First Post: Sunday of Week Two
Hey everyone. I bet you're feeling satisfied for the first time in a long while. The offense looked good. The defense, in my opinion, was even more impressive. It's confusing to hear people being critical of the defense. Aside from a rash of awkward first-half penalties, the group performed at a level well beyond what I expected.We'll talk more about this later.
Here's the Auburn situation at this moment:
TODAY'S STORIES
- Tigers tout solid play in Chizik's debut
- Auburn notebook
- A little report card thing I did
- Column from my bossman, Brad Zimanek
PREVIOUS STORIES
- 9/5: Dooley out to end an oh-for-Auburn streak
- 9/4: Ford brings faster pace to Auburn 'D'
- 9/3: Players expect changes to help restore winning ways
- 9/2: Auburn safety Bates gets big break
- 8/31: Countdown nearly over for eager Tigers
- 8/30: Auburn's Malzahn makes a balanced spread
- 8/29: Tigers revel in revival of Todd's arm
THE VIDEO VAULT
- 9/1: Pre-practice interviews
- 8/27: Practice report
- 8/25: Practice footage (includes some 11-on-11)
- 8/23: Post-practice report
- 8/22: Post-scrimmage report
- 8/19: Practice footage
- 8/18: Post-practice interviews
- 8/15: Post-scrimmage interviews
- 8/14: Fallout from the Todd Decision and practice bloopers
- 8/14: Todd and Burns discuss The Decision
- 8/13: Burns debuts at WR
- 8/12: Video interviews
- 8/11: Gene Chizik speaks
- 8/10: Video interviews
- 8/9: BONUS video practice report
- 8/7: Video practice report
- 8/6: Practice report
- 8/5: Post-practice report
- 8/5: Practice report
- 8/4: Reporting day coverage
TODAY'S SCHEDULE
As you can see below, Chizik holds a teleconference this afternoon. I'll gather up that information and post it to the blog ASAP. I'd also like to do a "hits and misses" post ... analyzing where Auburn thrived and dived last night.
Here's what the next few days look like. All times are CDT:
Sun., Sept. 6, OFF (Chizik teleconference at 4:15 p.m.)
Mon., Sept. 7, 8 p.m. (Players available at 6 p.m.)
Tue., Sept. 8, 4:30 p.m. (Chizik presser at 11:30 a.m.; Players available at 11:50 a.m.)
Wed., Sept. 9, 4:30 p.m. (Wifey's birthday; Beatles Rock Band is released)
Thu., Sept. 10, 4:30 p.m. (No interviews allowed; Tiger Talk at 7 p.m.)
Fri., Sept. 11, OFF
Sat., Sept. 12, vs. Mississippi State, 6:05 p.m. (FSN)
Sun., Sept. 13, 4:30 p.m.
Mon., Sept. 14, OFF
Also, please pick up the Advertiser's print edition if you live around here! Our fine Auburn coverage is only one element of our award-winning product.
posted by Jay G. Tate at
9:50 AM
149 Comments:
AU over La Tech with Substance
JGT - I have to support the cause!! I like black print on my fingers with coffee
Nicely played, Hüp.
We're thankful for your allegiance, AU1.
Gooooood Morning Hotties!!!
Woo hoo
Ditto JG.
We're still waiting for the Hattiesburg America to arrive. There's an APB out for the paper boy.
If I hear one more complaint about the color orange, I'm gonna go LaGarette Blount on someone.
JGT - To steal from your bossman.
"This is the most fun I've ever had playing football," Pugh said.
That speaks volumes!
"It's confusing to hear people being critical of the defense."~Jay G.
Ditto
PF - All Orange, All the Time!
Ok off to brunch with the wife.
Enjoy all.
War Eagle, K!
Did you have fun????
God is great! Auburn is good! Bammers are crazy!
MonD, I'm with you on the defense
They caught my eye more than the offense. That DL was pretty darn powerful. Nick Fairley is a man. And I didn't think La Tech was bad. They executed well. Auburn was just better.
