2.01.2009

Recruit-by-recruit breakdown

SUNDAY NOONISH
Post No. 1,022

Hey everyone. So I was able to speak with seven of the Tigers' 12 official visitors this morning, though Farms didn't want to talk.

That's not too shabby.

So let's get to it.

DAVID OKU
Tailback from suburban Oklahoma City (Carl Albert HS)
Tennessee commitment

Player host: Ben Tate

On Gus Malzahn's offense: "Basically, all I can say is his offense is not fair from what I've seen. It's not fair with some of the trick plays he has done. It's just not fair to me. I was laughing about it with the plays as they're going on because the defense didn't know what was going on, so I just thought it was funny."

On when he'll choose a school: "It will probably be sometime around late February – 10th, 12th, something like that until I talk to one person in particular who's close to me. That's what it will be. I don't want to get attention or anything like that. The opportunity to come down here (was) great. It made me look at a lot of stuff that I really do like."

On the possibility of being solid on his commitment to Tennessee: "No. If that was the case, I would be signing on Signing Day. Coming here has given me a lot to think about, so I'm not signing anywhere. Otherwise, in that case, when it comes to Wednesday I would just be faxing information, but that's not the case."




COREY GAINES
Defensive tackle from Tallahassee, Fla. (Godby HS)

Player host: Byron Isom

On his Signing Day situation: "I'm really confused right now. I had my mind set up on Ole Miss, but Auburn is a nice place and Coach (Tracy) Rocker really wants to coach me. He's the best of the best, so that kind of threw me for a loop. So I've just got to pray about it and talk it over with my family."

On when he'll make a decision: "Probably Monday night or Tuesday morning."

On which schools are involved: "Ole Miss and Auburn."

On his favorite part of the weekend: "Just hanging around the players, really. Real down to earth, they were selling me the good and the bad stuff about being at Auburn right now."




TRACY MOORE
Wideout/tailback/tight end from Tulsa, Okla. (Union HS)
Oklahoma State commitment

Player host: Antonio Coleman

On the weekend: "It went good. I liked everything down here and everything. I'm still committed to Oklahoma State as of right now."

On the pros and cons of Auburn: "The advantage is the offense and the disadvantage is being far away from home."

On Malzahn's offense: "I've known about Coach Malzahn since he was at (Tulsa) and everything. I pretty much know everything, you know, you gotta love that offense he runs. It's hard to stop."

On what surprised him: "How big the stadium is. I didn't know it was that big."





AUBREY PHILLIPS
Offensive tackle from Olive Branch, Miss. (Olive Branch HS)
Tennessee commitment

Player host: Byron Isom

On the possibility of being solid on his commitment to Tennessee:
"I'm still committed, but on signing day I might shock some people."

On the effect Daren Bates' recent commitment to Auburn will have on him: "That plays a big part in the decision because I know I can go somewhere with somebody else that I know. I won't be so afraid to leave home if I got someone else going with me. So it plays a big role in my decision."

On what Bates told him: "He just said I love it down here. And he just said, 'Come then.' And I just said I might."

On who will help him make the final decision:
"It's all on me."




MIKE EARGLE
Defensive back from Scranton, Pa. (Lackawanna C.C.)

On if he's received an offer from Auburn: "As of right now, they haven't given it to me yet. They said it's a big process and something will work out."

On his choice if an offer is made: "If I received an Auburn offer, I'd sign tomorrow."

On his visit: "I enjoyed it. I wish I could come back and play."

On his connection to Auburn: "Coach Ted Roof. I received interest from Minnesota (Roof's former employer) when they saw my highlights. They decided to give me a call."




DAREN BATES
Safety from Olive Branch, Miss. (Olive Branch HS)
Auburn commitment

Player host: Craig Stevens

On going from an unheralded recruit to Auburn commitment so quickly: "It all happened in weeks. Everybody was coming at me and saying they wanted me to come visit this last week. It was easy to come to Auburn and play for them. Coach (Gene) Chizik came over to my school on a Wednesday. The next you know, Coach Taylor, Coach Roof all came over the next week. They offered me and I took it."

