Rivals.com expert impressed with Auburn

Hey everyone. I'm working on a story about how Gene Chizik has changed Auburn during his 11 months on the job. I talked to several people today about that topic and I'm intrigued with some of the stuff I've learned.

It's one thing to be embedded like me. People who stand on the periphery see things from a different perspective. They bring up stuff I hadn't considered or re-affirm some things I think I know.

If that makes sense.

One of today's interviews was with Barton Simmons of Rivals.com, who focuses on recruiting throughout the Southeast and Texas.

Here's what he had to say about Auburn:
Q: What has been your impression of how Gene Chizik has changed Auburn's image in the recruiting world?
A: The way they've gone about it all -- they're clearly going after elite players in their region. They have the best of the best in their sights. Some people might say they're shooting for the stars, but I think it's going to pay off. It's already paying off. They're in the mix for a different level of recruit now. They're going after better guys and getting better guys.

Q: Like Michael Dyer?
A: Exactly. You didn't see Tuberville going after a guy like that unless he was in-state. Chizik and those guys went to Arkansas and got the best player in Arkansas. Same for Trovon Reed. They went to Louisiana and got the best player in Louisiana. People just don't do that with LSU down there.

Q: Simply getting Dyer and Trovon Reed committed ... is that a victory in an of itself?
A: Absolutely. I continue to hear kids say they're interested in Auburn. They've gotten themselves out there among these kids. They know about Auburn, what's happening at Auburn, who's going to Auburn. Guys like Dyer and Reed, it's like dominoes. Word gets around. Good players want to play with good players and that's what Chizik has done. He's created a reputation.

Q: Where does Auburn go from here?
A: There's still a lot of room and time for Auburn to get in with some big recruits. They're on several right now. This group is one to watch. Chizik has made recruiting an emphasis. They all work hard at it -- and that includes Chizik. They all work together to sell that idea of family. I've talked to kids who say they really liked talking to Chizik, said he relates really well with them. They're good at building relationships.

Q: What is your general thought of Auburn right now?
A: They have a sexy offense. Kids really respond to it. The defense -- recruits knows there is a chance to play right now. Auburn could be a sleeping giant. They're only two years out from being a challenger. If they keep recruiting like this, I'd say they're only a few years away from challenging again. It's a program that has really changed how people see them. They're a threat to some programs that probably didn't worry about Auburn before.

The latest from practice

Hey everyone. I have finished transcribing some interviews, including an epic chat with Walt McFadden, and my story for tomorrow.

So let's see what we learned today.

• I saw LB Eltoro Freeman walking in a boot. Gene Chizik, as expected, had no comment on Freeman's prognosis or availability.
  
  
• You'll love this. How about OT Lee Ziemba talking about penalties: ``They’re killing us. We’ve got to stop committing those errors. It’s all about the fundamentals. If you do the fundamentals right you’re not going to commit those penalties."
  
  
• Walt McFadden on problems he had early in his career: ``(David Gibbs) told me I was going to the NFL. Most coaches tell you that cornerbacks have to tackle. He still had that NFL mentality. He said: 'You don't get paid to tackle.You guard guys.' When I started guarding guys, Coach Tub jumped on me for not tackling. I didn't know who to listen to. It kinda got to me. Coach Tub said I wasn't going to play until I started tackling. Gibbs was telling me I didn't have to tackle. I was doing what my coach told me. It set me back."
  
  
• TB Onterio McCalebb said he felt "real good" at practice today. He's been dealing with a high-ankle sprain.
  
  
• QB Chris Todd on today's emphasis at practice: ``The big thing is looking at all the details, fixing the little mistakes that kind of hurt ourselves on. And we made that a point today, and we’ll continue to do that, just not making mistakes and putting ourselves in bad situations.
  
  
• Gus Malzahn on the effect of (players) taking two days off: ``I think it helps a lot -- we have not had any off time at all to get our guys to mentally refresh. We had some tired guys, there’s no doubt, physically and mentally. As far as coaches, probably the same way. Anytime you’re playing a very good opponent the more time you have to prepare -- that will definitely help."
  
  
• McFadden told reporters last week that he thought A.J. Green and Julio Jones were the two best receivers in the league ... but that he liked one more than the other. Now he's coming clean: ``I like A.J. Green. He reminds me of a Randy Moss-type of receiver. Randy Moss -- I'm a big fan of his. I compare those two as receivers, so I kind of have to slide toward A.J. Green."

Photo credit: Todd Van Emst/Auburn University

Questions? Comments? Post directly to the blog below or email me at jgtate@gannett.com.

The lawsuit

Hey everyone. Hola.

Here is my story that appears in today's editions of the Advertiser: SMITH, 2 OTHER AU PLAYERS FACE ASSAULT LAWSUIT

Though my name doesn't appear on the story, which is odd, I promise that I wrote it. Also, I don't believe the other players are facing a lawsuit. They're just described in the lawsuit as aiding and abetting Smith's alleged wrongdoing.

Also, you're welcome to ready through the lawsuit below. I know it's late ... but I try to come through when I promise something to the HOTTIES. Thanks for your patience.

PAGE ONE (click to view via download)


PAGE TWO


PAGE THREE


PAGE FOUR


PAGE FIVE

Eric Smith's situation deepens

Hey everyone. As at least some of you know, an attorney representing an Auburn student who allegedly was struck by Auburn utility back Eric Smith has filed suit in U.S. District Court.

The plaintiff is Decari Jenkins, a fifth-year engineering student.

Here is Jenkins' account of what happened on the night of August 21, 2009.

• He attended a function at the Lexington Hotel (you probably know it better as the former Best Western near College & University/Shug Jordan)
  
  
• He was approached by ``two presently unnamed Auburn football players in a proactive and belligerent manner."
  
