field by a wide margin.

2:51 PM  
Blogger Dear Leader said...

centretiger

welcome aboard!!!!

Please send Jay a check for $19.95 and you will receive eternal enlightenment on your deathbed...

2:51 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

centre ... exactly. Not sure they can sway someone like Brown or Randle this late in the game, but I think they're going to sneak in on a few guys and pull them out.

Auburn is an intriguing property right now from a prospect's perspective. Big conference. Playing time is imminent at certain positions. Coaching staff is younger and hipper and perhaps more accessible.

They'll need to make pretty quick progress. That new-car smell is finite.

2:53 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

Welcome to the posting side of HABOTN, CentreTiger!
I attended the coldest high school football game of my life in Centre.

2:53 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

My alma mater, Transylvania, considers anyone from Centre College* a snake in the grass.

I hope it's not a Centre College reference.

*=excluding my dad.

2:55 PM  
Blogger centretiger said...

I'm new to the area...Glad to be aboard...

With Randle visiting, it shows what a great recruiter and how influential Luper and Taylor are going to be.

2:56 PM  
Blogger centretiger said...

Nope, Centre, Al...No enemy here.

2:57 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Jay G,

How did the Tuberville approach come to be? Was it complacency? Fear?

He and his guys did get Carnell Williams and Jason Campbell who were both big time gets in their day.

What are your thoughts/opinions on this?

2:57 PM  
Blogger JgobravesHAG said...

i agree this is damn exciting to follow must of been part of his plan proposed to JJ

2:59 PM  
Blogger Dear Leader said...

Mr. Sensible

What clocktower are we saving?

3:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hill Valley's, Dear Leader.

3:01 PM  
Blogger WDEwg said...

This may be the one bright spot to the abysmal 08 Campaign. But it wouldn't work without a new staff coming in and not being afraid to shoot for the moon.

Plus, I read somewhere else, that having these No. 1 type, 5 stars agreeing to visit- has a trickle down affect by getting the attention of other 3-4 star kids.

Jay- You have any read on Chizik's stand on running a clean recruiting operation? The only thing (cynically) that concerns me when I hear we have these sorts of recruits coming in is the appearance of inpropriety. That was one thing I liked about CTT- -we weren't getting on probation while he was around (even sometimes to our detriment).

3:01 PM  
Blogger JgobravesHAG said...

I bet they go after aalllllllllll of the big names in 2010 and land a bunch.

3:01 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

Sensi, the recruiting world changed dramatically during Tuberville's reign.

Head coaches used to be closers.

Many of them now are primary contacts and closers. Tuberville really wasn't that guy. He didn't evolve with the times.

That doesn't make him a poor coach or anything. It just put him at a disadvantage because most of the other SEC head coaches are highly visible.

He wasn't.

3:02 PM  
Blogger centretiger said...

IMHO, Tubs and the gang got tired and complacent and just ran out of energy. To me, Tubby looked tired and uninvolved. Maybe he was. I guess that happens when you've been at a job for 10 years...Any job, especially with the kind of cash he was bringing in.

3:03 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

I don't have the article bookmarked on my work computer, but I remember reading a Tubs quote saying he didn't recruit outside of a 300 mile radius. That didn't make me happy.

3:04 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

jhag -- I don't think Auburn will land "a bunch" of 5-star guys in 2010.

I bet they'll get a few.

My favorite 2007 comment from Tuberville was him complaining about the Tigers' lack of playmakers. That's akin to me complaining about the Auburn coverage in the Advertiser.

Um, whose fault is that?

3:04 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thanks for the insight, Jay G.

I cannot argue with any of that.

For reasons we may never fully understand or be privy to, Tuberville stopped evolving somewhere along the line.

3:05 PM  
Blogger tigercowboy said...

If you remember TT had been working on Campbell from his Ole Miss days. Carnell was simply a easy target due to the bama probation starting up. Other than that he did go low key. Me likes the look of this approach.

I know for fact that we got off of Julio very early in the process and when he was in 10th grade he was an Auburn kid. So did we not work it hard enough or did we get out worked?

3:05 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

I think centre has provided the most direct answer to your question, Sensi.

3:06 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

I also have heard recruiting "experts" talk about the most important traits of a good recruiter was being "relentless". I certainly didn't know any of the old coaching staff, but from the outside looking in "relentless" didn't seem to characterize any of them.

3:06 PM  
Blogger Dear Leader said...

I do not remember where, or when in this whirlwind, but I do recall an article that stated if Trooper wanted you...

he was relentless and never gave up...