Orange =================>
Wanted to join in the HABOTN last nite, but the TV was switching between AU and Bama game while other relatives were on the computers.
I'll go read some stuff and get caught up.
I'm starting to think that Sensi can't function without a target to vent negative emotions towards. As soon as one goes away, he finds another.
We were sloppy, but that's understandable for the new coaches/system and young players.
This is still a team lacking depth. If we can avoid injuries, eke out wins and continue substituting, we can create some depth. Superior quality depth will need several recruting classes.
I was pleased with the D last night in everything except the silly penalties. Fairley is a beast and Bates played very well, IMO.
I did have a great time, Monica. Thanks. I am sure you are all pumped for the WVU game in a few weeks!
Other than some penalties, what exactly was wrong with the defense?
I loved the defense. Love how they played from start to finish. They were just as impressive on the last series. No quit. And Roof was jumping all over the sidelines, but not nearly as much as Taylor. Those silly penalties were just first game jitters. All the folks around me were just anxious to get the game started.
I think this win will get more people out to the next game. All you got to win to bring them out.
Excellent set of stories, Jay. Prepared is probably the best way to describe this Auburn team. Win or lose, last season the players often looked like they didn't know what they should be doing.
This season things looked incredibly smooth. I couldn't believe how quickly the offense operated, the plays were called, the formations changed, and there were no glaring errors.
This game was only one step, but I think the coaches did a great job of teaching, which is their job. Somehow an offense that "lacked playmakers" last season, was suddenly loaded with them.
I thought Mississippi State game was a FSN game.
Did it change to the U?
And how about Wes Bynum? How long were those field goals.
I have to admit, sometimes it moved so fast, I had trouble keeping up with the ball! I'll have to retrain.
. . . that Tiger Walk as I said before, when you get through it if you are not fired up, you are in a coma. . . .
Agree, Coach Chizik.
Well said.
I've got a lot of reading to do. Did we get any injuries yesterday? I saw a lot of their folks go down.
By the way, Jay, the MSU game isn't on ESPNU. I have seen it listed as FSN. In the carolinas is on Fox Sports Carolina.
Thanks for the catch!
Consider us as your personal editor interns.
DMiller...This is a request. When selecting games for the HABOTN Pickers, try to pick games with lower spreads. Mainly b/c I always pick worse on games with large spreads and I want to win. I find myself wondering if the coach is going to substitute and limit scoring. I'll blame my bad performance yesterday on the number high spread games and the fact that I actually went and changed 2 picks(and missed them) due to those fools on Gameday.haha
Great set of stories, Jay G and thanks for the link to Brad Z's column. Really good stuff.
"This is the most fun I've ever had playing football," Pugh said.
Gotta love hearing that.
Also loved the stuff of Ted Ruf Rusted and Malzahn crossing over to D/O to fire them up. It reads like the COACHING STAFF works as one unit. If that's true that's really cool.
Love that the players felt so prepared. Such a confidence builder.
I've said it lots (not that I need to tell y'all this) but I don't know the X's and O's like y'all do, but I didn't see sloppiness. I saw typical first game stuff and really pumped up guys making adrenalin induced mistakes.
I'm happy with what I saw last night. I'm happy for those boys.
Hoopie. Take it like a man, quit making excuses and whining, and step it up next week.
Eagle Flight before Auburn/La Tech game
LB's in coverage are the main complaint I had about the D. They caught us on crossing patterns or by letting a reciever/back drop in the middle of our D.
I Chizik said the mistakes were playing hard mistakes, but when you've stopped people on 3rd down, you can't let 3 drives like that in a game continue against the big boys. All three LaTech scoring drives were continued by a 3rd down penalty when we had them off the field.
It's minor yesterday, but could really hurt us down the road.
The eagle really flew around yesterday before the landing.
Thanks Monica for finding that. The eagle flight yesterday was exceptional. I was very wimpy during it. It always gets me, but yesterday was the best flight I've seen.
81,143 was the attendance last night.
I know a lot of people want us to expand the stadium with an upper deck over the endzone, but that's why there hasn't been serious talk about that happening.
