1/8/09, AFTERNOONSo 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.
great radio show Jay... I got to stream it....
ReplyDeleteThanks for your support!
ReplyDeleteI agree Jay.
ReplyDeleteI 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...
Hey, new poster here...Been following the habotn for months, finally decided to play along.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
Auburn can promise playing time at WR without a doubt.
ReplyDeleteThey're clearing using that to their advantage.
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.
ReplyDeleteDeep thoughts by a Sales Guy!!
Anyone keeping stats on the first commenter on each new post? I think Dear Leader is leading the field by a wide margin.
ReplyDeletecentretiger
ReplyDeletewelcome aboard!!!!
Please send Jay a check for $19.95 and you will receive eternal enlightenment on your deathbed...
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.
ReplyDeleteAuburn 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.
Welcome to the posting side of HABOTN, CentreTiger!
ReplyDeleteI attended the coldest high school football game of my life in Centre.
My alma mater, Transylvania, considers anyone from Centre College* a snake in the grass.
ReplyDeleteI hope it's not a Centre College reference.
*=excluding my dad.
I'm new to the area...Glad to be aboard...
ReplyDeleteWith Randle visiting, it shows what a great recruiter and how influential Luper and Taylor are going to be.
Nope, Centre, Al...No enemy here.
ReplyDeleteJay G,
ReplyDeleteHow 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?
i agree this is damn exciting to follow must of been part of his plan proposed to JJ
ReplyDeleteMr. Sensible
ReplyDeleteWhat clocktower are we saving?
Hill Valley's, Dear Leader.
ReplyDeleteThis 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.
ReplyDeletePlus, 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).
I bet they go after aalllllllllll of the big names in 2010 and land a bunch.
ReplyDeleteSensi, the recruiting world changed dramatically during Tuberville's reign.
ReplyDeleteHead 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.
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.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeletejhag -- I don't think Auburn will land "a bunch" of 5-star guys in 2010.
ReplyDeleteI 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?
Thanks for the insight, Jay G.
ReplyDeleteI cannot argue with any of that.
For reasons we may never fully understand or be privy to, Tuberville stopped evolving somewhere along the line.
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.
ReplyDeleteI 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?
I think centre has provided the most direct answer to your question, Sensi.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteI do not remember where, or when in this whirlwind, but I do recall an article that stated if Trooper wanted you...
ReplyDeletehe was relentless and never gave up...
I liked that...
Good points, Centre.
ReplyDeleteMon, 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.
I am relentless....and like most on here apparently obsessive
ReplyDeleteHey I read at AU undercover that Glenn Spencer of OSU is being courted by AU.
ReplyDeleteAre we get'in a 3 fer 1 special?
Monica is working on a category in the DSM-V about Fan Obsession.
ReplyDeleteWe need a subcategory for Hottie overload.
or buy 2 get one free....
ReplyDeleteI AM A MAN! I CAN TAKE IT!!!
Willis was the most aggressive guy on the previous staff.
ReplyDeleteIt'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.
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.
ReplyDeleteWillis was the most aggressive guy on the previous staff.
ReplyDeleteIt'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.
TT was often quoted as saying that recruiting is successful as long as you recognize "the kinds of players that would come to Auburn".
ReplyDeleteHell, 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.
I was just discussing the DSM-V today at the gym.
ReplyDeleteI'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.
Maybe we need a Hottie Recruiting Corp. Saban wouldn't have a chance against us in Mobile.
ReplyDeleteI'm off to train some volunteers.
Sensi - you take notes for my research.
What's the scoop on Glenn Spencer??
ReplyDeleteAny background and is he good??
Saban has a whole legion of unofficial scouts/contacts down there.
ReplyDeleteAuburn has those kinds of networks, too, but not in Mobile.
Well tell me how you end up with that Jay. I completely interested in the reward but not so much in the necessary work.
ReplyDeletei 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.
ReplyDeletere: Tuberville's recruiting
ReplyDeleteIt 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.
