Auburn In The NFL Thread

[Paladin 3,305]

 

[Paladin 3,305]

 

[Paladin 3,305]

How Braden Smith was left off the AFC Pro Bowl team is a disgrace. He played over 930 snaps, did not allow a sack and only had three penalties for the entire each season.

Edited January 31, 2021 by Paladin

[Paladin 3,305]

Anthony Schwartz is first Auburn player invited to NFL Combine

by Nathan King

27 minutes ago

One of the top playmakers from the past few seasons of Auburn's offense will soon have the opportunity to improve his draft stock further.

Wide receiver Anthony Schwartz became the first Auburn draft hopeful to be publicly invited to the 2021 NFL Scouting Combine invite. Schwartz tweeted a picture of an email from the league on Tuesday night.

Combine workouts won't be held in person with NFL scouts and coaches this season due to COVID-19. Instead, the bulk of physical evaluations, drills and tests will be conducted at a player's pro day with his school. Auburn's pro day is set for March 18.

Invited prospects will still meet with NFL personnel, however, in virtual settings over the next few months. Select players will be invited to Indianapolis in April for the "final step in the evaluation process," according to the official email from the league to invitees.

According to the NFL's memo about the 2021 combine, prospects are encouraged to be consistent "in testing and drills across pro days and ensure that all clubs have access to video from those workouts, irrespective of whether the club is represented at a particular workout."

Schwartz declared for the draft last month following his junior season. In three years, the former four-star prospect out of Florida contributed 1,756 yards from scrimmage and 13 total touchdowns. In 2020, he turned into more of a pure receiving threat and had the best season of his career, with a team-high 54 catches for 636 yards and three scores.

Other names from Auburn who will likely become combine invites are fellow receivers Seth Williams and Eli Stove, safety Jamien Sherwood and linebacker K.J. Britt.

[Paladin 3,305]

Quote

How former Auburn players fared in the NFL this season

By NATHAN KING 7 minutes ago

Plenty of former Auburn players made waves in the NFL this season, with the finishing touches provided by two men who won their first Super Bowl rings over the weekend.

Carlton Davis and Jamel Dean won Super Bowl LV with the Buccaneers, capping a 2020 NFL season in which 31 former Tigers contribute across the league, and a few others set to rejoin rosters after time spent on practice squads or injured reserve lists.

With the 2021 draft now just a couple months away, more Auburn flavor will soon be inserted into the NFL, with the likes of Anthony Schwartz, Jamien Sherwood and others likely to be selected and begin their rookie campaigns. For now, we'll take a look back at the 2020 season and how Auburn's own performed in the pros.

QUARTERBACK

CAM NEWTON, New England Patriots

The former Heisman winner, national champion, No. 1 overall pick and NFL MVP started 15 of 16 games for the Patriots after being picked up by the franchise in the offseason.

Newton posted the second-highest completion percentage of his career but dipped in most other areas, throwing for 2,657 yards and only eight touchdowns to 10 interceptions. He set the NFL record for most rushing touchdowns by a QB in a career with 12 on the season and now 70 in his career.

The Patriots reportedly will not resign Newton after his 1-year deal in 2020.

JARRETT STIDHAM, New England Patriots

As Newton's backup, Stidham appeared in five games, throwing for 256 yards, two touchdowns and three picks.

Heading into his third pro season, Stidham should again compete for the starting QB job in New England.

RUNNING BACK

KERRYON JOHNSON, Detroit Lions

The injury prone runner lagged behind Adrian Peterson in the Lions' tailback rotation in 2020, contributing just 181 yards and two touchdowns. Rookie D'Andre Swift ran for more than 500 yards, becoming Detroit's lead rusher over the course of the season. 

PEYTON BARBER, Washington Football Team

Barber got off to a fast start in Washington with two touchdowns in Week 1, but had only two more over the course of the season. He finished with 258 yards while dealing with an ankle injury for a good chunk of the year 

FULLBACK

CHANDLER COX, free agent

Cox appeared on 10% of the Dolphins' offensive snaps on the season before being waived last month. He caught two passes in 2020 and was involved often in goal-line situations as a lead blocker.

