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10.12.2009

First post: Monday of Week Seven

Hey everyone. Thanks for your patience yesterday. Some displeasing air travel took me out of commission for long periods of time and created fatigue I typically don't battle on Sunday nights. I wanted to do a video. It just wasn't meant to be.

You can read below my story about Antonio Coleman that appeared in today's editions. I'll say right here, as I did in the comments section, that I don't believe Coleman is upset about team chemistry. He's upset about registering zero tackles during the past two games. He wants to be a bigger asset and he's not sure about how to do that.

So he's planning to speak with Chizik about it.

Here's the Auburn situation at this moment:

TODAY'S STORIES

Auburn's Coleman looks for ways to contribute

PREVIOUS STORIES

10/11: ARKANSAS 44, AUBURN 23
10/9: Focus on offense's fast pace pays off
10/8: AU junior makes most out of first start
10/7: Small AU safety has big impact
10/6: Our weekly AUBURN ADVISORY BOARD report (fans writing about their team.)
10/5: Tigers vault into Top 25 polls
10/4: AUBURN 26, TENNESSEE 22
10/2: What Would Chizik Do? Rally his team around slogan
10/1: Tennessee game a homecoming for Taylor
9/30:Tigers not worried about poll perception
9/29: Our weekly AUBURN ADVISORY BOARD report (fans writing about their team.)>

THE VIDEO VAULT

TODAY'S SCHEDULE
Public schools are closed for the big COLUMBUS DAY event -- was he worth a real holiday? -- so I'm chillin' at the house with The Daughter. I'm not planning to do much with the HABOTN today, though you never know when I'll break out a post examining Kentucky.

Here's what the next few days look like. All times are CDT:

Mon., Oct. 12, OFF
Tue., Oct. 13, 4:30 p.m. (Chizik presser at 11:30 a.m.; some players available around noon.)
Wed., Oct. 14, 4:30 p.m.
Thu., Oct. 15, 4:30 p.m. (Tiger Talk at 7 p.m.)
Fri., Oct. 16, OFF
Sat., Oct. 17, vs. Kentucky, 6:30 p.m. (ESPNU)
Sun., Oct. 18, 5 p.m.
Mon., Oct. 19, OFF
Tue., Oct. 20, 4:30 p.m. (Chizik presser at 11:30 a.m.; some players available around noon.)

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.

554 Comments:

cincytiger said...: New page smell, I love it!; 9:17 PM
AUNugget said...: new page?; 9:17 PM
AUNugget said...: nice cincy.....very nice; 9:17 PM
Spongeworthy said...: What up hotties. Been out of commission lately. Big re-org at my company. I was spared, but picked up additional duties. traveling a lot more. But enough about me.

What did you hotties do to allow my tigers to get such a butt whippin by arky.; 9:18 PM
cincytiger said...: I don't know Sponge, but we are moving on to beating Kentucky's fanny.; 9:19 PM
Spongeworthy said...: snowing in montana.; 9:19 PM
AUNugget said...: yes yes...move along...nothing to see here.; 9:19 PM
Jet said...: I believe Dyer rang up 320 plus Friday night. All the Arkansas fans I spoke with said he was ours, and they didn't appear to be blowin' smoke.; 9:22 PM
Spongeworthy said...: With our D, all games are in doubt. We are thin, thin. Injuries just going to make us thinner. Inside official at AU told this, "when it all comes out about what Tubby has been doing the last couple of years, you'll be glad he's gone." Livin proof when you look what we have on the field right now. He wasn't talking about anything unethical. Just that that staff quit two years ago.

On to Kentucky. A very winnable game. A "should win game"; 9:22 PM
Spongeworthy said...: Brother..I heard Dyer would probably commit around Oct 23. But, been hearing he is about to commit (publicly I mean) for some time now.; 9:24 PM
AUNugget said...: i had heard that some of the Alabama coaches said this was the first year that they have had to compete for instate prospects. i really do like T-ville and was upset about how things played out, but i am very happy with this new staff. Chizik seems to get Auburn and believe in it. makes me happy.; 9:27 PM
AUNugget said...: if Dyer commits will that help with O-lineman?; 9:28 PM
wtc said...: Sponge-My sources say he commits the wekeend of his schools HC game. I think it is 10.23.09, but I am not sure. Eddie knows though.; 9:28 PM
wtc said...: I thnk we get two big time OL that are not on the list now.

