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4.04.2009

Scrimmage video, 4/4

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242 Comments:

Monica said...: "Gene Chizik told the offense to slow down at one point." I like that.

I don't think Gus is overly impressed with anyone. Will be interesting to see what happens if Tyrik makes the grades and really shows up this summer.; 2:13 PM
Monica said...: ESPN2 - are you watching?; 2:16 PM
michael said...: I'm not. Are you?; 2:24 PM
Denny Crum said...: I am going out on a limb here and saying that Kodi Burns will not be the starter. I think the coaches all want Chris Todd to be healthy. They will have to overcome the fans' irrational love for Kodi Burns and their belief that he is going to have an ephiphany moment and get better. Burns throws the ball like Billy Kilmer but doesn't possess the intangible that ol' Billy had, like being a winner and a true leader.

The fans are going to make this year tough on the non-Kodi starter whoever it may be because of their irrational belief that Burns is more than just a role player and that he is the answer for the long term future. The sampling of comments just around Section 13 where I sit I think illustrates what I am speaking of. For instance, when Burns got tackled for a loss, the line didn't block well enough, when Burns overthrew or, more often than not, underthrew, the running back, wide outs, inside receivers, didn't run the right routes. In other words, the fans were not wanting to admit that this highly touted recruit just might be a bust.

This is not to say he is not a good kid, I think he is. I think he represents Auburn is a good light and I think he gives his best. But, like anything else, do you go with someone who is not as far along as he should be and may never get to that level. When does one pull the plug on the Kodi Burns experience and decide to say no more throwing good money after bad and go with the most consistent QB who will execute the game plan whether it be a surgically reconstructed Todd, a prone to interception Caudle, or a wet behind the ears Trotter?

None of the QB questions will matter anyway if our thin O line loses anyone. I am curious as to who from the defensive side of the ball may get called to come over.; 2:35 PM
Unknown said...: If Todd's arm is truly healed, he should definitely have a shot. He was definitely a better leader.

As for Burns, I see more potential with him that with Todd. Burns has just not gotten to the point where he consistently makes good decisions. Hopefully coaching will correct that.

If our offense really is going to be smash mouth, Burns would seem to fit right in, but only if he could properly execute the offense.; 2:42 PM
Tar Heel Tiger said...: Jay GT and SS,

Thanks for the wonderful video and scrimmage report. I sopped it all up like gravy with a homemade biscuit.; 2:58 PM
Jet said...: I still believe if Todd is a starter this year, it will be at Eastern Kentucky, or something of that ilk. If he takes a significant snap at Auburn next year, I'll be stunned.

My guess: Kodi leads the way until Caudle or Trotter emerges. I've been hearing more positive Caudle chatter lately, but, man, that throw in the film. Sheesh.; 3:00 PM
Jay G. Tate said...: Reminder: Practice runs from 5-7 today.

I will have a chance to film part of practice. I know you're salivating at the chance to see Les Tigres in action.

I'll try to get that up before practice ends. Then we'll concentrate on the written word after practice.

Should be a fun night on the HABOTN.; 3:10 PM
Jet said...: Hottie Night.

Ain't no doubt, we are here to party.

Hottie Night.

C'mon y'all, got to get it started.

Dance with the Hotties, get down!
Dance with the Hotties, get down!

'Cuz Hottie Nights are always the best in town!; 3:18 PM
NoVaTiger said...: I wasn't impressed with any of the QBs in that film. I think Todd was far and away the better leader last year. His injury just made him unable to perform. That he is still not throwing is not a good sign. He could still come back in fall practice but I'm starting to doubt it.

I think Kodi's failure to develop is likely fallout from the coaching meltdown. I think he has a lot of raw talent and if he is decently coached AND APPLIES HIMSELF he could develop into the QB we need.

I haven't seen enough of Trotter or Caudle to have an opinion on them. Hopefully, better coaching will bring them along too.

If we have to wait and hope for Tyrik to pan out, we're in deep trouble.; 3:21 PM
Jet said...: NoVa ...

Your points are well reasoned and stated.; 3:23 PM
AUfan said...: Steve, do you think 9 or 9 wins is likely this season? I don't see any better than 6-6, or maybe 7-5. The offense seems to have questions at every position, and one or two injuries to certain players could be a disaster. I'm hoping Malzahn can pull the rabbit out of a hat, but he definitely has his work cut out for him.; 3:26 PM
WarEagleRK said...: Not that the coaches have helped over the years, but I haven't see anything in Kodi that demonstrates the fan's love for his potential.

Unless something changes soon, I don't see him ever being an average or adequate SEC quarterback. I would love to be proven wrong.