TIGHT END

C.J. UZOMAH, Cincinnati Bengals

The big, reliable, pass-catching target for Bengals QB Joe Burrow was off to a good start in 2020, catching a touchdown pass in Week 2 against the Browns before tearing his ACL later in the same game and sitting out the rest of the season.

WIDE RECEIVER

DARIUS SLAYTON, New York Giants

After a standout rookie campaign in New York, Slayton wasn't met with a sophomore slump, serving as the Giants' No. 1 receiver with 751 yards. He had only three touchdowns, however. Moving into 2021, Slayton will continue to be a building block on offense for the franchise.

DUKE WILLIAMS, Buffalo Bills

Williams appeared in just one game for the Bills in 2020 and recorded no stats. Shortly after its season ended, Buffalo signed Williams to a reserve contract, so he'll be back with the team in 2021.

OFFENSIVE LINE

BRADEN SMITH, Indianapolis Colts

In his third season with the Colts, Smith started 14 games at right tackle. He was one of the AFC's highest-graded offensive linemen, and the team is considering a full-time move to left tackle for Smith in 2021

JACK DRISCOLL, Philadelphia Eagles

The rookie played a big role for the Eagles in 2020, starting four games at right tackle and appearing as a plug-in player in 11 games overall before being knocked out for the season with an MCL injury. He figures to be a valuable starter in 2021 for an offense that now looks to Jalen Hurts as its quarterback of the future.

CHAD SLADE, New York Giants

Slade appeared in one game for the Giants, then was signed to a reserve contract with the franchise for next season.

MIKE HORTON, Carolina Panthers

Horton was picked up in October as a practice-squad player in Carolina and has signed a reserve contract with the franchise for 2021.

PRINCE TEGA WANOGHO JR., free agent

Wanogho and Driscoll were teammates once again in Philadelphia before the Chiefs added the former Auburn left tackle to their practice squad last month. He was then released after the Chiefs' win in the AFC title game.

DEFENSIVE LINE

DERRICK BROWN, Carolina Panthers

The No. 7 overall pick had just the type of season he did at Auburn that made him such a valued prospect — a collapsing, gravitational presence in the middle of the defense. He played in 15 of 16 games for the Panthers, recording eight tackles for loss, two sacks and 12 quarterback hits.

MARLON DAVIDSON, Atlanta Falcons

The second-round pick's playing time was limited in 2020 due to the combination of a knee injury and time spent on the COVID-19 list. In eight games, he played just 12% of the Falcons' defensive snaps and finished with two quarterback hurries.

CARL LAWSON, Cincinnati Bengals

Lawson had the second-best year of his NFL career after his standout rookie season. The pass-rusher had 5.5 sacks, 32 quarterback hits, two forced fumbles and 11 QB hurries.

ANGELO BLACKSON, Arizona Cardinals

In his first season in Arizona, Blackson started nine games at defensive end and appeared in all 16, recording 2.5 sacks and four tackles for loss. 

MONTRAVIUS ADAMS, Green Bay Packers

Adams dealt with injury issues and appeared in eight games with the Packers before being shut down in November. He's set to become an unrestricted free agent.

DEVAROE LAWRENCE, Washington Football Team

Lawrence appeared in just one game in 2020 while dealing with a knee injury. He signed a reserve contract for 2021 with the team.

DEE FORD, San Francisco 49ers

Ford played just one game with the Niners, spending most of the season on the injured list with a back injury.

GABE WRIGHT, Jacksonville Jaguars

Though he last appeared in an NFL game in 2018, Wright was signed by the Jags to their 2021 reserve roster as a practice-squad player.

NICK COE, Miami Dolphins

After being waived by the Patriots, the Dolphins picked up Coe and are now retaining him with a reserve contract for the 2021 practice squad.

DONTAVIUS RUSSELL, Jacksonville Jaguars

Russell was set to be a depth piece for the Jags in 2020 but was placed on injured reserve before the season began. He's expected to be back for 2021.

LINEBACKER

JOSH BYNES, Cincinnati Bengals

Bynes was a force in the middle of Cincinnati's defense, finishing the year third on the roster in tackles with 99. 

