Gene Chizik speaks, 10/25
Hey peeps. Let's get to business.
Photo credit: Todd Van Emst/Auburn University
Questions? Comments? Post directly to the blog below or email me at jgtate@gannett.com.
- On the quarterback situation: ``We're not going to make a change this week. After going back and looking at it, obviously we would have loved for the offensive production to be better than it was. We're in the month of October. We knew it was going to be a tough month. We're to that point where we've got to execute better. Chris had a lot of pressure on him last night. We still think Chris gives us the best chance to win. It's not that our offense has not done it. We have. We're against competition in this league that's at a higher level."
- On if defenses are catching on to Gus Malzahn's stuff: ``When you get to game 7, 8, 9 in the year, they've got all your films. Everybody has a really good idea of what everybody is doing. People have a better idea of what we're doing. It still comes down to execution."
- ``There are 1-on-1s at different places where we're losing the battles -- and we need to win those battles."
- On Kodi Burns: ``Kodi got whacked pretty good early, had a couple teeth knocked out. He had to have his lip sewed up. He went out there and continued to play for three more quarters."
- On the final scoring drive: ``I was just glad to see our kids get in there and be determined to go down there and score. I took from it that we're going to keep fighting until the end."
- On Eltoro Freeman: ``He was active. He did a lot of nice things. For really his first full start, where he played all the way through, I was proud that he was able to be as active as he was."
- On Onterio McCalebb: ``We try to use him in the game some. He tries to make a cut and it hurts him. It has taken away a little bit from what we want to do."
- On the run defense: ``As a whole, I think we did make some improvement. The one explosive play was the one odd ball of the night. That one particular run got away from us."
- On Zac Etheridge's personal foul: ``It was basically illegal contact, meaning some type of helmet-to-helmet call."
- On if that was a legit call: ``It was an aggressive hit. There's no question about that."
- On allaying negativity: ``It's like anything -- it's what you choose to hear, what you choose to listen to, it's what you choose to watch. They've got to stay within the structure of our football team. Things you can't control -- you can't listen to that. I hope they weren't listening to it when we were 5-0. Now that we've dropped three and they choose to listen to it … I highly advise them to keep doing the things, to keep working to win."
- On the unusual kickoffs and punts: ``We weren't kicking to No. 8 (Trindon Holliday). The intent was right. We needed to cover them better and needed to kick them better. "
- On Iowa State's 9-7 at Nebraska, which makes the Cyclones 5-3: ``I'm really happy for them. That's great. Those are great kids and they deserve some good things to happen to them."
Photo credit: Todd Van Emst/Auburn University
Questions? Comments? Post directly to the blog below or email me at jgtate@gannett.com.
posted by Jay G. Tate at
5:23 PM
112 Comments:
i was wrong about the Bull, hope it lasts
Wildcat with Kodi means wasted downs.
Personal Foul!!!
We're not going to make a change this week. Interpretation:
Ole Miss will destroy us.
I don't see how you can stick with Todd, He clearly is a shell of himself, your not doing the kid any favors to go out there and glare into the headlights.
Like I said last night, I thought Todd looked better physically last night.
Todd is still Todd.
Same thing from the HC just a different day. I just hope that they don't keep on trying to do what they have been doing because it ain't working no mo.
Start now toward working to the future. I am totally surprised they Chizik is slamming the door on the possibility of a QB change. Are they not watching the same team I have watched all year? Oh well, DWWD over and over even if it doesn't work.
Jay,
You are probably right about Todd looking better physically last night. However, this season is shot as far as the Western Division Championship is concerned, so why not start now working toward next season?
BTW, I am for keeping the red shirts on Tyrik and the other ones that they have planned to rs.
You just answered your own question IV
Who asked him about Iowa State?
I am not smart enough to answer my own questions ballin, so to what do you allude in your last post?
Rollison - red shirt
Trotter - red shirt
Caudle will not have a chance to be the starter next yr.
Has anyone already pointed out that the "Navy Nightmare" planned for next week, could be the most appropriate name possible?
I felt like last night was a nightmare. Also, I nominate T. Zach for punt return duty. This team has a lot of problems and I think Zachary returning punts would fix one of them.
Trotter used his RS last year correct?
Coach Shizik
You knew when you took this job that Auburn was in the very tough SEC and that October would roll around. so it is time to put a team on the field that can at least compete. If it takes changes then you must change. Auburn Univesity is not going to drop out of the SEC and join the Mid-American or Sunbelt Conferences so that you can compete.
