Tuesday practice chatter

TUESDAY AFTERNOON
Post No. 1,173

Hey everyone. A few players were made available prior to the Tigers' Tuesday evening practice. The theme was quarterbacks. I'm sure you're happy to hear that.

Let's just get to it:

• It's clear to me that Kodi Burns believes he has accomplished enough to be named the team's top quarterback. Though he remains diplomatic with his answers about the so-called quarterback race, Burns is brimming with confidence these days.
  
  11Being a leader is what I'm doing best," he said Tuesday. ``When I walk out there on the field, the offensive guys look me in the face and know we can get it done."
  
  
• Burns on the plusses of having a clear No. 1 guy during the summer: ``The advantage is the extra work. If you have one guy established, you're going to be that guy. The No. 1s will go with the No. 1s all the time. It would be a lot easier if you have one guy to get your timing and your cohesiveness down."
  
  
• I've never seen a quarterback pooped on more than Neil Caudle in 2008. His offensive coordinator sold him out. Caudle never had a shot. When the team's fortunes soured in October, Auburn coaches considered activating Barrett Trotter, then a true freshman, rather than Caudle. Nevermind that Caudle was in his third college season.
  
  ``I know we were a little bit desperate, but it was kind of disheartening for that to happen," Caudle said Tuesday. ``I think it all worked out in the end. This is a new year."
  
  
• The three healthy scholarship quarterbacks (Burns, Caudle, Trotter) split reps evenly during Saturday's scrimmage.
  
  
• Offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn says he's grading each quarterback's performance on a daily basis. Those grades apparently are not being shared with the players.
  
  Trotter on his Saturday scrimmage grade: ``Couldn't tell you."
  
  Trotter on if he finds that annoying: ``You'd like to know. At the same time, either way, you know, you're going to keep working hard and doing what you're going to do. Hopefully it wouldn't affect that much of my work ethic. I'm going to work hard either way."
  

Photo credit: Todd Van Emst/Auburn University