2.02.2010

My journey heads east

Hey everyone. I soon will begin my trip toward Spartanburg, S.C., where tailback Marcus Lattimore will make his decision between Auburn and South Carolina later today.

As I have said before, I am going for the story. Don't read too much into my decision to go. I'm not going because I'm 100% sold on him choosing Auburn. I'm going because ESPN says he's the nation's top tailback recruit and this situation has intrigued me since last summer.

Lattimore's announcement is scheduled for 5 p.m. CST. I'll update you if that changes.

Photo credit: Greenville (S.C.) News

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

419 comments:

  1. No Lattimore Auburn Commitment, but Safe Journeys!

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  2. I just installed a linux version of chrome called chromium. The obvious first thing I miss is the ability in firefox to zoom in. Does Chrome have this? It is one of the neat features of firefox because it zooms both text and graphics.

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  3. Jay, I hope you have reserved a spot in that church. It sounds like it will be packed.

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  4. I'll be there early, that's for sure.

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  5. I see where Jeffrey Lee has chosen to stay home for this one. Read into that what you will.

    Like I said, I'm going for the story. I want to see this.

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  6. Drive carefully.

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  7. Steve - Chrome does zoom by "CTRL+", and "CTRL-" will zoom out. This is extremely useful to me while I still experience vision issues.

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  8. Don't know anything about the beta version of Chrome. The version I've been on for about 9 months works just fine for me. In my personal experience, beta versions of something have all the faults/problems/irritations/bugs/security holes/etc that say a 2.0 does not. The differences and improvements between 2.0 and beta can be staggering. Of course, in my personal experience, "beta" and "2.0" refers to wives. So, it may not be exactly the same thing.

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  9. Have a safe trip, Jay G! I will be interested in reading your story!

    I don't know the story, but it's not fair to Lattimore to put that much pressure on him. It should be his choice where he goes to college - esp. when there is scholarship involved - and whoever it is that's applying all this pressure should support him 100% in whatever decision he makes.

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  10. Luv- Too bad family and friends have agendas, but I agree completely with you.

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  11. I'm sure his heart tells him to stay close to family & friends.

    His head should tell him that he will have much more opportunity to shine at Auburn.

    I hope the head pounds the heart into submission.

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  12. Thanks Norm. That works great and is just like firefox. I should have just tried it:)

    Chrome does seem to be very fast. I will probably go back to firefox, but this may grow on me.

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  13. LOL at your last sentence, ehyou!

    Family and friends' only agenda should be the happiness and success of their loved one.

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  14. Jay....I think you have one of the most interesting jobs on earth. Have a safe trip.

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  15. Lattimore lives over an hour from Columbia, if I remember correctly. I am not sure the driving time from Auburn but I would guess it was over 5 hours.

    He has said he wants somewhere like where he has been playing, a small town. If that is the case, Auburn would be the answer.

    I do hope he just chooses whatever is best for him. He seems like a genuinely good kid. I do fear he will become a "rented mule" if he heads to South Carolina.

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  16. Things to do today:

    1. Add Shane Corn's name to the idiot list.

    Check

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  17. He will be the main back at USCe, but will Spurrier commit to the run? Spurrier is set in his ways and I think it will be hard for him to become a running team, something he has never done.

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  18. Who is Shane Corn, or do I want to know?

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  19. For those of you that have used both, what are the advantages/disadvantages of Firefox vs. Chrome?

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  20. Eddie, Lattimore has been described as a very good receiver, so that may fit him. He has been described as like Ronnie Brown, a very versatile guy.

    I also watched him in the HS championship game. His HS offense looks much closer to ours than it does SCs.

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  21. He's going to wait until 5pm?!?! Call me nutty, but if he didn't want all this pressure, just commit early, right? And now he's going to wait until 5pm on the day before NSD to make an announcement. Not that I blame him, but I think he might be digging all this attention, errr, I mean pressure.

