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2.10.2009

Taking a look at: Offensive line

Hey everyone. Though basketball will be picking up tomorrow, there isn't much going on today ... yet.

So we'll start an occasional series on positions along the football depth chart. We can examine what went well in 2008, what went awry and what you can expect in 2009.

LAST YEAR: It was a mess. The Tigers' initial offense was flawed because, as we discussed many times last season, nobody seemed to take ownership of it. Tony Franklin said it wasn't his. Hugh Nall said it wasn't his. You know Tommy Tuberville had no role in offensive administration.

Once Franklin was dismissed on Oct. 8, Auburn's offense became an amalgam of different ideas that assembled into a confusing array of nothingness. The team had no identity. The line didn't know how to play anymore. It had been conditioned during the off-season to be a leaner group ready to handle an 85-play day. Now they were being asked to be bulldozers again -- without their standard weight. You know how that ended.
WHAT WENT RIGHT: Not much. Guard Big Snacks Berry played fairly well when thrust into full-time duty at West Virginia and beyond. Center Ryan Pugh doesn't quit.
WHAT WENT WRONG: Lee Ziemba was injured (a torn meniscus in his left knee has been repaired), Jason Bosley was injured, Byron Isom lost his job and, for reasons I can't explain, Tyronne Green didn't play well.
WHAT'S NEW: Everything. New offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn will have ownership of Auburn's 2009 offense, which means there probably will be a singular vision of how the line should execute. New OL coach Jeff Grimes, hired from Colorado, accepted this job because he believes in what Malzahn is teaching. A united front among the coaches should prompt significantly better performance.

Ziemba will be ready by summer. He was very good as a freshman.

Auburn added two signees -- guard Andre Harris and tackle John Sullen. Harris could push for playing time. Sullen is expected to redshirt in an effort to re-build his body.
A STAB AT THE 2009 DEPTH CHART
- LT: Lee Ziemba, A.J. Greene
- LG: Byron Isom, Bart Eddins
- C: Ryan Pugh, Big Snacks Berry
- RG: Berry, Kyle Coulahan
- RT: Andrew McCain, Jared Cooper

Photo credit: Todd Van Emst/Auburn University

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

377 Comments:

Seanzie said...: UNO!; 12:11 PM
Seanzie said...: Good work Jay, I believe this is where we got into trouble last season from day one. We could have had Peyton and Joe Addai back there and still lost 5 games.; 12:13 PM
Jet said...: And we were starting to have a little fun with the last one!

But a timely discussion of our greatest need is in order.; 12:15 PM
Anonymous said...: Great analysis. I look forward to reading these in the off-season.

By the way, "a confusing array of nothingness" is also another way to describe the work of Coldplay.; 12:16 PM
Jet said...: I understand Hugh Nall and Steve Ensminger are forming a "Coldplay"
cover play called "Stretchplay."; 12:17 PM
Jet said...: And a cover band, too.; 12:18 PM
Seanzie said...: From all I've been reading it sounds like our O-line is getting bigger and ready to be more physical. I just find it really dumb, for lack of a better word, asinine works too, that people making hundreds of thousands of dollars to coach football wouldn't have come to some kind on consensus concerning offensive scheme when given the better part of 8 months to prepare and a successful bowl season to build upon. Especially considering this is one of AU's biggest revenue streams. It's no wonder that "leadership team" is no longer employed.; 12:18 PM
AUfan said...: Ziemba and McCain should be put under secret service protection until fall. I'm not even sure their two back-ups are tackles. Greene is a converted D-lineman and Cooper has been an inside guy. OT recruiting has been awful. 5 lineman(3 tackles) should be a minimum this year.; 12:20 PM
Tar Heel Tiger said...: Sensi - ouch.
Just for that, I'm going to have to listen to the 2 Coldplay songs in my iTunes.; 12:22 PM
Anonymous said...: Dr. H, if you want to rot your eardrums and brain, it is your choice.

Just like it was A-Rod's and Bonds', and every other MLB player's choice to juice. Personally, that's your right as far as I'm concerned.

I hope the repaired knee of LZ will help him with his false start issue.; 12:24 PM
Anonymous said...: And Coldplay was much more interesting when they called the band Radiohead.; 12:26 PM
Seanzie said...: Whoa Sensi, so let me get see if I get this, you think Coldplay is useless but Radiohead is good?; 12:26 PM
Anonymous said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 12:28 PM
Anonymous said...: We should probably carry this to an email thing gang. Hit me at jbs0003@auburn.edu

Back to the O-Line -

Jay G., I know this will be discussed in the future entries. However, I am curious if you think the RB problems were more problems with the line, the scheme, or the RB play?; 12:28 PM
Scott M. Brannan said...: #16, Dameyune Craig

not a fan of Coldplay either. i just don't get the allure.

i'm excited about the fact that the coaches will be working with as opposed to against each other this fall on offense. it doesn't make sense to me either that they had 8 months to prepare for the season and still had no clue what to do. baffling!; 12:32 PM
Righty said...: Hey Guys
Longtime lurker, second time poster. I love this blog. AL.com sux. What ever happened to Oscar Gonzalez ( I think that was his name). Thought he looked like he had potential.; 12:38 PM
Anonymous said...: What will you all consider marked improvement in terms of points per game avg.?

