montgomeryadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:
7.16.2010

The Five I'm Watching: Part V

Hey everyone. So we're at No. 5 on the list, but that's not enough for me.

In these hard times, I want to provide more value for your $0 investment here. One guy who is immensely intriguing fell into the sixth slot and he deserves a moment in the HABOTN sun.

So you'll get a BONUS player on Saturday. Consider it a summer miracle.

And now ... on with the countdown. Number Five.

ONTERIO McCALEBB
Tailback/Wildcat
  • Age: 20
  • Class: Sophomore (three seasons of eligibility remaining)
  • Size: 5-10, approximately 175 pounds
  • Previous roles: Second-choice tailback and kickoff return man. Then he became an injured tailback and return man.
  • Theme song: ``Break," Three Days Grace
  • Relevant lyric: "If you can't stand the way this place is ... take yourself to higher places."


THE GOOD: Our own Sensi asked me one day last year why I liked McCalebb so much. My response: He's fast as hell. That's why many people here refer to McCalebb simply as FAH. And he is quite fast. He's fast side to side. He's fast in a straight line. Despite a smallish frame, McCalebb runs like he's Brandon Jacobs. He has no problem challenging larger guys in one-on-one situations. McCalebb is like Carnell Williams in that sense. Both guys are fearless. McCalebb has some receiving instincts. He doesn't seem prone to fumbles. He made several critical assignment problems early last season, but seemed to be making progress before suffering his ankle injury became a deal-breaker in October. He grew up under remarkably difficult circumstances, which could have condemned him to a life of poverty. McCalebb instead used the situation as motivation to seek a better life. That element cannot be understated. McCalebb is running from his past and he knows it.

THE BAD: He doesn't look like a football player. He's rail thin. Though McCalebb seems completely rehabilitated from the high-ankle sprain that undermined him in October and November, there is concern that his lack of size puts him at increased risk for injury. He works hard in the weight room to add bulk. Still, he may never crack the 190-pound barrier. McCalebb missed too many pass-block assignments last season, which prevented offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn from using the freshman in one-back sets for the most part. He'll never be the rah-rah kind of player who prompts improvements in his teammates. McCalebb keeps to himself and rarely criticizes anyone -- even privately.

THE REALITY: He would have been the primary breakout guy last season (supplanting Darvin Adams) had he not injured his left ankle against Ball State. McCalebb was among league leaders in total yards at the time. Can he be a No. 1 tailback? That's still unknown, but the point is moot this year. McCalebb will be sharing the ball with Mario Fannin. McCalebb could emerge as an option at the Wildcat position, too, which adds plenty of touchdown opportunities. I'm forecasting 175 carries, 900 yards, 12 rushing touchdowns.

What do you think? Speak your mind!

Photo credit: Todd Van Emst/Auburn University

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

105 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Didn't read the article so's I could be first

4:58 PM  
Blogger Tar Heel Tiger said...

Hoopie is FAH

4:59 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

JG ...Without reading your article, my only concern with FAH:

Is he still FAH?

4:59 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

THT ..I'm 54 and broken, so don't let a little bit of lucky timing fool ya.

5:00 PM  
Blogger Tar Heel Tiger said...

I'll go with 110 carries.

5:02 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I've been commandeered to go pick blueberries with the family. There will be a nice dinner and wine later so ..I've got that going for me.

luego.

5:02 PM  
Blogger Tar Heel Tiger said...

Unless of course, they've moved him to Safety, in which case he'll get zero carries.

5:03 PM  
Blogger Tar Heel Tiger said...

Summer miracles and Bonus players!!! It's promotions like those that will convince me to renew my subscription!!! Thanks, JGT!!!

5:06 PM  
Blogger Taylor said...

OM is a safety! he is also 6'10 which allows him to blok field goals better than alton moore

5:07 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

He's still FAH. Yes.

5:08 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

... and he's now back at tailback.

5:09 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

... and a foot shorter.

5:12 PM  
Blogger Tar Heel Tiger said...

He would have been the primary breakout guy last season..had he not injured his left ankle

I hope I'm surprised when he makes it through the season unscathed. If he does, I will be. He looks so frail.