The only good thing about our seats was the view of the Eagle flight. That was the best one yet. Through the goal posts!
And not sure if we talked about this already, but the pregame video was much better than last year's initial one. Although there was an audio issue half way into it.
I've just got one thing to say ... WOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOO!!!! YEAH BABY, YEAH!!!! A HA HA HA HA HA!!!! NICK FAIRLY BABY, OH YEAH!!! WOOOO HOOOO!! WAR DAMN EAGLE!!!!
I was most impressed by our lines last night. Our OL and DL were dominant... I know it's probably against an undersized team, but we pushed them around.
We'll see how we do this week against a somewhat SEC level line.
Count me as part of the group worried about the defense. Well, the first half defense really. Second half was stellar.
And it wasn't just penalties (though that was a big part of the TD drive). They just got driven on a couple of drives there. It wasn't fluke plays, it was methodical going down the field. The question I kept wondering was "How good is LA Tech?" Because if they are good on O, then that was a great performance by the D. If they are average or sub par, then the D will cost us in a couple of games.
But, if I may be a spokesman for the people worried more about the D than the O, the worry probably comes with comparing them to D's past, of which we have seen some really really good defenses. I imagine we have inflated expectations.
Also, to say "the D played as expected or slightly above" does not disagree with the statement "I am worried about our D as the season goes on."
We lost a total of 2 yards rushing the whole game.
Tate and Burns each one negative yard rushing. That's a huge difference from last year.
Chris Todd averaged more yards per carry than Burns, 3.0 to 2.9.
Sorry, just looking over the stats.
Something to think about: suppose McIrishman had qualified last year and PPL hadn't gotten injured (if he was as fast as advertised). How would the Tony Franklin experiment had gone? Seems like McIrishman's speed would be perfect for the run sideways 10 yards plays. I wonder if there would have been more success early, thus more goodwill toward Franklin, thus no season of death, thus still Tubs, etc... probably not, because the quarterbacks would have still been the quarterbacks, but just something to wonder about.
Michael,
He would be better suited for that offense, but since the coaches didn't talk or agree on anything and the QB play was so bad it wouldn't have changed much at all.
Good game last night -
Only negatives were CGC's Shirt and Rod Bramblett
Just hope for no more major injuries this year.
I'm not sure that OMcC's body can take 22 carries every week against an SEC defense. I say use that young man intelligently.
Scott,
Listening to the post game highlight clips Bramblett is so bad. So bad.
Hoopie, I agree. He does not need to be our drive through the middle guy.
hello all
Hoop - Warriors can take it. Omac is a warrior.
Did anyone get to see Chizik come through Tiger Walk? Not sure if it was mentioned last night, but he was about as pumped as Trooper Taylor is on the field. He was giving high fives and jumping around, like he was going to suit up and play.
IF (big if) that attitude stays at AU, J Jacobs will look like a stinkin' genius
JayG, you are just as prolific as our new offense.
I am usually impressed by your writings, but this time you outdid yourself. That's a lot of writing for one day. Thank you.
Hoop-I'm in Phred's camp on that one. While I agree most can not take that pounding, I did nto see many clean licks on OMC. Even when he went into the middle, it seemed to take glancing blows and nothing square.
Wow!!! I'm beyond impressed at how complicated that offense appears considering the short install time.
Did Todd comment on how his arm felt post game anywhere?
Defense stats look good but the backs need a little clean up when we face the big boys.
That showing was considerably better than I was hoping for.
I will say the pace was faster than AU has ever looked. NO LINEMEN looked to the sidelines for plays. only the backs , receivers looked over if the play was to be changed. On several occasions, they could not run the replay because the team was already lined up and ready to go as quickly as the ref putt he ball down.
What if Malzahn says we didn't want to show much Saturday night. I will be very impressed.
Hey 2.0. Met your parents yesterday!
Kristina- I hope they didn't leave you scarred for life.
RK,
Just don't want Bramblett for the next 20 years....worst play by play in the SEC. When they made the decision after JF's passing I heard most people were behind Paul Ellen, and Andy Burcham has a better Football voice than Rod also.