Keep in mind it was something in the 17s last season.; 12:38 PM
Scott M. Brannan said...: welcome to the HABOTN Righty!

not sure whatever happened to Gonzalez. ??; 12:39 PM
Anonymous said...: Welcome Righty.; 12:39 PM
Anonymous said...: Jay G,

I noticed the TEs were not included as a part of the o-line. That makes sense as they were split in the slot often early, but we played a lot of TE next to tackle sets later in the season.

Wondered what your thoughts on their development were?; 12:42 PM
Brad said...: Jay:

Please tell me Malzahn's offensive line won't telegraph every play like the Franklin/Nallsminger monster did (i.e. running plays were from a 3 point stance; passing plays from an upright position)?; 12:46 PM
Righty said...: Thanks for the welcomes. Sensi- Radiohead is great- they always kinda put me in a trance. Kind of dangerous for driving music IYAM. I saw the 60 minute special on Coldplay the other night and thought it was ok. Never been a big fan but they seem to "get it" about music. They at least appreciate the fans it seems. Nothing like the last big Douchebags from the UK - Oasis. I am a musician myself so I can appreciate a lot of what the guy from Coldplay said the other night. BTW- I had no idea that guy was married to Paltrow- Guess I should start reading my wife's US Weekley's.; 12:47 PM
Jeremy Eubanks said...: I like coldplay. Just sayin'.; 12:48 PM
Tar Heel Tiger said...: From Anniston Star in DEC 2007

GOING: Reserve offensive tackle Oscar Gonzalez has received his release to transfer. The oft-injured Gonzalez hasn't been with the team since early November. Tuberville cited academic issues at the time.; 12:51 PM
Righty said...: Great find on that article. Wow, how did I miss that?; 12:53 PM
Norm said...: Meh. Coldplay, Radiohead, blah, blah, blah. I'm currently bobbing my head to "Tempted" by Squeeze. I embrace the fact that I know nothing of the previously mentioned groups other than the fact that they exist (or did?). I'm happily entrenched with my old music tastes.

Oh yeah, welcome Righty.; 12:54 PM
AUfan said...: Gonzalez would have never seen the field barring a disaster. OL recruiting has been more miss than hit lately.; 12:56 PM
Seanzie said...: Gatiger...what is "Squeeze"?; 12:57 PM
Tar Heel Tiger said...: Red Rubber Ball by The Cyrcle now playing

I love the chorus:

And I think it's gonna be alright
Yeah, the worst is over now
The mornin' sun is shinin' right on Auburn football; 12:57 PM
Righty said...: Sensi- as far as ppg average, I think we should be able to score near 30. I am more worried about what the no huddle might do to our defensive production. FWIW, I never liked Rhodes' scheme. Always thought it was too soft. I do not think the defense has laid the wood as well since Chizik left. Hope we can get back to that. Especially in the secondary.; 12:58 PM
Seanzie said...: Righty, I have visions of Rosegreen introducing himself to Reggie Brown. That was a hit I'll never forget.; 12:59 PM
Monica said...: Welcome to the HABOTN, Righty; 1:00 PM
Righty said...: I loved Junior man. He had the tendency to get burned every now and then but was probably, pound for pound- our best hitting safety since Rob Pate.; 1:02 PM
Righty said...: Thanks Mon :); 1:03 PM
Tar Heel Tiger said...: Righty, Welcome and WAR EAGLE!!! I agree on Rhoads. At the time, I thought he was a great hire, but his defensive schemes were a bit too passive.; 1:04 PM
Wakeriderof87 said...: I agree with you Righty, never loved what I saw from Rhodes defensive scheme. I'm not much of a bend don't break kinda guy, I'm more into break the opposing team's face kinda guy.

I'm sure Ziemba is looking forward to getting back to playing how we saw him play his freshman year, I know I am.; 1:04 PM
Anonymous said...: Gov. Jet said...
I understand Hugh Nall and Steve Ensminger are forming a "Coldplay"
cover play called "Stretchplay."

