11.04.2009

Taking stock

Hey everyone. While I sit here waiting for the fine fellas at Jimmy's Car Stereo to repair my failing Sirius receiver, let's roll out an Auburn stock report.

We did this several weeks ago, but things have changed.

TB Ben Tate: The kid has been a terror this year, running through defenses like never before. Where would the Tigers be without him? We all knew he was good. I had no idea he was good enough to be a top-tier guy like this. He has established the benchmark for tailbacks in this offense: He's big enough to handle business by himself and fast enough to burn lax defenses.

WR D'Angelo Benton: Remember when we talked about him constantly for a solid month? I try to avoid that kind of reflection. He's now three years our of high school, which led many observers (including me) to believe Benton could contribute immediately. Trooper Taylor said Benton was running with the first-team offense two weeks before the season opener. What happened? I have no idea. Benton has zero catches.

LB Joshua Bynes: Love or hate what he brings to the field, Bynes plays with maximum effort. You know he's giving everything out there on every snap. He's a smart player. He rarely makes organizational or intellectual mistakes. Auburn's defense may be an overall disappointment, but that has nothing to do with Bynes. He's maximizing his potential.


CB Neiko Thorpe: Let's get this straight: Thorpe has not played poorly this season. He's been at least adequate, save for a difficult/unlucky performance against Arkansas. I just sensed in August that Thorpe was poised to have a break-out season where he emerged as one of the SEC's top five corners. He's not there just yet. I still believe he'll be a top-tier player, but he's fallen short of my expectations this season.

Assistant coach Jeff Grimes: He's still coaching well along the offense front and his recruiting role is vastly underrated. He's playing a major role in the recruitment of OL Eric Mack and a pair of big California linemen in John Cullen and Roszell Gayden. If he gets two of those guys, Auburn's recruiting haul will gain significant prestige.


Assistant coach Trooper Taylor: I know. You love the guy. I understand why. He's ebullient, showy, eager and says everything you want to hear. I watch him more during gameday now and I can't help but wonder why he's involved in defensive huddles. Or chats among defensive backs. I understand that he's Mr. Enthusiasm and all the towel waving gets kids fired up. Still, I have not been floored by Auburn's wideouts this season. I'm not seeing much progress. Terrell Zachery and Darvin Adams have been good. Does anyone else excite you? D'Angelo Benton is MIA. I haven't seen much out of Emory Blake or Tim Hawthorne or ... anyone else. I'm also of the opinion that Grimes and Tommy Thigpen are just as important when it comes to Auburn's recruiting enterprise.

190 comments:

  1. Crimson Substance

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  2. HOORAY....FOR SUBSTANCE!

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  3. HOW DARE YOU!

    TROOPER, HE DOESN'T MEAN IT!!! HE'S JUST A LITTLE CRAZY RIGHT NOW, THAT'S ALL!!!

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  4. He rarely talks to wideouts during games.

    I think they could use some guidance.

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  5. Trooper....hmmmmmm. Let's see, Trooper has his own towel, but JGT has his own blog, tees, hoodie, and caps. JGT wins!

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  6. And all joking aside, in the games we have won, the receivers have been vastly improved over last year. In the games we lost, there have been conflicting reports on the openness of receivers.

    Overall, I would say Trooper has been as advertised. A previous weakness at WR is no longer a weakness in my opinion. What more can you ask for?

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  7. He was usually there to talk to the receivers after they muffed kicks. Other than that, the receivers have been perfect, so no need for pep talks!

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  8. I don't consider Thorpe deserving of a down arrow, although I do expect big things from him. He has been pretty solid so far.

    As for Troop, you speak blaspheme. Say 20 Hail Mary's.

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  9. FSJ ...

    Even more about the Austin Peay cheer ... all true ... it started in the 1970s when they had a New York playground legend Eugene Williams in end up there. He was known, though, by his nickname ... leading to the cheer.


    THE FLY IS OPEN!
    LET'S GO PEAY!