E Mack and E Christian.; 9:29 PM
AUNugget said...: our LB class is looking good.; 9:31 PM
wtc said...: If we get V Beasley it will be very good.; 9:32 PM
AUNugget said...: so i guess that leaves Corners, safties, and interior linemen...haha; 9:35 PM
Spongeworthy said...: I think our receiver class looks great, and LB class as well. If Dyer commits and we get Seastrunk, that will one of the best hauls in a while, at least according to recruit sites. WE GOTTA GET OL and DL's, this year. Gotta get them now so they can develop and be ready in two years.; 9:36 PM
Spongeworthy said...: I haven't been lurking last few days. Wassup w/ Da bull, Eltoro? I had heard he quit the team, then I heard he didn't. Looks like he's under some kind of dicipline. Anyone know?; 9:38 PM
wtc said...: He did not quit. he was aked to take a seat at the UT game for being out of position. He didn't take it too well. Coacheds think he needs to sit and reflect on it a littl ebit. He is practicing this week.
He needs to play under control. He can hit but gets out of control too easy.; 9:43 PM
wtc said...: Off topic:
My cousin finished the Hawaian Ironman in 11 hours and 50 minutes. His wife was 10 minutes behind. She finished 3rd in her age group. She is ranked in the top 10 in the world at her age group.
2.4 mile swim in open ocean water, 112 mile bike ride, and 26.2 mile run. back to back to back.; 9:45 PM
Spongeworthy said...: I couldn't do the 2.4 mile swim in 11 hrs.; 9:50 PM
AUNugget said...: holy crap....i think i could do run and the biking...but swimming is way hard if you are not use to it.

that is awesome, congrats to your buddies.; 9:52 PM
Spongeworthy said...: WTD. Eltoro is another prime example of recruiting services getting it wrong. Bates as well. You just never know who steps up and who doesn't.

However, There is no question that Nick Saben knows what a football player looks like. UA looks like a pro team. Looks like his teams did at LSU.

Regarding AU and UA. AU has been forced to play walk on's on special teams. UA has four star/five star guys on their's. A big difference.; 9:53 PM
wtc said...: Yeah-I can get abotut 3 laps in my pool beofre getting tired of swimming.; 9:54 PM
wtc said...: Sponge-no argument here.
A big problem AU had was recruiting a guy that did not qualify this year, go after him again next year and then not panning out. Way to many of those.

I always thought Saban was a good recruiter. No slouch there. Our guys are good at it also. If this projected class comes through, we will be talking about how it turned the program.; 9:57 PM
ADP said...: I'll start by saying I am probably wrong. But, it seems like to me that we are playing ultra-conservative defense in order to avoid injurym. Saturday it helped us avoid a W. I think we should just play balls out and forget about how thin we are.

Why won't Neiko turn around to look for the ball? Is he worried about safety help and therefore afraid to turn around?

We got steam rolled Saturday in a game I really still believe we could have won. I hope the embarrasment will amp things up a notch. Maybe a butt kicking like that is the best thing that could have happened to this team. They definitely got a much needed wake up call Saturday. Hopefully everybody is awake now. We'll see.; 9:59 PM
wtc said...: Recruits will come if they see three things:

Coaches that look/act like they know what they are doing.

Early playing time

Winning program that will continue to win.

We can offer two now and by years end we can offer the third.; 10:00 PM
AUNugget said...: i like it wtc....we needed this staff...they are awesome.; 10:00 PM
Spongeworthy said...: Yeah. At least this new staff is going after players that other SEC schools want. Looking forward to the future.

Nite. In a hotel room and I never sleep good in hotels, so gotta start early.; 10:01 PM
WarEagleRK said...: Phred, don't mention players by name and anything they might or might not have done right and/or wrong.

Don't do it. It's a HABOTN killer for at least a day.; 10:02 PM
wtc said...: Come on now. Let's don't do that again.; 10:03 PM
WarEagleRK said...: wtc,

You're right. Let's not go there. I do appologize to all for warning Phred there and bringing up the day that was in HABOTN.; 10:05 PM
WarEagleRK said...: Anyway, check everyone tomorrow and I hope for a more peaceful fun day on the next episode of HABOTN 36101.

