Tigers looking for fifth defensive lineman

[DKW 86 6,356]

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

Tigers looking for fifth defensive lineman

AUBURN - It could be freshman Mike Blanc. It could be freshman Jermarcus Ricks. It could even be freshman Zach Clayton, who spent most of preseason camp practicing at defensive end.

Defensive tackles coach Don Dunn is looking for at least one more interior lineman. The starters and backups are set. Senior Josh Thompson will start at nose guard and be backed up by junior Tez Doolittle. Sophomore Pat Sims will start at tackle and be backed up by redshirt freshman Sen'Derrick Marks.

But the Tigers, who open the season against Washington State on Sept. 2 at Jordan-Hare Stadium, normally travel with a fifth defensive lineman.

"The fifth guy, I don't know yet," Dunn said. "We'll weed that out in the next few days. One day it looks like it might be Jermarcus and another day it looks like it might be Mike. That's good because they are battling, but they are still freshmen. Right when you think you are ready to count on them, they kind of slip backward."

Clayton has been getting work inside and "had done some good things," according to Dunn.

One who isn't yet a candidate to be in the top five is gargantuan junior college transfer Greg Smith, a 6-foot-1, 345-pounder who arrived last Wednesday.

"He has a lot of adjusting to do to this kind of environment," Dunn said. "It's all new to him, and he's not in very good shape. Hopefully, down the road, he'll get himself ready to play."

Returners set: Special teams coach Eddie Gran says the decision has been made on the return men for the opening game.

Sophomore Robert Dunn will return punts. Sophomores Tristan Davis and Brad Lester will return kickoffs.

Back to work: The Tigers took Monday off and will return to the practice field this morning. Tuesday and Thursday practices will be in the mornings throughout the season.

[PChamp119 96]

I like our Returners

[Draven 0]

I like our Returners

I was thinking that very thing with Brad and TD returning kickoffs, with their speed it should be real fun to watch. I haven’t seen what Robert Dunn can do yet but looking very forward to it.

[AUesquire 1]

I hope Greg Smith works himself into playing shape quickly. He's a mountain of a man but he's just not ready. That being said, I feel much better about the interior of the D-line. All 4 of those guys can bull rush the fool out of you. If they can hold down the middle, our ends will take care of the rest.

As for the return guys, now that's a good lookin' group. As long as Dunn holds on to the ball on punts, I think we may finally have special teams play that's a weapon instead of everyone holding their collective breath.

[WarTim 3,192]

I truly believe that Robert Dunn will be a GREAT player before he is finished @ AU. He has all the tools in the world and, after what he went through to get here, He has got to feel like a man that has been reborn!

[Proud Tiger 4,261]

Smells like Greg Smith is headed for a redshirt.

[aubrandon 5]

Thank the Good Lord Tre Smith will not be fumbling punts this year. Good running back but awful retuner. I really like Robert Dunn. He is so quick. What else can we say about Tristan Davis and Brad Lester. Quick as lighting and gone like thunder.

[vatz22au 104]

Tristan Davis will have an 80 yards per kick return this year at the end of the season

[DKW 86 6,356]

I will bet now that GS will be starting by midseason. I see NO redshirt. CWM wants beef on the line. GS is a solid answer in the middle. I got a dollar that says we will not have the DE/Run stopping problem this year as last few. One probloem we had at times is that the DEs would run themselves out of position, I would bet the house that CWM ends that problem in the first game.