On hearing his name announced at Jordan-Hare Stadium last night: "That was awesome. I loved running out on the field. I could see myself doing that for the next three or four years. I had my jersey number on and saw the eagle and saw the type of atmosphere it would be that we play in."

On influencing Olive Branch teammates Aubrey Phillips to sign with Auburn: "Oh yeah. I'm trying to get him to come with me here so we can be roommates and be on the field together."




VISITORS I MISSED
QB Clint Moseley of Leroy HS
DB Taikwon Paige of Georgia Military College (native of Augusta, Ga.)
TB Dontae Aycock of Tampa, Fla.
LB Greg King of Memphis
"OL" Charlie Knipper of Wisconsin (long snapper)

208 comments:

  1. Thank you, Dear Leader. I like the way you think (and dress) too.

    Yes, Tar, you must pay me to find out.

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  2. "Basically, all I can say is his offense is not fair from what I've seen." That Oku quote cracked me up. So, are they waiting so long to sign so they can see where other recruits sign? Are they trying to make sure they sign somewhere they can be the man?

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  3. I am really lik'in this Tracy Moore kid...

    Just his size reminds me of that MASSIVE TE from UGA a few years back (POPE?)... on the goalline he would just take a step and turn around for a jump ball.. he was huge.. we could use that kind of size...

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  4. Moore is not a bulky guy and he talked about playing slot receiver.

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  5. Tommy Trot, Phillip Lutzkenchirken, Tracy Moore at same position yikes.

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  6. Aubrey and John Sullen look like twins

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  7. Jay,

    I haven't ever posted, but I always look forward to the recruiting updates. You are the best in the biz.

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  8. Chris,
    Welcome...

    Please send $19.95 to:

    Jay G. Tate Lunch Fund
    Montgomery Advertiser
    425 Molton Street
    Montgomery, AL 36104

    and for updates on the status of Michaels Wife:

    Please send $9.95 to Monica.. address to follow..

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  9. Chris: Dear Leader is being funny. Thanks for reading.

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  10. No problem. I am like most. I check in on the blog several times a day, but don't have a lot to offer. I really like that the info doesn't go up until it is concrete. As for the lunch fund, I will be glad to give you $3.00 towards the $5.00 sandwich special at Byron's. After 4:00 p.m. on a weekday, of course.

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  11. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  12. Anyone know if Reggie Hunt and Onterrio Mccalleb will be on the team next year?

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  13. I think they got verbals from Phillips and Farms this weekend. I think they feel pretty good about Gaines. The big question marks are Emory B, Tana P and Oku.

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  14. welcome chris. jgt, you didn't hook up with the long snapper? call me cruelly disappointed. great stuff. i'm off to purchase some rioting essentials in case the cards win.

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  15. Carney,

    Not sure if we have room for all, but if we somehow miraculously ended up with those 6, I'd be seriously giddy.

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  16. jhag, coaches don't make offers based upon stars. Many don't even look at rivals or scout. They look for talent and filling needs on a team. Stars are for fans to get excited about.

    Jordan Hair, I would be shocked if Tyrik sees the field in 09. I would hate to see us make the same mistake with another QB.

    WarEagleRK, I like the idea of an early signing period to some degree, but I think there is a reason the recruits have to wait. They don't want kids signing early, changing their minds, then being stuck. They want to ensure the recruits consider their options and not make a rush decision.

    As for commitment, in the case of recruiting, recruits are just trying to make sure they have a sure thing, then go from there. Many aren't truly committed.

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  17. Jay did you get Bates' actual height?

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  18. I understand we're going to sign the snapper, Knipper, but he projects as a holder in college

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  19. Mike Eargle has to come, we need some more Scrantonicity on this football team.

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  20. Do we have a shot at that long snapper. Some people over emphasize the importance of quarterbacks, running backs, or kickers. Give me a good long snapper any day.

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  21. Verbals from Phillips and Farms, that would be nuts... Check this out-

    Andre Harris: 6'4 328 lbs
    John Sullen: 6'5 340 lbs
    Aubrey Phillips: 6'6 310 lbs

    MEAT!!!!!!!!!!! no more of this 280lbs mess.. time for Ziemba to beef up again

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  22. We sign Eargle only if he brings Pam with him.