5:12 PM  
Blogger Norm said...

I hate it when I inexplicably lose as much as a foot in my overall height.

5:13 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

I'm with you, THT.

He has to learn to run differently to keep him alive ... but the coaches want him to stay aggressive. It's a tough call.

5:14 PM  
Blogger Taylor said...

picked up my Auburn Texas License Plate today

it is sweet

https://www.myplates.com/UIDisplayPlateImage.aspx?PlateID=5903440a-bcfe-48cc-80b1-55e343f44334

5:14 PM  
Blogger ehyou said...

Some states collegiate plates are better than others. That's a swell looking one Taylor.

5:16 PM  
Blogger Tar Heel Tiger said...

Taylor - that thing looks much better than the North Carolina AU plate.

5:16 PM  
Blogger Norm said...

Taylor, that's pretty nice right there.

5:16 PM  
Blogger ehyou said...

I understand there's a trade-off with speed, but another 15 pounds for McCalebb would be just about right.

5:17 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

I want my Transylvania U. plate!

5:17 PM  
Blogger Taylor said...

Yeah - the AL one is terrible...my sisters are all envious of my sweet looking plate

5:17 PM  
Blogger Tar Heel Tiger said...

I generally deplore RBs going out of bounds, but I'd tell FAH to get as many yds as he can then get OOB or slide before getting snapped like a twig.

5:18 PM  
Blogger Taylor said...

JGT - that is some wow right there

5:18 PM  
Blogger ehyou said...

It's a travesty Tranny U didn't make the short list for AL plates.

5:19 PM  
Blogger Norm said...

Translvania U is such a cool name, I almost wish I'd gone to school there.

5:19 PM  
Blogger Tar Heel Tiger said...

I have nothing against the school, but that color? Ugh. I'll be back after I go to the emergency eye wash station in the lab.

5:19 PM  
Blogger Taylor said...

norm....almost. haha

5:20 PM  
Blogger ehyou said...

I always thought Cadillac was smallish for a RB. He had over 30 lbs on McCalebb at this age. Ouch.

5:26 PM  
Blogger Tar Heel Tiger said...

McCalebb has thirty pounds on me at the same age. Just wait til he gets married and starts getting fed. I've got 10 pounds on him now, so HA!

5:31 PM  
Blogger Tar Heel Tiger said...

^
^
^
^
^ y

I feel better now.

5:33 PM  
Blogger Honey said...

Taylor,
Love the AU plate. Very sharp looking.

5:41 PM  
Blogger Dear Leader said...

Not worried about size...
I want FAH,,, if I wanted Big I would ask for BAH = Ladarious Phillips

5:46 PM  
Blogger Dear Leader said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

5:46 PM  
Blogger Tar Heel Tiger said...

DL sighting! Complete with itty bitty towel. Oh my stars!

5:50 PM  
Blogger E-Bro said...

Am I the only one who missed FAH's Brandon Jacobs like running ability. From what I recall, the guy looked to get out of bounds instead of taking the hit every time (which he should).

Did this only start occurring after the injury? I don't remember him ever trying to take on guys physically.

5:55 PM  
Blogger Dear Leader said...

SUP THT..


Been traveling a ton with work... so I have been out of touch a little..I got the kids tonight so i have some time to catch up with the JGT fan club....

5:59 PM  
Blogger Norm said...

DL - I saw this and couldn't help but think of you.

6:05 PM  
Blogger Norm said...

For the countries, not because of an implied lack of geography or history knowledge.

6:10 PM  
Blogger Dear Leader said...

Norm
ya gotta ask yourself - can anyone be this stupid????

then you say yes, the people who actually put her into office...

it staggers the imagination..

6:18 PM  
Blogger Dear Leader said...

JGT...
ya gotta do a story on Ladarious Phillips... i saw his youtube highlight vid.

this guy is huge, inquiring minds wanna know about Mr BAH

6:19 PM  
Blogger Dear Leader said...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPH4xIH8Zic

6:21 PM  
Blogger Tar Heel Tiger said...

I'd like to know what his weight was in the HS video. I bet it was 30 lbs less than what he reportedly weighed (290) when he got to AU.