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  10. i'm glad someone else thinks Troop is overrated. Cute sayings and waving a towel around antone can do

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  11. As much as I love Trooper's enthusiasm, if he's not talking to the WR's during the game, that's a problem. I, too, have been wondering what's wrong with the other receivers. I see them on the field at times, but the ball doesn't get thrown to them. I remember countless times last season Tim Hawthorne being wide open downfield. Are he and the rest not getting open or is Todd just constantly focused on Zachary and Mr. Dependable (aka Adams)?

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  12. Michael: we're taking about two receivers. That's it. Auburn is not a warehouse of wr talent now.

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  13. That is an interesting view on Taylor. I have the same question that I had prior to the season opener- are the receivers not getting open, making the QB look worse than he is because he has nowhere to go with the ball?

    Or, are the receivers as open as one can expect them to be against SEC competition, and the QB has to fit the ball into a tighter opening? When he doesn't trust his arm or the receivers, he appears to be holding the ball too long.


    T-Zach was hardly wide open against Ole Miss, yet he went after the ball and made several tough catches. Was that good coaching, or just great individual effort?

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  14. AUfan, on the first deep ball to T-Zach in the second quarter before the touchdown drive, Darvin Adams WAS wide open. T-Zach was fairly open too, the Ole Miss DB just closed really well after getting beat initially.

    But Adams was very wide open. When Todd first threw the ball, I figured it was to Darvin. Had he thrown it to him, it would have been six.

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  15. Well Trooper is sitting on G--waiting on O..right?

    All kidding aside, he's an excellent recruiter i am sure.

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  16. Cool idea on the stock up/down Mr. Tate. That could be a regular installment in my opinion.

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  17. E-Bro, those are good points. Do you think the receivers have been more open than they have been given credit for in other games, and Todd missed them?

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  18. Nice job with the ratings JayG. Good work indeed.

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  19. Some recruiting news that I thought I would pass along.

    A friend of mine says Jeff Lee, the AU Rivals guy will be traveling to Arkansas for the dyer presser on Friday. He will also be traveling to LA for the Travon Reed presser.

    I hope that means what I read into it. I doubt he goes if he thinks AU will not get either of them. We may not but I think we do. No pressure and no drops.

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  20. Come on Phillies. Please.

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  21. Those in the upper deck and press box can tell if the receivers are open. What do you guys, you to JayG, think?

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  22. The Lee travel plans sound encouraging, wtc.

    Also, TT is the Assistant Head Coach as well as being the WR coach. Wouldn't that give him more authority to deal with the whole team as opposed to strictly WR's? Just asking.

    I enjoy the stock up/down stories as well, Jay. Always some interesting thoughts in them.

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  23. I like the idea of regular installments!

    re: Open receivers. I see em sometimes. Other times not. About like usual.

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  24. Anonymous4:08 PM

    I've seen definite WR progress. Our WRs had a long way to go when Trooper got at AU and they are now half-way there.

    Only went to the Ky game in person and WRs were sometimes open.

    From what I've seen on TV, our WR "catching, body control and willingness to come back for the ball" are much better. Route running, blocking and getting seperation would require having access to the coaches game film ....or as WTC points out, sitting in the upper deck.

    If our WRs progress this much again during the next off season, we can start to command respect and force defenses to back up.

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  25. JayG-For the LSU game I think I remember you saying they were not open most of the time. Is that a correct statement? If it is, could you see whether it was the LSU dbs covering very well, or UA receivers not having the ability (at least for that game) to get open?

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  26. I personally think our WRs have made vast improvement.

    That's not saying much.

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  27. JayGT touting Ben Tate AU stock. That means it's time to sell. That stock will be worthless in two months. Get out now and bank your profits!

    I'll hold my Jeff Grimes and Josh Bynes stock; I don't think either has peaked yet.

    Now, as a contrarian, which one of his dog picks do I buy. Hmmmm, I think I'll load up on Trooper Taylor stock. I might speculate a small amount on NKT, but I need to see at least some potential for profit before I risk any of my cash on DAB.

