From David Irons SR

[DKW 86 7,930]

Let me share this with my AUBURN FAmily.

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I don't attend Auburn practices except in the preseason for a scrimmage or something. I do talk to the coaches on a regular basis.

At Saturdays game my first concern was David Jr. and how he would match up against C. Johnson practice is one thing but 90,000 and game day is another. I think he did okay except for the missed assignment on the the TD. but he did make Johnson work. Then as time went on i wondered whats up with Kenny. After watching the game I wanted NO excuses from Mr. Kenny Irons.

Kenny spent Saturday night and all day Sunday with me in his ears and I think he got a clear understanding about growing up and I let him know whats right is right and as a parent I would always have his back, but when you are wrong I'm going to let you know, and it will not be Sugar Coated.

Kenny is not lazy he has a very laid back free spirited attitude which can be taken the wrong way.(not everyone gets hyped the same on game day)

I told him to be honest with himself and give 100% at all times no B.S and if he could not do that then turn his equipment in. But I don't want to see Kenny dogged on this board for his honesty when he speaks to the press about learning a lesson. Kenny will be banned from doing any interviews and needs to focus on classroom work and football. Kenny's comment was Coach doesn't want us to just go through the motions in practice Gran will not allow a player to just go through the motions Very hands on coach who will make sure his players know what they are doing before he puts them in the fire thats what I love about him.

I think Kenny has learned a valuable lesson and this doesn't Compare to anything at South Carolina. USC did not a have a Coach Eddie GRAN who knows how to coach/teach a player. What he got in Kenny was a kid who can run the ball 30 times a game but was never taught how to do the little things which he is learning now Coach made the right move and when he feels Kenny is ready he will play and make us all proud. I think he will be ready at high noon Sept 10th

[Ranger12 53]

Did I mess something? What did Kenny do to get Pop on his butt?

[StatTiger 3,188]

Did I mess something? What did Kenny do to get Pop on his butt?

179678[/snapback]

It had to do with his work ethic and preparation during "game" week. His father told Kenny, he needed to be more consistent during practice before the coaches would play him on the field.

[LegalEagle 22]

Let me share this with my AUBURN FAmily.

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I think he will be ready at high noon Sept 10th

179672[/snapback]

Uh, would it be possible to have him ready by 11:30 A.M.?

[OKieAuburnDoug 1]

well he definately has the most talent in the backfield...once he gets his head on straight the running game's gonna heat up....a week to late.

[AURainman 6]

TWO things to note:

1. THAT is the reason that these KIDS shouldn't be bashed on message boards. Parents are fans, too. Parents read these boards. In Mr. Irons case, he is a long-time poster. But we all should remember that when you talk badly about a player, you've got friends and family around who will forever remember what you said.

2. Mr. David Irons Sr. sounds like a fantastic father. After hearing about Toney Douglas's father last year, this is such a comfort to hear.

War Frickin' Eagle!!

[TitanTiger 21,489]

1.  THAT is the reason that these KIDS shouldn't be bashed on message boards.  Parents are fans, too.  Parents read these boards.  In Mr. Irons case, he is a long-time poster.  But we all should remember that when you talk badly about a player, you've got friends and family around who will forever remember what you said.

179690[/snapback]

Exactly. If you don't think recruits and parents of recruits check out message boards to get a feel for a school, you're delusional. Once this thread has run its course, it's going in the classics forum for posterity so we'll have something to point to the next time some dimbulb decides to go off on a kid around here.

[quietfan 233]

Did I mess something? What did Kenny do to get Pop on his butt?

179678[/snapback]

http://www.al.com/auburnfootball/huntsvill...5530.xml&coll=1

Irons can't melt as Auburn blocker

Tailback says he's gotten the message to work on his weakness

AUBURN - Kenny Irons wasn't looking for sympathy. It was a good thing.

Archie Turner, a return specialist for the Canadian Football League's Toronto Argonauts and a friend of the Irons family, was at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday night. He saw David Irons start at cornerback. He saw tailback Kenny Irons get one carry for 6 yards.

...

Back at the Irons' brothers apartment, Turner was blunt. Turner told Kenny that blocking had long been his weakness, and that it was time to do something about it.

David Irons Sr. told his son Kenny more of the same.

"He told me, 'Kenny, I don't want you to be one of those guys that has great talent but you're wasting it because you're not stepping on the field because you can't handle your weakness,' " the Auburn tailback said.

Kenny Irons had received much the same message from running backs coach Eddie Gran. If he didn't know his blocking assignments, particularly against blitzes, he would not play a significant role. Gran was as good as his word.

Irons says Gran wanted him and others to practice at a high tempo.

"He wants me to have great tempo," Irons said, "and to be focused and take care of business in practice so he'll know I'm ready to take care of business in games on Saturday."

...