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  22. Steve- I agree with you. He is much better suited in our offense as opposed to USCe. Oh well. Let's hope we close out on Lemonier and Jones. I wish WTC's mom was right on this one, but this maybe the 2nd miss, but it's not a miss if info changed, which apparently, it did.

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  23. Chrome seems faster to me. I like Chrome's tabs better. The incognito feature is very cool for work and public computers.

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  24. I like firefox because it is quick, easy to use, and is extremely configurable. There are tons of plugins and customization features.

    I just installed Chromium, similar to Chrome, and it appears to be very sleek looking without a menu bar at the top and is extremely quick, faster than firefox from my initial impressions. Chrome seems like it has lots going for it in terms of simplicity and performance. I do like Google and like their development philosophy. I am assuming Chrome will have some advantages with having tools available at google for it, but I am guessing.

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  25. Don't be hatin' on Latt.

    If I had been so lucky to have been recruited, I would have brought a shotgun and then yelled "PULL!" blasting UAT and UGA hats out of the air before slapping the AU hat on my head.

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  26. The other big difference in Chrome is that when you refresh the page, you stay where you are. Firefox might be able to do that, but it doesn't by default. I kind of like it.

    Chrome's zooming is just as good as Firefox, but quicker. Bother are much better than Internet Explorer.

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  27. FSJ- Happy Birthday!

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  28. Well shucks, I didn't realize.

    Have a good one FSJ.

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  29. Anonymous7:55 AM

    This Latt thing has been very interesting to watch. We are a #3 class without him. And everyone keeps saying we lost him, and we never had him. Fun stuff.

    FSJ - Happy BDAY my good man!

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  30. Not hatin' just noticin'

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  31. I think speed is the #1 attribute of Chrome vs. Firefox. much faster load times.

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  32. And Happy Birthday FSJ. Kinda surprised you released the iPad before you're birthday though

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  33. Thanks for the input, guys! I just downloaded Chrome at home yesterday, so I think I'll stick with it.

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  34. I like the newer beta version. It allows extensions. Chromed Bird is a great one if you use Twitter much.

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  35. I decided to look and see if there was a way for firefox to remember where you are on a page when you refresh. I ran across something called SessionSaver which seems to work on every page except the blog comments, which is what I wanted it for. Now that is some ironic irony I could do without.

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  36. Anonymous8:08 AM

    Look at all you IT techie geeks. Very nice!

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  37. So far, everyone is predicting that we will go 0 for 3 on Lemonier, Lattimore, and Jones. What are the backup plans? Cyanide pills anyone? :)

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  38. what happened on the drive to work? The mood in here went down the toilet.

    all you doomsayers need to get a grip. I wasn't aware Lattimore announced at 6 a.m. I thought he was announcing (for Auburn) at 6 p.m.

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  39. You tell 'em, Tar Heel!

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  40. From what I have seen, Lemonier is ours. Jones seems to be, too. Lattimore is probably the most iffy.
    I don't think there needs to be a backup plan, other than possibly picking up another DL. We already have a solid class.

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  41. THT- You are setting yourself for a big fall. Be careful of that trap.

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  42. Some have wondered if Ambles might end up choosing us, which is interesting, but if we don't get any more commitments, this class fills our needs.

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  43. Y'all should take my position; I expect the worst, that way in a worst-case scenario, I'm not disappointed and if it's anything other than worst-case scenario then I'm definitely pleased.

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  44. Of course, we are oversigning anyway, and would have to send some to JUCO or grayshirt them. So if any that sign elsewhere don't qualify, that would provide some sense of satisfaction.

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  45. Are Jones & Lemonier both announcing tomorrow?

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  46. Ya know what kids, I'm going to trust in Coach Chizik and his remarkable coaching staff. We're gonna be just fine.

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  47. ....resist temptation to read...too much into.....JG's arrival in SC.....

    whew.

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  48. Is any Auburn fan not trusting in Chizik and his staff right now?

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  49. Eddie, that's terrible substance to start this thread.