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  28. I can't say I can argue with Jay G's market report.

    I think our top two WR's have progressed pretty well...I'm not sure the talent level at WR is good enough to fully determine the job that Trooper has done.

    We had a 3 game drought where we had zero WR production at all, but not sure if that falls on the WR's or not due to the QB play during those games.

    Neiko has a ton of potential and I agree that he could eventually be among the best in the SEC, but he hasn't reached that as of yet. I took some grief for mentioning that Ark picked on him the whole game, but he has responded pretty well since then.

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  29. Well maybe I could debate Bynes being on the list. He's an solid LB, not bad, not great. However you can't say he doesn't hustle or (literally) takes plays off.

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  30. Anonymous4:33 PM

    I've seen very little of alligator arms or premature head turns from the WRs or RBs this season. That sounds like such simple fundamentals, but in our case is a definite improvement.

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  31. Talent is there. Hawthorne was suppose to be one of the best receivers in the nation coming out of high school. Blake and Benton are suppose to be great too. I don't think we can say the problem is no talent. That leads me to believe it is coaching, although I must say they look better than last season. Come to think of it, did we have receivers last season?

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  32. Anonymous4:35 PM

    Every now and then Bynes gets stuck and just can't seem to make his body do what he wants it to do.

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  33. As for Tate, I think part of the reason he was underestimated is that he had a nagging injury the second half of last season which hurt his speed. I am thinking it was a hamstring, but am not sure. Early in his career I was concerned with his speed, but he seemed to get faster as the season went on and I think it was more of a hesitation thing.

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  34. Bynes is a good linebacker. Stevens is probably better. Neither are the caliber of linebackers we have had in the past. Eltoro still has a lot to prove.

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  35. Hotties stock forecast:

    michael - UP
    What can you say about him? Keeps getting better and better
    PF - DOWN
    Marriage can't be good for blog following. Get out of this Hottie stock now!
    rk - STEADY
    Rock Solid
    ehyou - ?
    The man is insane. High risk/high reward hottie.
    FSJ - UP
    You'll want to buy his stock during Furman week... but be prepared to sell before it crashes after the bama week.
    THT - DOWN
    Fears of 2.0 lurking have hurt his performance
    Kristina - UP
    Hasn't been around, but she pops up out of nowhere and gives it all she has... from time to time

    Penny Stocks:
    Aeronaut - might as well stay away from this stock, he seems gone.
    Monica - Might want to buy some. You never know.

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  36. I have no stock. I am not publicly traded

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  37. I have stock, but it is privately held.

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  38. Oh yeah? Well watch this:

    Harrison - DOWN
    He won't admit he mows my lawn when I see him in person
    Phormerly Phred - UP
    Because I am not even sure what a Hottie's stock is, and I don't want to make Phred angry at me or anything without fully understanding why. BUY BUY BUY!

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  39. I've seen progress from two wideouts. I also should include Stallworth in there.

    LSU game: I thought the receivers were covered for the most part, though LSU's defense is remarkably fast. Those linebackers are lightning.

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  40. well, even though my stock is down it still trades at eleventy billion dollars. Plus, you get a great deal on your lawn. I mow and you give me 3 hugs

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  41. When you take into account the production of the current receiving corps compared to what a different coach got out of them last year, to have even two influence games as positively as they have is an improvement. I mean, no one in that group had done anything previous to the new coaching staff, and now there are two incredibly solid receiving threats.

    I mean, before offenses went all pass happy, offenses in both college and the pros would have considered two good receivers to be enough.

    Maybe others have made progress, but either they are kept off the field or Todd isn't looking at them because the top 2 are so solid.

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  42. Early in the season Fannin looked like a legit receiver too.

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  43. My stock is always up Michael.

    I am after all the odd ball on this blog.

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  44. Giving all I have...

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  45. Jhag got in deep doo doo today

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  46. CT threw a grounder to Hawthorne Sat. in the Ole' Miss game.