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  23. Steve there is a reason a kid has 4 stars though lets not act like the coached don't know how highly regaruded a kid is.

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  24. jhaq, as for stars, explain Leon Hart.

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  25. Don't you mean, Leon "No" Hart?

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  26. So what's going on with my wife? I want to know, but I am not willing to pay Monica the money to find out. Someone report the info here like you guys always do with the scout and rivals info.

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  27. Or perhaps we should have never recruited Marks. He is a two star guy.

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  28. Then there is this Rothlisberger guy, who went to college at Miami of Ohio. Was he a five star that turned us down in favour of Miami of Ohio?

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  29. Michael,
    Rumor has it that she kicks FGs. But that's just from the headline. I didn't pay for the full article.

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  30. Aw, Jhag ...

    You went and pulled Zteve's star string!

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  31. relax, im just saying it seems logical to offer someone who experts say is a good player a scholarship, i'm not saying not to offer the 2-stars that coaches like. simmer down now

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  32. jhag said...
    Verbals from Phillips and Farms, that would be nuts... Check this out-

    Andre Harris: 6'4 328 lbs
    John Sullen: 6'5 340 lbs
    Aubrey Phillips: 6'6 310 lbs


    What is nice about this is that they have not even hit the training table yet... Coach Yox can do wonders with these kids.

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  33. "Coach Yox can do wonders for these kids."

    Like put them on a diet of carrots and celery.

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  34. The other thing is choosing which 4 or 5 star you offer and if their skills fit positions you are trying to fill.

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  35. no,no,no...

    That was the Nall Diet Plan...

    We are now on Grimes plan.. think buffalos.... big...

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  36. Coach Yox is great. He got the guys into the kind of shape the Franklin Experience required.

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  37. Bigger isn't always better, although in terms of the offensive line, I will usually take the beef. Defensive lines can be a bit smaller and quicker. It is a trade off.

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  38. If Michael's wife is a FG Kicker, would she be subject to KOS or would she receive some special exemption since considering who her husband is that's handicap aplenty?

    Inquiring minds want to know...

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  39. Speaking of buffaloes, I couldn't go to a school that calls themselves buffaloes but has a bison mascot.

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  40. HABOTN is indeed full coverage. You know, I haven't even seen mention of KOS on the pay sites. HABOTN is definitely cutting edge.

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  41. "Franklin Experience "

    Why do I have visions of purple monkeys, melting in a forest of black roses while ompaloompas dancing around Nick Saban...

    Its just a bad dream, its just a bad dream... I will not hang out with Michael Phelps anymore...

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  42. Not to mention that it is much tougher to get a buffalo to fly around the stadium.

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  43. Don't forget the donkey mascot named "Dumb Ass."

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  44. THT
    As a true AUburn Fan I will not get sucked into a talk about Mascots and what a team is called...

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  45. Carney what makes you think they got verbals from Phillips and Farms this weekend?

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  46. I can't believe recruiting season is about over and we are about to enter that dreadful period between signing day and September. Oh sure, there is that spring practice stuff, but we usually win the spring game.

    So, it will become to to discuss more philosophical questions, such as this. If Jay G. Tate leaves the Gump heading north on I-65 and Tony Franklin leaves the Ham at the same time heading south on I-65, how long will it take Jay to get Tony to mention he is an idiot?

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  47. 'Bout the time Tony gets to Aladumbaster.

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  48. Kathy, I think he was just saying wouldn't it be great. We shall see. Until they sign, it is all just guessing.

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  49. Dear Leader,
    Every response I've tried to type is so full of holes that I've just given up.

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  50. Thanks Zteve. I wouldn't even try to second guess an 18-yr old kid. I believe it when those letters are signed.

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  51. Kathy, From talking to someone I believe that got verbals from those 2. Farms has been very interested in Auburn for a long time. He started to visit here a couple weeks ago. But after being warned by NC he decided not to. Roof did a great job last week in getting him in here. I fully expect him to sign with Auburn on Wednesday.

