Notebook:

[cole256 17,043]

56 minutes ago, McLoofus said:

Hmm. Not sure if you're committing to the joke or not.

Then I've done an excellent job 😀

[toddc 13,194]

 

[W.E.D 11,070]

3 minutes ago, toddc said:

 

Good Sr Transfers if he starts and plays well.  Portal is good for filling holes

[toddc 13,194]

Some kinda devil bull cap. Anyone know what that is?

[Jgarrett7 957]

47 minutes ago, toddc said:

Some kinda devil bull cap. Anyone know what that is?

Responses to the tweet suggest Coach Harsin actually can smell what the rock is cooking...

[toddc 13,194]

 

[toddc 13,194]

I’m glad this dude is on our team!

[toddc 13,194]

Smoke Monday on CDM

[PoetTiger 1,896]

On 8/17/2021 at 8:16 PM, toddc said:

Some kinda devil bull cap. Anyone know what that is?

Under Armour - Da Rock (Duane Johnson) has a line of merch with a Bull logo…

[toddc 13,194]

Don’t want to start a thread on this so I’ll put it here since he just left.

 

Edited August 24, 2021 by toddc

[McLoofus 35,182]

11 hours ago, toddc said:

Don’t want to start a thread on this so I’ll put it here since he just left.

 

Not being a smart arse but we have an Auburn in the NFL thread, fyi. 

 

[toddc 13,194]

Taking stock of Auburn's preseason position battles

ByNATHAN KING 4 hours ago

Share6 Comments

Where Are CFB Playoff Contenders Most Vulnerable? (Late Kick Cut)

AUBURN, Alabama — Before preseason camp began, Auburn Undercover previewed the Tigers’ position battles heading into the 2021 season. With less than two weeks now until the Bryan Harsin era begins on the field at Auburn — albeit Harsin is not with the team at the moment as he finishes out quarantine protocols following a positive COVID-19 result — let’s revisit those positions and gauge the respective competitions.

SAFETY

Contenders: Bydarrius Knighten, Zion Puckett

Preseason pecking order: Knighten was one of two transfers for Auburn this offseason by defensive coordinator Derek Mason that were hoped to give experience to the safeties and nickels room, joining Vanderbilt transfer Donovan Kaufman. He's been primarily at nickel, while Knighten, a former FCS All-American at Southeast Missouri State, has been receiving most of the first-team reps at the open safety spot next to Smoke Monday. Puckett, now in his third year with the program, looks to be the primary backup at the position and should receive decent playing time in 2021 as a result. 

What they said: "I think, you know, practicing at this level and playing with somebody like Smoke who's played the game, who's seen it at a high level, who not only talks a big game but plays a big game, too. I think that's been good for Bydarrius." — Mason

NICKEL

Contenders: Donovan Kaufman, Ladarius Tennison

Preseason pecking order: This spot in the secondary seems to be neck-and-neck, with Kaufman impressing as a transfer and settling in nicely with his familiarity with Mason, and Tennison bringing back starting experience from last season and the advantage of time with the new defense in the spring. Both will likely rotate with the starting defense this fall, and, as has been well established, Mason wants most of his defensive backs to be flexible enough to play multiple spots in a given personnel settings. So don't be surprised when names like Monday, Knighten, Puckett and even top cornerback Roger McCreary slide over to nickel when needed to match up against a slot receiver.

What they said: "We're all rotating at the same time. But I am just trying to learn all the positions, because you never know. During the season, I might have to play either or." — Puckett

CORNERBACK

Contenders: Nehemiah Pritchett, Jaylin Simpson, Ro Torrence, Dreshun Miller

Preseason pecking order: McCreary is the "alpha" of the room, according to Mason, so his role as CB1 isn't in question. But the lineup behind him at cornerback has been intriguing in fall camp, with Pritchett returning after a standout 2020 season, Simpson back after recovering from an injury, Torrence coming in from the JUCO level and Miller transferring in after an All-Big 12 campaign at West Virginia. The top playmaker of the group in fall camp might be Torrence, who's had two excellent scrimmages and has worked his way into the primary rotation in the secondary. Pritchett and Simpson have been going at it, as well, while Miller's name hasn't popped as much but he has "done a good job picking up the plays," according to Pritchett. Auburn can — and probably should — use all five of its starting-caliber players at corner this season in a deep secondary, but the top three or four will receive slightly bigger roles.