Sorry I hit the wrong letter I ment Chizik
I think that you do need to give Caudle a chance to start not only this year but perhaps next year as well. Next season, give the RS QB that will be the future starter playing time early and often. Auburn has a history of not giving the backup QBs playing time until we have an injured QB starter. Then, it is almost panic time. I say that you give Caudle more playing time now, let him start next year and ease the backup QB in for playing time. If he develops, then put him in as the starter at the appropriate time.
dan dan,
I have thought Zachery was the best overall option at punt returner all season. I don't understand why he is not given a look back there.
Obviously, the coaches have little confidence in the other QB's.
Who says T. Zach hasn't gotten a look in practice and not been able to cut it? We don't know.
I hate to be like this, but I just don't know if I can go in person and watch Chris Todd play another snap. I know he isn't the entire issue, but he just flat out isn't the same player he was the first 5 games. I know our receivers aren't getting open on every play, but even when they are, Chris completely misses them. I said after the game last night that I was excited about next week...that I couldn't wait to see what the new guys can do. I also said that if Todd ran out onto the field, that I'd leave the game.
As bad as I want to stand by that, I know I really can't. I have to support these guys...this is when they need 'us' as fans the most. Now, with that said, I just absolutely cannot understand the reasoning behind trotting him out there anymore. We've seen what he can do...he's mediocre at best. What's the point in continuing to play a mediocre QB? There's a point when you have to think about next year also...not throwing away this year, but not being stupid and ignoring next year either. No matter what, Todd can't help us next year. Playing Caudle or Rollison now helps next year...and I honestly don't see how they hurt us right now, they can't be any worse than Todd is playing.
Todd didn't look injured last night, however he looked lost and like he didn't know what to do with the ball so he just held on and held on and held on.
Our pass blocking was not as good as it has been, but I believe that the SEC defenses have a lot to do with that. Certainly, LSU knew how to pressure on the QB last night.
wake,
I obviously don't know for a fact that Zachery hasn't been given a look, but his name has never been mentioned by any of the players who have discussed the punt return position. Nor by any of the beat guys that I have seen.
Jay stated at some point that the coaches wanted more big-play potential there.
I was glad to see the bull play much better last night. I didn't see anyone come in for the 3 starting LBs. Is Adam Herring hurt?
I am crushed by the lack of play by PPL
Gang, we are being told, quite frankly by Chizik, to shut up and take it because this is what he is going to do.
We just need to shut up, take our lumps, and wait for (hopefully) better days.
I for one can't wait to see what kind of gimmick they come up with to sell tickets next year.
I ain't just shutting up, no way.
Anyone watch the last 3 or 4 mins of the Dolphins game?
Talk about an ineffective offense if they are behind... Chad Henne throwing 4 yard passes isn't moving the ball.
Sensi,
I didn't quite read it that way, but everyone sees different things in different places.
FU Tuberville.
Starting Chris Todd is like going into a battle without ammunition. Pure suicide if you ask me. I will be going to most games next year but I will not be buying season tickets thru Auburn. That was a huge waste of my money. I've could have gone to all these games for a fraction what I paid. Won't do it again for awhile.
we are turrible
Eddie-I hate ot say it but Iam close to that point myself. Save the GAF money and get the tix for half price at this rate.
Told the wife today, no tailgating,'cause I was not getting there early anymore. Show for the game and head out afterward.
More pitiful info from last night:
(from B Mathews):In the last three games, Todd has completed 50 percent of his passes for 260 yards with no touchdowns, two interceptions and two fumbles.
********************************
He gives you the best chance to win against Miss?
If Todd performs this week like he has the past 3 weeks then Chizik is going to catch hell like he never could have imagined while at ISU.
I don't get it either.
When was the last time we had 3 straight games where we averaged less than 100 yards passing?
I'm guessing we were running the wishbone the last time that happened.
B. Matthews was probably being generous too
If he is still our best chance, then Caudle should be one of the ones we lose through attrition this winter.
I am not giving todd all the blame here. Where the heck are the Wrs. Maybe Trooper should change from No Drops to Get Open.
Eddie, Tuberville was interviewed by the LSU radio station and it aired the day of the game. He publically apologized to you for all the wrong he did.
we may go to a crap bowl but someone naile dit the other night...
ISU vs. Auburn... the networks are lickin thier cops on that game..
the irony....
