aubiefifty 16,740 Posted June 25, 2017 Share Posted June 25, 2017 Malzahn wants OL options sorted out early in camp Matthew Stevens , Montgomery Advertiser 5-6 minutes CLOSE Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn at AMBUSH alumni event in Lake Martin. Matthew Stevens AUBURN — Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn made it clear he wants his starting offensive line figured out early in preseason camp starting at the end of next month. Malzahn, and more importantly offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey along offensive line coach Herb Hand, did a lot of mixing and matching with the returning personnel during the spring practices. However, at an alumni function at Lake Martin earlier this month, Malzahn said Auburn will have at least three new, unique pieces to play with starting this summer. “We brought the two fifth-year guys in for depth. They’ll be competing for playing time so it’ll be some good competition early,” Malzahn said June 8. More:Ring the Bell: Auburn coaches hoping Florida State grad transfer OL solves issue at LG And so despite questions still being answered as Auburn tries to find replacement for departing seniors Alex Kozan and Robert Leff while also trying to find the right positions for returning veterans Braden Smith and Prattville native Austin Golson, Malzahn also isn’t going to be patient with these decisions as the Tigers will likely have a new quarterback with Jarrett Stidham. “Obviously you want five guys in the same positions sooner rather than later so that will be the big thing early in (preseason) camp,” Malzahn said. Auburn will immediately work graduate transfers Wilson Bell and Casey Dunn into interior positions on the first-string offensive line to see if they can earn starting spots. “You can tell they’re mature guys. You can tell they’ve played a lot of football,” Malzahn said. “They’re just veteran guys. That’s the reason we brought them in." It is anticipated Bell, a Mobile native coming from Florida State, will be given every opportunity to win the left guard job. Dunn, a two-time Division I-AA All-American at Jacksonville State, will be worked in at center and guard in order to possibly move Golson back to tackle. “Any time you can get a guy that's got that type of experience and has excelled at it, he's going to be a nice addition,” Hand said about Dunn’s arrival at Auburn. “He's going to be a good fit with our guys too from a chemistry standpoint — his demeanor, his approach, his whole deal. I'm excited about getting him here.” Golson was one of 63 college centers named to the 2017 Rimington Trophy preseason watch list Monday, one of eight SEC centers on the list. The 6-foot-5, 312-pound senior has started 24 games for Auburn since transferring from Ole Miss. If Golson stays at center, the left tackle question could get answered with a one of the nation’s most talented incoming freshmen. “Every snap I take I feel like I’m going to put our O-line in a good situation and I’m going to be able to execute my assignment,” Golson said this spring. “I think it’s good that the guys around me trust me. Hopefully we can keep gaining that trust and keep getting better with that.” More:Auburn’s offensive line shuffle will continue into fall camp At the Lake Martin "Ambush Tour" stop, Malzahn stressed that five-star offensive lineman Calvin Ashley will be able to possibly earn a starting role. The Tigers' fifth-year head coach has repeatedly mentioned that he remembers the Tigers only got two starting seasons out of Greg Robinson before he was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft. Malzahn said he’s already getting “good reports” out of Ashley. The cornerstone of Auburn’s 2017 recruiting class has enrolled in summer classes and been involved in summer workouts with the strength and conditioning staff. Braden Smith was the last true freshman offensive lineman to start a game when he opened the 2014 Outback Bowl, but Lee Ziemba was the first true freshman offensive lineman to open a season as a starter, in 2007. “When we recruited (Ashley), we talked about (early playing time),” Malzahn said. “He’ll have his opportunity to show what he can do early in (preseason) camp. I know he’s got that mindset that he wants to play right away so that’s always good for a young lineman too.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AUld fAUx@ 2,584 Posted June 25, 2017 Share Posted June 25, 2017 Me too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oracle79 3,569 Posted June 25, 2017 Share Posted June 25, 2017 1 hour ago, aubiefifty said: “Obviously you want five guys in the same positions sooner rather than later so that will be the big thing early in (preseason) camp,” Malzahn said. This will be his most important decision in his coaching career thus far. He can't afford to get this one wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAG 33,964 Posted June 25, 2017 Share Posted June 25, 2017 As he should. This will make or break our team on both sides of the ball. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TigerWar 82 Posted June 25, 2017 Share Posted June 25, 2017 I think when it's all said and done, Auburn will feature one of the best and most experienced offensive line in all of football. I believe Phil Steele said we were the 3rd in the nation with most OL returning experience...the same OL that helped lead the way for our Tigers to the #1 running attack in the SEC and #6 in the nation last season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WFE12 9,191 Posted June 25, 2017 Share Posted June 25, 2017 Can't possibly go wrong with all this competition on the o-line...Right Gus? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homersapien 11,357 Posted June 25, 2017 Share Posted June 25, 2017 I don't understand why moving Golson to tackle is being considered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AUpreacherman22 3,884 Posted June 25, 2017 Share Posted June 25, 2017 #truth LT - you're set with James (if Ashley beats him in the first 2 weeks of camp, fine by me!) C - DO NOT MOVE GOLSON!!! If you didn't learn from last year, then Lord help us!!! RG - Horton was a beast in limited playing time last year! He is ready!!! RT - Its obvious you wanna move BSmith here. Fine. If the Princes aren't ready yet and this is the best options, I'm cool with that. LG - It sounds like the plan is for Bell to win that. Ok! If not, I think leaving Smith at RG, Horton to LG, and PTW or Ashley at RT. Whatever they decide to do, I agree that it needs to be decided very early in fall camp and stick with it! I DO NOT want the coaches to still be figuring out the OL during the 3rd week of the season!!! I also hope they already have a plan B at every position before the first game. Dunn at C should be a nobrainer. The Princes and Ashley are great options at T. I'm not sure about next man up at G with the above starting 5? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timeslider 6 269 Posted June 25, 2017 Share Posted June 25, 2017 I think a lot of this is just alumni dinner discussion, so just take these clubs speeches for what they are. This is talk to keep the base fired up, the real discussion will be about 2 weeks into fall camp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigger1985 806 Posted June 26, 2017 Share Posted June 26, 2017 10 hours ago, homersapien said: I don't understand why moving Golson to tackle is being considered. Then you didn't see Braden get owned by TAM or Clemson? James lazy butt got blown by several times also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abw0004 10,110 Posted June 26, 2017 Share Posted June 26, 2017 5 hours ago, Tigger1985 said: Then you didn't see Braden get owned by TAM or Clemson? James lazy butt got blown by several times also. You are kidding right? Braden Smith is our best offensive linemen and already has high draft grades for the NFL next year. Those two games you mentioned the line was not in stone yet, and no one knew what was going on with the different sets they were running. 12 hours ago, AUpreacherman22 said: LG - It sounds like the plan is for Bell to win that. Ok! If not, I think leaving Smith at RG, Horton to LG, and PTW or Ashley at RT. I really do not want Bell to start and I do not understand why we got him (outside of shoring up depth) He could not win the starting job on one of the worst offensive lines in the country last year. He will also only be here for one year, so we will be stuck with a problem of finding a starter next year. I would rather see one of our guys start that will be here next year, or the year after. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAG 33,964 Posted June 26, 2017 Share Posted June 26, 2017 13 minutes ago, abw0004 said: You are kidding right? Braden Smith is our best offensive linemen and already has high draft grades for the NFL next year. Those two games you mentioned the line was not in stone yet, and no one knew what was going on with the different sets they were running. I really do not want Bell to start and I do not understand why we got him (outside of shoring up depth) He could not win the starting job on one of the worst offensive lines in the country last year. He will also only be here for one year, so we will be stuck with a problem of finding a starter next year. I would rather see one of our guys start that will be here next year, or the year after. How about start the best player , despite of whatever past he has ? Next years problem is next years problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abw0004 10,110 Posted June 26, 2017 Share Posted June 26, 2017 1 hour ago, DAG said: How about start the best player , despite of whatever past he has ? Next years problem is next years problem. That is what I am saying though and I do agree with what you said. I don't think he is the best player. I watched film of him at Florida State. I do not see Bell being better than James based off of that, or any of last year's back-ups. So if it is a toss up on who to start, I would vote to start a guy who has multiple years of eligibility left. I do see a case for Dunn to start, although I fully trust Golson at center. I think he plays really well there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triangletiger 1,599 Posted June 26, 2017 Share Posted June 26, 2017 7 hours ago, Tigger1985 said: Then you didn't see Braden get owned by TAM or Clemson? James lazy butt got blown by several times also. Braden wasn't owned against TA&M; he was put into an impossible situation by the playcalling of having to pull and block Myles Garrett - an elite pass rusher. I don't care who you have at Guard, that's a tall order. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AUpreacherman22 3,884 Posted June 26, 2017 Share Posted June 26, 2017 2 minutes ago, triangletiger said: Braden wasn't owned against TA&M; he was put into an impossible situation by the playcalling of having to pull and block Myles Garrett - an elite pass rusher. I don't care who you have at Guard, that's a tall order. Yep. That was called a stupid play call. And absolutely baffling that we tried it multiple times!