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  50. Story for you:

    A guy I just x-rayed saw my AU ID clip and said "War Eagle!" I asked him what happened and he said he had fallen off scaffolding 15ft onto the pavement. This happened a week ago in Shreveport. They only kept him in the hospital there two days and sent him home. He was hurting so bad yesterday that he came to our ER. He said, "That's what LSU fans will get you." I laughed and asked, "So, the doctor was an LSU fan?" He said, "Everyone in that hospital was." I said, "UGH. That's ALMOST as bad as all of them being UAT fans." He agreed.

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  51. How can information change from late last night to early this morning?

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  52. Eddie, I am pretty sure nobody is screaming at the airport any longer:) I wonder how that guy feels now.

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  53. Anonymous8:27 AM

    I have heard nothing that we go 0-3

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  54. Yea, I haven't seen that 0-3 prediction anywhere. Also, I haven't seen anyone predict we don't get Lemonier.

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  55. I'm already thrilled with who Auburn has so far. If a couple are lost, I'm not going to be disappointed. Just look what Chizik and Co. did with what they had last year.

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  56. Anonymous8:30 AM

    Luv - I think you can say goodbye to DJ

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  57. I am still thinking we get Coleman, too. Nothing seems to indicate he changed his mind other than some young guy at Miami. I don't buy it.

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  58. Hear that folks, JG's using CODE WORDS!!! Thanks for the heads up, Jay. Nice to have Lattimore in the fold.

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  59. Like I said, I'm not disappointed by any that are lost at this point - just as long as the ones that have verbally committed send in their LOI! This class is way better than any I've seen since I've lived here.

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  60. For what it's worth:

    http://footballrecruiting.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1046679

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  61. For whats it's worth part 2:

    http://recruiting.scout.com/2/939802.html

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  62. martini - you must be shaken and trying to stir up something.

    I don't see wtc's mom on that list!

    This is really sad. For someone like me, who always poor mouths so as not to be disappointed if my inner hopes are dashed, to have to come here and have to spout positive thoughts is just disappointing.

    We are going to get Lattimore, Lemonier, Jones, and Coleman.

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  63. For the record, ESPN says the best running back recruit is Michael Dyer and is ranked No. 7 overall at any position. Lattimore is the second best tailback according to ESPN.

    ESPNU 150

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  64. I just want to keep Coleman. It would be nice to get the big DE. I would love to have Lattimore, but if goes to SC, then lets take that spot and get some more DBs.

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  65. Some of these poster need a Tony Robbins cd to listen to. AU is doing well. Nothing has changed. We pass TX in the. Rankings after today. Maybe.

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  66. From my neck of the woods:

    Could Cordova's Ryan Smith change schools Wednesday?

    http://blog.al.com/segrest/2010/02/post_7.html

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  67. Listen, I'm thrilled to be where we are, if we don't sign another guy I'll be happy. I'm not predicting this, just showing you what others think. This is as interested in recruiting as I have ever been. But, honestly, to think we're going to get everyone we want that is left is unrealistic and if you were to walk into the AU Athletic complex, I'm sure you would see a Plan B on the recruiting boards.

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  68. A quote in an ESPN Article yesterday(http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/recruiting/football/notebook?page=notebook/signingdaypreview2010) about Lemonier, "something about this this situation has said "seminole' for a while now", he predicts us to go 0-2 with Latt and Lemonier, but I don't buy into that all that, I will just wait for the next two days to play out

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  69. Smith was in last week. He is plan B.

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  70. can any of yall imagine a year ago us debating how high in the Top 5 of the recruiting rankings we would be come signing day? amazing isn't it?

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  71. Nope. I've decided we're getting everyone we want :)

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  72. Anonymous8:54 AM

    I think AU is doing Outstanding!

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  73. there you have it. mytommyd has made an executive decision and all you worrywarts have to abide by it!

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  74. Anonymous8:56 AM

    wtc - were you not going to be out until "after" signing day?

    Just askin' I figure you can't stay away!

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  75. I am not calling anyone out. I just think we land Lemonier and I still feel good about Lattimore. Maybe he goes elsewhere but I say we get until we don't.