Hopefully the Byrum stuff earlier was just a bad rumor.; 10:06 PM
Anonymous said...: Cincy....didn't see the nose to helmet nuzzle, but just your description is unsettling.

No doubt that the numerous prepschool/Juco candidate busts have contributed to our depth problems. If you break it down, our present depth problems are a cocktail comprised of many issues.

Hey..at least McIrishman seem to be working out. So you know..we got that going for us.; 10:07 PM
WarEagleRK said...: ...which is nice.; 10:07 PM
ADP said...: When in the world did THAT become a rule? I haven't been around since Friday. What's up with all of this nonsense?; 10:10 PM
wtc said...: Phred-Not sure what THAT rule is. Enlighten me please.; 10:13 PM
AUNugget said...: i gotta peace out yall. good chattin it up. thanks for the recruiting info wtc. get your ironman friends some bananas...they probably need the vitamins.

later yall. War Eagle.; 10:16 PM
ADP said...: The "don't mention a player by name" BS. That's a new one on me and I've been around here for a WHILE. Is this an inside joke that I'm not in on?; 10:16 PM
Jet said...: The Urban-Tebow eskimo kiss was ... weird.

It was 4-6 seconds of relentless awkwardness, which, I guess, meets Urban's standard.

Here's a thought ... maybe Jay G or one of his cohorts can call up an ex-coach ... Bill Oliver ... and ask him about man coverage from the corner -- peek or no peek. I'll take his word.; 10:21 PM
wtc said...: Phred-There was a blow up today between a couple of posters when one person said 'so and so' didn't do this or that and should have done this or that. Another poster did nto like the player being called out by name. Then it became a tit for tat all day. Made the blog just die today.

They are quiet now but will probably start again Tuesday. Not sure why 'if you don't like what is said, skip it and move on', but that message did not stick today.

As you can see, it continued a little tonight.; 10:21 PM
wtc said...: Jet-I would like to hear what he had to say about that.; 10:22 PM
wtc said...: I think in order to blitz, you have to run man coverage. I wonder if they feel the db's can't run a strong man coverage. it didn't look like they could Saturday.; 10:23 PM
wtc said...: We just look too tentative on defense. I would rather attack and make a mistake than sit back and make a mistake. I can live with agressive mistakes. i do not like 'prevent' mistakes.; 10:25 PM
WarEagleRK said...: Phred,

Three weeks ago I commented on Ziemba struggling then overcoming his false start trend. Aero didn't like it

Yesterday I mentioned the same thing you did about Neiko and commented that I didn't think Coleman should have went to the media about talking to Jay G then made a joke about one of the comments saying "apprently Coleman doesn't like the 'student' part of 'student-athlete" when we had his quote out of context. Hoopie questioned my support of Auburn at that point, then Aero decided that I was a jerk or something. It went down hill from there.

It'll be all captured in my soon to be award winning book "The internet: wow did that just happen?"; 10:26 PM
WarEagleRK said...: I guess it was indirectly my fault because it was reactions to my observations that didn't set well.

I hope it's all in the past.; 10:27 PM
WarEagleRK said...: This week is our only home game over the span of four weeks, so we need to make this one count.; 10:28 PM
WarEagleRK said...: Anyway, as I said earlier before a phone call got me distracted, I'm off to watch the rest of the game and then to bed, hope everyone has a great night...and I mean everyone. Got nothing but love for all ya'll.; 10:31 PM
wtc said...: I typed a long post that told everyone off and stated that I am the one with all the right answers and everybody else has an opinon that is less important then mine. I didn't post, but did save it so don't make me whip it out.; 10:34 PM
ADP said...: Hmmm. Aight then. Somebody message me on FB and let me know when all this "Mr.Sensitive Ponytail Man" mess has come to decisive end. Think I'll just enjoy my own company til then.; 10:43 PM
ehyou said...: That MNF game was awesome.; 10:44 PM
ADP said...: Dude ... I love me some Ronnie Brown!; 10:44 PM
Unknown said...: wtc, nice to read your philosophy earlier. It is nice to see someone that gets it.; 10:49 PM
Unknown said...: I don't really understand the bizarre comments about the previous staff going after players nobody else wanted. We had a couple of top ten classes recently. Yes, a lot of them didn't stay around. But to say we weren't going after top talent seems silly or delusional.; 10:57 PM
cincytiger said...: PP,
It's come to an end. You can stay.; 11:18 PM
Aeronaut said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 5:32 AM
WarEagleRK said...: Aero,

Your eyes aren't failing you, I bascially summed up what I said, sorry I didn't go back and look for direct quotes, thankfully I have you to do that for me. It saves me the research. Yes my quotes were soaked in sarcasm.