  
• Jenkins' friend attempted to dissuade trouble by saying "we don't want any trouble."
  
  
• "Immediately after making the statement, (The Friend) was punched by one of the Auburn football players and rendered unconscious with one blow."
  
  
• The Friend was pulled aside by bystanders.
  
  
• Eric Smith then approached and slapped a drink from Jenkins' hand.
  
  
• ``Smith, with the aid of his cohorts, began to pummel (Jenkins) with hands and fists about his face and body."
  
  
• Jenkins was able to elude the melee by fleeing down an outside stairway.
  
  
• Jenkins went outside to make a call.
  
  
• While standing near four Auburn Police Department officers, Jenkins then was struck in the back of the head by Smith.
  
  
• "(Smith) then kicked (Jenkins), turned away from the officers and casually walked away as if nothing had happened, leaving Jenkins unconscious in a pool of blood."
  
  
• One officer assesed Jenkins. One officer called for an ambulance.
  
  
• Jenkins bled from a cut over his eye. He was taken to "the hospital" and was given medical care and was released the next morning.
  
  
• Smith soon was apprehended by the APD.
  
  
• ``The Auburn Police Officers were approached by Auburn football players wearing Auburn University attire who identified (Smith) to the officers as being a football player. They also inquired as to `what could be done.'"
  
  
• Smith was charged with assault. He later filed a charge against Jenkins, which Jenkins' lawyer writes ``was later dismissed with prejudice."
  
  
• Jenkins now says he "continues to suffer grievous and permanent injury as a result of (Smith's) actions."
  
  
• The permanent injuries? Fourteen stitches have caused "permanent scarring to his face" and he claims to suffer from Post Concussion Syndrome.
  He claims the syndrome is causing an "altered gate" (I think he meant "gait"), inability to concentrate, headaches, sleeplessness, vertigo and nausea.

NOTE: I will be posting the lawsuit as soon as Blogger.com gets its act together and lets us post pictures again.

Numbers game

Hey everyone. This may be the shortest blog of the year. It may be the one you remember most.

Most points allowed by an Auburn defense prior to 2009: 267 in 1976. The team, Doug Barfield's first, went 4-7.

Points conceded by Auburn's defense this season: 297.

Highest average points conceded by an Auburn defense prior to 2009: 26.2 in 1948. The team, Earl Brown's first, went 1-8-1.

Average points conceded by this Auburn defense: 27.0

Demond Washington collects

Hey everyone. Your favorite return man has been named the SEC's Special Teams Player of the Week.

Here is the bulletin straight from SEC headquarters, though his hometown (Tallassee) has been shanked:

DEMOND WASHINGTON
Defensive Back/Return Specialist
5-9 • 185 • Junior
Tallassee, Fla. (HS/Miss. Gulf Coast CC)

• Washington accounted for a school record 202 kickoff return yards and 229 total return yards for Auburn in a 31-24 loss at Georgia.

• Following a Georgia TD early in the fourth quarter, Washington returned the ensuing kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown to tie the score at 24-24. The return was the sixth longest in school history.

• The 202 kickoff return yards and the 229 total return yards were both the fourth most in SEC single-game history.

• His 40.4 kickoff return average (5 KOR) is the second-best in SEC history for a single game (min. 4 returns).

Georgia fallout: Gene Chizik speaks

Hey everyone. Hope you're having a swell afternoon. It's sunny and unseasonably warm throughout Alabama today, so perhaps that has given you a chance to get out and feel good.

I'm sure last night may have elicited a headache or two.

Anyway, here's what your head coach had to say about things.

• On Auburn's run defense: We were really playing the run well. When Eltoro went out, that certainly didn't help our cause. That's not an excuse. For a good bit of that game, we were playing the run well. We've got to be able to sustain that through four quarters."
  
  
• On Freeman's health: ``I don't know. We'll have to play that one by ear."
  
  
• On why Auburn's running game wasn't very effective: ``A lot of it was execution on our part. They've got a really good front seven. They got off blocks as well as anybody we've played. We had our chances to hit some runs in there."
  
  
• On the play of freshman LB Jonathan Evans, who took over for Freeman: ``For getting being abruptly thrown in there, he did well. He came in there and did an adequate job."
  
  
• On the late-game penalties: ``It's very disappointing -- and they're by veteran guys. That's really, really disappointing. These are guys you're counting on to win ball games for you. You can't even pinpoint something on a game -- but in those critical situations, without questions, I think it's a lack of concentration and attention to detail."
  
  
• On why Demond Washington didn't return the final kickoff: ``At that point, Demond was pretty blown. He had about had it at that point."
  
  
• On if he knew Washington was that fast: ``I did know he was that fast. He's one of the fastest kids on the football team without question. We had to have a guy who could make a difference back there."
  
  
• On Auburn's plan this week: ``Our plan right now is to practice three days this week and try to give them a day and a half off until Sunday. They need tomorrow and Tuesday off. They need those two days to just regenerate, recharge their batteries. They'll be focused and ready to come back."
  
  
• On the need to get a full signing class next year: ``Strategically, we'll have to be right on. We've got a lot of scholarships to fill."
  
  
• On Auburn's immediate recruiting needs (ie who they're trying to enroll before spring ball): ``We know we need to get an offensive tackle. That's got to happen in January. It's got to be the perfect fit. Maybe two offensive linemen. If it's the right fit, we have no problem with (junior-college kids)."
  
  
• On the need to find more safeties: ``We've got a couple high-school guys in mind. We're pretty good with where we are right now at that position. We'll know more about how we'll proceed when we gather a little more information about the health of our guys here."

Photo credit: Todd Van Emst/Auburn University

Questions? Comments? Post directly to the blog below or email me at jgtate@gannett.com.