6:23 PM  
Blogger Dear Leader said...

Norm,

back at ya..

Hank Johnson concerned about Guam capsizing due to to many troops.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9R-cQ_A_6w

Our leaders.....

6:24 PM  
Blogger Norm said...

DL - don't forget about one of her counterparts from our neck of the woods, Hank Johnson and his concerns about Guam tipping over if too many people were on it.

6:26 PM  
Blogger Norm said...

Well look at that. Great minds (ours) thinking of the same thing at the same time.

6:26 PM  
Blogger Tar Heel Tiger said...

time to shoot pucks in the basement. Who's with me?

6:29 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

McCalebb was willing to shoot inside holes last season. They were demanding that he run outside against Georgia.

I wish I could splice football footage easily here. I have the games on DVD ... but it would take two days to encode them into proper format. One game. Two days.

6:40 PM  
Blogger Tar Heel Tiger said...

JGT - I'll just take your word for it.

6:48 PM  
Blogger ehyou said...

So it's beyond the capacity of the latest Mac video editing software?

6:51 PM  
Blogger Tar Heel Tiger said...

speaking of video/photo editing...

Do we have any Hotties who could take an image of a NC map and make it look like a hooked fish snapping a fishing line?

Don't ask, it's corny

6:53 PM  
Blogger Wakeriderof87 said...

I would be happy to tht but unfortunately I have no idea how I would do that

6:56 PM  
Blogger Norm said...

Homer - maybe that video loading issue won't be such a problem on this rumored fancy new site?

6:57 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

If I recall correctly, the FAH handle came after someone asked how he seens him fitting in. Jay responded, he's fast as hell, that's how he fits in. But maybe that is just my poor memory.

7:00 PM  
Blogger Wakeriderof87 said...

That's my memory as well Steve

7:03 PM  
Blogger ehyou said...

Somebody needs to read the article.

7:04 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

I'm talking about encoding video from DVD to my MacBook Pro. I need one of those fancy quad-core Super Duper computers.

I don't have that .... yet.

It's part of my plan for world domination.

7:05 PM  
Blogger Norm said...

Encoding video... MacBook Pro... that's just nerdy talk right there.

7:07 PM  
Blogger ehyou said...

I guess it's right up your alley then Norm.

7:10 PM  
Blogger Tar Heel Tiger said...

world domination... I thought that was Jet's plan.

7:13 PM  
Blogger Tar Heel Tiger said...

ESPN's Len Pasquarelli or Pascasomethingorother is a big Jason Campbell fan

7:14 PM  
Blogger Norm said...

Butthead. I don't know nuthin' 'bout no video encoding or MacBook Pro (or amateur). Now, you wanna talk about Host servers, LUNS, mitigating a SAN design which did not properly account VM slices, high-availability implementations, Enterprise-wide backups, archival solutions, or some other things? Well, I may or may not be your man. I'm not admitting to anything either way.

7:15 PM  
Blogger Tar Heel Tiger said...

Check out his occupation


looks like one day there's going to be a pi$$n match in the Gump between two world dominator wannabes. The winner gets to take on the winner of the other bracket... King of Eurasia vs. little Korean dictator.

7:17 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

Norm, way to be dismissive without being dismissive.

7:20 PM  
Blogger ehyou said...

If you're going for world domination, a good first step is to create a ray to deflate every inflatable in the tri-state area. It is advised however that you don't mount it to your blimp.

7:20 PM  
Blogger coosa said...

Excellent series, JGT, I have enjoyed reading it.

7:22 PM  
Blogger Norm said...

Homer - I'm clever like that.

ehyou - you probably also want to get the model without the "Self-destruct" button too.

7:26 PM  
Blogger Tar Heel Tiger said...

Hotties, please remember Ed Dyas in your prayers.

7:27 PM  
Blogger Tar Heel Tiger said...

do y'all realize we're 49 days and 23 hours til kickoff?

(random assumption of a 6:30 pm CDT kickoff)

7:30 PM  
Blogger Dear Leader said...

If ya all want to talk world domination...

Gather Round, take a seat and

rern rom ra raster...

dl

7:54 PM  
Blogger Baldy said...