DAREN BATES, Tennessee Titans

Bates played his eighth NFL season and his fourth with the Titans in 2020, contributing mostly on special teams with eight tackles. He'll become an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

BRANDON KING, New England Patriots

Like Russell, King was shut down before the season and spent all of 2020 on IR.

DEFENSIVE BACK

CARLTON DAVIS, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

Davis turned in another great season in coverage for the Bucs, including a Super Bowl performance in which he allowed just two receptions for 14 yards. He finished the season with four picks and 18 pass breakups.

JAMEL DEAN, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Dean was also a big contributor in the Bucs' Super Bowl win, with four tackles and a pass deflection while playing 88% of the defense's snaps. He broke up seven passes and had a pick-six in his sophomore season in Tampa.

NOAH IGBINOGHENE, Miami Dolphins

The 2020 first-rounder entered a talented secondary but was still able to contribute his rookie season. Igbinoghene played all 16 games and had 13 tackles, two fumble recoveries, along with four kickoff returns on the season.

JONATHAN JONES, New England Patriots

Jones was one of the Patriots' best defensive players in 2020, tallying two interceptions, a forced fumble and 74 tackles.

NEIKO THORPE, Seattle Seahawks

A special teams captain with the Seahawks in 2020, Thorpe heads into 2021 as a free agent. He played just three games in 2020, as he was on the injured list for most of the season.

DANIEL THOMAS, Jacksonville Jaguars

Thomas had a strong rookie year with the Jags, playing mostly on special teams with 16 tackles but also snagging one interception.

RUDY FORD, Philadelphia Eagles

Ford was also a big special teams weapon in 2020. He recorded 15 tackles and also started one game at safety, breaking up two passes.

JAVARIS DAVIS, Miami Dolphins

Originally signed by the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent, Davis was picked up by Miami and will stay on with the Dolphins in 2021 under a reserve contract.

BLAKE COUNTESS, Philadelphia Eagles

Countess played three games for Philadelphia in 2020 and will stick with the team under a reserve contract in 2021.

SPECIALIST

DANIEL CARLSON, Las Vegas Raiders

Carlson posted the NFL's third-best field goal percentage among kickers who attempted at least 30 kicks. He made 33-of-35 field goals, including 4-of-4 from 50-plus yards, and a long of 54.

CODY PARKEY, Cleveland Browns

Picked up by the Browns after Week 2, Parkey made 19-of-22 field goals, including 10-of-11 makes from 40 or more yards out.

JOSH HARRIS, Atlanta Falcons

The long-snapper appeared in all 16 games for Atlanta in 2020 and had zero botched snaps.

ARRYN SIPOSS, Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles acquired the former Auburn punter last month under a reserve contract after spending 2020 on the Lions' practice squad.

 

[Paladin 3,305]

Quote

Josh Bynes looking to Year 11 after most productive NFL season

Updated 2:50 PM; Today 2:50 PM

By Mark Inabinett | minabinett@al.com

The Cincinnati Bengals signed Josh Bynes last offseason to serve as a mentor and example for their young linebackers.

The former Auburn standout did that and more as an every-game starter. In his 10th NFL season, Bynes reached a career high with 99 tackles while playing 760 defensive snaps, the most among the Cincinnati linebackers and 72 percent of the Bengals’ total.

During an appearance on NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football” on Tuesday, Bynes said he’d been “trying to create another year in this league,” hoping that his play in Year 10 of his NFL career would lead to a Year 11.

Bynes joined Cincinnati on a one-year, $1.65 million contract last year, so he will be an unrestricted free agent again on March 17 unless the Bengals re-sign him before then.

“For me, it’s just to continue playing this game,” Bynes said of his free-agency goals. “Let me go out there and continue to show that I can play this game to the fullest potential. This’ll be my 11th season coming up, and I still have a lot left in the tank and I want to play as long as I can, and I want a team to have faith in me knowing that I can go out there and play each and every game like it’s my last.

“And I showed that this past season in all 16 (games) and stood strong. I know I’m capable of doing that this coming season and going forward another season, so I just can’t wait to finally figure that opportunity out either with Cincy or with another organization in the next few weeks.”