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  52. I like Dontae Aycock. Running back whose brother has spent 10 years in the NFL and was MVP in a Super Bowl (do I have to pay the NFL money to use that?), Dwight Smith. If we don't get him he'll be an option QB for GTech, and that would be a scary thing to see, especially for the Dawgs.

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  53. Hello HABOTN. Thought I would join after weeks of lurking. Thanks Jay for the daily insights from the plains.

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  54. Lets add a pic to add to your reading pleasure.

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  55. Great Carney! Hope your source is correct. What a great coup for Auburn to get those 2.

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  56. Welcome to all the new posters. Since you have been lurkers, you know this is the best site for your Auburn news. Also there are a great group of Hotties here. War Eagle!

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  57. I would like to propose a couple of new team rules. If you are a linebacker and you hit the Alabama quarterback, you go down, and he doesn't, you are officially demoted to water boy. If you are a kicking an extra point, the snap is good, the hold is good, and you miss the extra point; you are officially demoted to assistant to the water boy.

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  58. Zteve, I move to amend your proposals ...

    Proposal A: Ex-LB to wear pink shirt while fulfilling waterboy duties.

    Proposal B: Kicker on a Stick.

    J-Z ... you over your infection yet?

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  59. To revive the sour cream/buttermilk discussion from this morning, I just put a batch of Honey-Buttermilk bread in the machine.

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  60. After watching Fox News this a.m., I am thinking about Bacon Explosion, with cornbread crumbled up in buttermilk.

    Quadruple bypass for dessert.

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  61. Hello all...Thanks Jay for all the info. If all this pans out in the end (Signing Day) this will be one heck of a win for Auburn. For a group of coaches that can pull a possible top 15 recruiting class with only a couple of months to do it in is impressive in my book. If they can coach this talent as good as they recruit it...than all I can say is "WOW" and I will be the first to eat crow with Jay Jacobs with this hire. Can't wait to see it all play out!!! WAR EAGLE

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  62. Wouldn't it be great to have a big HABOTN post-Thanksgiving dinner in Auburn after Tigers kick UA-T and win the west. Does cranberry sauce go well with stuffed crow?

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  63. I'll show up ... only if Jay G.T. puts on his pilgrim garb and slices the bird for us.

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  64. Hopefully, we wouldn't be the ones eating the crow.

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  65. So someone tell us what Coleman said about his visit to TN. Do we care?

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  66. People judged Jacobs and the Chizik hire way to quickly. To me, it is still up in the air on whether it was a good hire. We won't really know until at least 3 or 4 years down the road. So far this staff has done a pretty good job of holding this class together and adding a few high rated players. The real test will be how well they are able to get the players to perform.

    I am especially interested in seeing what happens with Hawthorne and Zachary. For those of you who don't know, they were high profile wide receiver recruits that disappeared into a black hole.

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  67. Okay folks, I got a troubling question. When did Steve Perry become oriental?

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  68. I heard the jerseys that the recruits wore running out of the tunnel the other night were orange.

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  69. Did he sing...
    Don't stop berieving?

    I keed
    I keed

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  70. Aubie, that kicker on a stick avatar is pretty awesome.

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  71. Aubie ... talk about orange jerseys some more ... and it might be Aubie on a Stick.

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  72. Question, isn't it a NCAA violation to simulate a gameday experience like running out onto the field with jerseys and the eagle and everything?

    check out the bottom of this article, it talks about it being illegal.

    http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/football/ncaa/01/29/washington.violation.ap/index.html

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  73. The Auburn jet flew to Teterboro, stayed on the ground for 45 minutes and returned to Auburn. Could there be a Patriots coach in our future?

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  74. Why would you assume we were going to have a patriots coach from a plane flying into Teterboro, isn't that in NJ?

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  75. Zteve I was wondering the same thing...

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  76. Isn't Teterboro in New Jersey?

    Aubie on a stick... with an orange jersey

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  77. I think Tennessee got in trouble for using the fog machine at Neyland with recruits.

    Of course there were strippers and pole dances too...

