Gene Chizik speaks, 9/22

Welcome to Gene Chizik's weekly chat with reporters and associated hangers-on.

• He has arrived.
  
  
• "There's a lot of improvement that needs to be made in a lot of areas -- just as we thought."
  
  
• "We're playing a football team that hasn't won a game ... but they're a good football team. We have to get refocused. We have to make Auburn better."
  
  
• "We're perfectionists. We want that perfect game ... knowing that perfect game is hard to come by."
  
  
• On this week in practice: ``We've got to tackle better. Whatever we do and howeever we approach the week defensively, tackling will be (the emphasis.) Tackling has been average. We've got to pay attention to that this week."
  
  
• On the possibility of a fall-off: ``We have 12 games to play. Every week, you've got to show up and be ready to play. I don't know if there's a druther in there -- we'd rather do this or rather do that. We have to take it one day at a time. I know that's cliche-ish ... but we're not good enough to do anything else."
  
  
• On second-half strengths: ``In the first half, we're feeling out the (defense). At halftime, we've made the necessary adjustments we need to make to get the job done. That's what their job is on game day."
  
  
• On how that affects players: ``Right now, our kids believe ... and not pay attention to the scoreboard. It's a 60-minute game. You have to keep choppin' wood. That's where we're at right now."
  
  
• On the need to play backups: "It's going to be a rough five-week stretch here and we know that. Everybody that can come in and give us a chance and give these guys who have played so many snaps ... that's huge. It's great for team morale. The more guys who play, it's better for your team."
  
  
• On Hot Carter: "We've tried to ramp up his conditioning. We hope to get a glimpse of him."
  
  
• On the possibility of Auburn overlooking Ball State: "I don't think that's an issue -- at all."
  
  
• On Anthony Gulley: When we gave him a little room, you could see a guy who is willing to take it up in there. That's a courageous spot. I really feel good about him being able to do that down the road."
  
  
• More on Gulley: "He's a tough kid. He's got a lot of courage. He really wants to be good."
  
  
• On redshirts: ``It's such a long season. One play can change the complexion of what our plans are. Tyrik hasn't played. Dontae hasn't played. We'd like to keep it that way. We'll just take that week by week."
  
  
• On which positions have surpassed his expectations: ``I don't know if I can fairly answer that. I've seen so much improvement. I see so many areas of opportunity. I don't think I can say that."
  
  
• That's a wrap.