I wish we had something else to listen to in the afternoon besides finebum.
ReplyDeleteHe's trying his hardest to recruit for bama, even baiting Lugenbill (doesn't take much) into gushing over and pushing the Tide on air.
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.
ReplyDeleteWhat ever happen to our connections in Ft. Lauderdale? The school where James Bostic went?
ReplyDeleteI'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.
ReplyDeleteJay G., I bet that was an interesting discussion on the DSM-V.
ReplyDeleteI 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?
Got to roll..keep it down home cuz. Check you on the morrow
ReplyDeleteSpeaking 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.
ReplyDeleteGlenn Spencer ... might as well book that one.
ReplyDeleteRoof's right-hand man from Duke AND a current Oklahoma State assistant.
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."
ReplyDeleteJay they were both Tech boys also. Might as well keep in the family.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteOh yea: Roof and Spencer are Tech brothers, too.
ReplyDeleteBook it.
Jay G.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree here in LA, he did have it on lockdown in 2007!
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.
ReplyDeleteKind of funny the way this staff's ties weave in and out of OSU.
ReplyDeleteJust 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
ReplyDeleteSomeone 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).
ReplyDeleteLooks like we just went to Stillwater and pillaged the staff.
ReplyDeletePretty sure the ESPN deal begins in 2010
ReplyDeleteWasn't Luper the key to the other Okie guys?
ReplyDeleteIt's weird that things changed so fast in the Mobile area. For a time, we got the studs from down there.
ReplyDeleteB. 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.
BigMike isn't CBS doing something for the SEC the next few years?
ReplyDeleteDid I miss something? Is the Spencer thing happening? Or are you commenting on the uncanny connections?
ReplyDeleteI 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?
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.
ReplyDeleteFor the record, Julio Jones drives a beat-up Blazer-type truck.
ReplyDeleteNobody would mistake it for an Escalade.
D.
ReplyDeleteJay thought it might be a lock because of the connections but nothing official
D. Miller ... I'm not reporting Spencer, but I'm pretty sure Auburn will hire that guy.
ReplyDeleteMaybe while we are at it we can recruit T. Boone and he will start donating to our program instead of Ok St.
ReplyDeleteWe might as well just merge with Oklahoma State, take their whole fanbase. Bring on Dez Bryant, and Zac Robinson.
ReplyDeleteMichael - Only if there is oil in Auburn.
ReplyDeleteThis 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."
ReplyDeleteThe TBoone conversation earlier did not go over well. He wanted naming rights to everything and fighting tigercowboys just doesn't work.
ReplyDeleteBut is it on Twankies Jay Tate????
ReplyDeleteI 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.
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.
ReplyDeleteThe 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
ReplyDeleteOk... Gotcha.
ReplyDeleteSo, 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.
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.
ReplyDeleteThe 5-0 down there are very familiar with his family.
D.
ReplyDeleteI ask the same thing earlier. Know nothing about Spencer. Jay G. is probably working on it.
Sounds like they are the Corleones or something.
ReplyDeletePaladin 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.
ReplyDeleteDMiller, 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.
ReplyDeleteanyone 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.
ReplyDeleteI'm out for the night, Hotties.
ReplyDeleteI will be taking notes for Saturday tonight.
Peace and may the best of the BCS teams win!
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.
ReplyDeleteIf the Montgomery Advertiser owned the SEC rights, could you trust the Montgomery Advertiser to provide balanced coverage of our own enterprise?
It's worrisome ...
Later Sensi
ReplyDeleteYeah 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.
ReplyDeleteEven the conferences should be worried about it but I guess the $$ rules.
ReplyDeletemichael,
ReplyDeleteYa gotta get a lid. I keep thinking somethings going to pop up from the top of your skull
Michael, please tell me you're not starting those ESPN rumors again.
ReplyDeleteWOW.....crickets. Guess everyone's trying to get some work done before 5.
ReplyDeleteNo, 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.
ReplyDeleteESPN has changed the world of sports across the board and that was only deepened when ABC purchased them.