I literally LOL'ed at this! Now that I know what the stretch play is!; 1:04 PM
AUfan said...: I want to see Chizik working with Mike McNeil. He has not been the player he was made out to be coming into AU. I hope Chizik can help him turn it around. Rhoads was way too vanilla for my taste. I like to see a few wrinkles thrown in sometimes.; 1:07 PM
Righty said...: Thanks Dr.
I am not into reactionary defense. I would rather live (and die) by aggressiveness and pressure. Just knock the crap out of anybody you see not wearing orange and blue- including refs- and I promise it will give the opposing players a lot more to think about.; 1:07 PM
Seanzie said...: You have to be very fundamentally sound on the offensive line and have good vision and a nice burst at RB to run the stretch play with any effectiveness. I think we lacked all of those things last year.; 1:08 PM
Tar Heel Tiger said...: I get totally disgusted if we average under 30ppg on offense or more than 14 on D. I sure miss the D from the late 80s. Or the 72 D. Yes, pretty high standards. But that's what it takes to go to Atlanta and points beyond.; 1:08 PM
Seanzie said...: Dr. I'm just going to say I miss the 2004 defense. I'm sure it holds its own in the pantheon of great Auburn defenses.; 1:10 PM
AUfan said...: That '88 D was awesome Dr HABOTN. One of my personal favorites.; 1:11 PM
JgobravesHAG said...: Gonna be hard to run behind that oline in the SEC if you ask me...; 1:12 PM
weagle251 said...: I think it's unfair to say that Muschamp's defenses didn't lay the wood.; 1:14 PM
Seanzie said...: Ask UGA what they thought about Will Muschamp's defense.; 1:15 PM
JgobravesHAG said...: Muschamps defense was always BOOMin and poppin heads, for sure.; 1:17 PM
Tar Heel Tiger said...: SeanZ - yes, I'd also be very happy with a 2004-like defense

gatiger - do you remember the video for Squeeze's Hourglass? I loved the optical illusions. Song, not so much.; 1:18 PM
Seanzie said...: Muschamp always had a really good defense, but I wouldn't ever call it great. Consistency was always an issue.; 1:20 PM
JgobravesHAG said...: pass coverage was BOOm's weakness we always got beat deep....agreed?; 1:21 PM
Seanzie said...: Fair enough jhag. I think he also had an issue with the morning games.; 1:22 PM
Anonymous said...: With Muschamp and Rhodes there was always too much space between the defender and the defendee. It always frustrated the crap out of me.; 1:23 PM
Anonymous said...: oops...Rhoads; 1:24 PM
AUfan said...: jhag, I expect a big improvment from last year on the O-line, but Malzahn has his work cut out for him. Maybe I'm naive, but I believe he can deliver. A little success early could really help establish some confidence for the offense.; 1:25 PM
Tar Heel Tiger said...: defendee? LOL; that's a great football term Luv!

I can just here the radio call now:
Auburn has lined up in a 4 defendee set with Oku the lone back behind ???; 1:26 PM
Norm said...: Seanz - Squeeze was a British band from the late 70's that had some hits (3 or 4) here in God's Country during the early 80's (actually around '82/83). In other words, some time before you were born. Pretty good stuff, not great at all, but definitely pretty good.

Doc - yes I do now that you mention it. Back in the days when MTV actually lived up to the name.

And in the time since I mentioned Squeeze in the earlier posting, I've now transitioned to a fine selection from Beethoven. I told you I was stuck in the past.; 1:26 PM
michael said...: The o-line is not all that important. What we need is a bunch of running backs.; 1:29 PM
AUBigCat said...: I think Malzahn should have this OL ready from day one. The problem wasn't lack of talent it was lack of direction. That wont be an issue come the first game of the season.; 1:30 PM
Righty said...: I know that most on here adore Muschamp, but his secondary compared to Chizik was not even close if you ask me. I can't get the image of South Carolina's receiver throwing all over us that night. Is it really that hard to look for the ball as opposed to just keeping your back turned and flailing your arms over your head, or just tackling the receiver before the ball gets there.; 1:30 PM
Emmett said...: I will never understand why Coach TF Offense plan for training made the guys lose so much weight, players can run a no huddle and still be large and dominating - just look at Oklahoma last year (minus the BCS Championship); 1:31 PM
AUfan said...: michael, so we will run the feared 5 RB, 1 OL formation? The opponent will never know what hit them.; 1:32 PM
hehateme said...: Against the 3-16-4 Satan's D we can run the 5-16-2 O, where we use RB's!!; 1:33 PM
Righty said...: I talked to Bart Eddins last winter and he was telling me that most of the guys on the offensive line could not stand Franklin, thought he was a clown. He also told me that Don Dunn (his former position coach) just yelled all the time for yellings sake and he was glad not to be on D-line anymore.; 1:35 PM
Seanzie said...: Righty, I talked to Chris Todd and he had nothing but great things to say about ole Tony Franklin.; 1:37 PM
Miller said...: Anybody know if AU will be in class or if classes are out Monday for President's Day? Thanks.