Although Bynes led Auburn’s 2010 undefeated BCS national championship team in tackles, NFL organizations passed on him in the 2011 draft. Despite the inauspicious start, he’s survived a decade in the league, playing for the Baltimore Ravens, Detroit Lions and Arizona Cardinals in addition to the Bengals and earning a Super Bowl ring with the Ravens as the champions of the 2012 season. Bynes made the final tackle in Baltimore’s 34-31 victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII.

Cincinnati brought in Bynes because of his 124 games of NFL experience, including seven playoff contests. The other three linebackers who played at least 70 defensive snaps for the Bengals in 2020 had a combined total of 16 games of NFL experience entering the campaign.

“A lot of my teammates do call me Coach Bynes,” Bynes said. “I love it. They’ve even got me thinking maybe coaching is the next thing for me after this. I just love that title. Just going out there just trying to play the game that’s in the game and just set an example for these young guys.”

Bynes is eager for his next opportunity to do that, and he’s fine if that’s in Cincinnati again in 2021, particularly with 2020 No. 1 draft choice Joe Burrow at quarterback.

“I can honestly see Joe being MVP one day in this league,” Bynes said. “Joe is just fantastic, and I just think he brings something different to this game. He’s poised, he’s confident and he wants to get better each and every game. I just can’t wait to see the future for him, and I think Joe is definitely going to be a bright star in this league.”

 

[Paladin 3,305]

 

[McLoofus 35,182]

10 hours ago, Paladin said:

 

Hate that it's the Jets and I hate that he just left a team with a potential franchise QB, but he's obviously not complaining about it. 

[augolf1716 21,109]

1 hour ago, McLoofus said:

Hate that it's the Jets and I hate that he just left a team with a potential franchise QB, but he's obviously not complaining about it. 

I don't blame him either but the Jets meh

 

 

 

[McLoofus 35,182]

The Boston TE Party is back for Cam. Holy crap. 

[AUBwins 10,075]

9 hours ago, McLoofus said:

The Boston TE Party is back for Cam. Holy crap. 

Yes it is! And they loaded up WR so far with solid pickups in Agholar and Bourne. IF Cam ends up QB1, he has no excuse this year.  Cam has shown to play well when he's surrounded by skill at the receiving positions.  The 2 tight ends are huge for him.  He's never had 2 pro bowl caliber TEs. I can see a screwed up Fantasy situation with it like the Eagles turned out to be with Goedert and Ertz. Jonnu is the star though.  Dude got paid!

Edited March 16, 2021 by AUBwins

[Paladin 3,305]

 

[LKEEL75 2,566]

Interesting article on Stidham & AU offense.  Nothing we didn't already know.  link

Quote

Cam Newton’s return to the Patriots on Friday sent a fascinating conversation I had with Jordan Palmer to the back burner.

Palmer, the quarterback consultant who works with Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Deshaun Watson, Trevor Lawrence, Sam Darnold and Jarrett Stidham, did a great job helping to answer the No. 1 question people around here have about Stidham.

Why? Why isn’t he further along? Why did he go from summer heir apparent to Tom Brady to getting supplanted by Newton? Why didn’t the Patriots go to Stidham when it was clear Newton was too ineffective throwing the ball to give the Patriots any shot when they fell behind?

Palmer didn’t have the answers to those specific questions. But the ones he provided gave a backstory that put the arc of Stidham’s two NFL seasons in an interesting light.

"What people don’t realize is Jarrett had as far to go mentally in terms of what he knew about football between college and pro as anybody I ever worked with,” said Palmer on Tom Curran’s Patriots Talk Podcast. "People don’t know this. Art Briles’ offense (at Baylor, where Stidham started his college career)? Basically nothing in it would help you play in the NFL. The way you read defenses ... I’m not saying it wasn’t prolific ... but none of it translates.

"Gus Malzahn’s offense at Auburn (where Stidham spent one season before coming to New England) I think is even further from the NFL than Art Briles'. ... What they expect you to know at Auburn for offense is the furthest thing from NFL offenses. Then I think the Patriots offense is the most complex.

