CTT,defense, O-line

[Tygerman34 0]

1) CTT- Obviously a good coach and recruiter. A Godly man, it would seem, and strong on discipline. He has brought the level of play at Auburn up. There are no "but's" or "however's" here. I have always said that when CTT reaches double-digit wins for the third straight year, Auburn will be on top and things will finally be going our way. We haven't done it yet. No "if and but's" about one game here or there, when I see three straight 10+wins seasons from this program, I will know we have arrived. Until then, I am always nervous about games such as Washington State and the season in general.

2) Our defense is scary. I don't mean they stike fear in anyone, I mean that I am scared about it. Yes we have a good pass rusher, a good linebacker, and a good DB, but I mean do they really scare anyone? I think not. Speed, speed, speed, is all you hear about this bunch. Wisconsin ran all over that speed last January. It doesn't matter how fast you are on Defense, if you can't get through a block. We are also very small defensively. Again, look at what the Badgers did to us. They lined up and ran over us at will.

3) What is the deal with the Offensive line? Every year CTT has been here,there are a rash of injuries, yet we have no replacements. The coaches are always moving one guy here and there: "He is a #2 right guard, but he can play left tackle" etc. That's great, but why not recruit enough linement to cover yourself. Why is the o-line always a man short in two or three areas?

I am sure some of you will say don't worry, but these are legit concerns. Washington State is loaded and ready and I am not sure we are. I feel, after reading here and talking to others, that we are WAY over- confident about this opening game. A loss here, and you can pack it in for the year and get ready for a trip to Shreport or Memphis.

[Bottomfeeder 239]

Tygerman34,

Your concerns are warranted, BUT, we have no control over the game. That's left to coach and players. Being confident in their ability is vital to the success of our program. As for over-confidence, I really believe our coaching staff to be a step ahead of us all. You know, it’s not that important to me to win every single game. Of course, it would be nice, but I personally don't think it's in our best interest to have expectations higher than those of the players. Believing the same things the players do is part of growth experience. As long as the players believe in themselves and work with all diligence, as a team, to achieve a goal, then I'll label our program successful, IMHO. Yes, we all want to see our school win the BCS Championship, BUT, would you not consider that to more of a selfish desire with the fan base? If they want it bad enough, and show up on Saturdays, then they can win it. However, if we show up on Saturdays, and they don't, will it affect the way you fell about the Auburn Tiger football team? I know for me, I'll love them no matter what the outcome, as most here would probably agree. These are young men, and I remember that age. I wasn't half the man these guys are. So, anything they can accomplish is more than I accomplished in most of my life, and they have my utmost respect.

WDE!

[AURainman 6]

1. Fair. If 10 wins per year is your barometer of a good coach, then I can see how you haven't been pleased. I'm pleased. Opinions are just that. Opinions.

2. "A Good pass rusher, a good linebacker, a good DB." Please elaborate. You basically are saying we have only THREE talented players on D? Back up your argument and it might warrant a response.

3. We're SOLID at OL this year. I'm not sure where you are getting your info.

All in all, these don't sound like legit concerns, so much as preseason jitters. Come back and back up your worries with statistics, facts, etc. and then we'll talk. A sample size of one (Read: Wisconsin game only) doesn't tell the whole story.

[Bottomfeeder 239]

They weren't mentally prepared for the Wisconsin game. That' all there was to it.

[bigsixfive 327]

1) CTT- Obviously a good coach and recruiter. A Godly man, it would seem, and strong on discipline. He has brought the level of play at Auburn up. There are no "but's" or "however's" here. I have always said that when CTT reaches double-digit wins for the third straight year, Auburn will be on top and things will finally be going our way. We haven't done it yet. No "if and but's" about one game here or there, when I see three straight 10+wins seasons from this program, I will know we have arrived. Until then, I am always nervous about games such as Washington State and the season in general.

2) Our defense is scary. I don't mean they stike fear in anyone, I mean that I am scared about it. Yes we have a good pass rusher, a good linebacker, and a good DB, but I mean do they really scare anyone? I think not. Speed, speed, speed, is all you hear about this bunch. Wisconsin ran all over that speed last January. It doesn't matter how fast you are on Defense, if you can't get through a block. We are also very small defensively. Again, look at what the Badgers did to us. They lined up and ran over us at will.

3) What is the deal with the Offensive line? Every year CTT has been here,there are a rash of injuries, yet we have no replacements. The coaches are always moving one guy here and there: "He is a #2 right guard, but he can play left tackle" etc. That's great, but why not recruit enough linement to cover yourself. Why is the o-line always a man short in two or three areas?