I'll hang up and listen.; 1:37 PM
Norm said...: I like the zero OL plan. Center, QB, followed by a bunch of RBs and some of these new-fangled position players I've heard of called Receivers. Let's see the Defense try to stop all of those eligible folks at one time.; 1:38 PM
Righty said...: Tony Franklin is Chris Todd's daddy though.; 1:38 PM
Wakeriderof87 said...: Depressed, it will be awesome, the quarterback turns around and tosses the ball back to 5-7 rb's standing in a huddle. One of them (which one even the coaches don't know) grabs the ball and they all run in different directions with the ball hidden under the RB's jersey. No one will have a clue who to tackle. I hear its the next big thing in HS football.; 1:43 PM
Tar Heel Tiger said...: The opponent defense wouldn't have to stop them. The ref would be flagging them from here to eternity. But at least it would be the receivers getting flagged and not Ziemba.; 1:44 PM
Jay G. Tate said...: TEs: I'll discuss them along with WRs.

TB problems: Half and half. Brad Lester played with no heart last year. I don't understand what happened to him. Tate is OK. The coaches didn't seem to like Fannin.; 1:46 PM
Jeremy Eubanks said...: D.Miller,

Still checking up on the wife?; 1:47 PM
Miller said...: PF,
Trying to see if she'll be out of class Monday so we can go to B'ham and look for a house.; 1:50 PM
Loganville Tiger said...: Great observation JG - I just remember thinking last year the RB's must have all been dinged up in some form or fashion. Never saw them run with the reckless abandon we are accustom to seeing in Auburn RB's. Running without heart or conviction will do that to you too.

LT; 1:51 PM
Anonymous said...: Thanks for the answers, Jay G.

Lester surprised me as well. I wonder if the NFL will even sniff his way.; 1:52 PM
Miller said...: Nevermind, found it. They are in class. Crap!; 1:52 PM
Righty said...: Jay
Of course the coaches did not like Fannin, he was the best player on the football field at any given time and the coaches had a propensity to not play the best guys. Why would they like Fannin?
I am still baffled by the fact that not one of these offensive geniuses on that staff ever figured out a play that had Fannin throwing a pass.
Wakerider- In the spirit of your post, I hope we still do that play on the kick-off return team. That was good stuff!; 1:53 PM
Emmett said...: Anything is better than the 10 item playbook we had last year:

5 Run Plays
Kodi Burns Sweep Right
Kodi Burns Sweep Left
Kodi Burns Middle Delay
Tate dive (With T.D. in Motion)
Tate Sweep R (With T.D. in Motion)

and our 5 pass plays:
TE Rollout
Kodi/Todd Sacked
Kodi/Todd Interception
WR Screen
HB Screen; 1:53 PM
Jeremy Eubanks said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 1:53 PM
Anonymous said...: Bart Eddins was a Scout 5 star DT out of Trinity in the Gump. Now he is a backup OL. Question to filks in the Gump. What is his best natural position? Any insight as to why he hasn't been able to contribute so far? I remember Leon Hart(5*) and no one would even talk about him rather than disparage him. Leon did help the team GPA though.; 2:01 PM
Anonymous said...: Dr. HABOTN, LOL, it was the only thing I could come up with on the spur of the moment!; 2:02 PM
j-z said...: Wow GaTiger...you musta had Dr. Fair before he was gray headed. Squeeze was pretty awesome though. Tempted and Black Coffee in Bed are always on my ipod.

Radiohead's Pablo Honey album is one for the ages though. If there was ever an album that identified with my angst over my multitude of inadequacies, that was it. Saw them open up for R.E.M. in the 90's and they totally blew the boys from Athens off the stage.

Now, however, I'm hooked on "Deep End" by Swollen Members. It was the background music from Tyrik's highlight video someone posted yesterday.

And just so you don't forget... I HATE YOU BAMA!; 2:04 PM
Miller said...: On this OL/RB issue

I don't think you can have a successful running game without a productive OL. I don't care if you have Jim Brown or Bo back there.
Lester wasn't himself. Whether he didn't feel like he was being utilized properly, or didn't like Franklin and the offense, or whether he was menstruating all year. I don't know what his deal was, but he was a step slow, consistently missed holes if they were there, was slow in and out of his cuts... Basically lethargic all season.
Tate can be good, but he's not a stretch play back. He needs to be a downhill runner. I'd like to see Tate be more aggressive and lower his shoulder and run through a tackler rather than try to dance or just step OB.
Fannin, I don't think, is as good of a pass blocker as Tate. Last years' staff put a lot of weight on blocking schemes (ironic considering how poorly we blocked last year). He can be a good back, but, I don't think he's a game changer.; 2:04 PM
j-z said...: Was it Bart or Brent who was a 5 star?; 2:05 PM
Anonymous said...: Righty said...Is it really that hard to look for the ball as opposed to just keeping your back turned and flailing your arms over your head, or just tackling the receiver before the ball gets there.