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  78. Who is this wakerider...a bammer?

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  79. Larry Fitzgerald is a freak. Anyone else hear anything on Greg Reid supposedly stopping in this weekend?

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  80. Ouch that hurts ATL... I've been called alot of things but a bammer isn't one of them.

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  81. Yep, you're right, Wave. I confused it with Foxborough.

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  82. Zteve I think ppeople judged the Chiz hire the way you are suppose to under those circumstances.

    As far as Hawthorne goes, he will still be in the blackhole. Remember he left the team earlier this month.

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  83. actually that would have been last month since this is Feb 1

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  84. We will finish in the top 15 in recruiting. Gonna sign the BIG OL guys..I see a 320lb avg on the oline coming soon. Gonna be sweet. speed behind em as well. I think we win 9 games next season, I hope I am correct but I also believe Oku signs as well , along with a BIG suprise or two on wed.

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  85. Thought it was slaughter that left the team? Hawthore is still around unless I missed something

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  86. I didn't realize Hawthorne had left the team. I though just Slaughter left.

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  87. What up peeps? Hope everyone is having a great Sunday.

    Signing day can't get here soon enough....

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  88. AUBigCat, I am not sure how you are suppose to judge new coaches or who defined how it should be done. The bottom line is you give them 3 or 4 years before you have a good idea. Then they get a couple of more if things aren't going so well.

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  89. When did Hawthorne leave the team? I missed that one.

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  90. The Lady tigers win again!!

    66-53 with 11 sec to go!

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  91. Welcome to all the new Hottie lurkers! We were all there at one time and now are addicted........


    Final 66-55!!!!!!!

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  92. I've heard nothing about Hawthorne leaving, I think your getting him confuse with slaughter

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  93. Good news WEG! Glad to hear they are back on their winning streak.

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  94. Auburn women: Back in the high life again.

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  95. So, which is more likely?

    1) Tuberville returns as the Auburn head coach, hiring Tony Franklin as the OC and David Gibbs as the DC.
    2) Nick Saban wins a slam dunk competition.
    3) The Cardinals win the Super Bowl.

    Inquiring minds want to know.

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  96. I stand corrected guys that was Slaughter I was thinking about! Guess I'll go back to my blackhole now lol

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  97. Zteve I think you're suppose to judge new coaches on what they did at their last job. The same way every other professional is judged.

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  98. I am disappointed Slaughter left, but I had the impression he had an attitude problem. We have talent at WR. It is going to be interesting to see how well Troop can bring it out.

    Another thing I found a bit surprising. I read that Roof is our highest paid assistant. For some reason I thought it would be Malzahn.

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  99. AUBigCat, in this case it is really hard to know how he did at his last job. Playing young players and mostly players he didn't recruit tells you next to nothing.

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  100. I suppose you could try to judge a coach by his overall carrier, but in this case he hasn't had much experience as a head coach. I don't believe a good DC necessarily means a good head coach.

    The best judgement I think that could be made in this situation is the plan Chizik put forth to Jacobs in the interview.

    Still, like I say, you can't really judge until several years down the road. If we went undefeated and won the national championship next season, I would still hold judgement on how good a hire it was. Terry Bowden is a good example of this.

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  101. I judge the HABOTN as the nation's hottest blog.

    Who wants to disagree with me?

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  102. I concur Jay. Definitely the hottest blog.

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  103. How could you have missed the long snapper. Can you imagine the insight we could have gotten from the answer to "Why do you think Auburn needs two long snappers in one recruiting class?"

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  104. I dont know Jay...how hot were your previous blogs?

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  105. There can't possibly be a HOTTER blog!!!!
    Jay is it my imagination or is the MA getting thinner by the day?!

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  106. War Eargle (Lackawanna JC) is from Elizabeth, NJ. Is that anywhere near Teterboro? Did they go talk to coach/parents?

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  107. I agree Jay..This is a great place full of good people.

    OT: Who does everybody want to win the Super Bowl today?

    I'm kinda for the Cardinals. Freddie Kitchens is an assistant with them. I grew up down the street from Freddie. He has overcome alot and is a good guy.