The good folks of HABOTN were held up yesterday by this drivel by the worst threesome in the history of mankind, I'm done with it. You guys are just a twosome now, please continue to reply on your own.

It's funny, I don't want to change your thoughts or what you post, but you seem to want to change how I post. I'm not going to do it. I'm sarcastic, I have fun with it. It's a blog, it's not life or death. I haven't attacked Neiko Thorpe, Lee Ziemba or Antonio Coleman personally. I will continue to comment on things I see good or bad.

If you are outraged by such horrible comments as Ziemba draws a lot of penalties (which he has improved greatly), Bobby Petrino and Ryan Mallett took advatage of Neiko Thorpe & my joke about Coleman and being a student-athlete, then so be it. That's your deal. I'm going to keep making comments, observations and what are apparently "snide remarks". Nobody else seems to have an issue with it.

You and sometimes Hoopie can continue to beat a dead horse if you want. However, out of consideration of how it probably bores the rest of HABOTN to tears, I'm moving on.

Funny how I've continued to have conversations and discuss football on here with everyone else, but you guys continue to come and hijack the blog because you think I've done something so wrong or that I'm not a true Auburn supporter.

Nobody has turned on Auburn after one loss? Get a grip, "dude".

Phred,

I don't have access to FB at work or I'd tell you to not worry about it and just stay here, cause I'm done with this pathetic exchange.; 6:10 AM
wtc said...: Steve-I understand that discusion thread. I don't mind it eother. Just folks wondering out loud what everyone else is thinking. How did AU get so thin at certain areas. Well it is quite obviuos there was a lack of attention to getting the best player at that position. Tubbs picked up some very good players. he also went after a lot of 'diamonds inthe rough' and coached them up. That works for some players, but you can't 'coach up' an entire team.

It looks even worse when youlook across the state and they go after the highest quality (athletically) players, bet them, and win quickly. And there is no doubt that the last two recruiting classes they have gotten has put them in a position to win big now.; 6:10 AM
WarEagleRK said...: Oh well, Aero deleted post.

It's a new morning everyone and good morning HABOTN.

Anyone hear anything more on Byrum or was that just a bad rumor yesterday?; 6:11 AM
WarEagleRK said...: wtc,

It does amaze me at the lack of depth we have and how quickly we got that thin. Especially on D where we are usually really strong.; 6:11 AM
wtc said...: And before anyone jumps pnme about Tubbs. I liked him as acoach and a person. However, in my opinion he had done all he was going to do. He is an 8-4 or 9-3 coach. If that is what youwant, he is your guy. I want more for AU. A change was needed. But not assesing responsibility on him and his staff for the lack of talent on this team is not being realistic to me. And yes, I know AUlost players to the draft, but that happens on every team. If Tubbs stayed, they might have left anyway and we would be in the same boat.; 6:17 AM
wtc said...: WERK-If we all took the time to review the list on Rivals of the recruits we did get, it woul dnot be as surprising. I did that and it opened my eyes to what has been happening. AU spent energy on guys that never qualified for school. Getting less than 65% of your signing class in school is not good for any program. I understand, sort of, what they were doing, it just didn't work.; 6:20 AM
wtc said...: Look at the number of the guys that showed up on the commit list for two years in a row or maybe three. It was fruitless. A few never came back aand went to another school after Au spent time on them. it happens but time could have been spent on getting guys in that qualified so you do not fall short like we are now.; 6:22 AM
wtc said...: Finally, some say they gave up on in state talent. Not sure about that, but the numbers do not lie. AU got about ZERO of the top ten-12 players in the state over the past 3-4 years. Maybe they didn't give up on recruiting (they thought they had a few of them but theu=y committed elsewhere) in state, but it is easy to draw the conclusion that they did.; 6:25 AM
WarEagleRK said...: wtc,

I agree. I'm still a big fan of Tubs as a person and for what he did at Auburn and I hope nothing but the best for him in the future. However I'm also glad that he's moved on because it was time.