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  47. What are you up to jhag?

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  48. Nice work on the stock report, JGT.

    When I try to compare our WR corp this year to last, I always take note of the fact that NONE of our top 4 'true' WRs from '08 are still on the team.

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  49. So...

    Thinking ahead to the Iron Bowl...

    Will I be better off trying to get tickets on the secondary market in the weeks before the game or from scalpers on game day?

    I'm torn. I usually like to have my tickets lined up before traveling to an away game.

    In a related note, the Bama-LSU ticket is hoooooooooooot....You'd have to be an idiot to pay some of the prices asked.

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  50. I would have to disagree on Troop. I think the biggest improvement goes to blocking and route running. Sometimes the QB picks his favorites which is obvious for Todd. I think Wisner and Burns have done a solid job blocking. Emory hasn't got much of a chance and well Benton has dropped the ball or rounded the route off. I think the future is very bright. I think Trooper feels he needs to be more involved since he is the assistant head coach.

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  51. I'm glad I'm a privately held company and my stock is not under valued on the open market. I bought E-Bro out in a hostile take over. He's adapting to having a boss again.


    As far as WR's go, Benton and Blake haven't done what we expected but just remember that they are true Freshmans. I know we hoped that Benton would have a Rodney Daniels type year since he had similar circumstances, but I think they will be fine. I've seen 6 games live this year and I personally think the WR's are playing much better than last year.

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  52. Is there an over/under on the Furman game. I expect AU to score eleventy billion.

    I expect the Tide to roll of das Tigres from the swamps of LA.

    Tate is the real deal. I think this offense lets him use his speed and when he runs into potential tacklers, he has the muscle to motor through.

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  53. Just checking in on the stock market!

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  54. FSJ- if Auburn beats Georgia the price will jump. If Auburn loses to Georgia then the opposite. You are probably best to wait. eBay market is a little high right now, but it's a tough call.

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  55. Get out now before the crash that is coming soon. Especially sell Michael, he is at his peak.

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  56. For the record, I can't be bought.

    Nice use of eleventy, Mark. Tolkien fan?

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  57. I'm short selling Michael. I've got faith in the future but the short term looks bleak.

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  58. Easy ... I am here. Ailing, but here.

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  59. E-Bro- I understand the hostile part was tough. The exchange of all your shares for some of mine was the sell price.

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  60. Once again, you guys have proven that I know very little about football.

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  61. Meyer announced they are upping Spikes' suspension to one game. I think I respect him even less now than I did before. It is showing pretty clearly he isn't actually looking to discipline his kids. Just give the appearance of discipline.

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  62. I'm buying Trooper Taylor. Jay, don't mess with my TT :)

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  63. JayG: "Terrell Zachery and Darvin Adams have been good BUT...." But what?? If AU's starting WRs are doing well, isn't that the best benchmark for the job their coach is doing? Adams and Zachery were really lighting it up last year, right????

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  64. Agreed Waker. A little too late for real "discipline" at this point.

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  65. ESPN is saying the full game suspension was Spikes' idea. Perhaps he did get caught up in the game and is truly remorseful. One can hope he has learned from this.

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  66. Anybody else think records should be adjusted?

    From Collegefootballnews.com:

    For some ridiculous reason the NCAA record books don’t reflect bowl statistics for players before 2002, and the numbers aren’t being adjusted. That’s why the current rushing record mark, held by Wisconsin’s Ron Dayne, is 7,125 and not the 6,397 that it’s listed in the official record book. The same goes for Tim Tebow and the SEC touchdown record.

    Tebow is always out to do the right thing, and he’s certainly not the type to take something he hasn’t earned. Herschel Walker ran for 54 touchdowns in his career, and Tebow has rushed for 51. The record is still Walker’s.

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  67. Color me not surprised that it was Spikes' decision and not Meyer's. Even despite the eye gouge, I still have more respect for Spikes I think.

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  68. If Spikes were truly remorseful, he would go full Oedipus (post momma-luvin').