The best way to not drop a pass is to avoid getting thrown too. I don't blame Todd one bit. I blame the coaches for continually putting him out there. Ge is bot SEC caliber right now and what ever there reasoning is in continuing to put him out there I have no freaking idea.
Bigcat- did he return the money he stoke from Au or just use it wipe his ass?
WTC.. my thoughts exactly... 10 other people on that field... (9or 8 if you exclude fannin or tate as they have a fire still)...
Eddie-He gives us the best chance to win
Stole not stoke..... iPhone posting tonight.
Wtc- do you believe that? Also, what ate we playing for at this point? Why not at least confirm someone is not good before heading into next year?
Did we just give up on the kicking game? WTH kind of kick off are we doing now. Someone tell Boulware to instruct the kicker to just SKY the stinkin ball as high he can so we can go downfield and try to tacklethe returner.
I think the problem is not Todd (well kinda) or the WRs but that silly company line: "Our offense is predicated on what the defense gives us". Good defenses dont "give" you anything. You have to impose your will on the defense by either being better or wanting it more. Right now we are neither.
LSU kicked off and if you watch the replay, their coverage guys came into the picture when our return guy reached the 10 and they hit @ the 20-25 yard line.
We flippin' kick it to the 40 and they return to midfield because we are not downfield to tackle? are you kidding me. If you do that, just kick it out of bounds.
Defeneses are playing base defense and shutting us down cold. They don't even have to try anything to stop us. Execution line from the coaches is getting old. No offense, I hope our next QB doesn't wear #12, but I will say that the last QB was much better.
I have a training class at work on Monday and Tuesday, so I'll miss out on a lot of the fun here in HABOTN land to start the new week.
WTC- I'm with you on kicking it out of bounds if we were intentionally doing that crap on the kickoff. This is the worst i've ever seen all 3 phases of the game all at once.
I think our next QB is wearing 17, much like other great QB's Slack & Campbell.
At this oint I am ready for Boulware to exit the stage.
Go the intramural field and find a kid that can kick the stinkin ball to the endzone. They are over there. Several of them. Also get some kids that want to run downfield and knock the ^*^*& out of someone. You can not run down there and be scared.
I agree, we aren't Vandy, we aren't Miss State, we aren't used to seeing poor football in every aspect of the game in the same game.
WTC- I agree there too. I've even suggested they hold a tryout for kickoffs. There is somebody better at Auburn right now than what we have.
I wonder what our average starting position for the year is vs our opponents?
We probably average 25 and our opponents average on the 40. I bet that is very accurate without looking anything up.
I ownder if these coaches realize how embarrassing that game was last night. Do that even have a clue about it?
wtc,
I'm not going that far, I bet they know how embarassing last night was. I'm pretty sure of that, they just can't go out and say to the media that they were embarassed.
wtc- I wonder the same thing. I hope to hell they are not doing this to show how depserately we need players. I don't believe we are THIS bad. I think we are very poorly coached in every aspect right now and that is disappointing.
I don't think we are playing bad to get the number one draft pick.
I have no doubt that this staff and this team wants to win every week, despite the questionable call at QB at this point.
This quote from Chizik on rivals tells me that we fans should STFU and let them do their jobs... "Everywhere you look at it, everywhere you can spin it, it's a total team -- it's special teams, it's offense, it's defense. We win together, we lose together. We've got to move on and do the things that we know that help us to win games that we haven't done in the ones that we've lost."
PS- I'm starting to doubt that they actually know what the heck it takes to win.
Hey-we are ranked 77th in penalty yards. Average 7 pe rgane for 60 yards (thru Saturday)
RK- 98 team wanted to win every game too. Nobody wants to lose.
Anyone see our "Every lSu Person Needs 2 shower" (ESPN2) sign?
I don't see where that quote says that at all, but as I said earlier everyone sees different things in everything.
I am sure they want to win. Just nit sure they can with the lack of talent. go to Rivals free site and look at the lack of talented players Au signed over the past few years.
Eddie,
That's the point I was trying to make, nobody wants to lose, including this staff.
RK- It's not that he said it this week, it's the fact that he has said the same basic quote the last three weeks.
Eddie-I don' tsee that either, but that is me. I think he knows what he has and they are just trying to hang on.
I understand that RK, I guess I just am having a hard time believing that they are making the right decisions. I hope they are, but my "faith" in them right now is being questioned in their coaching. Hopefully that's just a temporary thing.
