Auburn practice report, 3/29
Hey everyone. Practice has ended. They went approximately 2 hours.Since I can't watch practice, I'll just have to rely on what I'm told.
Here's what I heard:
- TB Mario Fannin was wearing a protective boot on his right ankle. He didn't practice today. Fannin said he "turned it" during practice Saturday and expects to be back later this week.
- TB Onterio McCalebb has an incredible story. He spent 20 minutes tonight talking about his rise out of poverty. He spent part of his adolescence living in a trailer that didn't have power. He moved around frequently because his mother had nowhere to live and his dad wasn't involved. I'll report on this in much greater detail sometime soon.
- I asked DE Antonio Coleman about McCalebb's acceleration: "He's fast as (expletive deleted)."
- TB Ben Tate said the team's fastest player is a toss-up between McCalebb, CB Walt McFadden and CB Neiko Thorpe. Tate confirmed an earlier report (received at Pro Day via Pat Sims) that he ran a 4.4 in the 40-yard dash two weeks ago. Tate said Fannin also ran a 4.4.
- Add G Byron Isom to the list of linemen who were exasperated with the Franklin-inspired weight-loss program. Every linemen (aside from Big Snacks Berry) has gained weight since last season. Most of them are up at least 10 pounds. Isom is up 15 ... to 300.
- LB Eltoro Freeman went on a memorable rant about why he signed with Auburn last year. He said one bad season wasn't enough to erode his respect after all the support Auburn had shown him through the years. It reads better in quote form. I'm working on it.
UPDATE: Here it is ..."When I signed with Auburn University in 2007, I didn't sign with coaches. Tuberville wasn't on my scholarship, Coach Willis wasn't on my scholarship. Auburn University was on my scholarship. So when I didn't qualify, Auburn, they didn't drop me, they still kept in contact, they still kept on encouraging me. When Auburn had a down season, I sat back and thought about that, they were with me when I was down, so I decided to stick with them when they were down. Plus, it's a great place. I wouldn't want to be nowhere else."
Photo credit: Todd Van Emst/Auburn University
posted by Jay G. Tate at
6:55 PM
96 Comments:
This comment has been removed by the author.
Here I am! ROCK you like a hurricane
OT: I'm no expert, but Tiger Woods is a decent golfer.
Tiger was 5 strokes back heading into the final round. Won by one stroke on the 18th. Another great comeback.
rock on 80's boy
apparently the florida marlins have instituted a policy similar to chizik's regarding player appearance and conduct.
it has ticked off their best player.
that comes with the territory i imagine...
i like the new rules as they are intended to instill pride and honor in having the privilege of playing AU football and receiving a free education.
jhag - your parents' must've taught you that song.
I heard that Caudle was taking the majority of the first team snaps today. I would not be surprised (or upset) if he ended up winning the job.
Jay G writes:
"According to Malzahn, the quarterbacks did a rendition of the entire musical 'Oklahoma' in practice. We have no way of confirming this, we just report what the coaches tell us."
Michael I hope they did the 2000 version that ended in a NC
How can you delete the first comment on a thread?
It has been a long time since Caudle has been on a meaningful field. He has decent straight-line speed and is tall with a good arm.
The issues to overcome for Caudle are: Will the game be too fast for him? Can he learn not to telegraph his throws? Will the new offensive coaches be able to train him to overcome those issues?
And Michael, I understand how to actually do it. : )
Jay, I was looking at our brackets and if UCONN beats Michigan State I have you, you have me if opposite happens. That is if N.C. wins it all.
From sources inside the program:
"Oklahoma ... where the wind goes sweepin' the plain ... and the wavin' wheat ... sure smells sweet...."
and
"Chicks and ducks geese better scurry ... When I take you out on the surrey ... when I take you out on the surrey with the fringe on top."
I don't care if he has calf implants or not, you can't knock a guy who likes Rogers and Hammerstein.
Hoopie there's one more issue for Caudle that you forgot to mention: Can he stay healthy!
Ok fellas... I need a new weedeater and I don't want to spend a lot... recommendations?
craigs list
Goats eat weeds. Get goats. Talk to Michael, he can set you up cheap.
Oh yeah. He has a heard of 'em.
Got some good stuff today. Lemme update ...
Mares eat oats, and does eat oats, and little lambs eat ivy...
No doubt there is an injury-prone history. Maybe his cartiledge has matured and weight training has strengthened. He has been on the Plains for a while.