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  69. Commr: before you bestow the heisman on terrell and t-zac, remember that t-zac disappears at times/games.

    Nobody is mistaking either guy for Michael crabtree.

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  70. I think they should be adjusted, SC, but there will always be a disparity, like back when players weren't allowed to play as Freshmen. Sullivan would probably still be the leader in QB yardage at Auburn if he got to play in '68. Or did we have a good QB then?

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  71. Plus, they only played 10-11 games back in the day. Now they play 12-14.

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  72. That's true, E-Bro. I just think they should keep things consistent. Either ignore all the bowl stats or put them all in.

    Stats are always getting messed up by expanded seasons, expanded play-offs, etc., but I still like to be able to compare them as accurately as possible.

    Maybe we can go back and add in Sully's JV stats!

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  73. I was at a Halloween party, this crazy girls parents from my school show up to get their daughter...

    I get called into the office they tell me people have told them i was drinking...
    They have no proof, 0 evidence, no pictures... they are just taking some girls word over mind.

    I got suspended from school today for 5 days...

    Two Basketball games taken away...
    And i can no longer be the team captain


    fair? is this even legal?

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  74. Private school, Jhag? If so, yep, they can do it.

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  75. A private school can do it jhag.

    Tuberville article:
    http://www.onlineathens.com/stories/110409/foo_512284943.shtml

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  76. Yeah it is a private school but, they have no evidence of me drinking...thats the thing

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  77. Jhag- that sucks but if you were guilty of it just learn from it and move on. Actions have consequences, fair or not. This stinks right now but it can be something you learn from.

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  78. My cousin was kicked out of his private school for being at a party where there was alcohol, he wasn't drinking.

    It is a CRAZY conservative school. He was very glad to get out of there.

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  79. Yeah, I guess...now i have a 7 day weekend hooray

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  80. Pedro throwing BP.

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  81. Sorry jhag. That sucks. Adapt and overcome.

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  82. JayG: Agreed. Neither are the second coming of Jerry Rice (yet), but Adams is in the top 10 in the SEC and their stats would both be bettter if they were hit when open. We're also talking about their coach. I think an excellent measure of his coaching ability is their relative improvement from last year when no one had any reason to know their names or presence on the team.

    Like the stock report. Excellent provocation for good and respectful discussions about the Tigers!

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  83. waste of a beasley

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  84. I totally dig Pedro's hair.

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  85. Matsui is killin' Pedro!

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  86. Scott Choc,

    The most impressive thing about those stats you threw out about Ron Dayne is that he averaged 182 yards rushing per bowl game.


    Also, Hershel Walker's amazing stats were done in 3 years, not 4. His stats are just for a 33 game career.

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  87. once upon a time... I could put Pedro to shame with my hair...

    once upon a time...

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  88. DMiller ... I can see it.

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  89. I wasn't here earlier, but I'm glad to see Jacob taking names!

    Next thing you know, Michael will be sitting next to Maria Bartolomo or Cramer, doing his stock analysis thingie.

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  90. I believe you can carve Matsui's name on the MVP trophy.

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  91. Jet-you going over Saturday?

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  92. WTC ...

    Yes ... I'll be in the high rent district for this one.

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  93. There's a good chance that Utley will be the MVP. It's happened before.

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  94. Ehyou ...

    I would have thought so before the game, but Matsui has tied a Series record with 6 RBI in the game. He's hitting .667 for the Series.

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  95. Agree or disagree, jay g tells it like it is...

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  96. I dont have school again until November 16th lol

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  97. Cue the Alice Cooper, jhag.

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  98. jhag...
    My advice to you is to drink heavily the morning of Nov 16.

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  99. HAHAHA pregame for my return back to school

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  100. How anyone could like the Yankees is beyond me.

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  101. someone explain this Hulu thing to me...

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  102. I wonder if I could get Morgan Freeman to follow me around and narrative my life. That would be awesome.

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  103. Hulu is awesome.

    So is Morgan Freeman narrarating Jet's life.