I liked that...

3:07 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Good points, Centre.

Mon, I agree. (breathe slowly) Nothing about the BBQ boys screamed relentless. Kind of what worries me about James Willis but maybe he was held back by the past regime. We'll see.

Centre, my former boss is a native of your fair land as well.

3:08 PM  
Blogger tigercowboy said...

I am relentless....and like most on here apparently obsessive

3:09 PM  
Blogger Dear Leader said...

Hey I read at AU undercover that Glenn Spencer of OSU is being courted by AU.

Are we get'in a 3 fer 1 special?

3:11 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Monica is working on a category in the DSM-V about Fan Obsession.

We need a subcategory for Hottie overload.

3:12 PM  
Blogger Dear Leader said...

or buy 2 get one free....


I AM A MAN! I CAN TAKE IT!!!

3:13 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

Willis was the most aggressive guy on the previous staff.

It's important to note, though, that even Willis had trouble going toe-to-toe with Alabama down there. Saban had that area on lockdown in 2007.

3:14 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Mobile is a very tough area to recruit with Saban in the SEC. He had it on lock when he was at LSU as well.

3:15 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

Willis was the most aggressive guy on the previous staff.

It's important to note, though, that even Willis had trouble going toe-to-toe with Alabama down there. Saban had that area on lockdown in 2007.

3:15 PM  
Blogger Big MikeZ16 said...

TT was often quoted as saying that recruiting is successful as long as you recognize "the kinds of players that would come to Auburn".

Hell, I'm excited about a hipper Auburn staff and the excitement they're already generating. I also agree with Jay G that this staff will not be around long as a unit but hopefully they will be developing replacements.

3:17 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

I was just discussing the DSM-V today at the gym.

I'm so interested in dysmorphia (ie BDD) among subjects who lose at least 25% of their body mass because of diet/surgery.

I find that many people in that category (me included) cannot rationally assess themselves physically.

3:17 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

Maybe we need a Hottie Recruiting Corp. Saban wouldn't have a chance against us in Mobile.

I'm off to train some volunteers.

Sensi - you take notes for my research.

3:17 PM  
Blogger weagle83 said...

What's the scoop on Glenn Spencer??
Any background and is he good??

3:19 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

Saban has a whole legion of unofficial scouts/contacts down there.

Auburn has those kinds of networks, too, but not in Mobile.

3:19 PM  
Blogger Big MikeZ16 said...

Well tell me how you end up with that Jay. I completely interested in the reward but not so much in the necessary work.

3:19 PM  
Blogger scott,will not,from tucson said...

i just read that cornelia wallace died. hadn't thought about her in a long time. got to meet george in an american history class i took, once. people are amused/bemused when they see his signature on my diploma.

3:20 PM  
Blogger ron mexico said...

re: Tuberville's recruiting

It would be really hard to make seven figures and kiss the asses of eighteen year old kids "relentlessly" for ten years. I couldn't do it.

3:20 PM  
Blogger Miller said...

I wish we had something else to listen to in the afternoon besides finebum.
He's trying his hardest to recruit for bama, even baiting Lugenbill (doesn't take much) into gushing over and pushing the Tide on air.

3:20 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

That's a part of my new book, Jay! You're right, though I don't now that the disconnect between mirror and perception rises to the level of dysmorphia. Dang a good topic and I have to leave.

3:21 PM  
Blogger TB said...

What ever happen to our connections in Ft. Lauderdale? The school where James Bostic went?

3:21 PM  
Blogger Roland said...

I'll bet that the new blood's enthusiasm will rub off on Willis. If he was lacking motivation he will have it now. They should start a contest. Whoever brings in the highest ranking recruit wins an orangade from Toomer's drugs.

3:21 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Jay G., I bet that was an interesting discussion on the DSM-V.

I don't have to use the DSM-IV-TR on a regular basis in my work, but I often flip through it to stay fresh.

Any word on when the new one will be released?

3:21 PM  
Blogger tigercowboy said...

Got to roll..keep it down home cuz. Check you on the morrow

3:23 PM  
Blogger Norm said...

Speaking of George and Cornelia - I went to school with some of their collectively assembled kids and was close friends with the youngest. Got to spend the night at the mansion and my solitary experience with streaking (popular around '74) was with about 10 other boys my age. I'm sure the Trooper guarding the place got a big kick out of telling that story to his wife.

3:23 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

Glenn Spencer ... might as well book that one.

Roof's right-hand man from Duke AND a current Oklahoma State assistant.