I love the Rep. Hank Johnson video. The Admiral does and "Admiralable" job of not breaking out in explosive laughter when Johnson mentions the possibility of Guam tipping over. He should have paused, taken a sip of water and just stared at Rep. Johnson for about 60 seconds, and then quietly gathered up his belongings and exited the room. It's too bad jokers like this can hold an office.

8:28 PM  
Blogger Jet said...

It was DAH to run a fake punt against Ball State and get FAH hurt, and I'll be SAH if something like that happens again this year.

9:16 PM  
Blogger ehyou said...

I expected not much good when I saw kawakami and he sure didn't disappoint.

10:01 PM  
Blogger Honey said...

I wish they had traded him when they traded Escobar. Maybe he will be next.

10:02 PM  
Blogger Honey said...

I'm so ready for some Auburn football. Or at least for wtc's mother to give us some exciting news.

10:07 PM  
Blogger Jet said...

Kawakami is 93 octane.

10:18 PM  
Blogger WarEagleRK said...

Just got back from the Braves game. Fun times, but what a bad game for the home team.

Jet,

You are so right on the fake that got FAH hurt. No need for that in a blowout game vs Ball State.

1:05 AM  
Blogger Tar Heel Tiger said...

Rise and shine, Hotties!

7 weeks!!! T-minus 49 days til kickoff

GO TIGERS!!!

WARRRRRRRRR EAGLE!!!

4:41 AM  
Blogger Dear Leader said...

whoo whooo.... i smell football

4:50 AM  
Blogger Norm said...

I've already risen and am shining. I too smell football. About to go put a run in then meet Hot Wife, F4* and some friends for breakfast. Maybe it won't rain on me.

Kamikaze's days in the bigs as a Brave had better be numbered. He's only still there because no one else really wants him and the Braves are holding the high hand. One way or another, he'd be wise to be boxing up his belongings because moving day is coming.

Keep Hate Alive.

5:45 AM  
Blogger Tar Heel Tiger said...

I get to spend 4 hours stocking shelves at the BuyMore SuperCenter today in anticipation of the 16 hour Summer Blowout Sale and Giveaway tomorrow.

Yippee... NOT

6:44 AM  
Blogger Honey said...

I was wide awake at 5:30 this morning :( On a Saturday! I can't believe I have turned into an old person who can't sleep late.

But, when I woke up, it was one day closer to Auburn football :)

7:02 AM  
Blogger Tar Heel Tiger said...

taking a quick break from work to see that only a few Hotties are up and about this morning.

7:54 AM  
Blogger Tar Heel Tiger said...

Don't y'all realize what today is?

7:54 AM  
Blogger Tar Heel Tiger said...

It's BONUS SUBSTANCE SATURDAY!!!

7:55 AM  
Blogger Tar Heel Tiger said...

But before we get to that, it's time for...

7:55 AM  
Blogger Tar Heel Tiger said...

BEASLEY!!!!

7:55 AM  
Blogger Tar Heel Tiger said...

and a
HELLLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO to DA and the other fine folks in
Kennesaw, GA!!

7:56 AM  
Blogger Tar Heel Tiger said...

and with my banhammer-worthy seventh consecutive post, let me say that it's time to get back to work.

WARRRRRRRR EAGLE!!!!!

7:57 AM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

Where's my hammer?

8:50 AM  
Blogger Jet said...

Sounds like Jay G is the kinda fella that wants to cast the first stone.

Me? I'm with you folks. Ima forgive 'n' forget Christian.

8:53 AM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

PAPPY!

9:05 AM  
Blogger wtc said...

5 mile run then 21 miles on the road bike. Glad that is over. About to put down some grub before I head over to AU and make sure daughters apartment is ready to move out.
I have a washer and dryer for sale if anyone needs one. Good price.

10:04 AM  
Blogger Norm said...

5+ mile run on a very wet greenway/creekside trail, had to slog through four 6" deep large puddles (one had a fish) thanks to the immense rain we had last night. I did not put in an additional 21 miles on my bike. Got my grub on, now F4* and I are about to hit the pool.