We would always yell, "Turn around and look for the ball (expletive)!!"; 2:05 PM
Anonymous said...: I see that the comments have digressed into the same ol' complaints from last season. When will you complainers get some original ideas instead of parrotting the same few over and over.

I remember that Ronnie Brown didn't run the ball much in HS until his Sr year. Until his Sr year, he missed offensive blocks/assignments and got shifted to several positions. He finally put it together, got handed the rock and went from a defensive recruit to an offensive recruit. He was a very good ball hawking safety.; 2:07 PM
Emmett said...: Bart was a 5star DT, ESPN graded him in the low 80's...They only thought he needed some size to be a good DT; 2:09 PM
Seanzie said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 2:11 PM
Seanzie said...: Emmett is correct.; 2:13 PM
Emmett said...: I think Bart is on OL because they need the depth...he can be a good lineman with some time, a Duckworth style guard.; 2:14 PM
Emmett said...: Lots of power, and one heck of a work ethic; 2:14 PM
Righty said...: Luv- That came out of my mouth a few times as well. D. Miller- I never understood why everytime Brad would make it into the secondary he would cut to the middle of the field and a safety would take him down every time. You would think Brad had enough speed to beat people to the edge and outrun them. BTW, I do not ever remember seeing an offense as pathetic as ours last year at any level of football in my entire life. I only remember Auburn getting shut out 4 times in my life (maybe there were more) but I remember at Virginia in 98, 92 bama, 03 USC, and 08 Bama. Amazing that Ensminger was calling plys in 2 of those games. That guy had talent!; 2:15 PM
Anonymous said...: JayG....please review the WRs next. I think that the OL will be at least adequate next season. I'm worried about the WRs. The new recruits won't contribute for a year or 2. This is where the coaches have the most work to do to make a difference. CGM's offensive schemes should give the WRs opportunites just b/c of the schemes, however Franklin's was supposed to do that also.

If we don't learn to get seperation, adjust to the ball flight, extend hands/elbows away from the body and come back to the ball......this offense will resemble the last 3 seasons. The opponents will just continue to crowd the box and make the Oline look bad if they don't respect the WRs.; 2:15 PM
j-z said...: Give it a rest Hoopie... I'm sorry we're not all as pure hearted an Auburn fan as you. Lighten up. We're talking about the offensive line issues from last year and what we'd like to see done differently this year. That's what Jay's post was about and that's what we're commenting on.; 2:17 PM
Seanzie said...: Hoopie the problem was not the scheme but the coaches teaching the scheme. The issue was the WR coach never changed and that is why you never saw an improvement in the WR play.; 2:18 PM
Anonymous said...: How is Bart's footspeed/nimbleness? That and hand usage are the two obvious adjustments needed to go from DL to OL.; 2:20 PM
Righty said...: SeanZ
When I was in high school I thought we had the worst receivers coach ever ( I played with Terrell Owens and that guy made him look average), but Greg Knox brought new meaning to the word inept. I can not wait to see what Trooper can do.; 2:22 PM
Anonymous said...: Hoopie,

New WRs don't make a difference early ehh?

Tell that to a couple guys named Michael Crabtree and Julio Jones.

If you utilize the WRs, they can/will produce in the right system.; 2:30 PM
Anonymous said...: Especially Julio Jones.

Alabama was all about run run run last year and that guy tore people a new one every time he touched the ball.; 2:31 PM
Seanzie said...: Especially Michael Crabtree, that guy wasn't even a WR until he showed up at Texas Tech.; 2:33 PM
Anonymous said...: BTW, who's "Big Snacks" Berry? I love the nickname, Jay G!; 2:40 PM
Anonymous said...: Mike "Big Snacks" Berry; 2:44 PM
Anonymous said...: Sensi, thanks. He's got size, so that's a big plus (hence the nickname).; 2:47 PM
TB said...: Ok enough with this gold play radiohead stuff. Listening on my headset at work Metallica, Nickback, and Audioslave.

Check out the trailer for "The Watchmen" Smashing Pumkins "The beginning is the End"; 2:47 PM
Griff said...: Our inability to recruit OT's is uncanny.

McCain starting at RT! YIKES!!!; 2:47 PM
Anonymous said...: Metallica - yes.

Those other two bands:
Audioslave was a mistake
Nickelback is horrid and poser; 2:50 PM
Seanzie said...: Nickelback could be the worst rock band to have the success they've had.; 2:53 PM
BinOBA said...: I saw the smashing pumpkins almost cry and walk off stage in NOLA at lollapalooza. THey were making fun of billy corgan or something and he called everyone a bunch of names, it ruled.