3:25 PM  
Blogger weagle83 said...

The Mobile connection for bama goes back to the days of "the baer". It's still in place as well as in a good part of "L.A."

3:26 PM  
Blogger tigercowboy said...

Jay they were both Tech boys also. Might as well keep in the family.

3:27 PM  
Blogger centretiger said...

I agree that this coaching staff won't be together more than probably two years, but it seems to be a good place to start and maybe can build a solid foundagtion. And maybe those that step in / replace the ones that leave will be as solid as these coaches seem to be. But let's enjoy them for now. Still 8 months til they coach their first game.

3:27 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

Oh yea: Roof and Spencer are Tech brothers, too.

Book it.

3:27 PM  
Blogger AUnMobilz (CAM-"Da Man") said...

Jay G.

I totally agree here in LA, he did have it on lockdown in 2007!

3:28 PM  
Blogger tigercowboy said...

Our GA recruiting should get better though with them both being from and playing GA...That is where we use to pick up some studs so maybe we can get back at it.

3:28 PM  
Blogger weagle83 said...

Kind of funny the way this staff's ties weave in and out of OSU.

3:33 PM  
Blogger mytommyd said...

Just thinking as I read through the first few posts ans whts going on now with the recruiting, the TV contract for the SEC starts next year right? Basically every sec game is going to be viewable across the country either on tv or online. I wonder if the exposure aspect is kicking the interest level up at all

3:35 PM  
Blogger Will said...

Someone earlier mentioned that Julio had some level of interest in AU during his HS days. I have to disagree, a good friend of mine who coaches at Foley (happens to be a big AU fan), used to try to bring Julio to AU camps, games, etc... all the time. He came a few times before he walked on water, but never expressed any interest. He said he just never liked Auburn (translation no Escalades rollin' on twankies in the AU deal).

3:36 PM  
Blogger WarEagleRK said...

Looks like we just went to Stillwater and pillaged the staff.

3:36 PM  
Blogger Big MikeZ16 said...

Pretty sure the ESPN deal begins in 2010

3:37 PM  
Blogger Big MikeZ16 said...

Wasn't Luper the key to the other Okie guys?

3:38 PM  
Blogger Will said...

It's weird that things changed so fast in the Mobile area. For a time, we got the studs from down there.

B. Johnson
D. Macneill
A. Mix (Baldwin Co)
DD Green (stop or I'll shoot)

I'm sure there were others but I can't remember. My eyes are sleepy.

3:39 PM  
Blogger mytommyd said...

BigMike isn't CBS doing something for the SEC the next few years?

3:40 PM  
Blogger Miller said...

Did I miss something? Is the Spencer thing happening? Or are you commenting on the uncanny connections?

I don't know much about the guy (other than background and connections to Roof and he's at OSU). Is he a good coach? Good recruiter?
What position is he better at coaching of the sordid/varied positions he's coached throughout his career?

3:40 PM  
Blogger barkley for governor said...

I've been reading some Oklahoma State boards, they are none too happy. Randle was supposed to be in Stillwater this weekend. They're hoping he committs to bama now.

3:42 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

For the record, Julio Jones drives a beat-up Blazer-type truck.

Nobody would mistake it for an Escalade.

3:42 PM  
Blogger weagle83 said...

D.
Jay thought it might be a lock because of the connections but nothing official

3:42 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

D. Miller ... I'm not reporting Spencer, but I'm pretty sure Auburn will hire that guy.

3:43 PM  
Blogger michael said...

Maybe while we are at it we can recruit T. Boone and he will start donating to our program instead of Ok St.

3:45 PM  
Blogger barkley for governor said...

We might as well just merge with Oklahoma State, take their whole fanbase. Bring on Dez Bryant, and Zac Robinson.

3:47 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Michael - Only if there is oil in Auburn.

3:47 PM  
Blogger ADP said...

This is a no-brainer approach to recruiting, and so very, very simple. Instead of writing a kid off as unattainable, we are going to give them a chance to say "yes."

3:48 PM  
Blogger Big MikeZ16 said...

The TBoone conversation earlier did not go over well. He wanted naming rights to everything and fighting tigercowboys just doesn't work.

3:48 PM  
Blogger Will said...

But is it on Twankies Jay Tate????

I asked my friend what kind of kid Julio is, hoping he would go on and on about his thuggish behavior and how the hallways of FHS were never safe during his 4 years, and how the people of Foley now sleep sfae b/c he is gone. Nope, kind of a quiet kid, very polite and works pretty hard in the classroom b/c he knows that is not one of his strengths. He is in my Tim Tebow and Mark Richt category, people I want to dislike, but they won't give me any reason to do so.