"Coach always says I have a tendency that I'm always joking around," Irons said. "I believe Coach doesn't really think I'm focused. He just didn't have that confidence in me that I can go in and pick (up blitzes)."

Irons took Turner's words to heart. He attacked practice this week with a different attitude, and he is expected to play a more significant role when Auburn opens its Southeastern Conference season on Saturday against Mississippi State at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

"Like my dad said, playing in this league, it's a business," Irons said. "Coaches have to take care of their part and I have to take care of my part. I've got to do things the right way. I can't just go out there expecting things are going to happen."

...

"I let my team down by not being able to handle my assignments and not being able to help out when Carl or Tre got tired," Irons said. "It's kind of my fault for not being ready. I'm like a wasted back being on the sideline."

Smart Dad, and sounds like a smart son who listens to his dad. I expect Kenny will be fine if he keeps his head straight. I'm looking forward to him breaking a long one and showing he's ready to play.

[rolltoomer 0]

Miss something?

It's all very simple.

Kenny did not work hard in practice to learn to block.

You must practice as you play.

Gran acted properly in not playing Kenny.

Kenny got one carry, for 6 yards.

I think he has also gotten an attitude adjustment.

[WAR EAGLE!!! 0]

This right here is says more to me about the state the football program is in than losing to Tech. Tubbs and Gran sent a message to everybody on the team...If you don't work hard, you don't play! This will be a huge effect on Kenny and the rest of the team for the rest of the year!

[sportwareagle 0]

I definitely think Gran and Tubs made the right decision. I can't wait to see the new and improved Kenny Irons step on the field tomorrow because I think he can make a world of difference for our running game!!

WAR DAMN EAGLE AND GO #23!!!!

[AWK 0]

I've met Kenny Irons, great guy, and i love his attitude on life, I believe he has what it takes, all he needs is that one play to get him started, like all other things in life, the small taste of something great will get you motivated to do your best!

[Tigermike 3,792]

Hopefully this will make Kenny a better player and person. He is fortunate to have a Dad who will tell him the way things are and the way things should be. I'm betting that Kenny got the message and will make the right choices.

[War Eagle 96 10]

How do we know for sure that was Kenny Irons, Sr.?

[TitanTiger 21,489]

How do we know for sure that was Kenny Irons, Sr.?

179727[/snapback]

He's a regular at ITAT and has talked off line with Mark Murphy who runs it.

[WarEagle_57 0]

Mr. Irons sounds like a great father. And he makes an excellent point about not bashing Kenny for his honesty. We as fans sometimes, think we know everything, but in reality know nothing about what is really happening, so we jupt to conclusions. I couldn't believe some of the stuff they were saying on ITAT about Kenny. Glad he's go a good dad, and coach gran to help him out.

[Guest Tigrinum Major]

That was refreshing to read. Kenny has been described as a laid back, funny kid (emphasis on kid) that is very talented and now realizes why he did not get the carries he probably wanted on Saturday. The fact that his dad supported the coaches' decisions shows that he came from a family of good character, in my opinion.

Hopefully, KI has had a good week and practice and Coach Gran feels it is time to unleash him for about 150 against MSU.

Of course, as soon as he does, we will rehash this again with some asking where he was against GA Tech.

I am now an even bigger KI fan.

[vatz22au 142]

Kenny is the type of guy to crack a joke during wind sprints.... I think alot of coaches probably interpret that as not focused, which is probably truthful in alot of ways. Kenny is a good kid, and his dad is a great parent. I remember that crap with Douglas and his dad a couple months ago, and this is the total opposite!

I hope this makes Kenny an even better back!

[DKW 86 7,930]

How do we know for sure that was Kenny Irons, Sr.?

179727[/snapback]

Mr. Irons is also a subscriber to the Media Page here on AUNation. It was definitely David Sr.

1) Wow I am blown away with the responses here on this site. You guys are real fans that I want to hang around.

2)This exactly why we have a "No Bashing the Kids" Rule here on WEN/AUN. Kids read this stuff. Parents read this stuff. Watch what you say.

[AUesquire 1]

I know it's not the same but this discussion reminds me of Andrew Jones with the Braves. For years, opposing players thought he was a cocky, brash kid and some fans thought he wasn't serious enough. Why, because he always looks like he's smiling. Sounds silly but that's the way his mouth is formed. The guy always looks like he's smiling no matter what and some people took it the wrong way.

See the comparison?.....no?.....okay, sorry. Now back to our regularly scheduled programming.

[weaglewagon 1]

i got ya esquire. oh, and btw, andruw leads the majors in HR's this year too. ya never know, maybe KI will lead the tigers in rushing this year? 11-12 games to go. we'll see.

weagles.

[AFTiger 282]

Sounds to me that the coaches have clearly defined their expectations and are insisting the players work to meet them. If you expect less you will get less.