The first half reeked of last year but I'm glad the coaches actually coached and improved after halftime. I was happy overall but still need to get a lot better. That will come with time.
Who do you think will be the punt-returner next week? Is Gulley the new #1 guy there?
PS- this is the poster formerly known as depressedAUfan. After the performance last night(and pressure from Steve), the time has come for a name change. I don't expect to see AU gain over 500 yds every week, the D obviously has some weak positions, but I think there will be a good, solid plan with players excited to be playing for Auburn each and every week. That's enough to make this Auburn fan feel good about the future.
I think that's odd, I have no problem with Rod. I actually happen to like his play by play.
Good Morning 2.0,
Whatzup?
Welcome AUFan to the club.
You like Rod and you think the 1st half reeked of last year?
The only resemblance to last year was they both came out of the same tunnel. this team looked nothing like last year after the smoke from the entrance cleared.
After a good night's sleep, anything negative I said last night, I retract big time. I am very proud and impressed with this team and coaching staff.
PeterF...didn't mean to whine. I was just angry at myself for giving credence to the Gameday boyz picks.
OMC has young soft tissue. I like the idea of using Tate to beat them up and make them flinch and the use OMC to run past them when they flinch. The SEC can eat up a freshman RB.
The pros gotta like Wario's combination of receiving skills and size.
I didn't see all of the game but, our receiving hands were as good as I can remember. The WRs still can't get seperation easily using just physical ability. The playcalling assisted getting seperation well.
I like all of the newness. Even the eagle decided to do something new and different this time.
Seems like we showed a lot on offense for an opening game. It would be amazing if that was just the tip of the iceberg.
A lot more Wildcat than I was expecting as well
Dayum....depressed....I didn't recognize your new identity....Welcome to the HABOTN..again.
Great job, Hater.
I think the defense really stepped up in the second half.
I'm proud of you AUfan.
Yeah WTC, fumbles in the red zone, mistakes, costly penalties, accidental or not. Just becaue the second half was vastly improved doesn't mean the first half didn't happen.
Congratulations to the Auburn TEAM.
What a diference a TEAM makes in playing the game of football
Yesterday was the beginning of a learning process and with good coaching it should get better.
Lack of depth could show it's ugly head later WAR EAGLE
Yes, and Rod does a fine job IMO. It's just play by play, but I still think he does a good job. Everyone has to have a gripe I guess.
the 1st half happened and it looked nothing like 2008. I would take the exact 1st half performance every time over anything Au did in 2008.
But if it looked bad to you, then so be it.
They were very well behaved, 2.0 ;-)
I will say the first half seemed reminiscent of last season in that we were beating ourselves. We did look more focused, prepared and organized than we did last year though.
Did we substitute much on the OL last night? The ESPNU broadcast was fuzzy on my technically challenged in-laws TV setup.
Rod does a good job a for Auburn baseball with a radio audience of 200 people and could have a future announcing figure skating
I'm with ya Kristina sounds....about right.
Wait, I have one more thing to say. Todd faked that boy OUT OF HIS SOCKS on the TZ touchdown throw. DANG that was purdy.
It's funny because I'm a Steeler fan and I couldn't tell you who the play by play announcer is now that Myron is gone. I think guys like Munson for GA were terrible but whatever, just not a priority for my fanship of AU football. I don't care of it's Pee Wee Herman as long as Auburn wins.
I wish I could have made a tailgate. Maybe next time I'll have a chopper to ferry me to remote locations.
You summed it up nicely Kristina. Beating ourselves. BUT I said that they cleaned it up nicely in the second half and that is all that matters. Last night..
Or you could, ya know, leave your house earlier like most people who want to tailgate do.
Just sayin'
War Eagle Hotties!! Well my wishes came true with our team. They ALL looked like they knew what was going on!!! I do think it only gets better from this. I can also say with most certainty, it ain't gonna be 3-2 next week. Thrilled with the offense and defense, but not any of the growing pains like we always seemed to see in seasons before. Overall, just absolutely thrilled with the way we came out against a team that actually is a D1 team.