3:48 PM  
Blogger Big MikeZ16 said...

Back in the day when a school signed a superstar everyone else was upset that we would have to face him for 4 years...it's only 2 now.

3:50 PM  
Blogger Kevin Skelton said...

The top freshman need to play immediately so you can have them for three seasons. If you redshirt a quality athlete, may only have two seasons, i.e Moreno

3:54 PM  
Blogger Miller said...

Ok... Gotcha.

So, if folks really thinks its going to happen. Somebody give me a reason to like the hire. Is he a good coach? Good recruiter?
Other than a previous relationship with Roof... Why do we want him as our DL coach (or would he coach another position... Seems he's coached everything but QB's in his career)?
Sell me on the guy.

3:54 PM  
Blogger Miller said...

My cousin is married to a Foley 5-0. He absolutely loathes Julio and his family. He has told me that prominent UAT boosters down there have been taking care of Hooleo and his family since he was a soph at FHS.
The 5-0 down there are very familiar with his family.

3:58 PM  
Blogger weagle83 said...

D.
I ask the same thing earlier. Know nothing about Spencer. Jay G. is probably working on it.

4:01 PM  
Blogger michael said...

Sounds like they are the Corleones or something.

4:01 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Paladin makes an interesting point. I think we will start to see less and less of the top tier guys with redshirt years in the college football across the board.

4:02 PM  
Blogger Will said...

DMiller, I heard similar things about the UAT clan being down there to "help out" for a while. The guy I know said he had never met (self proclaimed pride of Foley AL) The Snake in his four or five years there, and neither had most of his fellow coaches. When Julio's name got popular, Kenny was often present, especially the night ESPN came to Baldwin Co.

4:03 PM  
Blogger scott,will not,from tucson said...

anyone else troubled by espn getting sec rights, rights to broadcast bcs bowls and the nfl network? i've got a feeling our tv bills are going throught the roof soon.

4:06 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm out for the night, Hotties.

I will be taking notes for Saturday tonight.

Peace and may the best of the BCS teams win!

4:09 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

Scott, it's a real problem from my perspective. Now ESPN, a major reporting outfit, owns the rights to all but one of the post-season bowls and the SEC.

If the Montgomery Advertiser owned the SEC rights, could you trust the Montgomery Advertiser to provide balanced coverage of our own enterprise?

It's worrisome ...

4:10 PM  
Blogger weagle83 said...

Later Sensi

4:11 PM  
Blogger michael said...

Yeah Jay, but I bet you won't mind all that power at ESPN once you are working there. I mean, if you thought about working there. You know. Hypothetical like.

4:13 PM  
Blogger weagle83 said...

Even the conferences should be worried about it but I guess the $$ rules.

4:14 PM  
Blogger weagle83 said...

michael,
Ya gotta get a lid. I keep thinking somethings going to pop up from the top of your skull

4:16 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

Michael, please tell me you're not starting those ESPN rumors again.

4:17 PM  
Blogger weagle83 said...

WOW.....crickets. Guess everyone's trying to get some work done before 5.

4:19 PM  
Blogger michael said...

No, not at all Jay. That's why I said "Hypothetical like" at the end. It's the equivalent of a question mark at the end of a Jay G HABOTN post.

4:20 PM  
Blogger Big MikeZ16 said...

ESPN has changed the world of sports across the board and that was only deepened when ABC purchased them.

4:22 PM  
Blogger weagle83 said...

BigMikeZ

There use to be a Big Mike's Steakhouse in Florence, AL. It was a dive but the steaks were absolutely wonderful.

4:26 PM  
Blogger McLovin said...

The Bryce Brown recruiting should be easy. As soon as he walks in the room hand him the #34 jersey and say nothing else.

4:30 PM  
Blogger weagle83 said...

Gotta go distribute pay checks.....I'll be the most popular guy in the company for about 30 minutes.

Later fellow Tigers!!

4:33 PM  
Blogger Dear Leader said...

weagle83,
please send one of those checks to
Jay G. Tate
Montgomery Advertiser
425 Molton Street
Montgomery, AL 36104

Thanks for supporting a childs education...

4:36 PM  
Blogger michael said...

Also send one to:

michael
Jan Terri Blvd
Awesomeville, AL 35801

4:38 PM  
Blogger Mark said...

What's the story on Tray Blackmon?

4:38 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

RE Saban in LA.