Hopefully Chizik and crew can rebuild this team in the next couple of years.; 6:30 AM
wtc said...: Looks like the lineman we have committed, Shon Coleman, is moving to a 4 star and into the top 100 overall prospects in the nation.; 6:31 AM
Aeronaut said...: WERK it takes something to 'reword' your own verbiage and then attack whoever reminds you of EXACTLY what you said. Word by word, copied and pasted. Not the reworded BS that you wrote up there. You got that something, I give you that.

The reason I deleted my post (and it's the second time) is that I don't think too highly of you. No offense.

I hope some recruits drop by and read how some folks talk about Auburn's athletes on here, to find out what Auburn fans think of their athletes. It's just great, family and all.; 6:33 AM
Anonymous said...: I was going to ask you all about Gabe McKenzie, but clearly, we are going to be lost in the drama of policing the board.

I guess it was too good to last.; 6:35 AM
WarEagleRK said...: Sensi,

What were you going to ask about Gabe?; 6:38 AM
wtc said...: I am not sure about McKenzie. Some of these guys just puzzle me. Too thin on D, and yet Freeman, McKenzie, etc do not play. Are they jus tnot getting the schemes? I know you want to reshirt freshman, but at sometime do you just say, I've got to play these kids becasue I am wearing out my starters?; 6:40 AM
Aeronaut said...: WTC.

Shon Coleman was one of the borderline 3*s. My concern is that he is taking trips to other schools.

Jake Holland is also bordering 4* territory.; 6:40 AM
Anonymous said...: Just wondering if there was no way to get him on the field to help out the team, but maybe it's been too much back and forth for him. I hope he gets a chance on the next level; he is a natural athlete.; 6:41 AM
WarEagleRK said...: If I remember correctly Gabe had some personal issues that kept him away from the team in the spring or summer, so maybe that's held him back in the fall as well.

Hard to say what's going on with him. He always seemed like he was going to be a solid TE for us.; 6:42 AM
Aeronaut said...: Half of you guys are continuing the argument by yapping about it.

I had put it to rest waay early yesterday, just to come on here and read my name mentioned on this page, with some lame BS.; 6:43 AM
wtc said...: If Freeman and McKenzie can't play D,at least put them on special teams. I know they will hit somebody.; 6:44 AM
WarEagleRK said...: Aero,

It's ok, I'm cool with random people on the internet thinking highly of me or not thinking highly of me. I'll live.

I have no issue with you. It's just we have a different approach. Who cares really?; 6:44 AM
Anonymous said...: Oh, look. I've gone and done it. I've suggested a player (by name) might contribute. How fricking dare I put myself in the place of coaches! As if!

It's another corner off my fan card. One more and I'll have to run stairs.; 6:46 AM
WarEagleRK said...: wtc,

I don't understand the Freeman thing at all. From all reports he was doing really well in practice, but it hasn't translated to a game at all. It's just weird leaving a guy at home at our thinnest position, but I trust our coaches knew what was best there.; 6:47 AM
cincytiger said...: Sensi,
Did Gabe play at all last Saturday? I was too much in shock to remember. I have the game taped, but have lacked the will to rewatch it.; 6:50 AM
WarEagleRK said...: I don't think Gabe played at all, even when we needed subs on the DL, but I might have missed it. I'm almost 100% sure he didn't play on offense. Maybe some special teams.; 6:52 AM
wtc said...: Cincy- I watched about 3 minutes of it and said, not today. I want to put that one behind us. Not sure I can find too much good out of it so why put myself through that pain again.; 6:52 AM
Aeronaut said...: There are some things that we are fairly clueless about.

Latest indication was Freeman standing solo at UT game and subsequent disappearance from arky game and practice. Prior to that were the Gabe McKenzie, PPL, Billings, Isom, Aubrey Phillips etc.; 6:53 AM
Aeronaut said...: I wanna know who tinkled in sensi's cereal this morning?; 6:56 AM
WarEagleRK said...: I didn't rewatch the game and once I got back into town I immediately deleted it from the DVR. I didn't need any evidence of the crime hanging around.; 6:58 AM
cincytiger said...: Listening to Opening Drive on JOX this morning and a caller was questioning why we are playing Dee Ford, that he was just too small to go against these larger players. Al essentially said we are working toward the future.

