Gabe McKenzie headed to defense?
Hey everyone. I know you love blog titles that begin with a question mark.Gene Chizik told reporters tonight that senior Gabe McKenzie (again) has been experimenting at defense end this week. He may become an option on third downs ... possibly taking snaps away from freshman Dee Ford.
McKenzie played end to begin the 2008 season, but finished the season at tight end. He's been playing "3" in Gus Malzahn's offense. That's what I call the utility back position and it's one typically handled by Mario Fannin.
McKenzie sightings have been few and far between this season.
Photo credit: Todd Van Emst/Auburn University
posted by Jay G. Tate at
8:07 PM
179 Comments:
I am a Hottie in bed
TMI THT
with a bowl of ice cream!
I'm going to have to share some with Molly dog; she's been waiting so patiently.
He did have a pick 6 vs LSU last year.
in a game we lost :-(
I thought he did real well last year on D. I hope he has great success just for his own sake.
Pat Sullivan
Jay. Mckenzie is one of our better athletes. He's been held out for injury supposedly, but I don't beleive that. What in the world did he do to be sitting on the bench this long.
I am glad Gabe will get a chance to play somewhere. He deserves a chance.
your kids assessment is spot on, Kristina. They're even better before they are cooked (the cookies, not the kids).
And what exactly are you withholding comment on from the last thread? I'm confused.
wassup Tar. Enjoying the season so far? I have to admit that I'm very suprised at our offense. Defense, it's about what I expected.
The toilet games
I agree, especially with Trott going down earlier this year. What in the world did McKenzie do?
Kristina,
That was me asking for your take on toilet ball toss and elevator putting.
Kristina,
Oh and Michael said qun6kls0"[[}+nvest xypwjk-i. Was he joking?
I'm hoping Gabe can be another Jay Ratliff, who also came to Auburn as a TE and has turned into one of the better defensive lineman in the NFL.
Very strange situation regarding Gabe and his status. I don't remember seeing him on the field in a game this season.
Sorry IV and THT, I must be a little distracted this evening.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OnB_jalI4U
Greatest lottery commercial ever?
Kristina
Are the zoo animals restless?
I'm taking my socks off. It's too hot for this.
I'm a hottie drinking in bed. We need to unleash this beast. He just needs some "disci-pwin"
yo sponge! I think the D is what I should have expected. Unfortunately, I had unrealistic expectations for at least a top 25 D.
Jay Ratliff had more time on D including a full season as a starter, Gabe isn't going to get that opportunity.
They are in bed now, so I should be able to focus a little more on important HABOTN business.
Tar, the D could have been better without all the injuries. Pybus could have helped, and will help. Freeman with his injuries. McNeil with the broken leg, and don't forget the guys that were kicked off the team. Hot Carter hasn't played either, and I don't know if he will be full speed all year. But I'm really happy w/ Malzan. He can call a game. It will get tougher though.
Gabe seems to be a heck of an athlete that is so much of a tweener that he can't find a home. Strangely enuff...those type guys find a place in the pros.
Hey Hoop. You happy with the team so far? Silly question I know. They have exceeded my expectations.
RK, you are probably correct in regards to Gabe and his pro shot. I wish he had been moved to DE early in his career, I think he could have been a really good player there.
I guess Tommy Trott must be a better blocker than Gabe. Otherwise, I thought his pass catching skills were better.
I'm actually pretty upset with the D. I'm happy about the adjustments that are being made in-game, but I guess I expected more from Chiz and TRR. Guz is using what he's got on offense (which isn't all-country,imho, as some here have touted), why can't they?
I still don't know about Pybus, he has a lot of heart, but he did struggle at times last year too...then again he was a freshman.
I just don't think they have found that third linebacker yet. Maybe the bull will settle down and be the answer.
The majority of the offense the D has given up this year was against Miss State in the late first and 2nd quarter when they were on the field for pretty much three straight drives due to a blocked punt and Coleman's pick 6 and in the 1st quarter to West Virginia when they could do nothing right.
Snacks. We are woefully thin on D, and lack talent as well, IMO. I think that will become more obvious as the season progresses.
Did anyone think we had better skill people on offense than West Virginia?
I also think that losing Aaron Savage hurt alot. But overall, I think that they have done well considering all things.
There was a lot of hope that Eltoro Freeman would come in and be a force early on to help out on D, and unfortunately that just hasn't happened yet.
Yes, except at QB.
Ole Miss tomorrow?
The Bull appears to be confused out there. He almost looks like he is unsure of his assignment on each play.
I do think that Gabe can help the defense and I hope that he gets to play soon.