Bama "locked down" Mobile with the help of Hood, Barron, Matchett and McCarron. All "recruited" to their high school at which Bama boosters dominate the donors/board.

Interpret as you wish, just sayin

4:38 PM  
Blogger barkley for governor said...

Bryce Brown will go to Miami to play with his brother. I watched an interview of him yesterday and he said his brother was going to committ to Alabama last year, but Bryce didn't like it there, so Arthur headed to Miami where they would both be comfortable.

It's nice that we're talking to him though, Tommy Tuberville probably never even knew who this guy was. He looks unreal on film.

4:41 PM  
Blogger barkley for governor said...

Tyrik Rollison is a real possibility for us though if we can get him in school. I heard he made a 13 on his ACT....

4:42 PM  
Blogger barkley for governor said...

What about you, Jay?

Will you be back this fall, or will you be in Bristol?

4:43 PM  
Blogger Denny Crum said...

Jay G,

I, like michael, keep hearing that you are being seen in town with Erin Andrews alot. The word is that you two are finalizing some kind of deal for broadcast past primetime and slightly off color so the kiddies can't watch. I think it involves one of you two wearing a brazillian cut bikini.

4:46 PM  
Blogger coosa said...

I got to hear most of the radio show today, Jay, great job! I was listening to the am station on my truck radio from 60 miles away, so I had to turn the volume all the way up and try to sort out what was being said from the static. Did get to hear you put down some of the hotties for believing that Muschamp left AU over Peach Bowl tickets. OK, fess up people, who actually believes that?

And speaking of the hotties, how long before you do promotions again? I mean, Monica is not even in the Ring of Fire and any newbie can tell that she owns the place.

4:49 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

We all value Monica, but I think it's a stretch to say she owns the place. That's an insult to all the collaboration that occurs here ...

4:54 PM  
Blogger Dear Leader said...

insult away...

I AM A MAN.... I can take it...

4:56 PM  
Blogger Griff said...

Who's our freakin OL coach gonna be?!

4:59 PM  
Blogger coosa said...

Sorry Jay, didn't mean to insult. It was just a figure of speech.

Somebody else said that Monica had the other posters eating out of her hand; perhaps that was a better way to put it. ;)

5:00 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

Simmer down, Griff.

It's a position coach.

5:00 PM  
Blogger Quitstina said...

I find this pretty fascinating. Even if Auburn fails miserably, it'll still get the smattering of 3- and 4-star guys Tuberville was going to land anyway.

Great point, Jay

5:00 PM  
Blogger Griff said...

Simmered! :-)

But 'tis a coaching position that was last occupied by a trucking executive!

Seriously, we need to be gettin' in on some good offensive line recruits and we need a coarch.

5:02 PM  
Blogger Big MikeZ16 said...

What exactly would "failed miserably" look like?

5:03 PM  
Blogger Big MikeZ16 said...

2008?

5:03 PM  
Blogger scott,will not,from tucson said...

i hadn't thought about the espn thing from a journalistic perspective. at some point, in promoting or covering a game, they could be tootin' their own horn instead of providing realistic coeverage. heh heh heh, i said "tootin'"

5:04 PM  
Blogger ron mexico said...

beenlurking,

I went to that high school and there is no bama dominance on the board there. They all went to Alabama cause saban did a better job of recruiting them.

5:04 PM  
Blogger Miller said...

Rivals says that Blackmon has signed with a CFL team and also reporting that Slaughter has left the team.

If true, I wish Tray the best of luck in the CFL and in life.

Slaughter on the other hand... what is he thinking? He could have flourished under Malzahn and Trooper... Good luck to him.

5:05 PM  
Blogger barkley for governor said...

Receivers seem to just disappear when they go to Auburn.

5:07 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

I'll be sure to ask Chizik tomorrow about the Slaughter situation.

5:07 PM  
Blogger ron mexico said...

why would you sign with a CFL team and not even try to go pro? That's the dumbest thing i have ever heard.

5:09 PM  
Blogger ron mexico said...

ryan williams to JUCO let's see how many players we can lose in a week.

5:11 PM  
Blogger Griff said...

Canada's national healthcare plan, perhaps?

5:11 PM  
Blogger Aubie said...

Jay G,
Interesting on the weight loss thing. History?
Have you lost a lot of weight?

5:12 PM  
Blogger Miller said...

I think Tray realizes at this point, his best shot is with a CFL team. It gives him a chance to play football, support his kids, and maybe down the road he'll get noticed and get a chance at the NFL. But he wouldn't have been drafted by the NFL, and he had responsibilities to take care of. If the reports are true, I commend him for taking actions to take care of his responsibilities.