Fave new website
http://thisiswhyyourefat.com/; 2:54 PM
Jet said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 2:56 PM
Jet said...: Someone or some people, who may or may not have been affiliated with a college football program headquartered in east central Alabama, didn't evaluate, recruit nor coach offensive linemen and wide receivers in the last year or two.

Heerrreee commmmmmes Hoooooopie ...; 2:57 PM
BinOBA said...: Mad Season is a Rock fave of mine i don't hear enough of.

Maybe we are gonna take that 6'7 receiver and put some weight on him to play ol?; 2:58 PM
TB said...: Carolos Santana Supernatural; 3:00 PM
michael said...: Mad Season as in the Mike McCready/Layne Staley collaboration?; 3:02 PM
Norm said...: All you peeps might as well be writing Egyptian Hieroglyphics as far as I'm concerned when you're talking about these groups. I told you I was happily entrenched in the past with my musical tastes. Stop trying to drag me closer to the present.

Got some Eagles going on now and that's plenty recent for me.; 3:11 PM
Jeremy Eubanks said...: nickleback? that's not even considered a starting position.; 3:13 PM
Jeremy Eubanks said...: ...and we're still on offense.; 3:14 PM
Anonymous said...: Michael Crabtree was a 2 star WR recruit out of Dallas in 2006. So he made a difference his second year at TT.

Julio Jones and the UGA WR are huge exceptons to normal freshman performance. Anyone care to count all of the true WR freshmen that don't contribute each year? If we are counting on the 2009 WR recruits...we're reading too much Rivals and kidding ourselves.

I was referring to the offensive play schemes that hindered the WR ability to get open....not the blocking schemes.

Yes....our WR coaching was inadequate. I wasn't in the practices and can't say from first hand knowledge, but for many years in a row, we put poor WR fundamentals on the field and that can only be attributed to coaching. One or 2 years of bad fundamentals can be a player/recruiting problem. Obamanu/Aromashodu and that crowd did not have top quality fundamentals.; 3:14 PM
Anonymous said...: Jet, LOL; 3:15 PM
michael said...: C'mon, man, can you change the station? I've had a rough night, and I hate the f'n Eagles!; 3:15 PM
Jeremy Eubanks said...: Carlos Santana's Supernatural reminds me of something that would be played start to finish on the jukebox in a dimly lit bar in the middle of an industrial park, populated by rednecks...; 3:16 PM
Jet said...: PF (OG) ... in re Santana ... that was ... beautiful.; 3:19 PM
Norm said...: Michael - lighten up Francis, it'll be alright the song's over now. I'm onto Willie Nelson currently. Perhaps you'd prefer something from Emmett Otter's Jug Band? No, on second thought, I bet you'd have an issue of some kind with them.; 3:20 PM
Jet said...: Puppets, GaTiger, puppets.; 3:20 PM
Norm said...: Jet - yes indeed.
Doc - I've been to that bar and stuck out like a bull in a china shop.; 3:25 PM
Anonymous said...: We haven't landed significant OL recruits since the 2007 class. Not in 2008 or 2009.

The on campus WRs are an underachieving group, if evaluated compared to recruiting status. There aren't any 5*s, but there have been numerous 3*-4*. IMO, our best hope is that CTT will be able to get something out of the group that is on campus now until the incoming freshmen can learn to play against the SEC.; 3:29 PM
Jeremy Eubanks said...: Thanks, Gov'nuh. I mostly pull from personal experiences. If I ever write a novel, that scene will definitely be in it.; 3:30 PM
michael said...: Too early for puppets. I was just quotin some Lebowski.; 3:30 PM
Unknown said...: "an amalgam of different ideas that assembled into a confusing array of nothingness"

Jay, congrats. You display an understanding of last years Auburn offense the surpasses even that of the coaches.

That being said, I think the quickest way to put it was last season's offense was offensive.; 3:33 PM
Jeremy Eubanks said...: Mikal, who is today's "Puppet of the Day." I'd like to know, so I can prepare myself for puppet hour.; 3:33 PM
Norm said...: Dang, I apologize for having missed that reference. I'm usually much, much better than that. Hereafter, I shall endeavor to ensure that such a mistake does not happen again.

As for me - I'm about to hit the parking lot. It's a nice day in these here parts and I believe I'll take it to the house and see how the Golden Retriever feels about 3 miles this afternoon.

Peace out for now.; 3:35 PM
michael said...: The Puppet of the Day will be... I don't know. You can never really predict what happens during Puppet Hour.

Also, I am moving Puppet hour up to start at 4:50 to accommodate my schedule today. Update your calendars.; 3:36 PM
michael said...: Whoops... meant 3:50. Update your calendars yet again.; 3:42 PM
Harrison said...: everybody loves puppet hour; 3:43 PM
Jet said...: T-minus 6 minutes to Puppet Hour!; 3:44 PM
Commish of Old Pimps said...: JayG., thanks for reminding me I need to renew my anti-depressant scripts. AU OL = OY VEY

Binoba: thisiswhyyourefat.com is an AWESOME website. I'll take two Fatty Melts ... and a Diet Coke.