What they said: "It's so much talent on the back end. Coach Mason has been doing the best job he can at putting the best people in the best spots." — Pritchett

DEFENSIVE TACKLE

Contenders: Tony Fair, Marquis Burks, Lee Hunter, J.J. Pegues

Preseason pecking order: Fifth-year senior Tyrone Truesdell's exit from the program early in camp left a big opening — physically and figuratively — at nose tackle. Auburn is fairly well positioned at its other defensive-line spots, with players like Colby Wooden, Marcus Harris and Zykeivous Walker capable of playing inside at defensive tackle and outside technique at end, too. But the Tigers needed to replace the anchor on the inside at the true nose tackle position, and Fair might be the solution. The UAB transfer has garnered plenty of praise from his teammates for his playmaking ability at his size (6-foot-1 and 330 pounds). Burks is also back after having a starting role in spring ball and should be in line for a starting-caliber position this fall, too.

What they said: "I didn’t think (Fair) could move as well as he does. He’s quick, he’s got tremendous speed for his size. So just the way he moves and just his ability to shed blocks and move tackles and just the way he conducts himself on the field, he definitely knows how to play football." — junior edge rusher Derick Hall

OFFENSIVE LINE

Contenders: Austin Troxell, Alec Jackson(left tackle); Tashawn Manning, Brandon Council, Jalil Irvin (left guard); Brandon Council, Keiondre Jones, Brodarious Hamm (right guard); Brandon Council, Brodarious Hamm, Brenden Coffey (right tackle)

Preseason pecking order: Well, this one has been complicated. Offensive line coach Will Friend is still attempting to mix and match players by "cross-training," which has resulted in a different starting five nearly every practice. Most recently, from left to right, the group was Troxell, Council, Nick Brahms, Jones and Coffey. The surest things at the moment appear to be Brahms at center, Troxell at one of the tackle spots, likely left, and Council at one of the guard spots, likely right. So the final two weeks of fall camp could boil down to important battles at left guard and right tackle. Who has the edge at the moment? It's been tough to say due to the swapping at practice, but this weekend's open practice in Jordan-Hare Stadium should provide more answers.

What they said: “My personal opinion, I feel like we’re going to be more downhill. During practice we’re way more physical and we’re moving the ball in the run game a lot better. The pass protection has gotten better. We’ve gotten more awareness. We return six starters essentially so we’ve all got experience now. Our awareness is better and we’re clicking together as a team. Camp is getting better day by day as we keep moving along.” — Council

WIDE RECEIVER

Contenders: Kobe Hudson, Ze'Vian Capers, Elijah Canion, Demetris Robertson, Ja'Varrius Johnson, Shedrick Jackson, Tar'Varish Dawson

Preseason pecking order: The insertion of Robertson, a Georgia transfer, has proven timely for an otherwise unproven receiving corps that's still working out the kinks in fall camp. They had a strong first scrimmage and a bel0w-average second one, but overall the group has progressed further along this preseason than they did in the same time frame in spring practices, when three different players sat out most of spring ball with injuries. Canion is likely the Tigers' top outside threat at the moment, with Capers, Robertson and Hudson making noise between the numbers, and Johnson serving as a speedy option in the slot. Jackson is a senior blocking specialist, while Dawson, a true freshman, has also been a welcome surprise with his speed and fluidity on deep routes. All seven players will likely receive roles this fall, but Auburn's coaching staff is still looking for the cream to rise to the top and for some separation by the more consistent and explosive names out wide.