That's the way I look at the coaches' actions with these players. The ones who have sat or been suspended. Not everything they are doing is for the team this year, as much as we want them to win right now. I think they are really planning for the future. Just a thought.; 6:59 AM
cincytiger said...: The grammar in that last post of mine was horrific, but it is too early in the morning to try and fix it.; 7:00 AM
WarEagleRK said...: Unfortunately the depth issue won't be solved after just this year, it will take a couple of years to build quality depth back. Until then it might just be smoke and mirrors to get things done.; 7:02 AM
Seanzie said...: Good morning, all. I would have been here earlier but I had to brush the tangles out of my sensitive man ponytail.; 7:03 AM
wtc said...: CIncy-I agree. AU had several injuries early on and they have carried forward to now. I think these coaches are trying to hold a few back as redshirts becasue they know this year is not a championship year or evenn close to one.; 7:04 AM
wtc said...: Pmarshall is thinking AU signs 30-33 this year with 30 on scholly. He thinks, and I concur that about 5 will come in in January and count toward 2009. That will be huge for AU.; 7:06 AM
WarEagleRK said...: Sean,

I hate when that happens.; 7:06 AM
cincytiger said...: How exactly does that work? If signing day isn't until February, but if they graduate early they can come in January? Sorry, just a little confused. Are we talking about kids who are seniors now?; 7:09 AM
wtc said...: after 6 games the defense is ranked 67th in total defense. Sure seems to be lower after watching.

One stat that I am surprised about is we hold opponents to converting 38% on 3rd down. Seems like it is a lot higher when you are watching the game. Texas is best at 20%.; 7:10 AM
wtc said...: Some kids in HS will graduate in December as they have enough hours to graduate. They can enroll in AU in January and the rules state they can count to the prior year class. A couple are JUCO's that graduate in Decemeber as well.; 7:12 AM
Anonymous said...: PMarsh=diminished credibility after the "incident" concerning player dismissal.; 7:14 AM
WarEagleRK said...: PMarsh is a good writer, but I think he tows the company line too much and I thought he got worked in his coverage of the coaching change last year.

That's hard to believe that we are holding opponents to a 38% 3rd down coversion rate. I figured it was 50% or above.; 7:17 AM
wtc said...: AU gives up 20 1st downs per game.

AU has a time of possession ranked at 102 out of 120 at 27:53 per game.

AU KO coverage is 106- Giving up 25 yards per kick return. Surprising to me UAT is ranked 105.; 7:18 AM
wtc said...: WERK-If they could calc opponent 3rd down conversions when they are really needed, in my mind, it would be higher.; 7:20 AM
mytommyd said...: 500 - Mornin' Hot ones; 7:21 AM
WarEagleRK said...: The 25 yards per return is even worse when a lot of the kicks we've had are to the 10 yardline.; 7:23 AM
WarEagleRK said...: I figured we'd have a low time of possession due to how quickly we've scored on a lot of drives this year.; 7:24 AM
wtc said...: AT years end AU's total defense was ranked:

2008-29th 317 yards
2007-6th 297 yards
2006-19th 292 yards
2005-19th 315 yards
2004-5th 277 yards

Right now we are 67th at 369 yards.; 7:25 AM
WarEagleRK said...: I've never been a big fan of total yards being the big defensive number, scoring defense is the big number for me.

I think we are giving up 27 points per game.; 7:28 AM
wtc said...: Actually AU is ranked 25th in kick off distance at 65 yards. However, only 3 (out of 44) are for touchbacks and 3 are out of bounds (tied for 2nd as worst). Again I was surprised with this. it just seems when the big play is needed, they avarage is not what we get.; 7:29 AM
wtc said...: You are right and that puts AU at the 82nd spot, out of 120.; 7:30 AM
wtc said...: Teams worse than that in the SEC:

Gerogia
Arky

That is all.; 7:32 AM
WarEagleRK said...: I'm fine giving up yards from the 20 to the 20 then holding for FG's. You can give up a ton of yards and still keep the score low.; 7:35 AM
mytommyd said...: On the other side - Auburn has the 5th best rushing offense, is passing for 238 yds/gm, and has gained 14 turnovers from other teams so far this season.; 7:36 AM
Seanzie said...: I don't care what the stats are as long as we win the game. Our defense has had the advantage of playing with the lead for the better part of 4 games. I think we'll see that same formula the rest of the way. We cannot afford to have another offensive FUBAR like we did last week.; 7:37 AM
WarEagleRK said...: Sean,

I agree the most important stats are the W's and L's.