Which AU Tight End should we start feeding Fatty Melts to so they can play Off. Tackle?? No, I'm serious.; 3:46 PM
michael said...: BOOYAKASHA!; 3:51 PM
michael said...: Anyone take any new steroids today they'd like to admit to before the AUBigCat Report comes out?; 3:52 PM
Jet said...: My "Puppet of the Day" nomination goes to His Excellency, the Honorable Joseph R. Biden, Vice President of these United States, who will be operated like a puppet 100 percent of the time after his "30 percent" statement to a reporter.; 3:53 PM
Tar Heel Tiger said...: no roids, but I did have some shrimp and tuna sushi; 3:53 PM
Jet said...: I've had more juice than Anita Bryant.; 3:54 PM
hehateme said...: I really don't know what I took, but it made me hit 50 home runs, and I tested positive, so it had to be uh, bubble gum.; 3:55 PM
Tar Heel Tiger said...: your childhood cried out in your head "They mean to do you harm."

"Don't ever ride on the devil's knee" remember Momma said.

Anyone who doesn't like the piano in Ticking has no appreciation for music. Of course, this opinion is from someone who wouldn't know a B flat from a turnip.; 3:56 PM
michael said...: It's in the culture of HABOTN, so don't worry about anything you have been taken.

If we are going to talk politics, I think we should talk Sangalan politics instead. Do you guys think Prime Minister Mutobu can bring stability to the country?; 3:57 PM
Tar Heel Tiger said...: forgive my previous post. That was the maguro talking.; 3:57 PM
michael said...: A b flat is yellow in color, doc.; 3:58 PM
Tar Heel Tiger said...: Uh, was that a yes or no question?; 3:58 PM
Jet said...: Mutobu is a puppet for the shrimp and steroids cartel.

Plus, he started easing up after 2004.; 3:58 PM
Tar Heel Tiger said...: If it was 82 I'd watch, but not 24.; 4:00 PM
michael said...: Much like the BC coaching situation, there are a lot of ins and outs here.

What show/movie was that on, where the guy said he could break every problem down to a yes or no answer?; 4:01 PM
Harrison said...: michael i think it was mister rodgers neighborhood; 4:02 PM
Harrison said...: or macgyver; 4:02 PM
michael said...: They have always talked about making a 24 movie. Would it be called 2? 1.75?; 4:02 PM
Jeremy Eubanks said...: I took prednisone in 6th grade. I wish I had known it would have made me hit the ball further. Instead, I just let it make me fat.

Fat < Hitting Home Runs.

Is Miguel Tejada going to jail?; 4:03 PM
michael said...: After some time of self reflection, I think the show was Space Ghost Coast to Coast. Close, son of Harri. Very close.; 4:03 PM
Jet said...: Is it true tht Jadgozinski has contemplated becoming the Secretary of Offense for the Sangalan government, and that is why he was fired at BC?; 4:04 PM
michael said...: Kids should take more steroids, I think we can all agree on that. That way, people won't be so judgmental when the get older.; 4:04 PM
Harrison said...: space ghost was awesome, it should have won an oscar.

Prednisone also gives you a humpback peter; 4:04 PM
michael said...: The name Jadgozinski sounds more made up than the country of Sangala. So yes, I am sure they were in league together somehow.; 4:07 PM
Jet said...: Didn't the famed steriod lab, Balco, sing the 1985 hit "Amadeus, Amadeus?"

No?; 4:07 PM
Jet said...: When did Sangala join the ACC? Man, that conference is just too large.

Conference realignment, psha!; 4:08 PM
Tar Heel Tiger said...: I thought Balco was a movie about a dog. I think it's funny when dogs sing on AFHV; 4:09 PM
Tar Heel Tiger said...: I'm still trying to figure out the color results from a potassium chromate flame test. Any ideas?; 4:10 PM
Harrison said...: No you're all wrong. Balco was Keanu Reeves character in The Replacements; 4:11 PM
michael said...: Steroids are overrated. Everyone knows the whole wrestling team at Valley was on roids, and Slater pinned Needick with ease anyway.; 4:11 PM
michael said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 4:13 PM
Jet said...: Harrison ...

Worst ... sports ... movie ... ever.

Haven't forgiven Gene Hackman yet.; 4:13 PM
michael said...: "Balco" was the war cry of the early Irish settlers in New Hampshire, according to wikipedia at least.; 4:13 PM
Tar Heel Tiger said...: wasn't Slater the emcee laughing uncontrollably on the inside when Miss SC tried to explain why people are stupid and can't locate the US on a world map?; 4:14 PM
Harrison said...: that girl on the bayside wrestling team was definitely juiced. i saw her moose knuckles.

