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2.26.2010

Ben Tate holds his ground

Hey everyone. Remember how Ben Tate told a reporter in Georgia a few months back that he was better than Mark Ingram?

Yeah, the Mark Ingram who won the Heisman Trophy?

Tate seemed to back off those comments a tad prior to the Iron Bowl, but he's not hiding anymore. Tate told the Birmingham News on Friday -- for the newspaper's first-person reportage from the NFL Combine -- that he's not confused about who's the better back.

"If you go back and break down film, he's a great running back," Tate said. "Don't get me wrong ... but I just feel I'm a better running back. Of course you're going to get more publicity. That's the way it is when you're on an undefeated team, a team's that's been undefeated for the last few years."


Photo credit: Todd Van Emst/Auburn University

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

79 Comments:

Blogger Scott Chocolate said...

I won't back down, either. Mark Ingram is still the worst Heisman winner in a long time.

5:12 PM  
Blogger Scott Chocolate said...

...but I will admit that he's better than Ben Tate.

5:12 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

Bringing the substançio.

5:13 PM  
Blogger Scott Chocolate said...

Hey JGT, I found it interesting this morning that you're not a homer for Homer.

5:16 PM  
Blogger digger4au said...

Makes sense to me. Players on winning teams are naturally high profile and get more publicity. Did Ingram shine in the Iron Bowl? NO but that doesn't make him a worse Tailback. Was Tate given the ball as much as Ingram during the year I don't think so. Both are excellent backs.

5:16 PM  
Blogger FSJ said...

I'd be interested in seeing a comparison of stats for both backs...both rushing and receiving.

I have no idea who touched the ball more or had more yards per attempt, etc.

I could look it up but I'm way too lazy.

5:18 PM  
Blogger digger4au said...

Brought this forward from last thread. Don't want PK to miss it

Peter Frankenschmidt- yes I read your post. In fact your post promted my question. I meant really they have started it and are going door to door. I have seen nothing or anyone around here.

5:18 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

To me, Ingram and Tate are comparable, but I don't think either are close to being the best backs around. I don't even believe Ingram was the best back on his team.

5:19 PM  
Blogger Scott Chocolate said...

Let me amend my 2nd post:

Mark Ingram is better unless he's playing Auburn.

5:19 PM  
Blogger FSJ said...

digger,

I heard Spann on the radio this morning. He was saying that there is a chance of significant snow accumulation up this way on Tuesday. Said they would know with more certainty by Sunday...

People will go nuts if that is the case.

5:20 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Ingram is better. There I said it.

BTW ....Ben Tate can play on my team anytime.

I predict that Ben will make a pro team, methodically get better each year and have a good pro career.

5:21 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Tate will be solid contributor in the pros, similar to Heath Evans in stature. He won't be the star, but he is someone who can play. He won't be a Ronnie Brown, Cadillac Williams, or even Rudi Johnson.

5:21 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Anyone know what happened to Brad Lester and Tristan Davis. Somehow I assime Tristan Davis would get injured while putting doing jumping jacks in warmups.

5:23 PM  
Blogger Scott Chocolate said...

I'm outta here! Have a nice weekend, errybody.

War Eagle and U-S-A, U-S-A!

5:24 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

Brad Lester, at the end of his career, had no heart. None. The NFL doesn't want players like that.

5:28 PM  
Blogger LuvAU1968 said...

From Wikipedia:

Tristan Dion Davis (born May 5, 1986 in Atlanta, Georgia) is an American football running back for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was signed by the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He played college football at Auburn.

5:29 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Lester never really seemed to live up to his potential. I always heard he was obsessed with working out, or something like that. He is one of those players that seemed to be almost there.

5:31 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Nice to hear Tristan Davis is getting his shot. He was one of the most unlucky players that I have seen. I kept waiting for him to get healthy and have a huge game with his speed, but the only huge game was really that one game against Kentucky, and he didn't have a huge number of carries in that one.