Eddie,
He's said the same quotes in every interview since he's been hired.
There is never much substance in his interviews, but I also don't think he's telling people to shut up and let them do their jobs. No some other coaches we know have done that in veiled comments, but I don't think that's what's being said now.
I remember fans of the team down the road going crazy win Saban would say the same thing during his 1st year. It doesn't bother me. He can't come out and say "We suck and we just do not have very many talented players.'
I don't think they are making the right decision at QB either, but I don't think they are making decisions based on showing how much we need talent either which is what I was responding to.
You're probably right. I'm just down about the way this team is playing right now. It's like watching a train wreck that you absolutely can do nothing about to help it and you know the results.
I started to post this yesterday:
Would you be surprised if the coaches came in last year and looked at the talent level and then and there, said this is aproject that will take a few years and right now we just have to manage the players we have 'cause we have to play the schedule. I think they knew earlyon that we were not going to be very good. i really do.
Neil Caudle must be the worst practice QB in the history of football, because no matter what that kid never gets a chance.
I guess i'm just completely baffled by the QB decision to continue down the Todd train. Caudle gets one chance and scores a TD (against 2nd teamers I know) and he still gets no chance to prove what he can do now that the season is toast and he will be back next year while Todd will be enjoying football with his cat next season.
Eddie,
Trust me it sucks to watch, for three straight weeks after the game I have thought "well it can't get any worse than that" and each week it does.
I said this earlier, I'd take Daniel Cobb at his worst over what Chris Todd is doing the last 3 weeks.
At least with Cobb you knew he'd do something with the football when it was in his hands, it might not be good, but he'd try to make a play.
RK-I said that for the entire year last year.
2008 could not be worse than 2007, could it?
We know the answer.
I don't expect wins, but I don't expect to get it handed to us like we did last night either. The statement I made before the season is that I would not judge this season a sucess by wins and losses, but by whether we improve from week to week. We cleary are not improving and this season is a huge disappointment in that aspect. Can you name one area where we are better now than when we were at game 1?
answer this:
I am watching highlights form Game day now and secveral recivers, when it is on the line, take a two step push and then slant in toward the middel and are wide open and catch the ball for 10-12 yards. our guys haven't done that. That seems so simple.
Eddie,
Not better, but Ben Tate is the same player no matter what the score is, one of the few bright spots.
Eric Smith is better than the suspected criminal he was during the 1st game.
RB's is the only area that has not dropped off, agreed. There is no excuse for these WR's to not be better than where they were at the beginning of the season. None whatsoever.
Eltoro Freeman has improved.
I'm trying to stay positive, but quit giving the excuse that all other teams have our tapes. WE'VE GOT THEIRS TOO!!! CGC, if you have not procured Ole Miss tapes, I'll be happy to tape them off of ESPN and overnight them to you!
I am out. Probably not going to read too much stuff this week. What are they going to say? Same stuff. I will be there Saturday, so good luck guys.
auforme, that was a good line there.
Take care WTC. Trying my best to not be a debbie downer, but i'm failing right now.
just one man's opinion, but seems to me a lot of it has to do with confidence. From the players. The first few games they were fired up, excited, showing emotion (along with CTT) but in the latter part of Tenn, then ARK, KY, and last night, I just didn't see the same emotion on the field. the lack of emotion comes from lack of confidence, knowing you are going to get beat, so how/why get up for the game? I saw it when I was plaing in HS and college. A lot of it is a mind thing. Example- watch how SAH (scared as hel#) has ran the past 2 games. he may be banged up, but at the DI level you don't just run ob at the first sight of a defender, you run upfield and lower your shoulder, if you have confidence you and your team can move the ball. Example- Todd would throw the ball in te first few games downfield and he had confidence that his WRs would catch it. Last 3 games, very few chances for his WRs to make a play. Confidence. How do you get it back? Run the ball down people's throat, throw in some play-action deep shots but run the ball. run the ball north and south. Just my opinion.
Last comment tonight....can we get rid of catch phrases for teams "DWWD". I've seen enough to make me hate them with a passion.
What is it exactly that "we do"?
Choppin' wood, right?
Came back to post:
If we do no tget better, we may the homecoming opponent soon. That would be a new low for AU. When that happens, it is time to abandon ship.
Looks like everyine else is tired of talking about this train wreck so I wll shut it down for the night.