5:13 PM  
Blogger Big MikeZ16 said...

I thought Blackmon left school in the fall or was that just the team?

5:15 PM  
Blogger Miller said...

B-Matt also says stay tuned for more player news.... what is going on? Mass exodus?

5:16 PM  
Blogger Kathy said...

I hate having to work for a living. I miss out on all the HABOTN chatter.

It sounds like we have some players that were not making the grades. Are we cleaning house?

5:19 PM  
Blogger Miller said...

Is Raven Gray still with the team? Anybody know?


Sounds like a purging is taking place here as the new semester starts...

5:21 PM  
Blogger ron mexico said...

Hopefully it's something like "ryan shoemaker is leaving the team"

I can handle losing a backup punter or a long snapper

5:22 PM  
Blogger ADP said...

Williams ... never played.

Blackmon ... almost never played.

Big Losses? Really?

5:22 PM  
Blogger ron mexico said...

yeah it's probably raven gray.

5:22 PM  
Blogger Aubie said...

Anybody else hearing that A.J. McCarron is p.o.'d at SaBear?
The Bham News article earlier this year about SaBear's recruitment of AJ was sickening!
AJ talked about SaBear calling him all the time and asking about girls and things. CREEPY!
Apparently AJ was told Bammer would not recruit another qb, now SaBear may be cheating on him.

5:24 PM  
Blogger ron mexico said...

A.J. McCarron = Brodie Croyle without an arm

5:26 PM  
Blogger Kathy said...

Well on the positive, this will open up some scholarships plus ensure some early playing time for those recruits. I'm thinking Tommy must have known about the academic situation, and he didn't have the energy or drive that was going to be needed to recruit.

5:26 PM  
Blogger Miller said...

I don't think these are really big losses, other than Slaughter (really thought he had a chance to shine in Malzahn's O)... Williams never played, Blackmon was out most of the time. What it does hurt is depth, especially LB.

Depth
CB - W. McFadden, N. Thorpe, T. Bell, H. Adams*
CB - A. Savage, D. Hood, D. Cole
*Will Adams move back to WR?
**Chance for stud recruit to step into major PT!

OLB - Stevens, Pybus
MLB - Bynes, Herring
OLB - Freeman, Barnes
*Serious depth concerns, will need a recruit or 2 to step up and play

WR - T. Hawthorne, T. Zachery
WR - M. Billings, D. Adams
WR - PPL, Q. Carr, D. Winter
*Opportunity for a star recruit to get lots of PT in Malzahn O

5:34 PM  
Blogger AUBigCat said...

AU is trimming the dead wood huh? How long before Raven Gray's name appears on that list? I will miss Blackmon's violence on the field so lets home Eltoro can do more of the same. This new coaching staff is getting the room they need to make an immediate impact on the recruiting trail. Go get em Tigers.

New nickname for the AU defense:

Cats on a Hot Tin Roof!

5:53 PM  
Blogger Roland said...

CatZ on a hot tin roof

5:55 PM  
Blogger Roland said...

Ryan Williams hasn't played. Slaughter had one good game. No big loss. Is the Tray CFL move confirmed?

5:56 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

I am hoping that the coaches have already evaluated these players in terms of ability as well as our needs. A dumb redneck like myself can go on rivals and look at the highest rated players and say I want them, but it pays to be choosy. I assume these coaches no better and will have a plan for each of these recruits when they talk with them, such as we anticipate you redshirting, playing some as a sophmore, being the starter as a junior and senior.

One of the things I liked about Tuberville is he would say it wasn't who you didn't get that caused problems. It was the players you get that never play.

In the past we did a bad job of managing when receivers graduate and we lost a lot of receiving talent in 2004 and 2005. We need to be choosy so that we have the appropriate overlap.

6:02 PM  
Blogger AUBigCat said...

Nice correction Crimson

6:03 PM  
Blogger AUBigCat said...

One thing for sure, Chiz & Roof get the chance to proof their worth on D. Marks, Powers, and Blackmon will be some big shoes to fill.

6:10 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

I think Omnica should be in the ring of fire. She contributes a lot here. The only knock against her is that she doesn't always agree with me, which should disqualify anyone, but I will be flexible.

As for Blackmon, if he is really going to the CFL, good luck to him. Without a brain transplant, he will have problems. If he could bulk up and get through a complete season, he could look to the NFL. I don't see any sign of intelligent life in the decision.