5:33 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Actually, Fannin seems to be likely to become sort of a Lester or Davis, a player that just never quite lived up to the hype. He has brief shining moments. I am hoping he shows he can carry the load this season, but I can't say I am confident in him.

5:35 PM  
Blogger Tar Heel Tiger said...

Scott choc - you're first 2 posts are spot on.

PF is probably giddy with excitement at the substance contained therein.

5:54 PM  
Blogger Tar Heel Tiger said...

take the "you're" out of the above post, put it in the post from this morning. take the 'your" out of that post and put it in the above post.

then all's right with the world.

5:55 PM  
Blogger Jet said...

My thoughts about the Heisman are this:

1. No offense to Jay G, there are way too many voters.

2. Ingram was as deserving as the other finalists, other than Tebow.

3. With 45 other awards, and the DAC having gone bankrupt, the award isn't as prestigious as it used to be.

7:10 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

The SEC Star Wars mascots linked earlier was hilarious, and so true.

7:23 PM  
Blogger Tar Heel Tiger said...

Canadian women about to win gold in curling.

7:44 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

Tay Waller quotes were promised.

I don't think they deserve their own thread. Still, here they are:

On his current approach: ``I have no conscience right now. If I get a glimpse of the basket, I'm going to put it up. I'm confident like I always wanted to be. This is the way I wanted to play at Auburn the whole time. At least I've got this last stretch."

On his plans for LSU: "I don't want to think about anything right now except defense and getting open outside," Waller said. ``When I'm like this, I know it's best to keep shooting. It's bound to rub off on my teammates. If they start hitting, we'll be unstoppable."

Waller in AU's last eight games: 20.9 ppg, 52.2% from the floor, 44% from three.

Not too shabby.

7:45 PM  
Blogger Tar Heel Tiger said...

oops, big choke by the Canadian captain. Swedes tie it up to go to extra "innings"

7:46 PM  
Blogger Tar Heel Tiger said...

"If they start hitting"


That "if" ain't candy, but it sure is nuts.

7:49 PM  
Blogger Peter Frankenschmidt said...

yeah, if we had more people like scott de choco in the world, it'd be awesome. I give props.

7:53 PM  
Blogger CHB said...

I for one don't have a problem with Tate saying that he feels that he is better than Ingram. It's really tough to compare two players on completely different teams. I would take either player any day.

Tristan is with the Dolphins as Luv posted, but he is a practice squad player. I know this because I am a huge Dolphins fan and I was really happen to see them sign him.

FSJ, you can't compare Tate's and Ingram's stats (especially catching) because they are in two totally different offenses.

8:12 PM  
Blogger CHB said...

happen=happy

8:13 PM  
Blogger CHB said...

I don't follow skiing very much, but I have been watching the Olympics. To me Vonn is somewhat over hyped. I know she has two medals, but it seems it's hit or miss with her.

8:14 PM  
Blogger Tar Heel Tiger said...

poor Canadian ladies choked away the curling gold. I hope the Canadian hockey men take a cue tonight in their semifinal.

8:20 PM  
Blogger CHB said...

Wow...I just saw where D. Bates has moved from Safety to LB.

8:25 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

Yeah. Saw that, too.

B-Matt, no longer with Rivals, is hittin' the twitter world.

8:38 PM  
Blogger CHB said...

Yeah I got that info from his blogger site. Says he is going to start his own site. Is it going to be a pay site?

8:40 PM  
Blogger Miller said...

Ingram was not even the best RB on his own team. Richardson is a better runner.

8:40 PM  
Blogger CHB said...

I don't know what to make of the move. I liked what he brought to the safety spot.

8:41 PM  
Blogger Miller said...

JGT...
Do you get along with BM? What are your thoughts on his new venture?

8:42 PM  
Blogger Miller said...

I think by the move to LB, it means that he was very young last year and has grown a good bit in the offseason...
I also think it signifies how confident they feel in the health and ability of Mike McNeil, who is a Jr. and has tons of experience, and should provide a 'coach on the field' leadership this fall.