10:49 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

I read on the world leader in sports, namely the Bleacher Report, someone thinking Malzahn would be a great fit at Vandy.

I find this hilarious. Yes, I do think Malzahn will leave soon, likely after this season, but heading to Vandy would be for someone looking for a school to end his head coaching career at, not begin it. Win 10 or 11 games at Auburn this season and head to a major program paying major bucks. Vandy isn't it.

11:36 AM  
Blogger digger4au said...

I just hope FAH stays healthy, he can motor with the ball.
Seeing some say he would be good at the Wildcat positon makes one ask can he throw and accurate pass for 20 + yards? If not he is not the MAN.

11:46 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

FAH seems like a kid that deserves to have some good come his way. I do wish him all the best. The kid seems to have a lot of guts.

11:53 AM  
Blogger Jet said...

I've not had anything to eat today so I'm HAH.

12:06 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

I wonder if we will get any PPL substance. I think being known as CTFs favorite may be hindering him.

12:21 PM  
Blogger Jay G. Tate said...

PPL substance. Yeah. That's it.

12:35 PM  
Blogger Jet said...

Jay G ...

Love to see the 5 Most Overrated Players of the Jay Gizzle Era.

12:51 PM  
Blogger Tar Heel Tiger said...

Leon Hart
Greg Smith
Raven Gray (not necessarily his fault since his knee got destroyed)

is that a good start?

1:01 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

The five most overrated list is easy. Just take a look at all the five star recruits we have had this decade. Obamanu succeeded, but wasn't all world. Trey Blackmon or Brandon Jacobs did okay. Doug Smith is, well, Doug Smith. And don't forget Kodi.

1:02 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Heart and Gray are definitely up there too. Over the last decade, five stars have basically been the kiss of death.

1:03 PM  
Blogger Tar Heel Tiger said...

But those 8 star recruits are da bomb!

7:52 PM  

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home


follow me on Twitter

• THE RING OF FIRE •
INAUGURAL CLASS
Phormerly Phred
Scottie B. in Tennessee
crudup
Hoopie
Ron Mexico
hip-hopanonymous
AUnMobilz
Sullivan013
Scott from Tucson
scottatl
jhag **FRANCHISE PLAYER**

CLASS OF 2008
Peter Frankenschmidt
Mr. Sensible
WarEagleRK

CLASS OF 2009
eddie4au
FakeSteveJobs (aka FSJ)
AUBigCat
michael
Steve from Columbia (aka SteveFC)
kristina
Jet

WHERE EAGLES SOAR
AUFan365 was Larry Bailey, 1948-2010

FEELING THE HEAT
WarEagleGirl
TarHeelTiger
Kathy
D. Miller
Dear Leader
j-z
Norm
digger4au
Harrison
LuvAU1968
cincytiger
mytommyd (is supposed to be mrtommyd)
ehyoutiger
wtc
IV
wakeriderof87
Sean
Scott Chocolate
NoVaTiger
Taylor
BinOBA
wes
Aeronaut
chip chip
Spongeworthy
Loganville Tiger
E-Bro
Ephemeral
au1n04
FearlessFreep
coosa
bear82
wartiger
patdyeswildturkey
atlantatiger
JD the Biscuitator
shesaid
depressedAUfan
dnatl

NOTABLE NEWCOMERS
Cousin Humpers = Bammers (aka CH=B)
dan dan the AU fan
bellefay1
API
Jay 'W. not Tate'
missinit
Craig Miller
AU1292
MLF
Comm'r of Flesh Wounds
Stupup74
61northak
Jimmy
bigdaddy334
Secondaid
Andrew
SCoats
astatguy
Jason Crawford
paulmain
Lowcountry Tiger
BigEZ
Will
WDCWE

MY PEEPS
Wifey
cpf
GritzNGravy
roundtable
Josh_Moon
MrsFrontRim & FrontRim
ChuckCrim
troyznoiz

FIRST DOCUMENTED POSTER
Buck

BANHAMMERED
Hamburglar
ROLLTIDEROLL
hairydawg
DavidOku
Jay_G (an impostor)
WarEagleogDotCom

Powered by Blogger

Subscribe to
Posts [Atom]

Advertisement