" ... The gap he had to make up was the most significant gap I’ve seen. Out of anybody I’ve trained for the NFL Draft -- and I’ve trained over 35 guys and 10 of them started as rookies, I do this every year -- I’ve never seen a gap like that."

Bottom of the barrel

I told Palmer the general consensus about Stidham in New England is that his ship sailed. The opportunity was in front of him last summer and he didn’t take it.  

"You love to say, ‘Well, he had all offseason,' " said Palmer. "Well, you don’t learn it all in an offseason. You’re not walking through in the offseason. This guy watches as much tape as anybody. He studies as much as anybody. It’s not just all you see, Pats Nation, in the game. There are things that lead up to that.

 

"Kyler Murray (coming into the NFL) running the same system as a rookie in Arizona for Kliff Kingsbury?" said Palmer. "Right place, right time. He happened to be the No. 1 pick and the right team had the No. 1 pick. There was no transition for him. But if Kyler Murray were to get traded to New England right now, he’d have a massive gap. May not play. Because it would all be new. And that’s the thing that doesn’t show up."

So should the Patriots scale back their offense? Make it more accessible?

Curran: Five bold predictions for Patriots in free agency

"No," said Palmer. "I think Bill Belichick is the best football mind I’ve ever been around. I’m not in the business of questioning what Bill Belichick is doing. And not because Jarrett’s there. I’m just not. I’ve had a chance to spend time with Bill. If there’s one person who’s completely changed the way things are done for the better, it’s Bill Belichick. They’re going to keep doing what they’re doing.

" … I think it’s the quarterback’s job (to learn it). You get a chance to play for the greatest coach in American sports history, Bill Belichick? Then what you do is you figure out a way to learn it and catch up or you get beat out. I don’t think they need to dumb it down for anybody. And I definitely don’t think they need to dumb it down for Jarrett."

Palmer, who was on his way to a training session with Stidham in Dana Point, California when we spoke, said Stidham is aware of the stakes.

"He knows this offseason is the offseason to grab it and take it," Palmer said. "Last year, it looked like things were heading in that direction and then Cam coming in ... the way things shook out, I’m not privy to that. But I would assume they’re going to bring someone in to compete and Jarrett’s going to get himself ready to compete and fill in the leadership void on this team and looking to step up.

"He knows how important this year is and what’s expected of him. He’s been in this system with Josh McDaniels for a few years now. He’s healthy, he’s in a good spot and it’s time. I think that’s how he looks at it and as his coach out here that’s how I look at it."

 

[Paladin 3,305]

 

[McLoofus 35,182]

Love to see it from Stiddy. I hope there's a timeline where both he and Cam have more good NFL starts in their futures. 

 

[Paladin 3,305]

Quote

Will Braden Smith be the Indianapolis Colts’ answer at left tackle?

Updated 5:30 AM; Today 5:30 AM

By Mark Inabinett | minabinett@al.com

Braden Smith earned All-American honors as a guard at Auburn. For the Indianapolis Colts, he’s handled right offensive tackle for three seasons. In 2021, could Smith shift positions again to fill the vacancy at left offensive tackle for the Colts?

Since Smith joined Indianapolis as a second-round selection in the 2018 NFL Draft, the Colts have had one of the NFL’s best offensive lines with Anthony Castonzo at left tackle, Quenton Nelson at left guard, former Alabama All-American Ryan Kelly at center, Mark Glowinski at right guard and Smith at right tackle.

But after starting all 144 games of his NFL career at left tackle for Indianapolis, Castonzo retired in January, setting off an offseason of speculation about how the Colts would fill the vacancy.

“I think we’ve got four really good O-linemen,” Indianapolis general manager Chris Ballard said. “Like, most teams you would say have two or three, but I think we’ve got four. You know, you’ve got Quenton, who’s an All-Pro; you’ve got Ryan Kelly, who’s a Pro Bowl player; you’ve got Glowinski, who’s a really good player; and you’ve got Braden Smith, who I think is underlooked in this league, so you’ve got four good ones. And I think by the time we get to training camp, we’ll find the right position for each one of them to play where we play good football.”

Ballard has addressed questions about the chances that Smith or Nelson will be moved to fill the vacancy at left tackle.