I am sure some of you will say don't worry, but these are legit concerns. Washington State is loaded and ready and I am not sure we are. I feel, after reading here and talking to others, that we are WAY over- confident about this opening game. A loss here, and you can pack it in for the year and get ready for a trip to Shreport or Memphis.

1) Maybe, but be satisfied with what you've got.

-We've lost 1 SEC game in 2 years. That's pretty awesome.

-uat can't muster the strength to put up a fight anymore. That's sweet.

-9 wins isn't a bad season, despite what the talking heads on ESPN say. If AU was in the PAC10, I have a feeling we'd only lose a regular season game or two, MAX, given everything currently at AU. With the new 12 game regular season coming up, and many teams playing 13 and 14 games, your 10 win mark is going to be very achievable (and records are going to fall too).

-Its more than the W/L column. I'm glad our university is represented by a good team with strong, moral leadership. Look at UT, where Fulmer is on the hot seat because he lost control of his players. Look at UF, where their coach cries. MSU is bad, and OM is on the verge of probation. uat has players arrested with pot and stolen guns, and players running their mouth ratting on boosters... wait... (sweep, sweep, sweep -> rug)

2) Our D is bigger this year. Muschamp likes them a little bigger. Look at our 04 D - dominant. 03 was pretty dang good too, considering they were on the field 75% of the game. 05 was a good D, but I think we relied too heavily on pure talent. Gibbs wasn't very good. I think our D is going to be knocking some heads this year, hopefully back to 04 form. Forget about the UW game, its over with. The coaches will keep the team in check.

3) You're insane on this one. Our OL has been consistently among the best in the nation for years. I know our backs have been stellar, but the OL is what gains the majority of the rushing yards. We lost our center briefly last year... did we stutter? Don't think so.

WSU is loaded on O. You should be looking forward to this game because of that. Why do you want us to beat up on pasties? Put our team up against the toughest challenge their is - that's the only way to measure a team's performance. Do you want to back out of the LSU game? I promise you they will be an order of magnitude harder than WSU.

Quit worrying! Just get out your shaker and enjoy the game!

[jtweeks 0]

I agree with the OL suggestion. We seem to be treating the symptoms every year rather than curing the illness. Even though we have recruited a few great OL, we seem to sign alot of second and third tier recruits. I would hope that we do a better job with this in the future!

[autiger518 1]

They weren't mentally prepared for the Wisconsin game. That' all there was to it.

No truer words have been spoken...I agree 100% they were having to good a time in Orlando and were not ready for that game whatsoever!

[saniflush 0]

I agree with the OL suggestion. We seem to be treating the symptoms every year rather than curing the illness. Even though we have recruited a few great OL, we seem to sign alot of second and third tier recruits. I would hope that we do a better job with this in the future!

What illness? YOu cannot get 6'7" 320 lbs OL across the board. There are not that many of them out there and even less that are actually athletic. I think we have done a very good job on our OL and DL. I smell a rat.

[Tiger in Spain 0]

Sweet Jesus. The naysayers have come out in full force today.

[rexbo 102]

They weren't mentally prepared for the Wisconsin game. That' all there was to it.

No truer words have been spoken...I agree 100% they were having to good a time in Orlando and were not ready for that game whatsoever!

And they were not prepared for GT to open the season; it is the long preparation time that scares me a little about CTT. We will find out against WSU if they have fixed this problem...

[autiger518 1]

1) CTT- Obviously a good coach and recruiter. A Godly man, it would seem, and strong on discipline. He has brought the level of play at Auburn up. There are no "but's" or "however's" here. I have always said that when CTT reaches double-digit wins for the third straight year, Auburn will be on top and things will finally be going our way. We haven't done it yet. No "if and but's" about one game here or there, when I see three straight 10+wins seasons from this program, I will know we have arrived. Until then, I am always nervous about games such as Washington State and the season in general.

This is the SEC Tuberville has had us in the hunt the past couple of years, not only that, but I believe (help me out here Stat) we are second in the SEC in total wins over the past 4 years. CTT has done a hell of a job and wins arent the only thing that matters IMO....we graduate players, our players stay, he has hired the best staff i think in the Nation. I to am worried about Washington State but that is not always the coaches fault, these guys do the best they can to simulate games but until they get out there and play you dont know what your dealing with...its not like they have preseaon games like the pros.