He also doesn't seem to wrap up when he tries to tackle...but he's not the only guilty party there.
I thought West Virginia was overall more talented. It really shows up on special teams. Not a big difference, but noticable Just my observation. I thought we out coached them, and certainly played just as hard. Can't wait until we stock back up.
Our tackling was horrid, but that can be fixed.
Do you guys/gals think McNeal will return this year, and if so, will he be effective? I would like to see them go ahead and redshirt him.
I don't think Game McKenzie's issue is physical.
I just don't see how McKenzie is going to accomplish anything this season. I'll be shocked. Stupefied.
I am digging this Man vs Food Challenge
In general, we had better offensive players than West Virginia. Todd definitely looked better than Brown. Noel Devine is a great RB, but so is Tate, McCalleb, and Fannin. At wide receiver, we looked a little better, mainly because of Adams.
Jay will Gabe play on D or will he just be on D
Jay, do you think this move is because of what Gulley has shown? When you consider Fannin doesn't leave the field often and he is already backed up by Eric Smith, John Doughlas, and Anthony Gully; I just don't see room for McKenzie at the H-back position. My guess is he doesn't have the speed to play talent for the slot receiver position.
SFC I really appreciate what our WR's are doing this year. I do think we have come miles from where we were. However, have not seen the explosiveness that I think it will take to win big games in the SEC. That could be our down fall.
Once Lutzenkirchen played, this was an obvious move.
Having said that, good night HOT ONES.
I am already fairly happy with our depth on the defensive line. This makes me wonder if we may see some linemen playing linebacker, especially some of the faster ones, like Hot Carter. When we run into these run first teams like Tennesse, Alabama, and LSU; it could be a big help.
I'm with you, Steve. There's just no spot for McKenzie on offense.
We have to start any real examination here: What in the world happened to Gabe McKenzie to make him miss all of spring ball? And is it still a problem?
I have not received answers to those questions.
JD, I haven't seen a wide enough group of receivers making catches. So far Fannin, Zachery, and Adams are responsible for most of our catches. Hopefully that will change and we will see Hawthorne get more touches. Also, Blake and Benton are bound to start participating at some point.
Found an obscure cable station that plays 4 hours of Hill Street Blues and St. Elsewhere every night.
I'm enrapt.
ooooh jay pick me ooooh ooooh
(JD RAISING HIS HAND)
Gabe refused to adhere to the "NO DROPS" policy?
Many folks make careers of being rush-ends on passing downs. Looks like where McKenzie is headed. Success is attainable IMO.
I think it was a little more serious than that.
By the way, from what I saw Saturday, I would say Herring should start, not Eltoro.
SFC,
My biggest concern is majority of our catches have seemed to be in traffic. That is something that I would think Benton, Hawthorne, or Blake could cure. My question would then be, Why in the world have they not seen the throws and playing time for that matter? ***Note we know why we havent from #13***
SFC,
I agree but I don't think Herring is the answer to our third LB problem.
Benton and Blake have been seeing the playing time, just not the touches. Stalworth has also been out there.
Herring will start.
I haven't seen much in Eltoro or Herring as of yet.
Stevens and Bynes yes, but the other two not so much.
I'm also not so sure about Bates starting against the good SEC offenses.
Herring played a good second half against La. Tech, but that was La. Tech.
IV, Herring is okay, but we have a bigger issue than finding a 3rd linebacker. You typically play more than 3 linebackers. Heck, you typically see 6 or more linebackers get playing time. At present we can play 4 or 5, but not feel real good about it. Pybus will be coming back, which should help, but we are one injury away from big time trouble at linebacker. If Stevens or Bynes go down, there isn't another LB I would feel good about playing 50 to 60 snaps a game.
"undisclosed medical reasons" I hate those...
I am loving Darin Bates, although he is young. I see him involved a lot. I am sure he isn't immune from freshman mistakes, but because of him, Etheridge has been able to be very aggressive in run support. I will be glad to see McNeil come back.
Also, Demond Washington and Harry Adams seem to have done at corner, although I must admit I haven't followed them specifically.
I agree with all of that SFC. But right now, we need to find that third starting LB. We don't have one and sure, we have a depth problem at LB but good grief, we have to have 3 good ones just to start.
thin or not,they have two defensive gurus. I just expected more. Maybe I'm asking too much. I'm just scared we're gonna get to the national championship riding the billion point offense, then pull and Oklahoma and get dominated by a good D, and not be able stop the opposition from putting up their own offensive fireworks.
I have been more impressed with Adams although I think that Washington absolutely has the bigger upside. Washington just plays super agressive at times and it gets him out of position.