My guess is that if the coaches had that worry, he wouldn't be with the ones. I see the other issues as the challenges to overcome.
Bought a HomeLite three years ago and it has worked like a champ. Bought it at a place called Harbor Frieght for about $80.00
My goats have golden hooves, so they will cost you $20,000 a piece if you want them for weed eating purposes. Why do they have golden hooves? don't ask me about my business...
I am glad that the OL is adding weight back on. It also seems that they are as well.
Added several anecdotes.
Look for more information and a video as the night progresses. If it gets too late, don't fret.
It'll all be here tomorrow morning for you.
A line averaging 300#. Imagine that.
...and it's good weight, too (whatever that means).
"He's fast as (expletive deleted)."
That makes me happy as (expletive deleted).
I am leading the bracket pool, but I will not win unless Michigan State wins in the semis.
It should be a dandy finish to what's been a really fun bracket challenge.
Michael, that word began with f and ended with k.
If the Eltoro quote is as good as it sounds like it might be, someone prepare the pour a bucket of ice water on Jet to cool him down.
Fast as Falk? As in Columbo's Peter Falk? That is fast.
Eltoro is a "BULL"
Speaking of Peter Falk - "Serpentine Shel, serpentine..."
Jay if N.C. wins it is between you and myself. If Villanova or UCONN win a couple more have a chance. Good luck.
I like you FSJ..I really do but I gotta say..seeing you as a RoF member on the Hottest AUBURN Blog On The Net feels like a slap in the face..I know it's due to your whit,insight,and contribution to the HABOTN but seeing "RoF Bammer" really gripes me..I know I am likely in the minority here so I'll just leave it at that...
Jay-Wasn't Frenchy the fastest guy on the team at the beginning of last year? Injury not fully healed?
It's going to be a tight finish, 44.
I hate Bama!!
I have been wrong about several players but I think Eltoro is going to be a good college LB.
Great for Onterrio!
Well, wartiger, you'd better get used to it. FSJ represents what's right about this blog ... he can speak rationally about the whole Auburn-Alabama thing.
Where else can you find that?
I checked my bracket and there is more red color than green.
Eltoro quote is up.
Wartiger - I too hate Bama, but I have no issues with FSJ being RoF. He's a good contributor, makes sensible arguments, and in general is a great part of this fine HABOTN community. Except for that one thing...
Jay- Yes..maybe he does...but we have no problem going on and on about hating all things bama and then all of the sudden a "BAMMER" is in the most coveted position on the blog..regardless of his contribution or whit..it just feels wrong..then it's not my blog..I love the HABOTN..I don't have to agree with everything that happens here..
wartiger not many bama fans could make it on this board. I understand what you mean but FSJ has to have a little Auburn in him to spend as much time on this board as he does.
I am trying to find the story that ran about 5 or 6 months ago on McCalebb. My wife read it as well and instantly became a huge fan of the young man. Seems like he lived in an abandoned car most of his Jr and Sr year of High School and said going to Auburn and changing his position in life was his motivation for being a better football player. I will see if I can find it, think P Marshall was the one that wrote it.
Michael ...
You better get a big freakin' bucket.
ELTORO!!!!!!!!
I love this guy!
After sitting around 50 for most of the tourney, I will now finish either 12th or 32nd. Jhag, without picking a winner, will finish in the top 20 no matter what.
How many years of eligibility does McCalebb have? 3?
Damn Peter your right, only if I had clicked UNC one more time like I thought I did...
WOW!! I love me some Eltoro!! all that was missing from that quote was a big WAR EAGLE!!
McCalebb is a real inspiration.
If he emerges as a helpful player, which I expect, he's going to be one of those guys Auburn fans can celebrate. What a story with that kid. He's truly pulling himself up from the abyss ... and he's so off-the-cuff about it. He's seen hell and it's not a big deal to him anymore.
Reminds me of Sam Jackson's character in Pulp Fiction: "This ain't the first time I've had a gun pointed at me."
jhag 5 to play 4.
Wow...I'm glad I stopped in for a HABOTN nightcap. I now have a mancrush on Eltoro. Also bigger lineman means more pancakes. On that note I'm calling it. Goodnight all!
I'm a huge fan of Onterrio now, this is great. I can see him falling 3rd in the depth chart right? He has huge potential to flourish in this offense
McCalebb won't be here more than three if he can help it.
He'll cash in at the first opportunity ... and you really can't blame him for making that his goal.
The best aspect of college athletic schollies ....... opportunity to break poverty cycles.
Note that it's "Onterio" ... one r.