Well if you think Munson was terrible i can see why we disagree on rod. I love listening to football via the radio, so it matters somewhat to me. To each his own, WDE.
Got to watch the replay today.. it was not the same as being in attendance.
The biggest take away was our last drive with CT. We were on the line running a play before we were at 25 seconds... the tempo was insane... and you had Malz on the sidelines wanting it faster...
TV really kills this O
On D I was amazed we did not have numerous big plays against us due to "freshman" mistakes.
I was also amazed how little pressure our front four put on the QB in the First half..
I would also like to 2nd everything Phred has said on this thread
You know last year (forgive me gang) even after the wins, I felt like, well a win is a win. Not with this one. I feel good about everything they did, and can't wait to see how much better they do with a REAL game under their belts, and a better understanding of how it all goes together on both sides of the ball.
I was pleased that we held them to 13 points -- fo sho.
But the issues remain the issues, and, so I don't think I was being overly critical of the D.
The DL played well ... Fairley, as we all believe, I presume, is a beast.
We need guys to step up at LB, and quickly.
Jay,
Do you have any idea of the number of freshmen and new comers that played last night?
Jay G ...
We'll work on a hovercraft for you over at Spacely Sprockets!
We'll call it "The HABOTNCraft!"
It speaks volumes when Adam Herring was in the starting line-up after missing all of spring practice and much of fall practice with his injury.
Jet, did any of the freshman LB's stand out to you? I saw C Evans and H Gaston playing at different times. A program was a must-have for me last night. Lots of new numbers on the field.
That would be Jonathan Evans, not Chris Evans.
I saw each make a play or two ... I also saw the man who's always in the right place Craig Stevens, end up in the very wrong place on a handful of plays.
The first La. Tech TD was well schemed. I'm not sure why on 2nd and 13 Adam Herring was in the game instead of a fifth DB.
Now this is colossally embarrassing ...
http://auburntigers.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/090509aaa.html
You should have the MAJ buy you a game day golf cart to make the tailgating rounds. They could sell advertising space on the golf cart and you could sell papers out of the back of it.
:-)
Um. Jet, that's a very concise opinion piece on Auburn athletics official website.
Aero ...
15 minutes ago when I posted it ... the headline read "Gene Chisek ..."
Scholarship players who debuted* last night:
Nick Fairley, DT
Harris Gaston, LB
Jonathan Evans, LB
Derrick Lykes, DT
Daren Bates, S
T'Sharvan Bell, S
Demond Washington, CB
Dee Ford, DE
Philip Lutzekirchen, TE
Travante Stallworth, WR
Anthony Gulley, WR
Emory Blake, WR
DeAngelo Benton, WR
John Sullen, OL
Onterio McCalebb, TB
*Lykes played a few snaps as true freshman in 2008, but later was redshirted.
I am not surprised, Jet.
The auburntigers.cstv.com shows some good up close, on the field, pre game footage that is pretty neat.
whattup hotties. just got back to TN from heaven. if you weren't there you missed out. one of the best gamedays i have had in years. AUsome.
Wow, I've never actually heard someone say they didn't like Larry Munson.
Scottie B, what did you Michigan buddy think of the experience?
Kathy, by the time we left Momma G's my bud was already discussing grad school at AU and it was only 2 o'clock. :) i think he's still in AWE.
Cincy, we came by looking for you yesterday around 10:15 or so. sorry we missed you.
You didn't come looking for me, Scottie. We had PLENTY of food too.
I was so impressed with Coach Chizik - the way he came through TW, the way he went around during the pregame stretching drills and bent down and said a little something to a lot of the players and coming out on the field and hugging Kodi after his TD.
Me too Luv. I watched him walking from player to player during pre-game.
I like this pic of coach Chizik:
Here
By the way they wrote 'gene' in the caption.. without cap.
sorry Luv. i forgot where you were tailgating. heck, i may have mis-remembered where Cincy was. :) we're just getting warmed up. i'll c ya.
we really do need a hotties tailgate map of the stars. THT probably had one on him yesterday too and i didn't get it.
