Update on Isom

Hey everyone. Byron Isom tweeted early this morning that all tests are negative on his injured knee. It has been diagnosed as a strained tendon and he is receiving treatment this morning.

TWITTER BONUS: Yesterday was PPL's 20th birthday. Some Tigers celebrated.

Video d'Auburn, 12/19

Please enjoy.

Other practice notes, 12/19

Hey everyone. I'm going to hustle through these. I'm still here at Auburn and I need to get home!

• Ben Tate and Antonio Coleman were selected to participate in the Senior Bowl. That means they're considered two of the better NFL prospects out there and this will give them exposure to NFL scouts.
  
  Asked what he wants to accomplish in Mobile, Tate said: ``Just me as a person, you know, I think I have pretty good character. And also to show them that I'm the No. 1 senior running back in the country."
  
  
• A total of eight football players (six current, two former) earned degrees at winter graduation Friday afternoon.
  
  Current players: LB Craig Stevens, S Zac Etheridge, WR John Cubelic, OL Darrell Roseman, WR Tim Hawthorne and holder Clayton Crofoot.
  
  Former players: OL Jeno James, DB Montae Pitts.
  
  Chizik on Pitts: ``I called Montae last summer when I got here and told him, ‘No excuses, no anything, get back into school and graduate.’ And I’m just really, really excited to hear that he did that today. Just proud of him and he wasn’t the only one."
  
  
• Chizik said Eric Smith is the only player who ran into academic problems. ``Everyone else is on good academic standing."
  
  
• Coleman said he was skeptical about Hot Carter's revelation Wednesday that he plans to remove the "HOT BOY" tattoo from his face. ``I've heard that one before," Coleman said with a laugh. ``I'll believe it when I see it."
  
  
• OL Andrew McCain on the players' schedule now that school is out: ``That's kind of a Catch-22 because it's nice not to have to worry about classes, but when we're not in classes they get to keep us up here all day long. So it's good because you get to focus on football and we are up here a lot, so you tend to be worn out at the end of the day."
  
  
• LB Joshua Bynes on playing (almost) every snap this season: ``I did it for a season and a half ... so far. I've done it for 20 games straight. I just love being out there. Players are very dependent on me. When I'm on the field, they look for me. When I'm in high spirits and think things are going well, they're going to be in the same situation. They'll look at me. A lot of players look for me to handle that role."
  
  

Eric Smith is out

Hey everyone. Eric Smith, the Tigers' utility back, will miss the Outback Bowl because of academic issues. He will not practice.

Gene Chizik said he expects Smith to return in January.

Photo credit: Todd Van Emst/Auburn University

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

Isom injured

Hey everyone. We have learned via Twitter that starting guard Byron Isom believes he has strained a patella tendon and, at least for now, is out of commission.

The junior underwent imaging scans this morning.

I'll update as information becomes available.

Auburn adds another commitment

Hey everyone. During my lunch event with a few HOTTIES and the trip up here to Auburn, Les Tigres gained another commitment.

He is cornerback athlete Ryan White of Tallahassee, Fla. He attends Lincoln High, which produced Auburn's co-defensive MVP Craig Stevens (aka "Fo-Sicks") and Mike Slade.

White played quarterback in high school. He stands six feet tall and weighs 180 pounds. Rivals.com rates him as a three-star prospect. Scout.com bestowed only two stars.

Auburn now has 22 players committed to its 2010 signing class.

Radio Appearance forthcoming?

Hey everyone. I am expecting to participate in my weekly segment on SuperSport 930 out of Jackson, Miss., in a bit. That extravaganza may begin around 9:05 a.m. CST.

I'm willing to discuss Auburn and other stuff.

Be there or be rectangular.

Tim Hawthorne says goodbye

Hey everyone. In what I consider something of a shocker, wideout Tim Hawthorne has left the Auburn football team for good.

The Homewood native graduated this month. That's a wrap.

``He hasn't burned any bridges. He'll always be an Auburn man," assistant coach Trooper Taylor told reporters tonight.

Hawthorne always was one of my favorite guys. He's very bright, thinks about what he says before saying it and wasn't afraid to be honest. I remember asking him about the problems during 2008. He'd just shake his head, acknowledge that stuff was messed up and try to give you some insight. I never saw him in a bad mood.

With that said, I think the accident he endured several years ago on I-85 changed him forever. He was forced to face a lot of stuff you're not ready to face at 19 years old. He seemed distracted after that, maybe not as into football as before. I'm not saying he was lazy. Hawthorne saw a bigger world, I guess I'd say, and that intrigued him.

Photo credit: Todd Van Emst/Auburn University

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

Ticket update

Hey everyone. Auburn just sent out a release announcing its third helping of Outback Bowl tickets. By my count, that's between 12,000 and 14,000 sold.

I'd say fans are pretty excited.

Here's what the university had to say:

AUBURN -- The Auburn Athletic Ticket Office has received an additional
allotment of club level tickets for the Outback Bowl. Club level
tickets are $150 and are located in sections 134, 135, and 137 in
Raymond James Stadium. Club and regular tickets may be purchased through
the Auburn Ticket Office via auburntigers.com or by calling
1-800-AUB-1957. For the best seats, fans are strongly encouraged to
place orders through the Auburn Athletic Department.