He clarified that tonight.
Energy is good.
Eltoro is good.
Onterio is good.
I'm feeling good.
I can't tell you how much I enjoyed listening to him tonight.
Maybe it was just me.
Jay, It's not just you i wished I could hear him..
re: FSJ in the Ring of Fire - definitely deserving. A lot of us love FSJ around here. As far as I am concerned, he is more welcome than a few of the more moronic Auburn fans that show up from time to time.
Jay how are the players responding to the new rules. (no earrings and such)
Great stories from practice today.. Good to see such inspiration from a student athlete.
El TORO = One man AU marketing machine.
Captain B - names?
FSJ should be more than welcome here at the HABOTN..no argument..just not flippin praised for his bammer insight..screw that...I am done...
So, Neil has a legit shot of winning this job, sounds good.
One of you bracketology types needs to figure out what happens in all of the combinations.
Cant wait to see Frenchie
We can only hope that Onterio is that good, almost makes me like Canada a little. Nah!
FSJ has been a strong contributor. Besides that, FSJ hardly ever brings up the subject of the infidels.
Jay,
Sorry if you have already stated. I just wanted to know your opinion on the QB race. You have seen them first hand is Caudle accually winning? Second, you said before that McCalebb is another Brad Lester, has your opinion changed?
I remember reading a story about Onterio and how much he said going to the Military Academy helped him mature. His HS coach noticed immediately when he saw him. I've liked that kid every since then.
I went to a funeral a few weeks back in Alex City. It was for one of my wife's childhood mentors from Tuscaloosa who's last name was Freeman. Church was packed, the guy was obviously loved and well respected. I wondered if it was a relative of Eltoro but I didnt see him there. The pastor performing the service's last name was Croom from Tuscaloosa. He looked alot like Sly. I think it may have been his brother. Just thought I'd share that 6 degrees of seperation moment.
Y'all ease up on wartiger.
He wasn't ripping FSJ. He was just stating his opinion about something in an inoffensive manner and that's how we roll here.
No foul by my whistle.
I have friends that have a huge problem with Joe Sanders being such a huge Alabama football fan, as long as he shows up on the diamond he can love both. I can't, but he can....
I can't stand waiting 5 more months for a meaningful snap in football....this suuuuuuuucks
Jay I have a silly question but do coaches get a wardrobe allowance when they go to a new school? It seems that they wear team gear everyday and it's always different. What do they do with their former school's gear?? Not like they can get caught wearing it while working for a new school right?
so I went 1 for 4 on the final 4...ouch..worst I have ever done..what did I learn from this whoopin'..........
hey but I kicked some butt at spades tonight...
I feel your pain jhag..I was REALLY hoping to be watching some AU basketball around this time...that woulda distracted me at least..
You can see Borges wearing stuff from other schools. I assume they would keep what they want to keep.
Just for the record, I got no problem with wartiger. I understand where you're coming from. Just backin FSJ, that's all.
gatiger, sorry but none of the regulars annoys me. So I got no juicy cut-down coming or anything. Well, I guess there is that one guy I hate...
This qoute from Roof was on the Goldberg site: **Defensive coordinator Ted Roof again said Stevens has been impressive. He also said the defensive front had a good Sunday, and the secondary did a good job in the takeaway department.
DBs doing a good job in the takeaway dept = INTERCEPTIONS .... not good for the QBs/Wrs.
My brother was in Oxford, MS this weekend and said bars close at 12..what in the world?
Yes, they have a wardrobe allowance. It's called their big arse salary.
Since I'm a chick I can admit this. Eltoro's comment about sitting back and thinking he wouldn't leave Auburn when we were down made me misty.
I love Onterio's story too. There are lots of Onterio's out there. They just don't usually get schollies to SEC teams. Did you know:
-there are over 5,000 kids in foster care in Alabama
-75% of kids who enter foster care at age 12 or older will age out or run away
-if a kid has just ONE adult who shows them some consistent, healthy attention it can be the difference in a lifetime living in and off of "the system" or being a "success"
-maybe you could be a mentor to a kid
Goodnight hotties.
Nevermind only on saturday
Looks like Tim Hawthorne is getting a little love from Malzahn! Now that is a very nice suprise.
BigCat: Some coaches get a clothing allowance, some don't.
Since Chizik's contract isn't pubic record yet, I can't answer your question just yet ...
New video up.
NICE!
Pubic record. Yes!
Classic "keystroke error". I do it all the time and it still cracks me up.
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