He's afraid to throw down field, takes off running at the sight of any opposition jersey within 10 yards of him, runs off balance, has no spiral whatsoever on his throws and shows absolutely no confidence or leadership from what I can see.

Other than that, he's the next John Elway.; 3:28 PM
Unknown said...: I wouldn't make too much of the scrimmage video. You can't really decide if something was a good or bad decision unless you know the circumstances. For instance, a long pass into coverage on 3rd and 20 is different than a long pass into coverage on third and 1.

So far, Todd has looked like the best QB we have, assuming his arm is healed. If his arm is how it was last season and will degrade as the season goes on, we need to find a new QB.

Burns has potential, but the major reason that last season fell apart was playing Burns at QB when he wasn't prepared. Todd could no longer contribute because his arm was toast. Trotter was even more inexperienced. Apparently Caudle's decision making is not yet there either. If Todd's arm isn't healed and we don't get a QB with good decision making ability, next season will be nearly as bad as last season.

Many don't understand why I thought Todd did well. It is the same reason I like Tate. I look for consistency and players that don't make the occasional boneheaded decision. You have to have that before you go for the player that can make the big play. I will take a QB that is 6 or 10 with no ints before a QB that is 8 of 10 with a couple of interceptions. Mistakes kill an offense, and the QB mistakes cost the most.; 3:28 PM
Unknown said...: I see 8 or 9 wins as likely if we can get a good decision maker at QB and the offensive line stays healthy. I believe the receivers will be much improved and you will wonder where all the talent there came from by the end of the season.; 3:30 PM
NoVaTiger said...: Steve, I agree with you on Todd. I see him as a lot like Cox, able to make good decisions and not kill you. Auburn fans have never seen him with a good arm. If he heals and can throw, I think the job is his to lose.; 3:36 PM
Jet said...: I certainly wanted Kodi last year because Todd didn't have the arm to play at the level we needed.
Kodi is as raw as sushi, but at least had a chance to improve. Todd was going nowhere in a hurry.

As for this year, we have an offensive philosophy and a coach who is in charge. Heck of a note to say last year we didn't.

But that's why we have a new regime. If anyone is hoping for Todd, then they might as well be hoping Tyrik can start.

I'm hopeful that someone steps and proves to be competent. Personally, I like the idea of Trotter if he develops. But who knows if he will?

Bottom line, it didn't take long for me to see last year as a lost season, and it was time to find guys who were going to be a part of the future -- even if there were short-term problems.

Tubs made a mess of it, and every button he pushed was the wrong one. So he resigned, or retired, or was fired, or cashed the check. Whatever. Doesn't matter.

My guess is 6-7 wins ... maybe more. Probably not 5 or fewer. I think change will improve attitude, and historically that buys a win or two you weren't counting on.; 3:38 PM
NoVaTiger said...: I think that Chiz needs a 9 win season after his "win now" statements to keep from getting on the hotseat.

I expect not matter what, we'll have more offense this year. The defense will the same to better. I think that should us put in the 7-9 win range.; 3:40 PM
NoVaTiger said...: I agree it was plain Todd's arm was gone last year and the decision to play Kodi was best. By then though the coaching situation was in complete meltdown. I don't think Kodi got decent coaching at any point last year.

I don't pin all hope on Todd, I just think a healthy Todd is likely to be the best we have this year.; 3:45 PM
AUfan said...: NoVa, do you think anything less than 9 wins puts Chizik on the hotseat? I hope people will be more realistic than that.; 3:48 PM
NoVaTiger said...: I think his own statement that he is not rebuilding and expected to win now did that. He's set the expectations high. Maybe I'm wrong and fans won't remember that when next season rolls around though,; 3:51 PM
WarEagleRK said...: I don't remember those comments now, much less later on during the season.; 3:52 PM
NoVaTiger said...: What do you want to beat certain members of the press remind everyone about them, especially if it's a bad season?; 3:55 PM
NoVaTiger said...: beat=bet; 3:55 PM
AUfan said...: You make some excellent points, Jet. I'm afraid some of AU's problems aren't going away overnight, but I like the enthusiasm and approach the new staff has shown. Next years' recruiting class is crucial in getting some more top-line talent to Auburn. Would you agree? I don't see AU as a program that can afford a mediocre recruiting class, we have had enough of those recently.; 3:56 PM
Jet said...: Depressed,

Considering who our competitors are -- the Infidels, the Corndogs, UGAg, Tebow Tech, Kiffykins -- no, we can't afford mediocrity in recruiting.