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarDamnEagleWDE 12,737 Posted June 26, 2017 Share Posted June 26, 2017 39 minutes ago, triangletiger said: Braden wasn't owned against TA&M; he was put into an impossible situation by the playcalling of having to pull and block Myles Garrett - an elite pass rusher. I don't care who you have at Guard, that's a tall order. Smith got worked pretty good against Clemson. Worst game he has graded out at while playing for AU. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McLoofus 35,182 Posted June 26, 2017 Share Posted June 26, 2017 18 hours ago, homersapien said: I don't understand why moving Golson to tackle is being considered. He was our best center last year. That doesn't mean that it's his best position or that we don't have a better center this year. He never once played the position before 2015. He's still only got 2 years under his belt, and it's not like he's had much stability or consistent coaching in that time. We have a new OC and QB this year, so there's not as much continuity to be lost. It always makes me nervous to change centers, but if he's our best option at one of the tackle positions- which was his position coming in- and we have another center who's as good or even almost as good, then it's the right thing to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abw0004 10,110 Posted June 26, 2017 Share Posted June 26, 2017 32 minutes ago, McLoofus said: It always makes me nervous to change centers, but if he's our best option at one of the tackle positions- which was his position coming in- and we have another center who's as good or even almost as good, then it's the right thing to do. For me it matters when it is the same QB under a new center. There has to be chemistry. Same thing with the snapper, place holder, and kicker. They all have to gel well and trust one another. But for this year if it is in fact Stidham, its a new quarterback, so a new center would not be as big of a deal if Dunn wins he job. Don't get me wrong, I think Golson is good at center. So I will be happy either way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McLoofus 35,182 Posted June 26, 2017 Share Posted June 26, 2017 12 minutes ago, abw0004 said: For me it matters when it is the same QB under a new center. There has to be chemistry. Same thing with the snapper, place holder, and kicker. They all have to gel well and trust one another. But for this year if it is in fact Stidham, its a new quarterback, so a new center would not be as big of a deal if Dunn wins he job. Don't get me wrong, I think Golson is good at center. So I will be happy either way. Well said, as usual. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AUpreacherman22 3,884 Posted June 26, 2017 Share Posted June 26, 2017 1 hour ago, WarDamnEagleWDE said: Smith got worked pretty good against Clemson. Worst game he has graded out at while playing for AU. Everyone on the OL got worked against Clemson. ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triangletiger 1,599 Posted June 26, 2017 Share Posted June 26, 2017 1 hour ago, WarDamnEagleWDE said: Smith got worked pretty good against Clemson. Worst game he has graded out at while playing for AU. You may be right. I don't recall him specifically in the Clemson game, but the offense overall was pretty ineffective. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keesler 5,924 Posted June 26, 2017 Share Posted June 26, 2017 58 minutes ago, AUpreacherman22 said: Everyone on the OL got worked against Clemson. ? I have a hard time throwing shade on the OL for that Clemson game. My God, they probabaly didn't know who they were blocking for half the time with that QB carousel Gus trotted in the field. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corchjay 5,311 Posted June 26, 2017 Share Posted June 26, 2017 Clemson game is on coach Hand for not coming up with adjustments quick enough or at all during that game. But if it takes us past the LSU game to figure out who our best 5 are that's on Hand/Gus/Chip as well. That needs to definitely be settled the after fall scrimmage #1. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
augolf1716 21,102 Posted June 26, 2017 Share Posted June 26, 2017 4 hours ago, corchjay said: Clemson game is on coach Hand for not coming up with adjustments quick enough or at all during that game. But if it takes us past the LSU game to figure out who our best 5 are that's on Hand/Gus/Chip as well. That needs to definitely be settled the after fall scrimmage #1. Also on Gus for changing the frickin game plan week of the game Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homersapien 11,357 Posted June 27, 2017 Share Posted June 27, 2017 12 hours ago, McLoofus said: He was our best center last year. That doesn't mean that it's his best position or that we don't have a better center this year. He never once played the position before 2015. He's still only got 2 years under his belt, and it's not like he's had much stability or consistent coaching in that time. We have a new OC and QB this year, so there's not as much continuity to be lost. It always makes me nervous to change centers, but if he's our best option at one of the tackle positions- which was his position coming in- and we have another center who's as good or even almost as good, then it's the right thing to do. No offense, but to me, that sounds like a rationalization for doing something stupid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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