I still see us getting 9 or 10 W's this season. I'm under the assumption the offensive breakdown in the 1st half vs Ark as an anomoly that we will fix and that the SEC isn't as strong as we are used to this year.; 7:39 AM
Jet said...: Having taken a while to think about it ... here are my thoughts I know you're dying to see. They are long. Scroll past them if they are not interesting or useful to you.

1. Like has been said over and over in many different ways, we are not very good in the front 7 defensively. We got caved in on sweeps, and couldn't get a push. Our LBs can't cover -- hence a lot of the open routes in the middle.

2. I realize Neiko has been ID'd by some, but I will say he's played well this season aside from a couple of plays. We need to tip our hats to Mallett, who made a half-dozen NFL throws during the game. Of course, he had an eternity to throw some of them.

3. In the Gumbo recipe of a 21-point loss, yielding six first downs by penalty, and three turnovers make a good roux.

4. We have DBs, one especially comes to mind, who consistently take bad angles.

5. We all know about the special teams problems, which now have basically settled into kickoff coverage.

6. Adding these up, it puts an inordinate amount of pressure on the offense. Funny, we were saying the opposite a year ago.

7. We all have our theories as to how we became so thin. I won't re-enter that fray.

8. I guess I shouldn't be surprised at the level of ungluedness from several quarters since almost all of us wanted to funnel the Kool-Aid, or least take a sip.

9. Football is still won at the line of scrimmage in even in the Age of Gus' fancy foozeball offense.

10. Wanna win 8, 9, or 10 games? Win the line of scrimmage.; 7:41 AM
Seanzie said...: It's early yet, but Jet's post could be the post of the day.; 7:45 AM
WarEagleRK said...: Jet's post is right on, and I hate saying that because I never want Jet to be right.; 7:50 AM
mytommyd said...: Some stat analysis - Vandy currently has the 18th best scoring defense, behind SEC giants UF,UA,UM and LSU. They also have the second best pass defense behind Florida. Vandy is 2-4. The third best total defense is Arizona State at 3-2. The best Kick return coverage defense in the country right now is Kent State. Be careful to look at the big picture also gang. Not saying there are deficencies on the team, but just realize numbers sometimes don't tell the whole story. I know you all look at all the numbers, but one of the real big numbers we have going for us right now is 5-1.; 7:50 AM
WarEagleRK said...: For the record I've never said Neiko was a bad player. I think he's good and has the potential and the size to be an All SEC type CB.; 7:51 AM
Scott M. Brannan said...: i fell asleep on the couch last nite and missed Ronnie B's TD. :( how sad. WDE Ronnie B!!!!!; 7:54 AM
Anonymous said...: Glad I resisted the Kool-Aid, Jet.

It turned sour on many of the faithful.; 7:59 AM
ADP said...: I take full responsibility for the loss. I did not have on my lucky hat. I almost turned around to go back and get it but I thought, "That's silly. We can win without me wearing my lucky hat.". Oh how wrong I was. It won't happen again. I'm sorry.; 8:04 AM
WarEagleRK said...: Wow Phred, we finally know where to place the blame. Way to go.; 8:08 AM
Eddie McCoy said...: I'm ready for a big commitment. I wish one would come our way soon.; 8:11 AM
WarEagleRK said...: Eddie, I thought you were already married.; 8:15 AM
Jet said...: Sensi ...

If the Kool-Aid was this team winning the West, I wasn't drinkin'.

If the Kool-Aid was this team was winning 10 games, I'll admit to sniffing it and taking a sip.

If the Kool-Aid is being genuinely excited about the direction of the program, despite a loss, then I'm still drinkin'.; 8:17 AM
Eddie McCoy said...: RK- You got me there, but i'm into the "Big Love" thing :)!; 8:21 AM
WarEagleRK said...: Jet,

Seriously stop. I don't want to agree with you so much.

Now tell me that I think Kodi Burns is agreat QB so I can disagree.; 8:22 AM
Anonymous said...: The Kool-Aid was this team winning the West and/or winning 10 games.; 8:22 AM
Eddie McCoy said...: Jet is right on.; 8:28 AM
WarEagleRK said...: I still think this team can win 10 games.