    I wouldn't mind James Earl Jones for mine. Kenny Rogers would be kind of cool, too.

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  104. Great idea jet. I'd take Jim Nabors.

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  105. "Hate" is such a strong word...that's why I use it to describe how I feel about the Yankees.

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  106. I'm with you, they aren't far behind UF and Bama on my hate chart.

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  107. time to get a few hours sleep. Sweet dreams Hotties!

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  108. I want David Housel to do the narriative on my life.

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  109. I want Flavor Flav to do the narration on my life.

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  110. I have to disagree on Trooper. I see improvement in WRs this year. Did you hear McFadden talk about T-Zac. He said the team knew he could play, he just didn't know why he didn't get a chance last year. I also think Trooper has been GREAT for the fans. Trooper gets the fans into the games when they need to make noise, which we all know adds a 12th man! I'm waiting to make my assessment of his recruiting skills for one or two years.

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  111. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  112. Let's try this again ...

    How did Trooper do on the overnight Asian markets?

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  113. Jet- With earnings report down yesterday on Trooper, I saw a lot of upward movement on Trooper Stock due to value. It is a suggested buy and hold blue chip stock.

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  114. Jet- You feeling any better? I had a ton of ear problems as a kid and so do my kids. In matter of fact, when my kids started having ear problems, I did too unbelievably. Anyways, this is from a guy who has had 11 sets of tubes growing up. Ear aches are miserable. Thank good for amoxycilian.

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  115. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  116. Good morning, Hotties! One more after today!

    I HATE THE YANKEES!!! I don't like Pedro Martinez much either. I was calling for his head in the second quarter.

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  117. OOPS! That would be 2nd INNING.

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  118. Wow, just noticed that Tiger Rags has score shirts of the Ole Miss game....how far as Tiger Rags sank? Beating Ole Miss gets a score shirt? A team that we seem to beat 8 out of 10 times? Really? I don't get it.

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  119. Baseball...was that going on last night?

    I watched none of the world series or the playoffs. Glad it is over and done with. Baseball lost me a long time ago. I attend a Braves game here and there when I have free tickets and a parking pass, but honestly, it's boring.

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  120. I boycotted baseball almost 10 years ago and didn't watch 5 mins of a game this year, but I caught a few innings of a few games of the WS, but only because it was the Phillies. I was a Phillies (or Sillies as my dad calls them)fan as a kid.

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  121. I don't blame you Luv. I like the Braves, if they were in it, I would watch, but if they are not, then I honestly don't care. I really only watch baseball that I attend, and that ain't much.

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  122. The last baseball game I've attended was a Braves game, but that was probably 10 years ago.

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  123. Anonymous7:16 AM

    Eddie..the Rome Braves have a great stadium with an elevated outfield lawn area that is perfect for kids, picnics and coolers. Very inexpensive.

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  124. I don't know an inning from a quarter this morning and now my grammar sux too.

    I've = I

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  125. I usually attend 2 or 3 Braves games a year and a handfull of Chattanooga Lookouts games as well. However I don't like the Phillies or the Yankees so much like Cole Hamels I was just glad it was over.

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  126. Eduardo ...

    Much, much better today ... thanks ... had a double infection two years ago ... went the doctor the day my died passed away, and I guess all the stuff going on around that occupied me ... this time around, man, my ear hurt like crazy for the past 3 days, but finally the drugs are making a difference.

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  127. Hoopie- I've thought about going to a Rome Braves game. I've heard it could make for a fun time. I used to attend Lookout games while in High School in Chattanooga, but I haven't been since they built the new stadium which looks to be an awesome venue sitting up high above the river in downtown. That is a must do in the future for me.

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  128. As for baseball, I watch a stray inning here and there, but I'll watch the World Series. I don't have strong feelings -- I grew up an A's fan, but I respect those who play the game well. There were several worthy of respect on the field last night (Jeter, Rollins, Utley, Petitte, Rivera)

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  129. Although Utley had a fantastic WS, all I saw out of him last night before I went to bed was hitting a ground ball that ended up being a double play and a strikeout.