Alot of negative comments Hotties..I haveen't posted much lately but this seems like a good time. We are 5-3..ugly loss last night..ouch..but 3 weeks ago it was a different story....The offense is getting whooped...no doubt about it..Chris is doing his best..what the problem is I'm not sure..I don't think Kodi is the answer either..sigh....I don't have the answers but not matter how bad it gets just remeber....WAR EAGLE any way
Some good comments tonight, some not so good, but overall I think you goes are close to the whole story. The only thing that is really bothering me right now is the fact that Coach Chizik acts at times like he is not in total control of all things football. It almost appears that he is taking orders from someone else. I get this feeling, and I sure hope that it is not true, from things that he says implying that no matter what people question about the program, he is not going to change a thing. I think he could add "unless I am told to". Does anyone else get that feeling? Maybe I am just paranoid from previous things that have happened at Auburn.
goes = guys
I think a couple of you have gone off the deep end on the negative posts. The sky is not falling. We new we had personnel problems coming into the season. This is the same group of coaches that got us to 5-0. Its not time to start talking about abandoning ship. I don't agree with the decision to stick with Todd, but I don't get to watch the QB's practice, I don't know whats really going on. It's going to take time for us to get back to where we expect Auburn to be, but I fully expect Chiz and company to get there.
It's great to be an Auburn Tiger.
If being realistic is going off the deep end, then count me among those overboard.
And I haven't seen anyone on here talking about not being an Auburn Tiger any longer.
With that, I am out of here for the night. Everyone have a great day tomorrow and WAR EAGLE!!!!
Not trying to call out anybody IV, just stating my .02, same as everyone else. And I certainly wasn't saying anybody is not an Auburn tiger anymore. Just saying that I still love being one.
Looks like the HABOTN has been abandoned for the evening. I guess this wouldn't be a good time to offer any of you good deals on a Coosa-aid franchise? Probably not.
At least I made another correct prediction. I said we could beat LSU if Todd was at 90% or better, and have no chance if he was less than 50%. Obviously, he is about 25%, so I was correct. I think Jay thought I was hedging a little with that prediction.
Other predictions I made - that the WV game was the most important of the season. It was. If we lose it, we have no chance at a bowl. And I said the KY game was the 2nd most important - it was. If only Todd had hit Mario with that long pass, we probably win that game and are staring at no worse than 7-5 right now and everyone feels a lot better. But that one play puts a different light on the season now.
The 10-2 scenario ended at ARK, and KY killed the 9-3 scenario, and probably the 8-4. LSU finished off nearly all hope of 8-4, so 7-5 becomes the upside at this point. I now see it this way:
9-3 - 0% chance
8-4 - 1% chance
7-5 - 9% chance
6-6 - 80%
5-7 - 10%
The odds of 5-7 move up considerably if MS really blasts us this week. Hard to imagine that they won't.
Coosa-aid is not so good anymore.
We were picked to be 6-6 or 7-5 in the pre-season. We are paper thin, beat up, tired and almost every aspect of the team is failing, but this is pretty much what should have been expected. LSU was rested and ready.
Sounds like to me that some fans either got their hopes up and are now embarrassed/angry OR they don't understand pre-season predictions.
I even think that I read that some fans are upset because the coaches aren't "listening" to them. Silly me....I would be upset if the coaches DID listen to the fans.
I won't be listening to Blog Talk Radio until I can be assured that some sensible, respectible folks are going to be on it. If I wanted to listen to a bunch of cursing, angry rednecks spew at my team....I'd still be a Bammer.
New thread UPZ.
No video 2-nite. Gotta get home.
Hoopie, you and I were feeling the love a couple of days ago, but man I think you tend talk down to people too much on here when you disagree with them. It's not my battle because I don't think you were referring to me, but it's ok to disagree and not call people names.
I don't agree with all that was posted earlier either, however it's no need to call anyone on here a "redneck". We are all passionate about Auburn, sometimes that causes people to get upset when things go wrong.
"We were picked to be 6-6 or 7-5 in the pre-season... Sounds like to me that some fans either got their hopes up and are now embarrassed/angry OR they don't understand pre-season predictions."
It's the irony of finishing 6-6 or 7-5 after a 5-0 start. You get what you predicted, but you don't like how you got there after you see what the team can do. When we were 5-0, I'm sure even you started to think those predictions of 6-6 or 7-5 might be a bit off as well. Expectations changed when our offense showed life that we weren't expecting. Now they have to change back.
We're all on the same team, we just express out devotion differently.
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home