ReplyDeleteBigMikeZ
ReplyDeleteThere use to be a Big Mike's Steakhouse in Florence, AL. It was a dive but the steaks were absolutely wonderful.
The Bryce Brown recruiting should be easy. As soon as he walks in the room hand him the #34 jersey and say nothing else.
ReplyDeleteGotta go distribute pay checks.....I'll be the most popular guy in the company for about 30 minutes.
ReplyDeleteLater fellow Tigers!!
weagle83,
ReplyDeleteplease send one of those checks to
Jay G. Tate
Montgomery Advertiser
425 Molton Street
Montgomery, AL 36104
Thanks for supporting a childs education...
Also send one to:
ReplyDeletemichael
Jan Terri Blvd
Awesomeville, AL 35801
What's the story on Tray Blackmon?
ReplyDeleteRE Saban in LA.
ReplyDeleteBama "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
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.
ReplyDeleteIt's nice that we're talking to him though, Tommy Tuberville probably never even knew who this guy was. He looks unreal on film.
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....
ReplyDeleteWhat about you, Jay?
ReplyDeleteWill you be back this fall, or will you be in Bristol?
Jay G,
ReplyDeleteI, 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.
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?
ReplyDeleteAnd 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.
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 ...
ReplyDeleteinsult away...
ReplyDeleteI AM A MAN.... I can take it...
Who's our freakin OL coach gonna be?!
ReplyDeleteSorry Jay, didn't mean to insult. It was just a figure of speech.
ReplyDeleteSomebody else said that Monica had the other posters eating out of her hand; perhaps that was a better way to put it. ;)
Simmer down, Griff.
ReplyDeleteIt's a position coach.
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.
ReplyDeleteGreat point, Jay
Simmered! :-)
ReplyDeleteBut '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.
What exactly would "failed miserably" look like?
ReplyDelete2008?
ReplyDeletei 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'"
ReplyDeletebeenlurking,
ReplyDeleteI 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.
Rivals says that Blackmon has signed with a CFL team and also reporting that Slaughter has left the team.
ReplyDeleteIf 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.
Receivers seem to just disappear when they go to Auburn.
ReplyDeleteI'll be sure to ask Chizik tomorrow about the Slaughter situation.
ReplyDeletewhy would you sign with a CFL team and not even try to go pro? That's the dumbest thing i have ever heard.
ReplyDeleteryan williams to JUCO let's see how many players we can lose in a week.
ReplyDeleteCanada's national healthcare plan, perhaps?
ReplyDeleteJay G,
ReplyDeleteInteresting on the weight loss thing. History?
Have you lost a lot of weight?
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.
ReplyDeleteI thought Blackmon left school in the fall or was that just the team?
ReplyDeleteB-Matt also says stay tuned for more player news.... what is going on? Mass exodus?
ReplyDeleteI hate having to work for a living. I miss out on all the HABOTN chatter.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like we have some players that were not making the grades. Are we cleaning house?
Is Raven Gray still with the team? Anybody know?
ReplyDeleteSounds like a purging is taking place here as the new semester starts...
Hopefully it's something like "ryan shoemaker is leaving the team"
ReplyDeleteI can handle losing a backup punter or a long snapper
Williams ... never played.
ReplyDeleteBlackmon ... almost never played.
Big Losses? Really?
yeah it's probably raven gray.
ReplyDeleteAnybody else hearing that A.J. McCarron is p.o.'d at SaBear?
ReplyDeleteThe 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.
A.J. McCarron = Brodie Croyle without an arm
ReplyDeleteWell 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.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteDepth
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
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.
ReplyDeleteNew nickname for the AU defense:
Cats on a Hot Tin Roof!
CatZ on a hot tin roof
ReplyDeleteRyan Williams hasn't played. Slaughter had one good game. No big loss. Is the Tray CFL move confirmed?
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteOne 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.
Nice correction Crimson
ReplyDeleteOne 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.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteAs 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.
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".
