PHILLIPS IN THE FOLD: Of primary interest is Aubrey Phillips, the Mississippi OL who spurned Auburn in February to sign with Florida State. He left the Seminoles' program last week, though, and is basically a free agent.He was on Auburn's campus this weekend. Phillips is considering the Tigers along with Arkansas these days and, as I understand it, could be eligible immediately. That's assuming he gains the necessary academic clearances from Auburn, the SEC and the NCAA.
UPDATE: It appears Phillips will only be eligible in 2009 if his next school coaxes a waiver from the NCAA.
Phillips was one of the Tigers' primary targets last winter. Those coaches were bummed when things turned around at the last minute. Maybe they'll be turning those frowns upside-down in the coming days.
A word of warning: Though Auburn clearly needs help along the OL, particularly at tackle, I don't believe Phillips is going to be a useful option this season. The Sentinel reported that Phillips is heavier than before. It's reasonable to assume he'll need a year with Kevin Yoxall to get into shape.
That's assuming he signs with Auburn, which is one option.
McNEAL SAYS HE'S IN: Georgia S Demetruce McNeal on Saturday committed to the Tigers. He is the 10th player to pledge his services for the 2010 season and beyond.
He's a 6-foot-3 safety. Auburn needs classically trained safeties.
Rivals.com and Scout.com rate him a three-star prospect, which basically means he's intriguing. Those services haven't had a chance to really assess any improvement (or regression) any of these kids have made since November.
Here's hoping!
ReplyDeleteHe'd be a nice addition for them, I believe.
ReplyDeleteWould he be substantialicious?
ReplyDeleteI am always skeptical of transfers.
Way to go cincy!
ReplyDeleteWAR EAGLE!!
And congrats to Cincy!
ReplyDeleteWell done Cincy.
ReplyDeleteWell done is an old hat for you JGT, yet applies still.
Cincy gettin in the DL mode!!
ReplyDeleteBy the way on the billboard front, I'm not sure if anyone has mentioned it, but there is now a Fearless and True bb on 85 south in Atlanta about 3 miles north of downtown Atlanta. VARY cool to see a big orange and blue billboard in yellowjacket and bulldog land.
So I guess this means no secondary violations this weekend?
ReplyDeleteGetting Phillips would be nice. We'd start to fill a pressing need and not have to use one of our 2010shollys in the process.
ReplyDeleteYea that sucks about us not getting any secondary violations this weekend. If you aint cheatin' you aint tryin'!
ReplyDeleteSecondary violations?
ReplyDeleteWell, we did a commitment from a safety this weekend. Who knows what we did to get that?
Jay did McNeal grow over the weekend? Everything I've seen has him listed at 6-1 at the most.
ReplyDeleteCall is intuition or wishful thinking, but I predict we are going to hear some good news over the next few days.
ReplyDeletehope you're right cincy
ReplyDeletei just saw a brand new ferrari with bammer vanity tags in orange beach, al. what a waste...
ReplyDeleteit was a gray-haired dude driving so it was not a recruit at least.
Chip was it Kenny Stabler?
ReplyDeleteScout reports that Corey Grant will commit Thursday.
ReplyDeletePosters are not optimistic.
How would Phillips be able to play at another d1 school? If he's in school (which I'm guessing he'd have to be if he's practicing) doesn't he have to sit out a year if he transfers to another (formerly known as)D1 school?
ReplyDeleteI loved him in those Hitchcock movies
ReplyDeletetommyd it may have something to do with FSU's probation or at least that is what I heard as to why Phillips could play immediately.
ReplyDeleteAU in the CFL update:
Tray Blackmon made three tackles and deflected one pass for the Calgary Stampeders in a 44-9 win over Toronto on Friday.
Damon Duval was 4 for 5 on FGs with a long of 40 yards for Montreal in a 43-10 win over Saskatchewan. He also punted four times averaging 49 yards with a long of 64. He was four for four on extra points.
Prechae Rodriguez caught 5 passes for 57 yards in a 25-13 Hamilton win over Winnipeg.
Thanx BigCat!
ReplyDeletethose are great reports BigCat. Thanks!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the CFL Minute, Big Catada!
ReplyDeleteWord is that AP wasn't enrolled at FSU yet... at least what I am hearing... Would be good for 2010 help. I'd love to hear about a Grant sighting on the AU campus sometime before Thursday...
ReplyDeleteIf Grant doesn't commit to AU do you think that is because he knows we are getting some other top rated RBs?