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  76. I wonder how high we can get the post count before JGT gets to his destination.

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  77. i'm thinking 400 or so THT.

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  78. By the way I took at last year around this time. There was a lot of talk on how Nutt was going to sign all those kids. Pretty interesting stuff from last year.

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  79. Anonymous8:58 AM

    I think I just heard that CGC may be on Rivals Radio this morning.

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  80. "recruiting is going day by day"

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  81. Anonymous9:00 AM

    This is waaaay better then wondering when xCTT was coming back from Duck Hunting.

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  82. Anonymous9:00 AM

    "we are excited by what we have accomplished"

    "our plan is on track"

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  83. xCTT... that's a cue for Steve ;-)

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  84. Anonymous9:02 AM

    I was waiting.....

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  85. Scottie - just imagine how high the announcement thread post count will get on JGT's way home.

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  86. I hope that I am reading the tea leaves wrong. I would be thrilled. Jeffrey Lee not going seems a big indication to me, but hell, I could be reading way to much into this.


    This class is SOLID, and I don't think anyone can really argue against it. I just think the BUZZ factor can be really amped on the signing day shows if Lattimore chooses Auburn or USCe. Does BUZZ matter...probably not, but it doesn't hurt in spring boarding you to a good start to the next recruiting class.

    I hope I am completely wrong on the Lattimore thing. Also, I still think we need another class just like that to really make some legitimate noise in the SEC and be true contenders. I think this is a solid start and hopefully it continues. All signs are pointing good for next class already.

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  87. have a safe trip Jay

    I would love to get him but I hope he picks what is best for him.

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  88. Anonymous9:04 AM

    Oh sorry....CGC on Rivals tomorrow possibly.

    Duh.

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  89. I really want Lattimore, but getting him almost seems like overkill in a way. (A really, really good way.)

    I make the analogy: pretend you are a walmatian, aka Bammer, (I know we shudder at the thought, but pretend). You saved up all your money from collecting cans and saving your mullet for research, and then went out and got yourself a HDTV. It is great and all, but then you decide you want another one, but your 1985 single wide's mortgage is in default. Do you really need another HDTV?

    The 1st HDTV in my parable is Michael Dyer. The 1985 trailer is the Auburn Defense. The other HDTV is Lattimore. We could really use a ready made cover guy or 2, and an LB on the other side of the ball.

    This is why I love signing day. I also love my job where I can post useless drivel and not get in trouble.

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  90. I was out of pocket working. Have had more time than I thought.

    Get some.

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  91. You know what's even MORE interesting, is checking out JGT's notes from Signing day two years ago. Talk about the change in the levels of expectation.

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  92. Anonymous9:09 AM

    Ok, just for information purposes, I will verify tonight at 6:01pm EST.

    Jamie Newberg on Rivals Radio just said that he is 80-85% for Latt going to USCe.

    He also just said that he thought someone else would commit yesterday but didn't.

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  93. I just want to see someone on signing day do the hat dance and put on an Auburn hat. I honestly don't care who it is.

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  94. Stu there are some nice 1985 single wide' always talking bout my job thats fine

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  95. Hey Martini,

    It's good to see another Aubie in our "neck of the woods" (Smith Lake, to be exact).

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  96. Anonymous9:11 AM

    He thinks 2-4 on the last 4.

    Jones - Arkansas
    Latt - USCe
    Whittaker - AU
    Lemonier - AU, said that a couple days ago thought FSU but now is thinking AU and pretty confident about it. Thinks the Whittaker pick up was the most important of them all.

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  97. wtc's Mom is the only recruiting analysis I follow. All others are pretenders.


    mytommyd - you're right about '08. Here's what JGT posted 2 days after NSD...

    I said yesterday on the blog that I'd give Auburn a C- or a D+. The final grade, the one that ends up in the paper, will be a tad higher.