    Besides the Steelers have won plenty of Super Bowls.

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  108. Jay I might have missed your answer but did you get Bates true height?

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  109. I'm pulling for the Cardinals, but I think the Steelers have the edge.

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  110. AUBigCat- it's somewhere between 5'10" and 6'1".

    you can smack me up side the head the next time you see me.

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  111. I am torn with the Super Bowl. I am a long time Stealers fan, but I love the idea that a team like the Cardinals can make it to the Super Bowl. They are one of those teams that I occasionally forget are in the NFL.

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  112. Elizabeth, home town of Mike "War" Eargle, is 21 miles S of Teterboro. Both are on the Jersey side of the Hudson R. near NYC.

    That would be my guess why plane was up there.

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  113. If Jeremy Cox's knee is OK he could be the BIG TIME sleeper of 2009. He was invited to camps with the top recruits last summer (including Florida's largest), but only got to play two games this year. He rushed for over 2000 yards last year.

    Right now he plans to walk on at Auburn. I'm rooting for him.

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  114. As a brief resident of Pittsburgh during their 2 Stanley Cup wins, and a HUGE Pens fan and moderate Steelers fan (GBP is my team since Bart Starr days), I guess I should be pulling for Steelers. But I'd love to see Ol' Kurt win another and Hood & Dansby get a couple of picks each.

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  115. I thought it was against the rules to fly recruits on university planes. Schools that don't own them complained.

    Maybe there's an exception for JUCO.

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  116. Come on. Steelers are basic, blue collar,...America.

    Go Steelers!!! We couldn't get #7 against Bama, so lets get SB #7!!

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  117. FSJ - don't turn us in ;-)

    Astat - I'm certain Mike Eargle isn't on that plane. Completely unrelated (trying to throw FSJ off track). The plane made that trip last week and I thought it might have been an in home visit. I didn't realize it was heading there right this minute. Your guess is as good or better than mine.

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  118. Anonymous4:45 PM

    I hope we wins 9 games next season as predicted above. Not sure that has anything to do with having a #15 recruiting class as mentioned in teh same paragraph.

    Th problem at AU will be the fan's/PTB's patience if these coacnes don't winright away. The defense should be good, b/c enough talent is there to reload. The major offense change will take a few seasons to implement. AU fans jumped to unreasonable positive expectations last off-season and then freaked out when it didn't work. Let's don't do that again.

    Keep thinking cautiously optimistic.

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  119. actually it flew up there late morning and back earlier this afternoon. hmmm, not sure who they were taking where.

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  120. I like the idea of getting kids like Jeremy Cox. I suspect that one of the reasons some high profile recruits don't work out is work ethic. When you are a kid like Cox, you know you have to work hard.

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  121. Gaines looks like he is big enough and mean enough to block a school bus. I hope we get him.

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  122. Did I miss it or were the Aycock and Moore visits a surprise. How many running backs are we trying to sign right now?

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  123. Eh THT I feel quite confident we do the same thing...

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  124. I think the door is still wide open at runninback recruiting. I say this because some runningbacks may end up playing else, like receiver, or in the case of Brandon Jacobs, possibly linebacker.

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  125. wakerider- yes, simulation of game day is against the rules. So how does one differentiate walking out on the field vs "game day" type stuff? We'd have to go to the rule book to find out. But I don't have my NCAA rule book handy here at work; it's bookmarked at home (Monica, NCAA expert...help!).

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  126. AUBigCat: Bates was about two inches taller than me.

    That puts him at 5-11 and a half.

    Oku, on the other hand, is a little shorter than me. That puts him around 5-9.

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  127. Gaines has a VERY large chest. He looks like a bad man.

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  128. Jay G, if you had to guess which ones would you see signing on Wednesday? Obviously not Oku since he does not plan to announce his intentions until the 10th or 11th.

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  129. Hello from Bryan Matthews' Super Bowl party.

    My best guesses: Phillips signs with Auburn, Oku to Auburn, King to Tennessee.

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  130. I really hope we are not going to see a trend toward waiting until after signing day to decide.