Jet- that bad? worse than "gus"?; 4:15 PM
michael said...: Indeed he was. And imagine how his career might have gone differently if he had used PEDs in his wrasslin days at Bayside.; 4:15 PM
Harrison said...: Relax Dr.- some people don't have maps!!; 4:15 PM
Tar Heel Tiger said...: is moose a verb or an adjective?; 4:16 PM
michael said...: Yeah, either that chick was juiced or she was packin something extra, if you know what I mean. We'll have to get the report on that from Zach Morris.; 4:16 PM
Tar Heel Tiger said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 4:16 PM
Jet said...: "Gus" was Disney.

Keanu's train wreck ... OK, that doesn't really clear it up much ... The Replacements was bad.

If I'm Hackman, Jack Warden, and anyone else reputable in the movie, I'm going "uncredited."; 4:17 PM
michael said...: I like this version of the Miss South Carolina answer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAJUMYGgfZA; 4:18 PM
Harrison said...: if slater was on ped's. he used the limber kind not the bulky kind cause he and Jesse were great dancers; 4:18 PM
Jet said...: If any more of this goes on, I'm hoping to be saved by the phone.

Where are the puppets?; 4:19 PM
Harrison said...: i still think we could get that donkey to kick for us this year. i'm sure he didn't go to college; 4:19 PM
Tar Heel Tiger said...: Miss West Carolina's answer was even better:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUE1Cu04Jzo; 4:20 PM
Harrison said...: although i hear the donkey starred in a successful show called "sex and the city", as a nyc columnist; 4:20 PM
michael said...: Ouch... you just made Sarah Jessica Parker cry (and the one that was not qb for Alabama); 4:22 PM
Jet said...: Could the donkey pass a drug test? I can.; 4:22 PM
Harrison said...: good.she has made me miserable many times; 4:25 PM
michael said...: Is it multiple choice? Donkeys can't do scantron. They suck at filling in the bubbles.

Opposable thumbs win again! Chaching!; 4:26 PM
Jeremy Eubanks said...: humpback? All this time I thought i was simply a victim of bad posture.; 4:29 PM
michael said...: I gotta go... I am doing a puppet show for a packed arena tonight. You know, you would think with my hatred for puppets, I would pick a different hobby. But you would also think Auburn would have gone to a bowl last season. Sometimes you think things that just aren't true, and that's not your fault, it's theirs. Understand?; 4:30 PM
Harrison said...: alond with a few other somewhat funny but serious maladies peter. the list of prednisone's side effects is as endless as an episode of the new 90210; 4:32 PM
Jeremy Eubanks said...: glad my doctor thought it was appropriate to give to a sixth grader. Also glad he decided to pull me off of it once I experience my first side effect, fatness.; 4:37 PM
Jet said...: TurboProp was on it when he was 9 or 10 ... this is a kid who's been a rail his entire life ... all of a sudden he looks like Louie Anderson ... once he got off it, he returned to normal size.; 4:40 PM
Jeremy Eubanks said...: yep, that's pretty much how it works.; 4:43 PM
Jeremy Eubanks said...: I think the offensive line should have come up with some mysterious ailments last year that required it.; 4:44 PM
Will said...: Ummmm.....I thought I heard some Saved By the Bell chatter in here earlier. As the self-proclaimed master of SBB trivia, I'll be glad to help with any questions you folks might have.

Harrison, why are you now referred to as a puppet?; 4:48 PM
Tar Heel Tiger said...: The OL needs some of those anabolic steroids that have Gov Jet looking so beefy, not the blubber inducing glucocorticoids/prednisone.

Gov.- can you spare a few pills?; 4:49 PM
Jet said...: Ah cahn get yeww neeeeduls.; 4:53 PM
Harrison said...: i amnot a puppet Will. I am a puppet hater along with michael and some others. 4-5pm is the official puppet hater.
now that i know you love SBTB as much as me we need to find SBTB trivia in Auburn and win some free stuff; 5:15 PM
FSJ said...: Good afternoon Hotties...; 5:15 PM
AUBigCat said...: Anyone planning on going to the women's game on Thursday? We play Kentucky.; 5:18 PM
AUBigCat said...: The men play Arkansas I believe tomorow at home; 5:19 PM
AUBigCat said...: The women just got a commit from Courtney Strain, the all-time leading scorer in Alabama High School Athletic Association girls' basketball history.

Strain is averaging 35 points per game this season, and established the state's scoring mark when she rang up her 4,176th point on Jan. 27. The 5-foot-9 player has started the last five years.; 5:20 PM
AUBigCat said...: By the way, Stain is just a Junior!; 5:21 PM