2) Our defense is scary. I don't mean they stike fear in anyone, I mean that I am scared about it. Yes we have a good pass rusher, a good linebacker, and a good DB, but I mean do they really scare anyone? I think not. Speed, speed, speed, is all you hear about this bunch. Wisconsin ran all over that speed last January. It doesn't matter how fast you are on Defense, if you can't get through a block. We are also very small defensively. Again, look at what the Badgers did to us. They lined up and ran over us at will.

Do they scare anyone?...I think yes...trust me our defense is bad a55...1st we have Coach Muschamp and if you dont think hes our biggest addition of the defense this year then you havent been following the SEC or the Dolphins. Muschamp is heads and tails above Gibbs (and I didnt really have a problem with Gibbs). If you think that all we have is one good pass rusher a LB and a good DB you didnt watch games last year and you havent seen the potential depth chart for this year. We will be faster at the safety position (hello Tristan) We have CB's Wilhite and Irons both starters from last year and a big big part of the defense. LB Will Herring who I think is going to be a much better LB than he was a safety and I think is going to have an AJ Hawk type year. Dede who showed last year that he was every bit as good as Travis and Antarrius (sp?) and fill in any 3rd linebacker here we have about a million of them. On the Line we got Gunn and Groves two of the best pass rushing guys in the league...whoever fills the middle be it Greg Smith or whoever will be just fine.

You said Speed...speed...speed ..I say hell ya...hell ya...and hell ya speed is what its about in the SEC and these guys are consistently at the top of the league in Defense...I havent seen any of our small speedy linebackers having a problem tackling anybody in the backfield.

See my previous commen above regarding Wisconsin (they were hanging out with Mickey to much)

3) What is the deal with the Offensive line? Every year CTT has been here,there are a rash of injuries, yet we have no replacements. The coaches are always moving one guy here and there: "He is a #2 right guard, but he can play left tackle" etc. That's great, but why not recruit enough linement to cover yourself. Why is the o-line always a man short in two or three areas?

I think we are loaded at most of the OL line positions I think what you see is that we dont have a lot of game experience at these positions especially center...which is the QB of the line and probably one of the most important positions in the Offense. The reason you see that they move guys around a lot is because we have guys like palmer who have played center and maybe he plays center better than Joe Redshirt Freshman and we have more depth at RT. This is where the whole get your best players at the positions out on the field comes into practice. I would rather have the best guy in there than the guy who is playing simply because he has a C after his name on the depth chart.

I am sure some of you will say don't worry, but these are legit concerns. Washington State is loaded and ready and I am not sure we are. I feel, after reading here and talking to others, that we are WAY over- confident about this opening game. A loss here, and you can pack it in for the year and get ready for a trip to Shreport or Memphis.

I am not telling you not to worry, and you are certainly entitled to your opinions. I am worried about all the games we play, but I dont see where this team is overlooking Washington State nor have I read that they are overconfident. The fans might be but not the team....and the teams the one that plays. Bottom line theres nothing any of us can do about the outcome of the game but cheer on for our beloved Tigers and come September 2nd thats what I will be doing as we watch them kick Washington St.'s...BUTT!!!!!!! WAR DAMN EAGLE!

[aukooze91 11]

Tygerman34, regarding the OL, I think CTT and his staff redshirt OL every year. When he first started at Auburn that was the plan he followed and I believe he still follows today. Through the past several years, I believe they had to shuffle a few from OL to DL (and vice versa) due to injuries, leaving early, etc, etc, but that is only a rumor. To me, it seems we try to fill in the DL more than the OL with JC transfers and others.

You got to remember this though - College football ain't what used to be as far as the number of players you can have on your team. Back in the 70's, UAT and the Bear used to have 190 dress out for home games (in Bammerham). I cannot remember when the NCAA installed their scholarship, and player total limits, but I believe the grand total of players a DIV-1 school can have now is 75 (I'm probably wrong with this guess). So, its simple math after that - 22 positions on the field, plus PK and a P. If you're 3 deep at all 22 positions, that total is 66 players. With a P and PK, your total becomes 68. That leaves you 7 players to fill in a fourth slot in some positions, if my total number is true (anyone can figure the totals out no matter what the grand total number is). I am pretty sure this number does not include redshirt players. Also, out of the 75, I do not know how many can have scholarships and how many can walk-on.

We'll be alright, don't worry. Whatever happens, happens. No, I don't think we are too overconfident. I worry too about our defense with all of their injuries, etc. I believe the Press has bumped us up way too high this year, probably so they can "bust Auburn and CTT's bubble!" As they like to do from time to time. All Auburn has to do is just run the ball and stop the run! The players just need to be focused and then execute and everything will work itself out! War Eagle!!