Official Bowl Packages are available through Total Sports Travel, the
official Travel management company for Tigers Unlimited and the Auburn
Alumni Association. Call 888-367-8781 for your reservation or visit
totalsportstravel.com to pre-register.

(More) new items

Hey everyone. Gene Chizik just confirmed a few facts.

• He said Eric Smith missed practice while attending some "academic appointments," but remains on the team.
  
  
• Mike McNeil, who missed the regular season with leg problems, was back on the field Wednesday. He was in pads. ``I think he’s having fun out there. It’s just good to see him running around out there close to full speed," Chizik said.
  
  
• He said Roszell Gayden, the OT from a California junior college, has signed with Auburn. That's four signees today.
  
  
• Here's what Chizik had to say about the two junior-college signees: ``We are really excited about what (Gayden) brings to the table. Brandon Mosley is a great athlete that is a huge tight end/offensive line prospect who we think his potential is unlimited. We think he has some great days ahead of him. He’s such a good athlete he can bring a lot to the table as a tight end or an offensive lineman. We really feel like those two junior college signees have really helped our football team."
  
  
• Antoine "Hot" Carter said he's planning to remove his face tattoos. His right cheek reads "HOT" while his left cheek reads "BOY." Why is he doing that? Carter said it's bad for business.
  
  
• Darvin Adams said he's understated on the field because that's what coaches expect. If they allowed more self-expression? "I'd be dancing like they did in Miami in the old days." Old days == The U circa 1985.
  

Practice video, 12/16

Please enjoy.

This may take a minute to go live. I have to go down for interviews, so I'm putting this up so that it goes live while I'm away from the computer.

Afternoon update, 12/17

Hey everyone. I have returned from practice, which was almost completely uneventful. I am working on video now. Keep expectations low.

ALSO OF NOTE:

• Eric Smith was not at practice. There has been talk that he no longer is with the team, though I have not been able to confirm that. It's odd that Smith isn't at practice, sure, but that doesn't mean anything until Gene Chizik comments after practice.
  
  
• Barrett Trotter, who is coming off left knee surgery, looked off today. His throws were all over. He's clearly still getting used to that repaired knee.
  
  
• As expected, Auburn gained three signees today: DL Craig Sanders, LB Jessel Curry and OT Brandon Mosley. Another major player, OT Roszell Gayden from a California junior college, also will make a decision today. Chizik missed practice Sunday because he was in California meeting with Gayden.
  
  

Schedule update

Hey everyone. Sorry for the lack of posts here lately. I spent some time with the eye doctor on Monday, changed my eyeglass prescription and it took some time to see well sans headache.

I'm better now. Thanks for asking.

Auburn practices today beginning at 1:50 p.m. I'll be there. The best news for you? The first 30 minutes (allegedly) are open to Le Media, so you (allegedly) can expect a video around 3 p.m. That should be fun.

ALSO OF NOTE: Several unsigned prospects will be making significant announcements today. DL Craig Sanders and LB Jessel Curry are expectted to announce plans to enroll at Auburn in January. A few important junior-college players will make decisions today as well.

UPDATE ONE: Our friends at AuburnSports.com report that Craig Sanders, a DL from Ariton High, has signed with the Tigers. He'll enroll in January.

See you then.

Video d'Auburn, 12/13

Please enjoy.

p.s. Coleman is a soft talker. I boosted the audio. This is the best I can do.

Auburn late notes, 12/13

Hey everyone. Auburn has finished its football work for the day.

It was a full-contact practice. It lasted approximately two hours.

"Today we had a good bit of individual stuff," reserve lineman Bart Eddins said. ``That's just working on a couple little things to correct things from previous games. We're just trying to correct some of these little things so we can send these seniors out and these coaches out on a good note."

OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST:


• Ted Roof seemed to indicate that S Mike McNeil is practicing, saying "he's doing well" when asked if McNeil was back. Don't know what to make of that. Roof declined to elaborate.
  
  
• Antonio Coleman said his mid-season injury was a partially torn ligament in his wrist. The cast was worn on game days to prevent further damage. He said the injury wasn't painful once the cast was applied.
  
  
• Tracy Rocker on his relationship with Coleman: ``Well, when I got here I made a promise to him and I told him, the goal is we're going to get you to Amen Corner and be a great football player. We went through adversity, he played with a cast on. He came along and did some good things, I'm proud of him that he fought through it and showed up at the end of the year."
  
  
• Gus Malzahn on Clint Mosley's performance at practice tonight: ``Tonight was really the first night that we got a chance to see him run our offense. He did a solid job. Barrett Trotter also got some reps. Those two guys will get quite a few reps before we leave for the bowl site. Both of them did a good job tonight. They’re both eager. They’re hard workers, they pay attention to detail and they want to be good so it was fun to coach those guys tonight."
  
  

Proof of Contact

Sports Illustrated reporter Andy Staples snapped this photo after attending a September game in Duncan, S.C. He didn't think much of these gals ... until now.

So much for the those hostesses weren't even there alibi.

Granted, this has nothing to do with Auburn. Just thought you'd enjoy it.

Photo credit: Andy Staples/SI

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

Your Daily Fix, 12/13

Hey everyone. Auburn is in the midst of practicing under the lights right now, holding its second bowl practice in the mist. I have provided photographic evidence above.

I'm planning a review of what everyone has to say ... once they say it.

I'm also aiming for a video.

Practice started at 5 p.m.