8:44 PM  
Blogger Wakeriderof87 said...

I think if you had put Tate behind the line that Alabama had the past two years he would have huge numbers. If you allow him to get to the 2nd level untouched he is an animal.

I missed the previous thread but the picture of Jay's ex with the pistol is pretty creepy.

8:53 PM  
Blogger chip chip said...

if you put ben on bammer's team and ingram on AU's for 2009, i believe you get virtually identical results from each. ingram benefitted from more offensive players around that were a "threat" and a much better ol than AU that never got called for holding. tate proved to me this year he is much better than i had come to believe. he really does have some speed when he gets going north and south.

8:55 PM  
Blogger chip chip said...

beat me by a few minutes wake.

8:56 PM  
Blogger LuvAU1968 said...

Excellent assessments, Wake and chip chip!

9:08 PM  
Blogger Loganville Tiger said...

I agree with Chocolate that Ingram was the most Uninspiring winner in the last ..... I don't know ... Ever?????

9:26 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

I am not sure what to think of Bates as a LB. He is definitely a hitter, but I didn't see this coming. I suppose they are looking for the depth with experience at LB.

9:27 PM  
Blogger Loganville Tiger said...

The next minute I see of the Olympics will be my first..... Sorry, But I Couldn't Care Less about the winter games.

9:28 PM  
Blogger Jet said...

In my mind ...

Winter Games > Summer Games

And it's not even close.

I enjoy the hockey, the speed skating, the downhill, snowboard, bobsled, skeleton, luge, ski jumping.

9:35 PM  
Blogger ehyou said...

The winter sporting events are fun to watch. If I ever tried any of that stuff, I would totally rule.

9:41 PM  
Blogger LuvAU1968 said...

I agree, Jet, although I was getting a little burnt out and had to break from it this week. But, I watched a lot of the hockey game today and have been watching NBC's coverage all evening.

9:45 PM  
Blogger Miller said...

Huge win for the Baseball Tigers tonight! Walk-off HR by Fletcher in the 10th to beat BC 6-5.

9:49 PM  
Blogger LuvAU1968 said...

LOL, ehyou! If I tried any of them, I would literally break my neck!

9:52 PM  
Blogger Tar Heel Tiger said...

so we get a bronze in that short track relay.

I best get some sleep since I get to be at work in 8 hours.

Sweet AU dreams, Hotties!!!

10:23 PM  
Blogger Peter Frankenschmidt said...

Thanks D Miller. There's a serious lack of Auburn baseball coverage in the blogosphere. Even AUPPL has nothing, and that looks to be their whole purpose for existence.

I wish Jay G liked baseball more and recruiting less. People would get beihind the team if he covered it.

10:36 PM  
Blogger Jet said...

This hockey game has gotten interesting in a hurry.

10:38 PM  
Blogger Jet said...

Well, we get the good show for the gold medal.

USA v. Canada.

Slovakia made it very interesting at the end.

10:42 PM  
Blogger Peter Frankenschmidt said...

@HABOTN series opener?

10:46 PM  
Blogger Peter Frankenschmidt said...

I might be touched by this Apollo Ohno piece, but he takes himself way too seriously. Plus, he called Colbert a jerk...I have similar feelings about Michael Phelps due to an interview he had with Dan Lebotard.

10:53 PM  
Blogger Miller said...

PF, AUPPL has a Twitter feed that he updates regularly during games. And AUBaseball has it's own Twitter feed.

This isn't a series vs BC, it is some kind of mini round robin thing hosted at AU between Auburn (obviously), Mizzou, BC, and FAU.
Mizzou and FAU played earlier today (Mizzou won).

10:55 PM  
Blogger Peter Frankenschmidt said...

Twitter is not enough. That's the microblogoosphere (watch as I run to twitter and follow those two).

I guess I would kinda expect to see actual articles on the games from AUPPL. I'm just now finding out about them, though, and maybe should reserve my judgement for SEC season. I'm getting what I pay for, though. :-)

11:00 PM  
Blogger Miller said...