I think Eltoro will eventually come around, but Herring seems to play smart, so we should be okay for now. I do think this move has something to do with preparation for Tennessee and trying to figure out how we can deal with a run heavy football team.
What I said about Adams and Washington can also be said for Herring and Freeman. The more consertative guys seem to help us more now but the agressive guys will be incredible once they get it all going.
Well, we have got what we have got for now. We will just have to do the best we can with what we have. You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.
Don't forget that we have seen Hawthorne at a different position too. I wonder if they will allow him to hit receivers in the head with a big pad during a game?
JD, I like that thought. I think aggression is why we had issues early against WV.
ehyou - what station has St. Elsewhere?
What gave us fits early on vs WVU was Brown's mobility and a wet field...
The more time Brown could create the more likely a WR is going to shake a DB especially on a wet field.
a'ight holla holla balla.
JD OUT!
Sensi saw Herring with a missed tackle on Devine. I saw the same thing from Stevens. A wet field didn't help, but it was poor tackling.
I think the wet field hurt us more in the passing game defense early on for the reasons I stated above.
The WR knows where he's running, the DB has to guess and when you are guessing on a slick surface sometimes you slip.
The 71 yard TD run by Devine he ran straight through I believe it was Eltoro's arms.
Hey, wasn't the field just as wet for WVU? I did not see them miss near as many tackles on our RBs as we did theirs.
Herring stood and looked at Devine on one play as he went by him.
IV,
I didn't blame the missed tackles on the wet field, did I?
No and I wasn't calling you out WERK. Just stating facts.
Early in the game Brown created a lot of offense on plays our D busted then would take advantage of a missed tackle or bad pursuit angles.
His creativity allowed the WR's to get free.
Jay. No one bit on the McKenzie. I will. What the heck happened. Possible explanations:
1. He made a pass at Chiziks wife.
2. He wasn't sittin on G, waiting on O.
3. He rolls his own. Not talkin prince albert here.
4. He said "I think Tony Franklin was brilliant".
5. Complained about Kodi Burns being demoted from QB
It can't be # 5 as McKenzie's issues started before fall practice started.
It can't be # 4, because even Tony Franklin doesn't think Tony Franklin is brilliant.
So it has to be 1, 2 or 3 or a combination of them.
Word on campus was that Gabe had mental health issues (perhaps depression not sure) that caused him to miss practice. I'm just glad he has made it back to the field regardless of the side of the ball he is playing
Jay what's the deal with Aubrey Phillips? Is he still on campus? Is he practicing?
Whatever is keeping McKenzie out, he sure knows what it is. So why is he still around? Just sayin.. I think if I had his talent and wasn't playing, I would move on. I do think he has possible NFL talent in the right position.
THT...
It's called Goodlife. I'm in heaven.
Cat, I haven't heard that. Interesting. Not only is Tony Franklin a Dumb A, he drove his players batty too.
As far as the missed tackles against WV, It looked like they were just misjudging Brown/Devine's speed and shiftiness. Yea the techniques weren't great but there were alot of times that defenders were in position but just missed everything.
Sponge I commend the staff and reporters for really keeping that out of the headlines. Those are serious issues if accurate.
The picks are hard this week.
whattup hotties.
not suprised about Gabe's move. i just wish it had been earlier. i wish the best for him.
C'mon Cincy, you can do it.
WVA's speed was a real problem, but they really ran their offense well. They, like AU, have a lot of motion, quick screens and flares. Very difficult to defend.
What do yall think about FL KY? Think FL will win by 21.5?
I agree Cincy!
I sucked last week..I'll just be suckier this week.
I may resort to eany, meany, miny, moe this week!
It seemed easier last week than this week.
Yeah Cat. It would have been the right thing to do. I hope if true, he's gotten good help and is recovering. Thats a hard one for me to believe however. We had a lot of bad apples that Chizik sent on their way. I really think it was related to that group and what some of them were doing. That's pure speculation on my part.
There were some missed tackles for sure, but Devine is very hard to get a good angle on. He has to be one of the smoothest RB's I have seen play. He just seems to glide through the line and explode downfield.
No doubt the tackling has to improve, though. There were missed tackles on several players not as skilled as Devine.
Aubrey is another that I never heard what the issue was. I do remember that Chizik said it was something he could come back from.
Left ATL last night after helping my son try to salvage his basement with all the rain.
Guess what I came home to...rain!
GRRR!
AU. You recall the play Herring flat out missed Devine. Herring filled the gap perfectly and Devine juked one way, left Herring standing there holding air. That was a clowning right there. it would have been sweet if you were a WVA fan.
This has been one of the most interesting nights of discussion since I have been posting here. I have enjoyed it very much. I have a feeling that next week about this time, we will be into many more interesting discussions.