ReplyDeleteI am so confused by the Corey Grant saga. Malzahn's offense would be great for him as a slot receiver. I thought i read somewhere that he wanted to play slot in college, a position bama doesnt really use. Now everyone is saying that he is bama bound. The timming of his stated decision date sets up like a bammer counter to our supposed "big weekend" however. I just think he'd be more successful in our system.
ReplyDeleteMy sense is that the kid wants to go to Florida, but his folks want him closer to home.
ReplyDeleteOne of his dad's closest friends is ex-Benjamin Russell coach and current UAT staffer Willie Carl Martin.
Auburn's offense fits his skill set, where his future is as an H-back, a la McCalebb.
I understand folks concern regarding Phillips being a transfer, but this isn't even as much of a transfer as DFurr was. If Phillips counts as a 2009 recruit, then we really don't have anything to lose giving him a scholly. In order for his scholly to get in the way, we would need to have no more attrition and all 28 2010 recruits would need to qualify. I'll be surprised if there isn't some WR/QB attrition prior to the start of the 200 season.
ReplyDeleteNo recruit will help this season, but we need OL for the future.
I am skeptical, but not opposed. You astutely noted him counting against 2009, which does give us the leeway to take the chance.
ReplyDeleteUsually, kids that don't work out at one big-time school don't work out at the second one. Kenny Irons was an exception for us.
UPDATE: It appears that Phillips will only be eligible in 2009 if his next school coaxes a waiver from the NCAA.
ReplyDeleteI understand he's quite the coaxman.
ReplyDeletecoax-swain.
ReplyDeleteWill he be as durable as Brandon Coax?
ReplyDeleteOr be as set in his ways as Bobby Coax?
ReplyDeleteI think he'll avoid jail ... unlike Leo Coax-Son.
ReplyDeleteOr as memorable as John Coaxtoasten
ReplyDeleteMaybe he's so heavy because he drinks too many Coax. He should drink diet Coax instead.
ReplyDeleteWouldn't Phillips likely redshirt anyway? So, who cares if a waiver could be coaxial cabled...
ReplyDeleteSo he is not tough enough to cut it at FSU... are we that sure we want him in the program? I guess beggars can't be choosers when it comes to o-line.
ReplyDeleteAUBigCat - re: Thursday... you're scaring me!
ReplyDeleteTHT I'm scared too!
ReplyDeleteIt is officially Monday here, which means it's T-minus 47 days til kickoff.
ReplyDeleteToday's honoree is a former LB with a name that just rolls off your tongue.
HAPPY MARCELLUS MOSTELLA DAY!!!
WAR EAGLE!!!
GO TIGERS!!!
Good morning, Hotties. UGH. I hate Mondays. I can't believe there's only 47 days until kickoff!!
ReplyDeleteWhat up gang, I was in Auburn all weekend...it's always good to go back, visit the War Eagle Supper Club and all the local restaurants I used to frequent. Too bad it's Monday.
ReplyDeleteI like the Mostella call, but you could have also went with fellow LB from 10 years before Mostella and picked Russ Carreker.
ReplyDeleteHow about we make it a combo?
ReplyDeleteHappy Carnell (24) + Ronnie (23) Day!
I'm a big fan of that combo, Jet.
ReplyDeleteMarcellus Mostella! Has there ever been a better football player name?!
ReplyDeleteI was always a fan of Jake Slaughter, the fullback. Although Marcellus Mostella has a certain ring to it.
ReplyDeleteI agree Cincy, always liked his name.
ReplyDeleteFullwood was a good FB name too.
47 DAYS....thank goodness.
ReplyDeleteand the Braves took 3 of 4 from the Mets this weekend. what gives?
What number was Otis Mounds? I'll never forget sitting in the stands watching the Auburn - Fullerton State game when they called Otis out of the stands and asked him to come to the locker room. He ended up playing in the second half. Anyone know what he is up to these days? I think he has a couple of sons who play football who should be getting close to college age.
ReplyDeleteScottie, Ryan Church takes walks Scottie, he's not that automatic out we had in there before. He gets on base, gets bunted over for the top of the order, it all works out. Besides, ever since Escobar got moved down in the lineup, he does that much better.
ReplyDeleteOne too many Scotties, in there, Scottie...ouch did it again.
ReplyDeleteAs I mentioned the other day I always liked Travarious Pounds, a great name for a linebacker.
ReplyDeleteScottie,
The Mets have are missing Sheffield, Delgado, Beltran & Reyes. All they have is David Wright.
RK, what about Jeff Francoeur, the Natural?