5-1 right now. I think we can go 4-2 or 5-1 the rest of the regular season. Everyone on the schedule looks beatable except for Alabama.

I'll take a tall order of the Kool-Aid.; 8:28 AM
Eddie McCoy said...: RK- You will have to have a perscription before we can issue you some kool-aid. Dr. Hoopie and Aero will now see you....; 8:30 AM
WarEagleRK said...: Eddie, Eddie, Eddie; 8:31 AM
Scott M. Brannan said...: i've got a fever, and the only cure for it is.....more kool-aid.; 8:32 AM
ADP said...: I haven't drunk any koolaid since I was 12 or so.

AU could still win 10 games. They could still win the west. It's up to them, not me.

This year is the 20th anniversary of the first Iron Bowl at Jordanhare. UA came in undefeated and ranked #2. Just sayin.; 8:36 AM
WarEagleRK said...: This year is also the 20th anniversary of the first game I attended at Jordan Hare stadium. I think they are going to commemerate it at halftime of the homecoming game.; 8:37 AM
Eddie McCoy said...: Someone please explain to me how we got the expression "Kool-Aid Drinker"?

Please.

Yes, RK, that was a low blow on my part. I couldn't resist.; 8:38 AM
Scott M. Brannan said...: click HERE for RONNIE B & RICKY W highlights from last nite.; 8:39 AM
Eddie McCoy said...: RK- UF / AU- 89? Slack with winning TD? I was at that game if that was it, not sure, I was only 12 at the time.; 8:39 AM
Seanzie said...: It's the whole cultish following thing, where they all drink the death Kool-Aid. So if you are getting on board in the "cultish" manner, you are, in essence, drinking the Kool-Aid.; 8:39 AM
Eddie McCoy said...: Thanks Sean, now I will definitely be passing on all kool-aid from now on.; 8:40 AM
Seanzie said...: But Eddie, everyone's doing it!; 8:41 AM
Scott M. Brannan said...: "SLACK TO A WIDE OPEN SHANE WASDEN.......HE'S GOT IT! TOUCHDOWN AUBURN! TOUCHDOWN AUBURN! OH MY!!!!"; 8:42 AM
Seanzie said...: Scottie, apparently, has drank the 64 oz. bottle this morning.; 8:44 AM
Scott M. Brannan said...: no, but i did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last nite. :); 8:44 AM
Eddie McCoy said...: That wasn't my first Auburn game by a landside, but it one of the first games that I attended that I can remember a lot of and where I was sitting, which was in the Upperdeck with the florida fans. We got chomped by the UF fans all night and then we returned the favor and sang "It's Great To Be An Auburn Tiger" all the way down the exit ramp. Loved that game.; 8:46 AM
Seanzie said...: Toss Up for best Auburn home games I've attended:

03 Bammer
04 LSU
04 UGA
06 Florida; 8:52 AM
WarEagleRK said...: In 89 I attended the Miss State, La Tech and Iron Bowl.

I was in 8th grade and one of my best friends' brothers played at Auburn.; 8:52 AM
WarEagleRK said...: Best home games I've attended.

89, 93, 95, 97, 03, 05 & 07 Iron Bowls.

93, 01 vs Florida.

Any game during the 04 season.

02 vs Syracuse just to see the team rally from far behind to win it.

That's off the top of my head.; 8:56 AM
Scott M. Brannan said...: BEAT KENTUCKY!!!!!!!; 8:57 AM
Seanzie said...: Beat the ever living mess out of Kentucky!!!!!; 8:58 AM
Seanzie said...: I feel like Gerard Butler as he's about to kick the messenger into the pit.; 8:58 AM
Scott M. Brannan said...: i went to grad school at UK and have a little Blue in my heart but nothing would make me happier than beating them 60 to 10. that would be nice.; 8:59 AM
Scott M. Brannan said...: "This...is....AUBURN!!!!!!!!!!!!!"; 8:59 AM
WarEagleRK said...: Beat the smurfs.; 9:05 AM
Jay G. Tate said...: New thread UPZ ... and I suggest everyone read it carefully.; 9:05 AM
Peter Frankenschmidt said...: ya'lls a buncha punks.; 2:49 PM