He usually has recaps. I think.

11:04 PM  
Blogger E-Bro said...

Ben Tate may or may not be better than Ingram, but Anthony Dixon was probably better than both of them.

11:47 PM  
Blogger Tar Heel Tiger said...

Have a great Saturday morning, Hotties. I'm heading to the store to work for the man.

WARRRR EAGLE!!!

6:16 AM  
Blogger cincytiger said...

Morning, Hotties. It is good to be in Auburn. Hope the baseball and basketball teams do better than the gymnastics team. They were just a step off all night.

My father-in-law got sick yesterday so we stayed at the condo last night. Wish we could live here full time. We are going to get to use their scholarship tickets tonight.

Anyone else going tonight?

7:25 AM  
Blogger Scott M. Brannan said...

stuck in knoxville today. have fun for me today Cincy!!!!!!!!

8:21 AM  
Blogger Eddie McCoy said...

Awesome. Man City 3-1 over Chelsea right now.

8:25 AM  
Blogger AUBigCat said...

Morning Hots!

I love Ben Tate and for the longest time I agreed with him that he was a better back than Ingram. Then I thought about how many times Tate has fumbled the ball in key situations where we could have either kept the momentum going for a comback (Ark 09) or ended the game (NW 09). And those were just this year. It hurts to say it but I think Ingram>Tate :(

8:29 AM  
Blogger wtc said...

I might be there Cincy. Not sure yet. Gotta work on my honey-do list this morning.
Just finished an easy 11 mile tun. Headed to the gym for some weight training and then time to clean out the storage room (#1 on the list).

8:34 AM  
Blogger Eddie McCoy said...

I'm at the gum burning 2000 calories and watching Chelsea get dismantled 4-1.

8:36 AM  
Blogger Scott M. Brannan said...

well Eddie, i'm at work and i'm buzzing after 2 large mugs of coffee.

get some!

;)

8:41 AM  
Blogger Eddie McCoy said...

Awesome Scottie. Saturdays Rock!!!!

PS- I Got Some and going back for Second Serving!!!

8:47 AM  
Blogger Scott M. Brannan said...

rumor is i have a free ticket to the UT-UK game in knoxville in 2 hours. sweet! go cats!

9:04 AM  
Blogger Scott M. Brannan said...

PUNT BAMA PUNT!

9:04 AM  
Blogger Peter Frankenschmidt said...

That's, ummmm, an incredible workout.

9:10 AM  
Blogger Scott M. Brannan said...

i could hit the gym, but i choose the UT-UK game instead. :)

keep it up eddie!

9:12 AM  
Blogger AuFan91 said...

Just an FYI for the Tate vs Ingram Deal:

Tate: GP:12; Att:243; Gain:1296; Loss:42; Net:1254; Avg:5.2; TD: 8; Long:60; Avg/G:104.5

Ingram: GP:12; Att:249; Gain:1562; Loss:20; Net:1542; Avg:6.2; TD:15; Long:70; Avg/G:118.6

The stats are straight from the SEC football website....by these stats I would have to say that Ingram was better...but yet I think we all know that Richardson is better than Ingram....but Auburn should be pretty solid in the backfield this year! WDE

9:21 AM  
Blogger Jet said...

About to get coffee cup No. 2, contemplating work.

WTC will remember an annual event known as "A Night to Remember," which I never forget because Mrs. Jet makes me write large checks to the school's athletic program during the silent action, where she traditionally bids against herself.

If karma indeed exists, there is a large sofa with my name on it tonight.

9:28 AM  
Blogger digger4au said...

I am right there with you wtc ha - ha, just finished my mile and half walk in 31 minutes did two push-ups, 10 squats, 16-1/2 sit-ups. Made and ate breakfast now going to the store. Tate = Ingram if all things considered.
See you guys and gals later.

9:47 AM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

New thread UPZ.

10:21 AM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

@91: I think your numbers speak for themselves, no doubt.

10:22 AM  

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