ReplyDeleteI just wish the Braves had dumped Franceour before his stock dropped so much.
ReplyDeleteI never liked Franceour. He swings at everything...that could be because Pendleton isn't a good hitting coach, but Jeff would swing at everything.
ReplyDeleteWell, they weren't going to do that because they just thought he was in a slump, blah blah blah, upside/face of the franchise, blah blah...anyway...they got a servicable dude to replace for the rest of the year.
ReplyDeleteBut RK, he was coming around!
ReplyDeleteyup, Seanzie, the Mets are hurting. and even with the Mets Francoeur still swings at everything. he did drive in their only run yesterday, though.
ReplyDeleteThere is a reason the Braves intentionally walked David Wright almost every time after Sheffield got injured on Friday at the game I went to.
ReplyDeleteChurch will not play every day, Diaz will platoon with him because Bobby Cox always has to have a platoon somewhere on the field.
ReplyDeleteRK, obviously I'm being sarcasting about Jeff. He never lived up to that Freshman year of his.
ReplyDeleteAlso, didn't say Church would play every day, but he gets on base and that's more than we could say for Jeff. The long term answers to the outfield are in the farm.
Also, Jeff burned us a couple times on those intentional walks.
RK said platoon. hehe.
ReplyDeletei like Diaz. i don't mind that combo in left field.
ReplyDeleteI like Diaz when he isn't swinging at balls that come in eye-level.
ReplyDeleteSean,
ReplyDeleteI know you you were being sarcastic.
Scottie,
Diaz and Church will platoon in RF, not LF. Garrett Anderson has pretty much become the full time starter in LF.
Diaz is a good hitter, but not so good in the field.
Sadly, I don't see the Braves catching the Phillies.
Question - I was under the impression that this was going to be an important weekend. Then I am hearing that Grant may commit elsewhere.
ReplyDeleteI realize that February is a long ways off, but shouldn't something have happened more so than a single DB commit? Or do we expect things to happen this week?
Just askin'
I think there was a rumor started by people from the dark side in order to create some kind of chaos. Basically this was just the last camp we had before the season started. Make no mistake, we're in the running for a lot of these guys. It will be fun to see what happens during the season.
ReplyDeleteOkidoke.
ReplyDeleteLike I said the other day, we are making a lot of noise in recruiting, but so far it's just noise.
ReplyDeleteGooooood morning Hot Ones...and Happy Marcellus Mostella!! Besides having a great name he was pretty entertaining guy on campus!
ReplyDeleteWell, it may have been a good weekend, but it reminds me of when I bought fireworks as a kid, a lot more bang promised on the package than the contents delivered.
ReplyDeleteWERK - that noise is starting to sound like belches & flatulence. I would be very content with the recruiting thus far if Trooper hadn't made that crazy statement at the end of June. But we still have 11 days in July for his prediction to come to fruition. LET'S GO TIGERS!!!
ReplyDeleteper the article on Rivals, when McNeal committed (3*Safety) he said the AU coaches told him they were only going to take one Safety and he was it. now this Ahmad Dixon (4*Safety), the one who is committed to Baylor, has really good stuff to say about AU after he visited this past weekend. should be interesting if/when Dixon backs out on his Baylor commitment.
ReplyDeletecincy - Otis Mounds wore 25 as a freshman; not sure what number after that
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I want to give a big shout out to SHANNON ROBIQUE!!!
He was a 3-time ALL-SEC center and 1994 ALL-American but I forgot to mention him on Kickoff Kountdown Day 56.
BTW, I've got Teapot Brown at #26. Have any other players worn that number?
ReplyDeleteI just hope that none of this backfires. Because Seastrunk would be correct in stating that this will be funny.
ReplyDeleteFunny for others unfortunately.
Robique an All-American? news to me THT.
ReplyDeleteTeapot Brown. great name.
TarHeel, who do have at #35?
ReplyDeletescottie b - it was news to me, too, since he's not listed in the Media Guide as All-American. But I saw it on the internet. It must be true.
ReplyDeleteTHT,
ReplyDeleteLamell Ages from 4 or 5 years ago wore # 26.
Steve Gandy also wore # 26 at one point.
Other than that, I'm not sure.
I don't remember Robique being All American...Ben Tamburello was an all american center.
ReplyDeleteah, the internet. that evil vixen. ;)
ReplyDeleteLUV- I'm not telling.* You'll have to wait and see.
ReplyDelete*I have no earthly idea. The list is at home on my laptop.**
**Oh wait, I brought my laptop to work with me today to work on a map project.***
***I'm still not telling.
AU1: I didn't think this weekend was going to be a revelation or anything. Why did you think it was going to be a huge to-do?