ReplyDeleteAU WR's "The most talented underachievers in the SEC". I love it.
ReplyDeleteOverated 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.
ReplyDeleteI hope I'm wrong about Eltoro. I just don't have high hopes for him.
ballin ... that's the AU spirit I've come to know and cherish right there. Excellent work.
ReplyDeleteWill Jay remember the game tonight or will he think his dream last night was real?
ReplyDeletePhred have you ever seen Eltoro play?
ReplyDeletepssst what time does the game actually start? I'm sneaking and i'm trying to end this thing asap. thanks
ReplyDelete8:15 EST Monica
ReplyDeleteIf 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.
ReplyDeleteD. Miller, that's an interesting depth chart.
ReplyDeleteA 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.
Mon, this is the NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME!!!! priorities????!!!!
ReplyDeleteno love for Quindarious? he's got a pimp name yo?
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.
ReplyDeleteI've seen his film. He's a headhunter. Well thought of as a freshman in the Gulf Coast league.
ReplyDeleteUndisciplined? 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.
Lord, will the doomsday mentality never leave us?
ReplyDeleteHe's depressed...
ReplyDeleteSix Iron Bowls in a row didn't relieve it, Phred.
ReplyDeleteI suppose nothing ever will.
I'm pulling for Florida (much as it pains me). I want the MNC to stay in the SEC.
ReplyDeleteI think the Okies have the hunger though.
We AU fans definitely need to drop the EEYORE mentality. A little positive energy might work.
ReplyDeleteI hate these announcers. I hate that its ESPN taking it over but they will provide better announcers than these two douchers.
ReplyDeleteWar Gators Roll!!! Umm, or whatever they say down there. I am SEC all the way!!!
ReplyDeleteDoomsday 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.
ReplyDeletedepressed, if Tuberville had returned, I would have had us winning around 10 games. With Chizik, I am guessing around 8.
ReplyDeleteI 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!
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteVery 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.
ReplyDeleteJay G.
ReplyDeleteThe 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.
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.
ReplyDeleteDon'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.
ReplyDeleteI agree on PPL. Be careful with that one.
ReplyDeleteSteve - I agree, that was one of his moments. Name another
ReplyDeleteSmack by FL D.
I made it! Thanks for the info NoVa. I'm so glad to see you posting more and more.
ReplyDeleteBlackmon had probably half a dozen good games.
ReplyDeleteummm..... OUCH!
ReplyDeleteThe Florida defense just said hello. Welcome to SEC defense Okrahoma.
ReplyDeleteTray 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).
ReplyDeleteHoefully, Eltoro can come in and be the difference that Tray could have been.
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.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome Monica. The posts probably won't get much more frequent though.
ReplyDeleteBrody Brody Brody!!!
ReplyDeleteTray 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.
ReplyDeleteJosh Bynes was the better player this year. Period.
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
ReplyDeleteThree kids is a lot of pressure to make some money now.
ReplyDeleteOmnica, wash out your mouth with a bar of soap. Okrahoma is evil and must be destroyed.
ReplyDeleteGo Sooners.
ReplyDeleteHowdy Hotties--just got in from Wifeys planned social comittments and turned on the game.
ReplyDeletePrediction. Ok scores on 50% of possessions and Uf scores on 75% of possessions.
I predict Florida by 2 touchdowns. I also predict a heart felt speech by Tebow at the end that will leave me nauseated.
ReplyDeleteI think that Major Wright hit, while awesomely explosive, was pass interference. The ball hit him in the back,
ReplyDeleteIf it ain't called, it ain't pass interference.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteStill gotta root for the SEC.
War Gator Roll!!! Lets have a score on this opening drive!!!
ReplyDeleteJust because a foul isn't called, doesn't mean it didn't happen.
ReplyDeleteOver under is 70...anyone want to take the over?
ReplyDeleteWhat could they possibly review about that?
ReplyDeleteI think I would go with the under myself. I don't think Okrahoma will score much.
ReplyDeleteSteve, 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.
ReplyDelete