Dirty just called to tell me she didn't sit in the regular section 6 seats. Noooo, they were bumped up to the box seats for this game. grrrrr.
I'm planning on wearing my HABOTN t-shirt to the game next week. Do you any of you walk around and wonder, "I wonder if he/she is a Hottie?"
A little plug
If you know of anyone looking to get a dog, please give thought to using a rescue service. I am with adopt a golden Atlanta and with this economy we have more dogs than ever. I can attest there is no better pet than a golden, so if you know anyone who may interested pass the website along. We cover Alabama as well as Georgia.
www.adoptagoldenatlanta.com
WDE
i actually wore my HABOTN tee yesterday up until we starting walking towards the stadium. i thought i'd find at least one hottie that way but it didn't happen.
i did meet up with Kristina and her hubby Kirby, and Mr. & Mrs. THT.
Alright, I'm out. Time to watch Ole Miss.
me too. laterz.
I assume everyone is a hottie.
scottatl,
That is a noble cause you are involved in. We adopted our Golden through a rescue in Jasper, Ga. The best dog I have ever had, bar none. Best of luck.
I'm going to watch AU-LaTech again, on here http://www.secdigitalnetwork.com
Scott, I met up with some folks from the Golden rescue in Atlanta several years ago when I was there for the Peach Bowl. GREAT organization. I visit their website often. Our 7-yr old Golden, Nelly, is a super dog.
Just got through watching AU-LaTech. Now to Ole Miss/Memphis. Later folks.
Mark Richt swan song anyone?
Has anyone tried to watch the Auburn Football: Everyday "reality show" on CSTV online??
My Golden wasn't a rescue dog, she was purchased from a breeder. She was a horrible, horrible puppy (think 'Marley & Me' then add some) but has turned out to be the absolute best dog I've ever had. EVER. If someone else had bought her, she'd have likely turned up to be a rescue dog if she were lucky.
When the time comes one day, I believe our next dog will come from a rescue organization.
Mon - I've seen it, but not online. I recorded it and liked what I saw.
This might have been answered in the previous threads, but was Freeman on the sidelines anywhere? I couldn't find him.
Thankfully I made it out of UT country alive.
Thanks for the kind words regarding the AAGA. Also,if you know of any golden owner who is planning to take their golden to the humane society (or any other shelter), please give me a call and I will arrange to have them picked up. Due to the amount of animals at the take-in shelters, dogs who are brought in by owners usually have about 2 days before they are put down.
Scott
404-401-5220
2 days?
That's horrible.
Has there been any feedback from potential recruits after last night?
They have episode 1 up free to watch. You may have to register, but this episode is free.
Someone please let me know if this link works.
Auburn Football: Every Day Episode 1
Shawn Merriman = Douchebag
I LOVE the show! Somebody was trying to decide if it was worth subscribing to see it and it so IS!
Now I get where the DWWD comes from. Coach Chizzy is quite buffalicious, too.
I'm telling Gus on you.
Gus dumped me so I'm a free agent.
Did filming of Every Day have anything to do with practices being closed?
No. Closed practices have to do with CGC's desire to control the flow of information about the program. I'm not saying that's a bad thing.
I think the Memphis receivers are trying to set a record for dropped passes today.
I don't see anything to support the Ole Miss hype so far.
Where is T'Sharvan Bell?
And I don't mean as in physically at this moment, which can be useful information however it would oust a stalker.
But what happened to the kid?
Congrats to Sensi for winning the Pickem! 12-4 Nice.
Good job, Sensi!
Wait! The Ole Miss game could change things. I congratulated you too soon, Sensi. ooops
Go Memphis Tigers! Shock the world!
Pick'ems not over til after the Ole Miss game. Well...for some people it is...
I can't understand anyone comparing our first half performance last season to this year. This offense started out clicking quicker than any team I can remember, and I have been watching Auburn games for nearly 40 years.
New thread UPZ.
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