Slaughter leaving would be a huge loss. He is one of our most talented underachieving receivers.

6:12 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

By the way, I like the picture of Chizik. For some reason I look at it and picture him saying "I did not have sex with that woman".

6:15 PM  
Blogger Roland said...

AU WR's "The most talented underachievers in the SEC". I love it.

6:22 PM  
Blogger ballin said...

Overated Blackmon will be replaced by the overated Toro the Bull. Both looking for the big hit without a clue as to how to play their position.

I hope I'm wrong about Eltoro. I just don't have high hopes for him.

6:26 PM  
Blogger ADP said...

ballin ... that's the AU spirit I've come to know and cherish right there. Excellent work.

6:33 PM  
Blogger NoVaTiger said...

Will Jay remember the game tonight or will he think his dream last night was real?

6:34 PM  
Blogger ballin said...

Phred have you ever seen Eltoro play?

6:39 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

pssst what time does the game actually start? I'm sneaking and i'm trying to end this thing asap. thanks

6:40 PM  
Blogger NoVaTiger said...

8:15 EST Monica

6:42 PM  
Blogger tigerfan44 said...

If blackmon can learn to cover on pass plays he would make a good outside LB . Not big enough for inside LB in my untrained opinion.

6:43 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

D. Miller, that's an interesting depth chart.

A few things I see:
*PPL has a long way to go before earning a starting job.

*Savage doesn't have nearly as much to prove, but he's coming back from a pretty serious injury. Neiko will be difficult to beat out.

*I forgot D. Barnes was still on the team.

*I bet Carr gets more love from this coaching staff. The last one didn't seem to like him very much.

6:45 PM  
Blogger Scott M. Brannan said...

Mon, this is the NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME!!!! priorities????!!!!

no love for Quindarious? he's got a pimp name yo?

6:48 PM  
Blogger AUfan said...

These players contributed little on the field, but their departure says much about the decline of the AU program. Stability used to be the strength of the program, but somewhere along the way, things just went the wrong way. All of these players were highly recruited and played positions that need immediate improvment. Combine the highly recruited players who never contributed with the ones who never set foot on campus, and it becomes easier to see why things started going downhill. It is easy to pick each individual player and blame him for why he didn't make it, but surely the coaches in charge of their development are responsible as well. I hope everyone who supported keping CTT can look at the programs' current state and realize no fix was coming with him at the helm.

6:50 PM  
Blogger ADP said...

I've seen his film. He's a headhunter. Well thought of as a freshman in the Gulf Coast league.
Undisciplined? Maybe, but that is what big time college coaching is supposed to do for you. Talented athlete who likes to hit people and is big enough to do it? Not a doubt about that. My point was, let's see what kind of spring he has before we call him overrated. Because, at this point ... he's not.

6:53 PM  
Blogger ADP said...

Lord, will the doomsday mentality never leave us?

6:54 PM  
Blogger NoVaTiger said...

He's depressed...

6:58 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Six Iron Bowls in a row didn't relieve it, Phred.

I suppose nothing ever will.

6:58 PM  
Blogger NoVaTiger said...

I'm pulling for Florida (much as it pains me). I want the MNC to stay in the SEC.

I think the Okies have the hunger though.

6:59 PM  
Blogger Roland said...

We AU fans definitely need to drop the EEYORE mentality. A little positive energy might work.

7:03 PM  
Blogger atlantatiger said...

I hate these announcers. I hate that its ESPN taking it over but they will provide better announcers than these two douchers.

7:05 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

War Gators Roll!!! Umm, or whatever they say down there. I am SEC all the way!!!

7:07 PM  
Blogger AUfan said...

Doomsday mentality? Nah, I just think CTT's best days were behind him and a move had to be made to bring some excitement back to the program. A 10-year run at one program is a rare thing in today's game and CTT did a lot of good things for AU. I just think he had run his course. Hopefully, Chizik was the right man to turn it around. I have much more hope for next season than I would if the old staff had been retained.

7:10 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

depressed, if Tuberville had returned, I would have had us winning around 10 games. With Chizik, I am guessing around 8.

7:11 PM  
Blogger atlantatiger said...

I am looking forward to February for signing day. I am looking forward to spring practice. I am looking forward to august when i go and watch practice on The Rock(intramural fields). I love whats going on at Auburn....and that is no joke!

7:13 PM  
Blogger NoVaTiger said...

I agree Zteve. Tuberville is a proven winner. In spite of making some good looking hires and aggressive recruiting, Chiz is a major risk and the complete rebuild could take a while.

