5 Keys to a successful 2012 season

[WarEagle1982 491]

Here are some things I believe must happen for the Tigers to have a successful 2012 season:

1.  Defensive Tackle Play- I believe this is the most important position in the SEC

2.  Consistent QB Play- I hope to see Frazier take over this spot and do great things

3.  Defense must improve on 3rd down-  Definitely a thorn in the side during 2011 season

4.  4 yards on 1st Down must be a priority- Gives you many more options

5.  Special Teams Play- A strong point in 2011.  I hope to see this continue in 2012.

[weegleweegle 0]

I think the O-line play will be big too!!!

Got to give Kiehl time to do something with the ball.

On defense - the D-line play will be huge as well....

[AUIH1 1,515]

Much improved OL and DL play are 1 and 1A followed somewhat closely by QB play.

wde

[CMPluvAU04 0]

I agree with the D-line play,your overall passing defense starts with the big boys up front. The more pressure you get on the QB the less accurate his passes are. O-line is just as important as well for the same reason just switched around, the more time the QB gets the more accurate his passes are and that also opens up the running game. Other factors are LB play,WR play,and 3rd down defense play.

[3rdgen 2]

Avoid injuries

[Stripe 5]

Here are some things I believe must happen for the Tigers to have a successful 2012 season:

1.  Defensive Tackle Play- I believe this is the most important position in the SEC

2.  Consistent QB Play- I hope to see Frazier take over this spot and do great things

3.  Defense must improve on 3rd down-  Definitely a thorn in the side during 2011 season

4.  4 yards on 1st Down must be a priority- Gives you many more options

5.  Special Teams Play- A strong point in 2011.  I hope to see this continue in 2012.

1. Defensive Tackle Play – You’re absolutely correct. This killed us more than anything last year.

2. Consistent QB Play – Frazier will be a breath of fresh air after last year.

3. Defense must improve on 3rd down – See #1- If they don’t tackle they will continue to give up 1st downs 

              from 3rd and long again. I don’t see this being a problem as our guys are attacking the ball in the new

              defense instead of sitting back and waiting for the ball to come to them.

4. 4 yards on 1st Down must be a priority – I’m not going to say 4 yards but positive yards is a must.

5. Special Teams Play – I would say Line play on both sides of the ball should be here. Special teams play was

              great last year and I expect there to be improvement on that front.

[keesler 5,957]

1 - Avoid injuries

2 - Play tough/physical football

3 - Productive line play

4 - Learn to freakin tackle

5 - Special Teams remain strong

[tigerchris 275]

Key to success:

1. Win

[IronMan70 3,321]

Key to success:

1. Win

I like that list.

[BPI 0]

1. Coaching (All the talent in the world can't help you without solid coaching)

2. New defensive scheme ( I hope this is what our defense has been missing)

3. Quarterback play ( There was no bigger drop off in the country at quarterback play than at Auburn from 2010 to 2011)

4. Recievers  (Who will be the go to guy at reciever?)

5. Heart 

[NoALtiger 3,957]

Key to success:

1. Win

Short and to the point. Al Davis would be proud too. 

[bigbird 60,939]

1.  OL Protection

2.  DL Penetration

3.  Play calling balance

4.  Turnovers

5.  3rd down conversions for O and D

[AUwenMD 0]

1.  OL Protection

2.  DL Penetration

3.  Play calling balance

4.  Turnovers

5.  3rd down conversions for O and D

Best list in this thread IMO.

[blazetiger 0]

In this conference you can be successful if you just have a very strong D so I say a big turnaround in defense would make this season a success.

[keesler 5,957]

In this conference you can be successful if you just have a very strong D so I say a big turnaround in defense would make this season a success.

Yep - This defense absolutely HAS to get back to playing AU defense.  It's been a long time since I've seen an aggressive, dominant AU defense that knew their jobs and executed.  Is this the year?

[BUTTACOW 0]

1-winning                                                                                                                                                       2-winning                                                                                                                                                        3-winning                                                                                                                                                       4-winning                                                                                                                                                        5-NOT LOSING  

[InfernoOrangeSS 322]

5. Heart 

This was the most troubling aspect of last year's team, (whether the stories were true or untrue.).  I don't want to hear that anyone gave up even when it appears the game is going bad.

[gman87 405]

If 2010 showed me anything it was that you can win big with a dominant offense, pressure the other team to score and turnovers will happen.

1) Improved Oline

2) Improved QB (If 1 happens I expect 2 will follow suit)

3) Improved secondary

4) Improved DL (3 and 4 are mutually beneficial)

5) No key injuries

[Rednilla 5,447]

1) Protection, protection, protection. I've seen several mentions of QB play, but if the offensive line blocks then EVERYTHING on offense becomes easier.

2) Penetration, penetration, penetration. By the same token as #1, if the defensive line is playing in the opponents' backfield, run defense and pass defense will be improved dramatically.

3) Linebacker play. We have three returning starters, all three of whom have played significant roles since arriving on campus, and if the defensive line plays up to its potential, then linebacker play will be the difference between a good defense and an outstanding one. With players like Kris Frost and Cass McKinzy, we have star power to add to the experience, and I expect the young players to make a difference.

4) Route running. The new system implemented by Scot Loeffler is going to make a world of difference in the passing game: receivers should be able to get open more easily, making Kiehl's job that much easier.

5) No "I" in "team". One of the things that has struck me about this team is how close they appear to be. If the coaches can truly foster the camaraderie and get the players to perform as a unit, then, combined with success in the first four points, I believe we can go toe to toe with anybody in the country.

I know I didn't include QB play, but while it is quite important, it is greatly dependent upon other factors. Given that Kiehl is a true sophomore and will be starting at this level for the first time, it is not necessary for him to be a superstar right away. All he has to do is find consistency in game management and not try to do too much. If the line blocks and receivers get open, Frazier's job becomes a matter of keeping his composure and playing pitch and catch with a group of uber-talented receivers.

[FHeal 4]

!) Lessen the predictability

2) O-line

3) D-line performing on 3rd down

4) Leadership

5) Depth

[MATTLUVSAUBURN 0]

1) Defend Jordan Hare!! We win our home games, we will be in great shape. 2) QB play. I hope KF can play up like we believe he can. 3) Our All American fullback Jay Proche will be huge for our running game. 4) Our WRs have to block great. If they block, our rbs could keep the chains moving. Dont let the other team have the ball and they cant score. 5) Win the trenches. If the big guys dominate, we should be in good shape.  Simple as that!! 

[IronMan70 3,321]

My 5 keys to 2012 success are:

1. O line

2. D line

3. O line

4. D line

5. O and D lines

It is always going to be the same thing that will make a team successful. The level of play on the OL and DL, period. You get that right and suddenly everything gets easier and a Coach becomes a genius, an average back looks like an All American. The skill players, even if they are average, will be successful if the respective lines perform at a high level. In our case though, our skill players are anything but average so the upside potential is enormous.

[AUTUmike 79]

Turnovers and the emergence of a playmaker as a return man and/or in the defensive backfield.

[FoleyLion 0]

5 keys you say?

1. Center

2. Gaurds

3. Tackles

4. Defensive Tackles

5. Defenseive Ends

/thread

[AUld fAUx@ 2,584]

1. Coach Yox (now and ongoing) and Coach Grimes (conditioning and development of OL) - Give Coach Loeffler a little time, and offensive skill players should be fine?

2. Tackling!

3. Healthy starting kickers - field position and last score in the close ones (especially early on while offense develops)

4. DEs in opposing backfields every play

5. Healthy starting LBs