On this weeks picks I probably had about 6 games I could go either way on. I am going to review them again later, but I had more trouble with this week than previous weeks.
Missinit,
I hope and pray everything is okay in your world.
Sponge, that was one sweet move by Devine. I know the tackling was not very good for AU, but Devine is one special player. And for the record, the AU D had trouble stopping the run last year as well, see Arkansas, WV, and Bama from 08.
Stopping the run against WV and Arkansas was completely different than stopping Bama. Bama was and is a power running team. Glenn Coffee and that Bama offensive line just plain bullied us around.
We aren't very good against the run. That's what I've been saying regarding talent. Rocker was shocked when he got here at the lack of big time players on the line. Not that we are bad, but we don't have anyone that can dominate his opponent. But, they are doing the best they can, and I really like the coaching so far. Who knows. Lightning in a bottle?
Thanks IV,
I posted on an earlier thread this morning about our episode in ATL.
Long story short, he lives in the valley part of his neighborhood of hills and valleys so the 12 inches of rain plus being at the bottom didn't fare so well with his finished basement. Saved most everything but unfortunately some things were too damaged to salvage. All the flooring was lost and will have to be replaced.
It was bad but it could have been much, much worse. They are safe and alive. We are thankful to God, through the good and the bad.
FYI, hydraulic cement is some good stuff.
And I am tired of rain!
Steve, and the tide will bully us again this year I'm afraid. They really have some good size for what they are trying to do, and good speed too. Not that I'm conceding the game or anything.
I'm just hoping for a win aginst the Vols. That would be big.
College choices..ahhhhhhhhhh
There is only one choice.
Sooooooooo what is the latest Jhag??????
Whose campus will you grace with your presence????
Nite all. May your picks bring you great riches.
I like our defensive line and the talent we have had. It seems we send at least one to the NFL every year. I just think we are geared more to dealing with speed, rather than power. Our linebackers have typically been a bit smaller and faster. Now we have issues with linebacker depth, which means issues with power running teams.
No CLUE! My parents are bribing me to stay in state thought (FSU)
jhag,
Mine did too....they lost!
It was Auburn. Final choice.
Okay HOTTIES, I am off to bed. I will leave you and the coaching staff to figure out the answers to our problems. Hate UAT, love Auburn more.
They are bribing me with a new Ford F150 King Ranch...I mean have you seen that damn truck?
jhag, do you have any experience playing linebacker?
King Ranch's are too nice Jhag, its overboard.
I like a truck to have a little more truck in it. Its very possible I will be able to take a hose to my next truck interior... I tend to get them dirty.
Or maybe I'm just jealous.
I know, I know, mine did the same back in the day. I ended up at Auburn in a beat up old red Volkswagen hatchback....ugly as hell!
It was only a temporary setback, after all the object was to get from A to B. It had four wheels and it rolled. It did the job. Do not be enticed by such bribery.
Not sure what to make of the defense these days. They are surely giving up more than I thought they would, but being under sized and undermanned will do that to you. If you watch closely, their is not much subbing on the defense. How many times did Au get WVU in 3rd and long and give up a 1st down (10 of 15). unless you get turnovers that stat will get you beat most everytime.
Did anyone hear why FAH did not play much in the 2nd half last weke. I had heard the coaches thought he ran too much east-west for that game so they did not give him the ball.
We didn't run that much in the 2nd half anyway, and if we are going to run late in a close game, I think it's almost a guarantee they are going to run Tate.
We played 22 different players on defense against MSU. I am not sure what the numbers were against WV. Rocker has said he will play every lineman he has. Now, the linebackers were a different story. Although I read where we played 7, I can't even name 7 linebackers on this team.
WVU put 9 in the box to take the run away so when you do run, you stick with the guy who has proven he can find the holes and follow his blockers and take the abuse.
RK, we are a bit different in philosophy. I would run Tate late if we were trying to run the clock, but any time the defense looks to be worn down, I would give McCalebb some caries. I had hoped to see him on the last drive of the first half against WV and in the second half of the fourth quarter.
Speaking of 8-9 men in the box. Last year that combo killed us. I was glad to see another team dare our B to beat them with his arm, and we had one that could answer the bell.
King Ranch has a whole lot of truck in it man
West Virginia's defense is similar to ours. It is better at handling speed than power. I think Tennessee will be more vulnerable to speed, so I think we will see more McCalebb. Against WV, I go with a little bit of everyone.
I mean against Ball State I go with a little bit of everyone.
Steve,
I've said all along you use McCalebb to wear the D out chasing him, then use Tate to knock them over with the power game to finish them off and work the clock later in games.