7:14 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I guess I don't get all the hub bub about Tray leaving. He was not on the field enough to make a difference. IMHO He had his moments, that is for sure, but they were far and few in between.

7:15 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Very true Nova. This isn't to suggest Chizik won't be successful. It just means we will likely spend 4 to 5 years to get the program back to where it was. A more reasonable approach would have been to hire a new OC and allow him to choose his staff.

7:16 PM  
Blogger Miller said...

Jay G.

The list I gave was with the assumption that PPL and Savage come back healthy and ready to go. I think Savage could get a starting spot (again, if healthy) based on the maturity and wisdom of being a senior. Otherwise, I agree that Thorpe will be the starter. Whoever wins out there, the other will start as the Nickel.

IF PPL can come back fully healthy, he will be our most explosive playmaker and would have to be on the field (Don't discount D. Adams in that role though, if he can be coached up). I agree with you about Carr, I think he has some of the best hands on the team.

I can see a scenario where Savage plays some at S with Thorpe on the field when we play teams that spread the field with multiple WR sets.

7:17 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

AU1N04, without Blackmon, we wouldn't have beaten Florida 2 years ago. He is very good when he plays. He isn't a cover guy, but he is good against the run and in the pass rush.

7:18 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Don't get all hot and bothered over PPL. We have plenty of recruits that were rated higher and speed alone isn't good enough. We shall see how he does. Don't turn him into a Kodi.

7:20 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

I agree on PPL. Be careful with that one.

7:20 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Steve - I agree, that was one of his moments. Name another

Smack by FL D.

7:20 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

I made it! Thanks for the info NoVa. I'm so glad to see you posting more and more.

7:22 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Blackmon had probably half a dozen good games.

7:23 PM  
Blogger Miller said...

ummm..... OUCH!

7:24 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

The Florida defense just said hello. Welcome to SEC defense Okrahoma.

7:24 PM  
Blogger NoVaTiger said...

Tray was good when he was healthy and not suspended which wasn't that often. He could have been a major factor but as it was only affected a few games (like UF 2 years ago).

Hoefully, Eltoro can come in and be the difference that Tray could have been.

7:24 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Yea, that is why Blackmon going pro makes absolutely no sense. If he made it through a complete season healthy and not suspended, he could become a pro prospect.

7:26 PM  
Blogger NoVaTiger said...

You're welcome Monica. The posts probably won't get much more frequent though.

7:26 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Brody Brody Brody!!!

7:26 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

Tray is kinda suck story in that ... he had some great skills, but never developed into that well-rounded player a lot of people (including me) expected.

Josh Bynes was the better player this year. Period.

7:26 PM  
Blogger Monica said...

i have a confession - i'm feeling a little michaelish about this game - let's say I would not be heart broken if Florida lost

7:27 PM  
Blogger NoVaTiger said...

Three kids is a lot of pressure to make some money now.

7:28 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Omnica, wash out your mouth with a bar of soap. Okrahoma is evil and must be destroyed.

7:28 PM  
Blogger Jeremy Eubanks said...

Go Sooners.

7:28 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Howdy Hotties--just got in from Wifeys planned social comittments and turned on the game.

Prediction. Ok scores on 50% of possessions and Uf scores on 75% of possessions.

7:28 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

I predict Florida by 2 touchdowns. I also predict a heart felt speech by Tebow at the end that will leave me nauseated.

7:30 PM  
Blogger Jeremy Eubanks said...

I think that Major Wright hit, while awesomely explosive, was pass interference. The ball hit him in the back,

7:30 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

If it ain't called, it ain't pass interference.

7:31 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I despise UF almost as much as Bama. This is primarily based on personal experiences at the Swamp and too many years living in the state of Florida.

Still gotta root for the SEC.

7:32 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

War Gator Roll!!! Lets have a score on this opening drive!!!

7:32 PM  
Blogger Jeremy Eubanks said...

Just because a foul isn't called, doesn't mean it didn't happen.

7:33 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Over under is 70...anyone want to take the over?

7:33 PM  
Blogger Miller said...

What could they possibly review about that?

7:34 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

I think I would go with the under myself. I don't think Okrahoma will score much.

7:34 PM  
Blogger AUfan said...

Steve, Tubs had some good years, but the 8 wins you predicted for Chizik would fall squarely on CTT's average. I doubt there were too many 10-win seasons in the future. Chizik is a risk, no doubt, but so was staying the course. Hope everyone enjoys tonights game.

7:34 PM  
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