We must recruit linemen. In a big way.; 4:07 PM
Dear Leader said...: We had a lot of games that were close last year due to an unproductive O. Give a D that will be better (my personal guarantee) and any resemblance of an O we should be in good shape. Give an above average O and we will contend....

CGC will have the D where it needs to be...; 4:28 PM
AUBigCat said...: I think the emphasis on running the ball could mask our QB issues for a while. maybe whoever is QB will get it together at some point and step up.

I also think that if anyone thinks we will have recruiting classes like UA, LSU,UGA and UF then they are setting themselves up for heartache. The old staff did a great job of talent eval and development. Lets hope this staff has some of that in them. But I dont think we have to have consistently top 10 recruiting classes to win big.; 4:32 PM
j-z said...: I will count this season if our players got out there and don't look confused, play with a fire in their belly, and act like they want to be out there knocking the snot out of somebody. We didn't have that last year AT ALL. I look for seven wins, but if the above happens, I'll be ok with five. The freakin' bammer across the street will be looking for a new house though, cause I'm gonna burn his a$$ out.; 4:32 PM
AUBigCat said...: I think the only thing that gets CGC on the hot seat next year is a D that is not up to par. And that is quite unlikely. I also think it has been our D that has seperated us from the rest of the SEC. Even if our offense is average, with a typical great AU defense, we could make a serious run at the SECCG; 4:40 PM
michael said...: I am still not convinced that Todd's pre-injured arm was ever that strong. Do we have any other proof that he could throw other than what Franklin said he saw in high school? Because back when I was in high school, I could've thrown this football a quarter mile. I could've thrown this football right over them there mountains. If coach had put me in, we'd have won state. No doubt in my mind.; 4:49 PM
Jay G. Tate said...: Auburn baseball wins at MSU, 12-10, and captures another road series.

If they could win at home, they'd be better than 6-6 in the league.; 5:09 PM
Peter Frankenschmidt said...: Mr. Tate, do you think 6-6 is under- or over- performing for this team at this point?; 5:19 PM
Monica said...: Smooth lyrics, Jet.

You're a true talent.; 5:32 PM
chip chip said...: just watching the coach interviews on the pay sites, there is a gianormous difference in intensity, focus, intelligence and motivational know how i have not seen since cadillac was the de-facto coach on the field in 2004. they may not have all the pieces to "win now" but they will win and win big within 2-3 years. i'm still convinced that incoming players like deangelo benton and demond washington are going to have to make an immediate impact from game #1 to reach the 9 win plateau. give the offense a few playmakers to get a few cheap tds here and there and the defense improves dramatically. i thought the d was as good or better last year than in 2004. the difference was that in 2004 AU was playing from ahead, way ahead, most of the time. when the other team's offense has to start taking chances to catch up, they are usually toast. WDE and thanks in advance for your upcoming reports on today's practice jgt.; 5:43 PM
Monica said...: it is ginormous - agree 100% Chip; 5:46 PM
Norm said...: Diggin' the Heatwave reference Jet.

Omica - nice sod point. Unfortunately, you're 100% correct.; 5:50 PM
Monica said...: Look at your big man driving the firetruck! How precious.; 5:53 PM
Norm said...: Yep. That's my boy.; 6:04 PM
Unknown said...: I can't see the defense this year being nearly as good as last season. If Simms had stayed for last season, it could have been the best Auburn defense ever.

Why it won't be better? Depth in the middle of the defensive line primarily, but also at linebacker. The defensive backs were good, actually better than expected, last season. They will be better this season.

On offense we will certainly be better. As for Todd's arm, it was good enough for him to play very well for about the first 4 games. The second half of the LSU game I knew it was gone. He was done. If he is good for the first 4 games this season, but won't last, I wouldn't make him the starter. Get others experience.

As for Kodi, he is now a junior and has had a lot of experience. If he doesn't show dramatic improvement in decision making ability, he should ride the pine.

I don't know about Trotter or Caudle. Caudle was much more highly regarded. I am not sure why some are excited by Trotter. The reason the coaches were considering playing him last season was just because Kodi clearly couldn't run the offense. I am hoping the either Trotter or Caudle surprises me.

As for Tyrik, it would be a bone head move to make him a starter as a freshman. That isn't to say he shouldn't have a chance to get some playing time. I like to see QBs brought along gradually.

I think I mentioned earlier that I judge QBs by the mistakes they make primarily, rather than the good plays. Give me a Randy Campbell any day.; 6:04 PM
Jay G. Tate said...: New thread up.; 6:07 PM
Jay G. Tate said...: I think 7-5 is this team's 2009 destiny.; 6:08 PM

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4.04.2009

Scrimmage video, 4/4

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4.04.2009

Scrimmage video, 4/4

242 Comments:

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