    It's ridiculous, IMO.

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  131. Does Karlos Dansby have a beef with Auburn? I could swear the last several games I've seen the TV lineups, he chooses to announce his high school and not his college.

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  132. Phooey, I think they only tape those once per season. He apparently chose to honor his high school this season.

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  133. All discussion of NCAA rules related to our recruiting activities should cease and desist. Thank you.

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  134. A lot of players do that. I'm not sure why, but I don't think it's anything personal against the school.

    Mike Tirico is really good about bringing up the school they played for when a player makes a big play. Al Michaels, not so much.

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  135. I've got the sound turned down. I don't care for Michaels or Madden. I used to love both of them back in the '80s. What has happened?

    God...I love Wipeout!

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  136. North Alabama: Former Florida State offensive coordinator Jeff Bowden is joining the staff at North Alabama under his brother, Terry Bowden. Jeff Bowden will coach the wide receivers.

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  137. Wipeout is awesome. I taped it to watch later.

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  138. Welcome to the HABOTN, Chris and bi-polar bear!

    Micahel pay up if you want the info. Your wife knows not to speak to you without my permission.

    Kathy - Carney is a good source in my opinion.

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  139. The Rock = purrrrrrrrrrrrr

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  140. Joel Kight to Ole Miss.

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  141. It sure looks like Ole Miss is legit. They did the right thing getting the Nutt. We hear a lot more about Ole Miss than we do Arkansas these days.

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  142. Thanks for the awesome reporting JGT. You're doing what we all wish we could.

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  143. The Cardinals winning the Super Bowl?

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  144. well this game has been shocking to me...

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  145. Hating the Steelers is one of my earliest football memories....things have not changed much.

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  146. What a great football game!!! Glad to see such a competitive game.

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  147. Well, I'm sad the AU boys couldn't pull one out tonight. But I'm a Pennsylvania boy who always hated the Eagles...so the Steelers winning is cool.

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  148. geez... they got Joe sobered up to hand out the trophy

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  149. Wow Joe Namath is really old.

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  150. I find Mike Tomlin very cool and he reminds me of the guy on House.

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  151. Guess thats why they call it "Sixburg"...well if they dont call it that the should now!

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  152. Joe Willie was not Strrrruuugggling getting up there. Guess that Bammer degree sobered him up. Also, why did Mr. Rooney thank President Obama? What has his 12 day reign as POTUS done to allow the Steelers win this championship?

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  153. Anonymous9:28 PM

    We may not be hearing much about Ark, but according to Scout, they are currently ranked 13th, AU-15th and Ol' Miss 23rd. The have 31 and 29 commits and AU has 26.

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  154. My favorite super bowl commercials.
    1. 1st doritos where guy throws crystal ball through vending machine.
    2. Ball was on cart path.

    Overall down year on the commercials.

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  155. Alex Flanagan in the losing lockerroom. Life is not all bad.

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  156. Bob Costas needs some Visine if he's going to get loaded during the game! HA HA

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  157. Anonymous9:39 PM

    Ear;ier this week, i got an email that contained 3 BudLight Commercials that were destined for the Super Bowl. None of those were shown and were better than the ones that were shown.

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  158. POTUS said he was pulling for Steelers, ID'ing them as his favorite team outside of Bears.

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  159. Is thanking the POTUS going to be the standard at all future post game celebrations. Which reminds me, Dear Leader, do your minions thank you each time they manage to get a loaf of bread in the food line in Pyonyang?

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  160. Monica I can see the Mike Tomlin/ Omar Epps comparisons. I think it's the eyes.

    Arkansas and Ole Miss already have 30 commits. I think that helps up with the likes of Aubrey Phillips and Cory Gaines.

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  161. BigCat - eyes and mouth. this isn't a good pic of Mike Tomlin, but obviously Deadspin agrees with us. However, I think Tomlin is better looking.

    http://cache.deadspin.com/assets/resources/2007/01/OmarEppsMikeTomlin.jpg

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  162. News flash: Football is over.

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  163. jhaq, football is in a slow period, but at least we have spring training.