    I look around and see some pretty good players. Raven Gray should be excellent. Jermaine Johnson should be excellent no later than 2009. Cameron Henderson has stud potential. I feel the same way about Jomarcus Savage, T'Sharvan Bell, Harry Adams, Reggie Hunt and Freddie Smooth. Any number of the other guys could emerge as Sen'Derrick Marks did two years ago.

    So I think the final grade will be a C+. A reasonable final day -- say Auburn got Enrique Davis and Robert Quinn -- would have me thinking B+. It's not fair to drop the grade so far based on two guys.

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  98. This place is going to BLOW UP tomorrow.

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  99. Movie: The Man Who Knew Too Much

    Director: Alfred Hitchcock

    Starring: WTC and his mom

    Plot: Don't remember much about it, but at a crucial point crootin crooner/expert Doris Day stands and sings:

    Que Sera, Sera...What will be, will be.

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  100. Guys... guys ....guys.... i Gene i Trust... we can get whoever we want if we show them the following:

    1. early playing time
    2. great offensives scheme everybody gets touches
    3. we were 8-5 last year and could've easily been 11-2....we need you!
    4. Who would not want to be in Jordan- Hare on a Saturday night playing football for this TEAM and our FANS!!!!

    WDE!!!! we get'em ALL!!!!

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  101. AU1N04

    that post at 9:00 is funny

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  102. wow, the number of folks on the 2008 list of signees (scroll about 40% down) who have made substantial contributions thus far is pitiful.

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  103. THT - did any of those guys play this year for Auburn?

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  104. Hey Ack, Jasper to be exact, liked Auburn so much I graduated twice, in '96 & '99...War Eagle!

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  105. Okay, it's official, I'm worthless in the office today! I can't stop reading AU Recruiting info!!!

    D@mn these sites...only kidding. I love this place! Thanks for all the info Jay G!

    On the Lattimore issue, I only post here, but I have followed one other person outside of this site when it comes to recruiting predictions this year. That guy is 100% (ST over at auburneagle.com). He has chimed in this morning on a few occasions that he heard something last night that still lends him to believe that Latt will come to AU.

    I'm not condoning the site, but just saying that he's batting 1.000 right now...

    There is hope.

    Heck, even the scout.com link above had 5+ instances where the "actual" was different than what either of the "experts" picked.

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  106. I don't know if someone has already posted it but one of Auburn old baseball players Gabe Gross has signed with the A's this year

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  107. yeah, and Deron Furr really helped!!!

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  108. mytommyd - I think some guy named Adams saw the field, at least the end zone part of it, on a regular basis.

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  109. Bigdaddy,

    Remember, you don't sell trailers, you sell 'Mobile Mansions'.

    (Mrs. Bigdaddy's words, not mine.)

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  110. To go along with what WTC spoke of earlier...the last couple of years around this time, "surprise" and "come out of nowhere" "sleepers" seem to emerge and declare for Auburn and other schools. The suspicious lack of said recruits leads me to believe we are to get who we're targeting.

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  111. I'm a Rays fan bigdaddy, so I hate to see our little piece of Auburn leave. That being said his production at the plate left alot to be desired last year. Hope he has a good year in Oakland.

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  112. My guess is that Auburn closes with both Lattimore and Lemonier and ends up #2 in Rivals/Scout/ESPN.

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  113. FSJ, you're alright.

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  114. Happy Birthday FSJ, hope it is a good one... just not too good, no birthday surprises from bama recruiting for you I hope.

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  115. Sorry THT - I was talking about the group that you listed @ 9:13

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  116. Yes a Happy Birthday to you, Fake Steve. What wake said.

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  117. Did my esteemed brother call this recruiting class only solid w/o Lattimore?

    I'm gonna have to knock some optimism into him.

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  118. Happy Birthday FSJ!

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  119. Here is my $.02 if it is even worth that.

    This class is ranked #3 even without anyone we have left. We all would love to have Latt. but he is not a necessity. I would be much happier if we could get all of our DL targets.

    My predictions are that we get Lemonier and Jones and I'm 60/40 on Latt.

    As far as backup plans look out for Mack Brown and D. Robinson.

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  120. FSJ, do walmartians age?

