Spring Recap

[WarTiger 3,910]

SEC West

SEC East

Auburn Tigers

2006 Schedule

9/2 Washington State

9/9 at Mississippi State

9/16 LSU

9/23 Buffalo

9/28 at South Carolina

10/7 Arkansas

10/14 Florida

10/21 Tulane

10/28 at Ole Miss

11/4 Arkansas State

11/11 Georgia

11/18 at Alabama

2005 overall record:

9-3

Conference record:

7-1

Returning starters

Offense: 5, Defense: 6, Kicker/punter: 2

2005 statistical leaders (* returners)

Rushing: Kenny Irons* (1,293 yds)

Passing: Brandon Cox* (2,324 yds)

Receiving: Devin Aromashodu (494 yds)

Tackles: Will Herring* (69)

Sacks: Stanley McClover (8)

Interceptions: Several players tied with 1

Spring Answers: Looks like Auburn's run of coordinator gems simply has no end. D-coordinator David Gibbs was scooped up by the Kansas City Chiefs, but the Tigers quickly grabbed Miami Dolphins assistant Will Muschamp, the highly respected former coordinator from the 2003 national championship LSU team. The defense might be even more aggressive under a man the players love and are already dubbing "the mad scientist." … To help replace the Williams tandem at linebacker (Travis and Antarrious), three-year starter Will Herring is moving up from safety and all indications pointed to a seamless transition in the spring. In fact, the 6-2, 220-pound Herring is practically a giant now that he's a part of the program's traditionally small linebacker corps. … Remember all the talk about Auburn rolling Wisconsin right out of the Capital One Bowl last year? Well, the Badgers didn't get the memo. And apparently the Tigers read it from start to finish. A season that was progressing so well ended on a sour note as Auburn simply didn't seem tough enough to beat a motivated Wisconsin group. Tommy Tuberville felt like his team didn't play tough enough in any of its losses and demanded a response. The result was the most intense spring session of his tenure. Perhaps the team was motivated by the Capital One Bowl field pass strength coach Kevin Yoxall wore around practice and in the weight room.

Fall Questions: How big are the losses of offensive tackles Marcus McNeill and Troy Reddick? That's to be determined. We do know, however, how big the replacement candidates are. Try 6-4, 300-pound Leon Hart; 6-4, 325 Jonathan Palmer; and 6-8, 313 King Dunlap. The trio does have some experience -- and plenty of potential -- but Irons might need to run between the tackles more for at least a little while. … Now that both Ben Obomanu and Devin Aromashodu have completed their 11 years of eligibility at wide receiver (not to mention Anthony Mix), the Tigers have some questions to answer. Can Courtney Taylor re-emerge as the Courtney Taylor of 2004, when he led the team in receiving yards? Can players with very little experience such as Prechae Rodriguez and Robert Dunn step into the spotlight of the starting lineup? … Auburn lost two starters on the interior of the D-line and is banking on a bulked up Chris Browder to slide over from end to help out. What about the other spot, though? Josh Thompson, Pat Sims, Sen'Derrick Marks and Tez Doolittle are all in the mix. … Speaking of battles, the Tigers might have one on their hands between linebackers Tray Blackmon and Merrill Johnson. With Johnson out with an ankle injury, Blackmon tore things up during the spring and has positioned himself well for an August competition. Seniors Karibi Dede and Kevin Sears will fight it out for another starting spot. All four will be on the field plenty, though.

[jc4tigers 0]

i'm so ready to see them play!!! It's going to be great!

It's looking to be another very good year for the tigers.