ReplyDeleteLeading the Tigers up front will be All-American center Shannon Roubique, a senior
ReplyDeletei know who #35 better be THT!!!!!
ReplyDeleteJayGT - because Trooper promised us.
ReplyDeleteJGT - Just comments and headlines from other sites. I could have fallen into the "trap."
ReplyDeleteTHT,
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing he might have been a pre-season All American??
Jay G will give us the scoop, when indeed a scoop is there to be had. Don't fall into the rumor mill...it always leads to unnecessary worry.
ReplyDeleteok THT, i hereby dub Shannon Robique, pre-season 1995 All-American by the Cherokee County Herald.
ReplyDeletethe internet strikes again!
I wasn't worried. I figured when there was no JGT updates, that not much was going to happen. All gets verified on the HABOTN.
ReplyDeleteWERK & Scottie B- I think y'all are correct. I think pre-season All-this&that are dumb as dirt. But Shannon Roubique still deserves a shout out!
ReplyDeleteThen it's all good. I'm glad we get some football in two weeks. That will hold me over until college ball starts.
ReplyDeleteMr JGT any special plans/insights/interviews for the media days?
ReplyDeletei forgot media days starts tomorrow! hot dang!
ReplyDeleteI got a taste of football this weekend. I went to a semi-pro game in Forest Park (I know one of the guys playing) and it was just enough to take the edge off a little bit.
ReplyDeletescottieB - re: 8:32...way back
ReplyDeleteyup. he was a stud. a joltin' stud.
ReplyDeletescottie b in tennessee said...
ReplyDeletei know who #35 better be THT!!!!!
Me too, scottie!!
and my #35 doesn't go way back, TarHeel. He better at least get an Honorable Mention.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure we have a 34...anyone...ideas for 34?
ReplyDeletenope Sean. absolutely clueless.
ReplyDeleteThere was someone memorable that wore #34?!?!
ReplyDeleteScottie B!
ReplyDeleteWhat do you know about the Cherokee County Herald?
It was my father's first place of employment after leaving Auburn.
Since we don't have a significant 34, maybe we should double up with Reggie Slack and Jason Campbell, or go with the salute to kicking specialists with Al Del Greco (and others) with a 3, and 1970s era punter Skip Johnston with a 4.
ReplyDeleteJet, i know the Cherokee County Herald proclaimed Shannon Robique as an All-American for 1995. other than that i'm pretty clueless. :)
ReplyDeleteWhew!! Jet to the rescue
ReplyDeletetommyd re: Media Days -- I'm live-blogging throughout the day on Wednesday and Thursday. I'll be concentrating my efforts on Auburn during the Friday sessions.
ReplyDeleteAU1 -- I wasn't trying to take a shot at the internet sites that talked up the weekend. I just thought to myself ... when is the last time Auburn, or any school, had a big recruiting weekend* in the summer?
The answer was never, so I assumed ...
*=commit-yielding enterprises
Media Days starts Wednesday around noon with THE COMMISH speaking on ... stuff.
ReplyDeleteScottie B ...
ReplyDeleteAny updates on the HABOTN lids?
JGT - Agreed. I think all of it is nonsense anyway since all it is right now is loud noise. Because it will change come February. Good or bad.
ReplyDeletethere are several coming up on the list for which any and all "honorable mention" slots are vacated out of special respect, honor, and/or memory of the honoree.
ReplyDeleteTeapot Brown comes to mind ;-)
Jet, we just lost our embroidery guy due to economic reasons. we're trying to get things re-structured here. i have a sample made with the campfire logo on the front but that's it. i should've already had everything together but i didn't expect to lose my guy.
ReplyDeleteLincoln ATH D.J. Howard has committed. Details coming soon on the blog.
ReplyDeleteLookie there. An instate guy too.
ReplyDeleteTHT, can I go ahead and cast a vote for Carlo Cheattom at #35? I know another safety has a lot of support, but Cheattom was a hitting machine. The hit on Reggie Cobb is legendary, but he was much more than a one-hit wonder. Lots of pressure for TarHeel, I don't envy him on this one.
ReplyDeleteTiger fans: Get your hands up for Bodda Getta! Are you ready?!
ReplyDeleteREADY!
ReplyDeletedepressed- actually, 35 was one of the easier decisions. Some of them are near impossible.
ReplyDeleteScottie, let's break it down in the new thread.
ReplyDelete