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  130. Anonymous7:31 AM

    Question for current day Prattvegas residents......do the small kids still play "cupball" behind the stands at little league games?

    Cupball....take 3-4 wax dixie cups and crumple them inside each other to make a ball. Batter hits with his hand, Bases are close together and you can throw and hit a runner to get him out.

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  131. Hoopie, you know kids these days don't have imaginations like that...

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  132. Anonymous7:34 AM

    I like the up/down arrow thing. That's the first time I've seen you do it (I think).

    I agree about Neiko...he will be a great corner, and it's amazing how much better corners look when you actually play SEC-caliber linebackers. But Neiko has had opportunities to make plays and gotten pwned...LSU for example.

    As far as Triple-T is concerned, I'd say just compare our WR production to the previous few years. Certainly we've taken a few steps. Though I give you, we have room for improvement.

    Can you imagine this offense with a QB who can pass as well as Todd and run as well as Kodi? Fate, thy name is Tyrik...

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  133. cupball was a classic sport played in my day. Who didn't play?

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  134. Anonymous7:35 AM

    Baseball was my last pro sport to abandon. In '97 or '98 I quit during the "almost strike".

    Interest in local HS sports is waning because we are empty nesters and don't know many of the kids playing now.

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  135. Anonymous7:37 AM

    Luv....haha..too true...I guess we need to develop video cupball.

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  136. Hoopie-I've got an app for that.

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  137. WTC- I noticed that Jeffrey of Rivals is going to both Arkansas and Louisanna for Dyer's and Reed's commitment announcement. Hopefully that is good news.

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  138. How does that make you feel, Hoopie?

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  139. sounds good Eddie. i hope so too!

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  140. Hoopie, that was in response to the second part of your 7:35 post.

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  141. Eddie-I would think that is a good sign.

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  142. Jason,

    Run as well as Kodi?

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  143. Eddie,

    About the Lookouts, while AT&T Field lacks the feel and tradition of Engle Stadium, it's a great great place to watch a baseball game.

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  144. Found this interesting quote from GOldgerg's article today about the amount of time some of the defensive guys are playing:

    The Auburn linebacker has played an astounding 622 of the defense's 649 plays, or 95.8 percent of all the snaps the Tigers have defended.

    Stevens is Auburn's Iron Man, but just barely. Daren Bates, a freshman safety, has played 621 snaps. Sophomore Neiko Thorpe has played 610. Linebacker Josh Bynes has played 595 snaps.

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  145. I normally like listening to sports radio. It's college football season people, come on!

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  146. WTC- That is way too many snaps for anybody to be playing. We need depth. Hopefully next year we will be able to ease those numbers and get these guys some rest during games.

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  147. Engle Stadium- What a gem. Did Babe Ruth actually hit a homerun there? That was always a rumor.

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  148. My oldest hasn't had an ear infection since the tonsillectomy. It was a monthly occurrence prior.

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  149. Anonymous8:12 AM

    Luv...that makes me feel .....um...mature ...yeah that's it.

    Actually , We're OK with it. Less focus on kids and more time to volunteer in the commmunity ...or fish.

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  150. Hoopie ...

    I was a horrible baseball player ... the last player picked sort, but I was a demon at cupball.

    Great memories of games played at the old Southern League in the Gump at what used to be Cloverdale Jr. High. Now, the football stadium for Huntingdon College.

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  151. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  152. Eddie,

    They say Ruth played there, but I don't know if he hit a HR there or not.

    I saw Bo play there when he was in the minors with Memphis, then I saw Jordan play there with Birmingham.

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  153. Anonymous8:18 AM

    Barnhart has an article out regarding Meyer's latest jab at the SEC refs and whether he should get a 1/2 game or full game suspension.

    Chris Low summarizes Kiffen's latest jabs at Meyer. funny stuff

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  154. RK- I too saw Bo while he was with the Memphis Chicks playing the lookouts. As for Jordan, I got to meet him at the Honors Course where he was playing golf during the days of his game.