Ballard is wary of weakening one position to fill another despite the importance placed on the left tackle as the protector of the quarterback’s blind side.

“I would say now, today, both tackles are hard to spot,” Ballard said. “It’s become such a passing league that they’re all difficult (to find). More pressure is probably put on the tackles just because of the edge rushers in this league. But, I mean, holy crud, the interior rushers are good, too. I mean, I think I’ve said this all along: Like, when you asked the question: Is it too high to take a guard at (No.) 6 (in the NFL Draft, the spot where Nelson was picked)? Well, when you look at what the guards are getting paid in this league, it’s almost up to tackle money, and they have to be able to pass pro -- like, No. 1, they have to be able to protect. They’re all important. But the tackle position’s hard. It’s hard.”

Last season, Smith didn’t allow a sack and gave up only one quarterback hit on 578 pass-blocking snaps.

“If you’re naming one of the guys who I think is one of the better right tackles in the league, it’s Braden Smith,” Colts coach Frank Reich said in December. “He has been a model of consistency through every game. I’m not sure he’s had a bad day in practice or on Sunday. The guy is a stud.”

Ballard thinks Smith could make the switch to the other side of the offensive line but moving him would create a hole at right tackle.

“This is the way an O-line coach put it to me: It’s like playing golf, where you’re a right-handed golfer and you switch him to (left-handed),” Ballard said. “And I’ve seen it. Look, Eric Fisher played right tackle for us our first year in Kansas City, and then we kicked him over to the left side. It can be done; it can absolutely be done.

“But who are we putting in at right tackle? So those are the questions we’ve got to answer. It’s all on the table. By the time we hit September, our first game, we’ll have those five sorted out, and I think we’ll have good answers.”

Nelson already has filled in for Castonzo at left tackle. When Castonzo got hurt during the Colts’ 44-27 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Dec. 13, Nelson kicked out for a few snaps at tackle.

“Discussing Quenton as an option out there is certainly a realistic option,” Reich said. “… Chris and I have already had that conversation, obviously, when AC got hurt. It was like, ‘Hey, well let’s take a look at Quenton. Maybe that’s a real option.’ …

“That would certainly be an option, but like every other decision, you have to look at all options and consider all factors.”

In his three NFL seasons, Nelson has earned first-team All-Pro recognition annually.

“Here will be the hard thing for us with him: So you’ve got an All-Pro guard,” Ballard said. “I mean, probably the best in the league at his position. Does it make your team better moving him out of that spot? Because he’s so good at it. And the replacement-level player that you put in there, he’s not going to play at Quenton’s level. But will Quenton play as good at the left-tackle level that makes it worth it?”

Kevin Mawae, the Colts’ new assistant offensive-line coach, started his NFL career with two seasons at right guard, then moved to center, where he spent 14 seasons on his way to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Mawae said changing positions within the offensive line is harder than often portrayed.

“I think just in general, not specifically about this team but just in general, it’s not as easy as everybody thinks it is,” Mawae said. “I think everybody is like, ‘Just plug them in at guard.’ Well, that just doesn’t happen like that. I think there are unique tools and attributes that a guard has to have versus a tackle and a center and just to plug and play is not the right way to go about it.

“I think, obviously, you want to put the best five guys on the field talent-wise, but then also you want to put the best-five combination out there. I know that’s what the goal is of this organization, and we got some talented offensive linemen. It’s been fun watching their film and getting to meet them as they trickle in and out of the building from time to time. But it’s not as easy as just saying, ‘Move this guy to that spot.’ There’s a comfortability level athletic-wise. There’s guys that can do it, and then mentally-wise, there’s some guys that can and can’t, so there’s always that challenge. But I think the biggest goal of any organization is to make sure you got the best five guys available that work the best together.”

It might turn out the Colts don’t move any of their offensive linemen but acquire Castonzo’s replacement in free agency or the NFL Draft.

Ballard obtained options in free agency by signing Julie’n Davenport, Chris Reed and Sam Tevi

Reed started 14 games at left guard for the Carolina Panthers in 2020, his first extended work as a regular in his five NFL seasons. Tevi started at left tackle for the Los Angeles Chargers last season after handling right tackle for the previous two campaigns. Davenport started at left tackle for the Houston Texans in 2018 and held that spot for the Miami Dolphins in 2019, when he missed half the season with injuries.