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  164. Thank you Ben. Thank you Santonio. Go Steelers!!

    I can sleep well tonight....

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  165. jhag we still have the pro bowl this weekend...

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  166. Great Super Bowl. Really was rooting ford the Cards, though.

    Alright Auburn, let's shock the world and land some recruits we weren't supposed to! Waaaaar Eagle, hey! Woooohoooo!

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  167. Wow Bobby Knight is looking into the Georgia job, I wish we would go after him

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  168. I don't think I'd want bobby knight.

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  169. Yeah booby knight looks a lot better to me in georgia than AU.

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  170. Home from work. Did I miss anything today?

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  171. Oh, wait - The refs just threw ANOTHER personal foul penalty on Arizona.

    Its a fact that the best officiating crew should never be noticed. These guys had more air-time than Ben Rothlesburger.

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  172. I wouldn't care for Bobby Knight at Auburn, regardless of how many games he would win. He isn't exactly an example of the Auburn spirit.

    I would also like to propose the HABOTN name be changed to the BABOTN. It has a certain ring to it and could stand for the Baddest Auburn Blog on the Net. As Run-DMC would say, not bad meaning bad, but bad meaning good.

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  173. so what ya gotta do to join the hotties on facebook?? Am i in the right clique?

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  174. I want us to get Corey Gaines, by the way. His name reminds me of Rowdy Gaines, and the name is how I judge most recruits.

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  175. BinOBA, I am not sure of the exact procedure. I think you can send a request to join to Jay or Kristina. I know you must include your HABOTN nickname in the reqest. There may also be some kind of initiation of hazing, possibly involving goldfish, but I am not certain.

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  176. Morning Hotties - Wednesday's almost here. Just a couple more days of speculation about the who's and the where's, then Spring ball. Or more importantly, 215 days and counting...

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  177. The only thing that I can comprehend at this point to elevate my Bama Hate would be for UAT to hire Bobby Knight.

    That would be perfect.

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  178. yall are right Jeff Lebo is better to have than bobby knight.

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  179. SFC I love the idea of BABOTN! Especially considering that all the Hotties are such BAMF's...I will let y'all translate that.

    I just can't see Bobby Knight fitting the Auburn crowd real well.

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  180. Jhag ... I'm not a Knight fan ... you can be intense without being out of control. I've never seen someone so hypocritical about discipline.

    Preaches it, and demands it, but never, ever practices it.

    Plus, he's kinda like Pat Dye ... about 20 years past his prime.

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  181. Anonymous7:39 AM

    I just heard on the radio that the son of Rick from Rick and Bubba committed to Auburn. I didn't realize we had offered him. Any of you have any further details on this?

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  182. Robert Montgomery Knight, as much as I like him, isn't even yesterday's news. He's last decade's news.

    Auburn doesn't need that headache. He won't thrive at the D-I level again regardless of employer.

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  183. JGT - To steal a Chevy Chase line; "Well said, well spoken."

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  184. rick and Bubba's kid, havent heard anything, he;s not on the list, anywhere. I heard he was a smaller school talent, like Jacksonville St. , etc

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  185. Looks like he's a one-star center ... 6-3, 235 ... vestavia ... i dunno.

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  186. Anonymous8:00 AM

    I was rolling through stations and heard something about Auburn commitments. I stopped, listened, and the announcement was there. Maybe he's a good long-snapper or something.

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  187. he sounds like a long snapper to me. wow, the competition for that position may steal all the headlines

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  188. Morning HOTTIES!

    Well it's coming down to the wire, and it will be over before you know it....

    We will close very good, i have a good feeling.

    All have a HABOTN Day!

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  189. Does anyone know if the offer to Blake Burgess is a full scholly offer or an invited walkon offer?
    Rivals has him listed at 6'4"/260#

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  190. Anonymous8:22 AM

    That 6'4"/260 listing sounds like something from the WWE.

    He's not that heavy. He is tall.

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  191. The dog just vomited on the rug and Mrs THT is in New Orleans. Should I get a neighbor to come clean it up?

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  192. I can handle blood and severed limbs, but vomit...yuck

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