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  155. The ruling was the ruling no matter how stupid it might be. Besides that, it was supposedly unamiously passed. So, Meyer needs to STFU.

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  156. It's good to see you around Luv.

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  157. Eddie,

    How many side bets did Jordan have going on while he was playing?

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  158. Hey hey everybody baseball season is finally over. TV time killer will be back next spring.
    Go Braves
    War Eagle
    Have gun will travel coming to Auburn Saturday. Queeks Draw Todd will shoot them out of the sadddle

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  159. several from what I heard. I cannot remember if Barkley showed up or not for that.

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  160. I'm looking forward to bring the kids down for the game on Saturday, especially since the weather looks favorable for the game instead of the rain that was here for Ball State. It will be a blast.

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  161. Good morning Hotties.

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  162. Live bloggin from the Legislative Contract Review Committee, chaired by the always passionate Rep. Alvin Holmes.

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  163. Oh please keep us posted on that Jet!!!!

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  164. Alvin "rant" Holmes is chairman of an important committee?
    Just kidding right Jet?

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  165. JGT, I agree with you

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  166. He's rippin' away @ the Gov., per usual, while 75 agencies are waiting for their contracts to be reviewed.

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  167. That's what I mean he spends all his energy on things of non-substance.

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  168. Well then, Mr. Holmes could not post on HABOTN if he didn't bring substance.

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  169. JGT, I could not agree with you more about the stock up/down.

    If you had done the stock up/down thing in September, Trooper would be WAY up, but the fact that Benton, Blake and Hawthorne have 1 catch between them kind of hurts Troops stock.

    Tubs would always talk about the WRs and not knowing the plays, or needing experience or whatever and it sounded like an excuse. Honestly, since the WVU game, I have not seen anything but that same thing.

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  170. Every state contract has to be reviewed by this committee, Rep. Holmes is the chair. It is his monthly press conference before they finally do their work.

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  171. Anonymous9:20 AM

    Sat will be a nice football day.

    12:30ish kickoff and playing Furman? .....what's the over/under on the amount time Eddie will spend at the concession stand with the kids?

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  172. Jet...

    I dare you to stand up and say "Give us substance or be gone!"

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  173. Anonymous9:23 AM

    I last lived in the Great State Of Alabama in 1980 and Mr. Holmes was ranting way back then. It's hard to imagine that he keeps getting re-elected.

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  174. Anonymous9:26 AM

    Jet....I guess that after all these years, there are no commments left unsaid regarding Mr. Holmes ....so just snicker bear it?

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  175. I wish I had been in the chamber when the two senators got into the fight a year or so ago. Wish Sen. Larry Means had gotten involved in that one too.

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  176. 30 minutes later, the review begins.

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  177. Anonymous9:29 AM

    Last I can remember seeing Mr. Hols on the tube 29 years ago, he was wearing a brightly colored polyester sport coat and sporting some hair treatment borrowed from Lionel Richie......very dapper!

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  178. Queeks Draw Todd will shoot them out of the sadddle

    Digger, what does this mean?

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  179. Hoopie- A good time will be spent buying popcorn and such. Well worth it though.

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  180. Peeps:

    Let's do a CiL chat (q-and-a) at 2 p.m. CST today.

    We skipped it last week and, well, I really enjoy them. I can actually answer questions.

    Thursday Night Live could be in jeopardy. I agreed to an unusual non-work assignment for Friday night and it requires me to attend a meeting tonight. I have no idea how long it will run.

    I'm definitely out for Tiger Talk. I could be back in time for a Campfire. I just don't know yet.

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  181. New thread up ... saying what I just said. I'm getting repetitive in my old age.

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  182. Regarding Trooper, are you just setting us up for a Taylor departure after the season? I just don't see how there's room for a head coach, a Off Coordinator, and an assistant head coach who wants to have subsantial input into playcalling and personnel.

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