The Colts’ opening opportunity at an offensive tackle in the NFL Draft will come with the first round’s 21st selection on April 29.

“I think we could go a couple of different directions,” Colts owner Jim Irsay said. “I think that ideally in the draft, that would be a direction that would be ideal. We have seen that process work through Tarik Glenn and Anthony Castonzo, and we’ve been blessed there to have that sort of consistency and great play at that position. It’s not the easiest position to fill.

“I remember sitting with (offensive-line coach) Howard Mudd right before we took Tony Ugoh (in the 2007 draft), and we thought that would be a good match for us. It didn’t work out as well as we hoped it would. There is always that transition process of college to pro, but it would be excellent if we could get one, I think, in the draft that we could see there for a long period of time to come as our left tackle.”

 

[WFE12 9,191]

Can't say I didn't see this coming. Hope he bounces back.

[AUBwins 10,075]

4 hours ago, WFE12 said:

Can't say I didn't see this coming. Hope he bounces back.

Yea, injured at the wrong time early in his career.  Then couldn't get on the field enough.  Auburn RBs have not stayed long in NFL since probably Rudy Johnson. They get injured early on and the NFL will just leave you for dead if you get injured before you have sustained success.  Fannin never made it to the regular season, Ben Tate was close but got injured once he was going to be RB1. Cadillac is another that ended with injury.  I always questioned our S and C in college with how we were always getting injured once there.  

Maybe now with old school toughness being installed again, we can maintain once we are there. 

[McLoofus 35,182]

1 hour ago, AUBwins said:

Yea, injured at the wrong time early in his career.  Then couldn't get on the field enough.  Auburn RBs have not stayed long in NFL since probably Rudy Johnson. They get injured early on and the NFL will just leave you for dead if you get injured before you have sustained success.  Fannin never made it to the regular season, Ben Tate was close but got injured once he was going to be RB1. Cadillac is another that ended with injury.  I always questioned our S and C in college with how we were always getting injured once there.  

Maybe now with old school toughness being installed again, we can maintain once we are there. 

Kenny Irons, Bo Jackson... Mike Dyer and Jovon Robinson had "brain injuries"... It's sooooo frustrating. Ronnie Brown had a nice run and Peyton Barber continues to earn nice paychecks but it sure would be nice to have another legitimate star RB in the NFL. Or at least a viable fantasy draft pick, lol. 

[AUBwins 10,075]

9 minutes ago, McLoofus said:

Kenny Irons, Bo Jackson... Mike Dyer and Jovon Robinson had "brain injuries"... It's sooooo frustrating. Ronnie Brown had a nice run and Peyton Barber continues to earn nice paychecks but it sure would be nice to have another legitimate star RB in the NFL. Or at least a viable fantasy draft pick, lol. 

Agreed.  Every year I tend to have a roster full of Turds by playoff time. That's the best chance to win, sad to say. 

[WFE12 9,191]

Fly Eagles Fly

Joining Jalen and DaVonta

[McLoofus 35,182]

1 minute ago, WFE12 said:

Fly Eagles Fly

Joining Jalen and DaVonta

It just occurred to me how badly I wish he could have played for Andy Reid's Eagles. But I'm sure happy he landed somewhere quickly. Hope it works out. Goodness knows that division is ripe for the takin'. 

[steeleagle 2,945]

4 minutes ago, WFE12 said:

Fly Eagles Fly

Joining Jalen and DaVonta

Dang it. hoped he would have been picked up by my Steelers. Right state, wrong team,

 

[AUBwins 10,075]

1 hour ago, McLoofus said:

It just occurred to me how badly I wish he could have played for Andy Reid's Eagles. But I'm sure happy he landed somewhere quickly. Hope it works out. Goodness knows that division is ripe for the takin'. 

Unfortunately in another logjam

[Paladin 3,305]

On 4/13/2021 at 6:58 AM, Paladin said:

 

Colts have signed Eric Fisher to play left tackle. Braden staying at right tackle

 

Edited May 10, 2021 by Paladin