[bigsixfive 327]

I agree with the OL suggestion. We seem to be treating the symptoms every year rather than curing the illness. Even though we have recruited a few great OL, we seem to sign alot of second and third tier recruits. I would hope that we do a better job with this in the future!

Linemen are going to get injured. That's the position most susceptible to injury - its horrible on the knees and lower back. Its not an "illness", its a risk in football. The only "cure" is to recruit solid players that are capable of filling in when a big guy goes down. Have we not done that? When is the last time an OL injury has hurt us? I can't remember one in 4 years.

Nall is one of the best OL coaches that knows how to prepare these kids. Let him do his job, quit worrying and enjoy the season.

[WarTim 3,192]

Oh NO! Should I just go ahead and sell my Season Tickets today?

[autiger518 1]

Oh NO! Should I just go ahead and sell my Season Tickets today?

Yes to me...we are going to suck I will do you a favor and buy them all from you right now for $50

[jtweeks 0]

Cope was a walk-on...............King Dunlap more of a ** project!

[chinook 0]

two words about an undersized defense:

eleven sacks

go figure?

[sogaaufan 27]

I agree with the OL suggestion. We seem to be treating the symptoms every year rather than curing the illness. Even though we have recruited a few great OL, we seem to sign alot of second and third tier recruits. I would hope that we do a better job with this in the future!

The thing you have to remember is that recruiting (especially on OL) is a very inexact science.Our best Olineman came here as a DT. On the other hand, the most heralded O lineman we have signed in years(Leon Hart) can't crack the lineup. A good offensive line, moreso than any other position on the field needs chemistry to work correctly. AU has had that every year (except 2003) and will have it this year. These guys have been through many battles together and know each others strengths and limitations. Just because someone was an oversized mauler in high school doesn't mean they will be able to make it at the college level. The coaches recruit guys based on how well they think they can handle the offense, not JUST on if they can beat the guy in front of them. CTT has always said that he recruits linemen first every year and he has done a great job of it.

This team has the best O line in the conference and will continue to. BTW, would you call Ryan Pugh a second or third tier recruit.

[aukooze91 11]

They weren't mentally prepared for the Wisconsin game. That' all there was to it.

No truer words have been spoken...I agree 100% they were having to good a time in Orlando and were not ready for that game whatsoever!

I think they were still drunk the day of the game!

[AUesquire 1]

At practice this past Saturday, I was concerned about our O-line because they were getting schooled in every drill, scrimmage type sitaution etc. they did. Was it one day of bad practice? Yea, probably so. But, my take is that once they get all 5 together and healthy, which they've still yet to do, Nall will have them playing like all his units have in the past.

One thing I'll say that stood out as much as anything else. AU has numbers at every position on the field, including both sides of the line. We may be a little thin at LB for the first couple of games because of suspensions, but overall, that position is in good shape. And it looks like Stevens is going to contribute immediately. There are some backups, like Tyrone Green, on our O-line that are really fighting their collective arses off for PT.

Defensive size: I don't think most folks realize that this defense will probably be bigger overall than any we've had. Our LBs and DBs are the norm, but up front...we're huge. Gunn is up to 265 and ripped. Browder is over 270 and Groves is over 250 and those are just our ends. Inside, Thompson, Sims and Smith are all 300+ guys while Marks is over 290 and all these guys can move.

By the end of last season,( not the Bama game, that was fun ) it was apparent that Gibbs wasn't fooling anyone with his schemes. When you look back over the season to games where we played teams with any type of passing game like LSU and UGA, we played a 7-11 defense and left their receivers open all night long. It wasn't a lack of athleticism, it was guys not having a clue where to be in their coverages. Hell, even Wisconsin torched us deep...how many times?? We have the personnel defensively. We now also have the coach defensively.

[aukooze91 11]

Oh NO! Should I just go ahead and sell my Season Tickets today?

Yes to me...we are going to suck I will do you a favor and buy them all from you right now for $50

I bid a $100!

[Tygerman34 0]

1. Fair. If 10 wins per year is your barometer of a good coach, then I can see how you haven't been pleased. I'm pleased. Opinions are just that. Opinions.

2. "A Good pass rusher, a good linebacker, a good DB." Please elaborate. You basically are saying we have only THREE talented players on D? Back up your argument and it might warrant a response.