That seems to be the way the coaches are using them.
When the games on the line, I want the veteran Tate with the rock.
I wish we had run Tate a bit more in the second and third quarters to take the pressure off of Todd, but Todd ended up surprising me. I did see him make some bad throws, but more of them were good and only one was a pick.
I disagree Steve, UT's D is fast and can handle the speed. I'm pretty sure they showed that against a speedy Florida team last week.
If Tate or McCalebb are on the field much of the 2nd half this week I'll be really shocked.
Yea, RK, that is the difference in our philosophy, although it also depends upon the defense you are facing.
I am with you. Eric Smith could end up getting a lot of carries. I would like to see Todd, Tate, McCalebb, Fannin, and Adams get a lot of rest this game.
"West Virginia's defense is similar to ours. It is better at handling speed than power."
I'm not sure our D is better at handling speed than power.
Against the power of Miss State's offense we did well, against the speed of WVU's offense we really struggled.
I wouldn't even mind seeing the RFYLK offense for a good bit of the game.
I just want John Douglas to get a TD.
RK, that is a very good point, although I think Devine was a special player. I am not just talking the running game. Our defense is more geared toward stopping spread type offenses, rather than pure power, such as MSU. MSU just didn't have the linemen to run over us.
John Douglas would be a cool option. He is one of those players who's contributions go unnoticed. I do think the coaches like him a lot, though. He is primarily a blocker, but there is no rule against him carrying the ball.
Douglas got hurt last week. had his pads off in the 2nd half.
UT handled FL's rush becasue Fl had very little in the passing game. FL lost Harvin and the other WR and Tebow has yet to find a go to guy. UT took advantage of that. AU can throw the ball and I think the WVU game showed some teams that the 'load the box' scheme might not work this year. Still early but after WVU, the film now shows Todd can at least manage the throws.
Anyone hear about Lutz having an MRI Thursday?
I haven't heard anything about Lutz having an MRI. I didn't realize he was injured.
Got to love Feng's daily thoughts on the Auburn situation.
Feng is trying to tell us something is going to happen at the teams "motel" on Friday night.
Re: NC educational lottery scratch off ticket.
wow ... I mean woo.
Ya know a state with the likes of Duke and NC and the research triangle, I wonder how the education system feels about this commercial. Ofcourse if they're gettin' paid, I have a feeling they don't mind one bit.
Morning everyone, glad to see I could show up and kill the thread for ya!!
The only big question I have about this weekend is whether i'm going to get wet at the game or not. That is really the big question.
Lutz got hurt too? man, i need to go review some film. b/c of the delay my DVR missed most the 2nd half. ggrrrr.
Eddie, i enjoyed listening to your random caller giving probs to his high school buddy. hilarious. oh, and SFC is a solid call. nice work.
Thanks Scottie. I'm on the lookout for D Money!
Eddie when is the radio show getting updated on your Auburn Insider site?
I haven't heard anything about Lutzenkirchen being injured.
D-MONEY!!!!!!!
i thought someone said they saw Lutz with his pads off in the 2nd half. maybe i read that wrong. sorry homie.
Precautionary knee situation, is what I'm told. Lingering soreness.
whew. thanks JGT.
Mornin' Jay G. and Hotties. Will be here off and on today. I
Hit the send button to fast. I am looking forward to tonight's SC-Ole Miss game.
How is your day looking Jay?
Mytommy- It's updated now. Thanks for the reminder.
I don't think coaches would allow Gabe to play on defense if anything was wrong with lutz.
However thats just an opinion.
SEC football tonite. what a great way to start the weekend. got a high school game to hit tomorrow nite, then all day tailgate at the crib saturday. it's going to be weird not driving to AU. :(
duh, that's a good point Aeronaut.
has Gabe actually played a snap on O yet? if so, when? i missed it.
Ole Miss at South Carolina should be very entertaining. See if Ole Miss can handle the pressure and not stumble out of the gate in SEC play.
I don't believee Gabe as played a snap of football all season.
Not sure why, but I've got a feeling that SC pulls the upset, It's be just like Spurrier to pop Nutt's bubble.
Aero,
According to the depth chart I am looking at, Gabe is listed in the FB position behind Mario Fannin and John Dopuglas. Jay Wisner is the third TE. But, you could be right, the coaches could adjust everything due to an injury to a backup TE.
Cincy- I think too many people feel that way about USC tonight. I will stick with Ole Miss to pull it out in a very tight one.
Thanks Eddie!!
Did cincy just say what I thought she said about the Ole ball coach poppin a ... oh no nevermind she didn't.
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