What they said: "They all understand that it's a wide-open competition at this point. Therefore, they're giving maximum effort." — quarterback Bo Nix

PUNT RETURNER

Contenders: Ja'Varrius Johnson, Demetris Robertson

Preseason pecking order: We haven't heard much about punt and kick returners this preseason, but we do known Johnson has carried over his starting spot from the spring, while Robertson returned a couple punts in the most recent scrimmage. Those are two of the fastest athletes on Auburn's entire roster, as the team doesn't return anyone from last season with any punt-return experience. Johnson, who's been on campus for more than two years, has been practicing in the role since he arrived, however.

 

[toddc 13,194]

 

[Barnacle 9,064]

21 minutes ago, toddc said:

 

No Bo? Tank? 🤔

Congratulations to those two, however. Much deserved. This season is going to feel familiar to Auburn fans, I'm afraid. Defense is going to carry this team. Prayers to the football gods that Nix steps his game up. 

[steeleagle 2,945]

7 minutes ago, Barnacle said:

No Bo? Tank? 🤔

Congratulations to those two, however. Much deserved. This season is going to feel familiar to Auburn fans, I'm afraid. Defense is going to carry this team. Prayers to the football gods that Nix steps his game up. 

I thought at least Worm would be one too.

Maybe he's still waiting to name offensive captains?

I always thought there were defensive/offensive/special teams captains, but maybe not. Maybe these were for game days too.

 

[cole256 17,043]

I'm sure Bo has sway on the offensive side. Just really because of the position. As far as I've seen in playing and coaching the QB has to be pretty bad not to have any leadership and influence.

At the same time I do know as far as how it go with players doesn't always go with everybody else on the outside. 

Or maybe other guys just need to earn a few more stripes

[Barnacle 9,064]

19 minutes ago, steeleagle said:

I thought at least Worm would be one too.

Maybe he's still waiting to name offensive captains?

I always thought there were defensive/offensive/special teams captains, but maybe not. Maybe these were for game days too.

Maybe, but they aren't being named "defensive" captains. They are being named team captains. I just find that curious. Not trying to read too much into it, but my ears kind of perk up when I don't see our apparent third year starter at QB being named a team captain by his teammates. 

I've never gotten the sense that Bo is beloved by his teammates as he is by coaches, fans, or the media. Anyway, could be that offensive captains are yet to be named like you said, so I'll just hang up and listen. 

[toddc 13,194]

31 minutes ago, Barnacle said:

Maybe, but they aren't being named "defensive" captains. They are being named team captains. I just find that curious. Not trying to read too much into it, but my ears kind of perk up when I don't see our apparent third year starter at QB being named a team captain by his teammates. 

I've never gotten the sense that Bo is beloved by his teammates as he is by coaches, fans, or the media. Anyway, could be that offensive captains are yet to be named like you said, so I'll just hang up and listen. 

It might be just defense captains. But  if Bo, Tank, or Shivers aren’t named captains it doesn’t say who was the next highest vote getters. So I wouldn’t go so far as players don’t respect another because they aren’t named a team captain.

[Barnacle 9,064]

Just now, toddc said:

It might be just defense captains. But  if Bo, Tank, or Shivers aren’t named captains it doesn’t say who was the next highest vote getters. So I wouldn’t go so far as players don’t respect another because they aren’t named a team captain.

I think that's fair. Like I said, I'm trying not to read too much into it. 

[Hank2020 3,199]

3 hours ago, cole256 said:

I'm sure Bo has sway on the offensive side. Just really because of the position. As far as I've seen in playing and coaching the QB has to be pretty bad not to have any leadership and influence.

At the same time I do know as far as how it go with players doesn't always go with everybody else on the outside. 

Or maybe other guys just need to earn a few more stripes

This honor is voted on by players. If I’m a player I would not vote a player a captain when a very public challenge to who starts at that position.

[WFE12 9,191]

 

[toddc 13,194]

 

[Barnacle 9,064]

FYI:

Owen Pappoe said tonight during digital Q&A session:

"Our vaccinations are going up. We've had like seven guys get vaccinated this week. I don't think it's going to be a problem going into the season because we're taking steps in the right direction."

[cole256 17,043]

Well that means at least the leader of the team is looking at it right.

[toddc 13,194]