3. We're SOLID at OL this year. I'm not sure where you are getting your info.

All in all, these don't sound like legit concerns, so much as preseason jitters. Come back and back up your worries with statistics, facts, etc. and then we'll talk. A sample size of one (Read: Wisconsin game only) doesn't tell the whole story.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2554075

[Tygerman34 0]

1) CTT- Obviously a good coach and recruiter. A Godly man, it would seem, and strong on discipline. He has brought the level of play at Auburn up. There are no "but's" or "however's" here. I have always said that when CTT reaches double-digit wins for the third straight year, Auburn will be on top and things will finally be going our way. We haven't done it yet. No "if and but's" about one game here or there, when I see three straight 10+wins seasons from this program, I will know we have arrived. Until then, I am always nervous about games such as Washington State and the season in general.

This is the SEC Tuberville has had us in the hunt the past couple of years, not only that, but I believe (help me out here Stat) we are second in the SEC in total wins over the past 4 years. CTT has done a hell of a job and wins arent the only thing that matters IMO....we graduate players, our players stay, he has hired the best staff i think in the Nation. I to am worried about Washington State but that is not always the coaches fault, these guys do the best they can to simulate games but until they get out there and play you dont know what your dealing with...its not like they have preseaon games like the pros.

2) Our defense is scary. I don't mean they stike fear in anyone, I mean that I am scared about it. Yes we have a good pass rusher, a good linebacker, and a good DB, but I mean do they really scare anyone? I think not. Speed, speed, speed, is all you hear about this bunch. Wisconsin ran all over that speed last January. It doesn't matter how fast you are on Defense, if you can't get through a block. We are also very small defensively. Again, look at what the Badgers did to us. They lined up and ran over us at will.

Do they scare anyone?...I think yes...trust me our defense is bad a55...1st we have Coach Muschamp and if you dont think hes our biggest addition of the defense this year then you havent been following the SEC or the Dolphins. Muschamp is heads and tails above Gibbs (and I didnt really have a problem with Gibbs). If you think that all we have is one good pass rusher a LB and a good DB you didnt watch games last year and you havent seen the potential depth chart for this year. We will be faster at the safety position (hello Tristan) We have CB's Wilhite and Irons both starters from last year and a big big part of the defense. LB Will Herring who I think is going to be a much better LB than he was a safety and I think is going to have an AJ Hawk type year. Dede who showed last year that he was every bit as good as Travis and Antarrius (sp?) and fill in any 3rd linebacker here we have about a million of them. On the Line we got Gunn and Groves two of the best pass rushing guys in the league...whoever fills the middle be it Greg Smith or whoever will be just fine.

You said Speed...speed...speed ..I say hell ya...hell ya...and hell ya speed is what its about in the SEC and these guys are consistently at the top of the league in Defense...I havent seen any of our small speedy linebackers having a problem tackling anybody in the backfield.

See my previous commen above regarding Wisconsin (they were hanging out with Mickey to much)

3) What is the deal with the Offensive line? Every year CTT has been here,there are a rash of injuries, yet we have no replacements. The coaches are always moving one guy here and there: "He is a #2 right guard, but he can play left tackle" etc. That's great, but why not recruit enough linement to cover yourself. Why is the o-line always a man short in two or three areas?

I think we are loaded at most of the OL line positions I think what you see is that we dont have a lot of game experience at these positions especially center...which is the QB of the line and probably one of the most important positions in the Offense. The reason you see that they move guys around a lot is because we have guys like palmer who have played center and maybe he plays center better than Joe Redshirt Freshman and we have more depth at RT. This is where the whole get your best players at the positions out on the field comes into practice. I would rather have the best guy in there than the guy who is playing simply because he has a C after his name on the depth chart.

I am sure some of you will say don't worry, but these are legit concerns. Washington State is loaded and ready and I am not sure we are. I feel, after reading here and talking to others, that we are WAY over- confident about this opening game. A loss here, and you can pack it in for the year and get ready for a trip to Shreport or Memphis.

I am not telling you not to worry, and you are certainly entitled to your opinions. I am worried about all the games we play, but I dont see where this team is overlooking Washington State nor have I read that they are overconfident. The fans might be but not the team....and the teams the one that plays. Bottom line theres nothing any of us can do about the outcome of the game but cheer on for our beloved Tigers and come September 2nd thats what I will be doing as we watch them kick Washington St.'s...BUTT!!!!!!! WAR DAMN EAGLE!

"CTT has done a hell of a job and wins arent the only thing that matters IMO...."

If you truly feel this way, then why do we play the game? I'll tell you why we play: We play to win, not just to "feel" good about who we are and what's going on outside the lines.

[Tygerman34 0]

Oh NO! Should I just go ahead and sell my Season Tickets today?

Please.

[Tygerman34 0]

two words about an undersized defense:

eleven sacks

go figure?

Go figure this:

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2554075