    Happy Birthday!

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  121. Also don't trust the national recruiting guys so much. I have noticed over the past few weeks that they are not really in tune with what is actually going on.

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  122. According to ESPN DJ Howard no longer coming to AU.

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  123. FSJ's birthday?

    I hope he has an incredibly happy one, and to maintain equilibrium, a Wednesday with an equivalent level of disappointment ;-)

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  124. Thanks guys and gals for the birthday wishes.

    Wish that I felt better today. Stupid sinus infection.

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  125. I'm with Ephemeral 100%. Getting so wrapped in all of this is only going to give you ulcers.

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  126. For what its worth I just saw that B. Mathews is going to cover Latt's announcement.

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  127. Don't spank the Latt doubters ... of which I am one. It's not a poor ol' Auburn poor-mouthing thing. I think our staff has done its best work this year. It's a great class.

    It's the fact that save a Friday visit, this kid has been in isolation for days, and only one school has his ear -- the home state one.

    This afternoon, he'll sit in a church with 600 people ... 550 of which want him to play for South Carolina.

    Logic of offensive systems, relative momentum of the program and the like don't matter.

    Be at peace with our effort, but don't be surprised or upset when he chooses the other guys.

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  128. Who's B. Matthews? We got Jay G!

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  129. No way were gettin Marcus, but Hoopie and Turfman and whoever else can call me out gohead and getcha some

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  130. I agree jhag, I would be pretty surprised if he comes to Auburn this summer

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  131. jhag,
    Play nice today :)

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  132. Jet - don't you go telling me I can't be surprised, cause I will be if he announces for the home state school. He sounds like a really good kid, so I wish him well wherever he goes.

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  133. Jet's not the boss of me. If I feel like it, I'll go all UT fan post-Kiffen announcement.

    Get some!

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  134. Jay G. Tate's ETA? I'm guessing about 2 EST. Anyone in communication with Homer?

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  135. THT/Norm ... Do I need to crank up the Silverado Extended Cab and head your way and whup your @$$e$?

    Do I?

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  136. Anonymous10:35 AM

    Lots of pessimism in here today ... Lattimore is AUs. Ain't calling anyone out just agreeing with THT and stating my opinion. (I tend to follow Cincy with the orange/blue glasses) Take it for what it's worth!

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  137. My mom says all you guys are a bunch of idiots

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  138. I ain't skeered, Jhag. Marcus is all O+B baby. Quit hanging out with the wannabes over at ThaRinger.

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  139. I love people in orange and blue glasses! I'm buying orange and blue glasses for everyone!!

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  140. Michael your mom said you still wet the bed

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  141. Does anyone have as much of a problem with the govt looking into the BCS as much as F-Baum?

    PF posited that part of the reason Obama is looking into it is b/c his press secretary Gibbs is from Auburn and might still be upset over 2004.

    I use to think that the govt looking into the BCS was a waste of the government's time, but let's face it, more than a sporting institution, the BCS is a big business, and I don't think it's uncalled for to investigate a business that may be operating unethically.

    Next, let's go after the NCAA who apparently ESPN says it's a done deal that the March Madness will expand to 96 teams, maybe as soon as next year. Tell me that decision isn't business related. There's no sporting motive there at all, no matter how they try to spin it.

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  142. Harrison,
    That was supposed to be kept a secret

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  143. THT-
    One more tech ?
    how do you mask your url's when you post?

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  144. So, Michael, you and your mom on speaking terms again?

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  145. I don't have nearly as big of a problem with the government as I do with Paul Finebaum. I am a firm believer in minimal censorship, if any, however, I wish someone would take his mic away and send him to BK to work with his plants.

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  146. Jet, bring it brother. I ain't afeared of you.

    My point to everyone is, I'm not going to let what any 17/18 year old boy does or doesn't do negatively impact my life. I'll be able to say that for another 14 years until F4* reaches that age, then I'll definitely be impacted. It's not uncommon at all for me to lose a significant amount of sleep but I can assure you that it's never been due to anything sports related.

    So having said that, if AU gets every current verbal commit to sign this week then I'm excited about the future. If we get Lattimore or other ?'s to sign then I'm even more excited.

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  147. E-Bro, I saw a story about that on tv awhile back. It's DEFINITELY all about the $$$$$$.

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  148. Jimmy - I'm a tech dud. Mask? What does that mean?

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  149. Jimmy, et. al. -
    "name you want to call the link"
    This should allow for hyperlink in your HABOTN post

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  150. Yeh! What Norm said.... except, of course, the part about not being afeared. But I'm not worried. I can run faster than Jet, as long as I don't step in a hole.

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  151. Yeah THT, I am cool with my mom again. We bonded over the fact that all of yall are a bunch of idiots.

    And Harrison, sure, I wet the bed. But it is on purpose. I am just lazy I guess.

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  152. That didn't work as I'd intended

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  153. Do I need to list the important issues America is dealing with right now? I'm much more concerned about getting our huge deficit figured out and getting the economy righted than I am who plays in the National championship.

    The gov't has no business sticking their nose in sports issues. If it was a safety issue I wouldn't have as big of a problem, but this is simply silly.

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  154. Jimmy, if you want to shoot me an email, I can reply with the code to do that.

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  155. Jimmy/Norm, just wait til SteveFC wakes up. He can post it here. Or any of us could email it Jimmy if he provides an address.

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  156. great minds think alike, and sometimes so do other minds.

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  157. Wake...I hear ya, but it's called mutli-tasking.

    Like I said, it's not really a sporting issue that the govt is looking into, it's a business one.

    Because that's what the BCS is, a business, not a sporting entity.

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  158. Unfortunately, I am convinced that Lat goes to USCe.

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  159. Aubie,
    What convinces you?

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  160. In re F-Bomb column ...

    It was a gratuitously easy column to write:

    1. Bash an unpopular president
    2. Bash Congress
    3. Take a shot at Auburn

    Solid column writing is honest, insightful, and challenges the reader to think.

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  161. If the IRS wants to look at their books thats fine. I guess a case could be made that they are a monopoly but how is forcing a playoff going to solve that?

    I don't want the government telling any sporting organization how they have to determine their championship.

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  162. Dang it...I retract my previous optimism re: Lattimore to AU. He is going to be wearking the Chicken on his helmet after all.

    Props to Jhag and others.

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  163. Cincy,
    My source says coaches got a call last night from Lat.

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  164. OK, so what has happened that is causing all this surety that Lat is going to USCe? Has he made some announcement? What are you hearing that is convincing you of this?

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  165. I don't understand the whole dead period/quiet period thing until signing day, but is there a chance that the AU coaches try to flip Grant if the Lattimore stuff is true?

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  166. So that only leaves Jones, Lemonier and a surprise. ;)

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  167. I think the Obama is looking into it because he wants to look better then he is. It is a good move by his part

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  168. Yeah, I guess my point is, I don't think either Obama or Hatch are going to spend a whole lot of time on this.

    They'll outsource the deal or let some other staff handle it. It'll just be under the umbrella of their offices.

    F-Baum is committing a bit of hyperbole (imagine that) by think Obama or Hatch is really on some sort of crusade to go after the BCS.

    They'll probably spend like ten minutes total reading some brief and then move on to other things.

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  169. Why the change of heart Seanzie?

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  170. wtc, would you ask your mom if any of her sources have heard anything like that?

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  171. Go check the very top sticky at the board we read, CH.

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  172. Your right bigdaddy, its nothing but a PR gimmick. Obama is sliding in popularity polls, popular opinion says the BCS sucks, so it makes sense to go after it.

    I just want to government to stay out of football.

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  173. For those posting opinions of "experts", please show me where one of the "experts" predicted Auburn having a top 10 recruiting class 6 months ago and I will be interested in what that "expert" has to say. Otherwise, I am sure the "experts" will tend to pick the home state school to be on the safe side.

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  174. From Chris Low’s SEC Blog at ESPN.com

    One of the interesting things about Alabama losing Allen so late in the game is that Auburn is likely to pass the Crimson Tide in the final recruiting rankings...For Auburn to even be in a position to have a higher ranked class than Alabama speaks volumes about the job Gene Chizik and his staff have done.

    http://bit.ly/9WAmx8

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  175. The Obama administration may look into the BCS at the request of Orin Hatch. Hatch (R-Utah) has his nose out of joint about the annual Utah snub.
    It's all about bipartisanship (and ball bearings) these days, folks.

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  176. To be quite frank, CFB is a business just like any other business. There are anti-trust laws in place for any and all businesses, save those that are exempt, like utilities. Last I checked the BCS wasn't and if it violates anti-trust rights and keeps perfectly good schools from a bigger pay day then it needs to be investigated.

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  177. For those of you wondering how to post a link, it is done like this:

    <a href="URL">Title</a>

    It is pretty simply once you lear the format.

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  178. There is also a similar hearing/investigation going on with the NFL and how they conduct their business.

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  179. I have some bad news for the hotties.
    As was posted a few minutes ago, Lattimore called the coaches last night and told them he is signing with SoCarolina.
    In other news, after they got the call, guess who called? and we said take it somewhere else.
    We will sign Ryan Smith Wednesday as a DB. Also hav a surprise up our sleeve that will help alieviate the Lattimore decision. AU will feel real good about the surprise.

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  180. If Congress can't find more important things to do than worrying about football, they should be fired.

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  181. FYI, Orrin Hatch was the first to cry foul about the BCS.

    He's a Republican.

    Obama said before he was elected he might try to throw some of his weight around to change the BCS. He was popular then when he said it. It's not like this is the first time he's considered action.

    I know most here are against too much government action, and I respect that, but I thought most wanted a playoff. Obama might help with that.

    In the end, he probably won't. I don't in any way see how this action ends up with the BCS going to playoff b/c the govt told it to.

    But it wouldn't break my heart if it did. The BCS is a broken system. Yes, it gets it right from time to time (2009, 2005), but usually not (2004, 2006, 2007, 2008).

    The BCS was a better system than we previously had in college football. Now it's time to improve it even further.

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  182. E-Bro, just because someone is a democrat or republican doesn't make them an idiot. Being a politician seems to, though.

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  183. Apropos of nothing, but I saw something pretty amusing yesterday evening. I had just pulled into the back parking lot of my office after running a few errands. There are a bunch of feral cats that live in the woods behind the lot. I noticed a pair of them engaged in reproductive activity, with a line of about 4 or 5 male cats waiting their turn. I was already kind of chuckling about the waiting in line, when a raccoon emerged from the drain next to my car. He kept looking over at the cats, then ambled over toward them. I'm thinking, "No way!". He walked to within about ten feet of the cats, then just sat down on his haunches and watched. He stayed for about five minutes, then finally headed over toward a dumpster. I guess he's either into cat porn, or maybe that was kind of like dinner and a movie.

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  184. For the record, I'm more of a plus one guy myself.

    I don't think we need eight to sixteen teams to find a national championship.

    But what's wrong with four teams?

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  185. guess who called? and we said take it somewhere else.

    I give up. Is he from west of Natchitoches?

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  186. If he had got some other things done first and life was looking up I might say hey take a look Obama but things don't look any better (some might say a little bit some may say worse)All I am saying is get what needs to be done done then play with the BCS if he wants to.

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  187. That was funny. Animals watch porn.

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  188. I don't really see the BCS any better than what we had before. Boise State and Bama ended up co-national champs this season. It is the same deal over and over again. The national championship is pretty much meaningless until they come up with a better system.

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  189. I bet it was DJ Howard. He officially ruled us out today.

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  190. I'm all for improving the system... I don't want a full blown playoff, but that is beside the point.

    There are alot of things in my life that I would like to change, I just don't want the government doing it.

    This is quickly turning into a full on political discussion... Jay G is no big fan of those so I will leave it alone.

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