Auburn loaded for the future

[quietfan 233]

The future's so bright, I gotta wear shades!

http://www.al.com/auburnfootball/birmingha...;coll=2#Scene_1

Nine freshmen may play key roles at AU

Sunday, August 19, 2007

CHARLES GOLDBERG

News staff writer

AUBURN - Lee Ziemba, Mike McNeil, Antoine Carter, Ryan Pugh, Bo Harris and Chris Slaughter are forcing Auburn to rethink its position on playing true freshmen.

Those six - and perhaps quarterback Kodi Burns and a couple of more - have been so impressive in fall practice that they've moved from a possible redshirt to competing for a spot in the starting lineup on a team that goes into the preseason ranked 18th in the nation.

Old-school Auburn is turning over a new leaf

Only three true freshmen advanced to sophomore status two years ago. Only two made it last season. Others played, but earned medical redshirts. But this year's recruiting class is so top heavy, and apparently healthy, that coach Tommy Tuberville predicted before fall practice began that Ziemba would have a chance to start at right tackle and McNeil would be the No. 2 safety.

Nothing has changed that. But now there are even more rookies likely to join the playing rotation because, well, they don't know any better.

Take Ziemba. He's the favorite to start. Take Carter. He's supposed to be a pass-rush specialist at defensive end. Take Pugh. He's whispered to have advanced offensive line skills. Take Slaughter. He's a raw wide receiver who arrived five days late to fall practice and with only a passing knowledge of pass routes.

How little did he know? He says his prep school playbook went something like this: "Run down the field. We'll throw you the ball."

That would normally be a recipe for serious bench time as an Auburn freshman, but that hasn't stopped Slaughter from trying to force the issue, even though he has some shortcomings.

"He doesn't know where to run or who to block," said receivers coach Greg Knox. But he knows how to catch, so much so that Knox concedes that "at some point, yes, he is likely to play."

The fact he ran with the first-team offense in Auburn's second - and last - fall scrimmage suggests Knox is giving Slaughter a chance to bump off an older player.

"Seeing how he put me in, and buckling down on me and telling me I've got to learn the plays, I feel like I have a good chance of playing," Slaughter said. "Right now, I'm really just trying to learn the plays."

A look at some of the rookies on the rise:

Lee Ziemba. One of the top high school linemen in the nation last year has lived up to his billing. He or junior Antwoin Daniels will start at right tackle.

Chris Slaughter. Knox has given him individual attention, but apparently nobody can make him eat. Slaughter is a thin 6-foot-3, 168 pounds.

"I could weigh 100 pounds and still play the style I play," Slaughter said.

Mike McNeil. The safety is from a football-playing family and has quietly put himself in the playing rotation.

Antoine Carter. Look for him on third-down passing plays to harass quarterbacks from defensive end.

Ryan Pugh. The center from Hoover High has taken snaps with the first-team offense and plenty more with the second unit.

Bo Harris. A linebacker who made an early impact but has missed the last several days with a bad shoulder. That probably won't hurt his chances, however.

Kodi Burns. Elusive runner and quality passer who could provide an offensive spark and a change of pace to starting quarterback Brandon Cox.

Wes Byrum. A freshman kicker who has a scholarship. That should tell you something. He can handle field goal and kickoff duties.

Brent Slusher. Another linebacker who could get a chance. An informal vote of coaches Saturday indicated he'd play.

[BAMMERPERRY 0]

That could be good or bad, depending on your point of view.

[townhallsavoy 2]

That could be good or bad, depending on your point of view.

Wow, not bad, BP. Actually a slightly intelligent response.

I agree that it COULD be bad but only one of them has the chance to start. I wouldn't like to start Lee Ziemba but if he's that good, then let him play. If the other ones are good enough to contribute on a team that has finished in the top ten 2 out of the last 3 years, then by all means, put em on the field.

[GalensGhost 0]

You've got to be consistent. If any other team was talking about nine freshmen being key, we'd be slamming them and noting that every freshman starter equals a loss.

[townhallsavoy 2]

You've got to be consistent. If any other team was talking about nine freshmen being key, we'd be slamming them and noting that every freshman starter equals a loss.

True.

But looking at the article a little more closely, it doesn't say any of them are going to actually be "key." Antoine Carter, Ryan Pugh, Chris Slaughter, Kodi Burns, Brent Slusher - none of those guys are going to get that much playing time, if any. Wes Byrum is a kicker, and a real good one, so him starting isn't bothersome. Bo Harris is not really a true freshmen - our linebackers are a bit depleted so yeah, slam that one.

USC is known for playing true freshmen and I think they've turned out ok.

[quietfan 233]

And of course, I wasn't particularly talking about 2007. By "the future" I meant 2008-2009-2010-etc. when these guys have seasoned a little. 2008 and 2010 in particular (even years), our SEC schedule has us at home for big games.

[townhallsavoy 2]

And of course, I wasn't particularly talking about 2007. By "the future" I meant 2008-2009-2010-etc. when these guys have seasoned a little. 2008 and 2010 in particular (even years), our SEC schedule has us at home for big games.

Yeah, we picked up on that. However, I think that Auburn has evolved into what is known as a "perennial powerhouse." We don't build teams for two or three years down the road, we rebuild each season, which therefore means starting a lot of freshmen could be a problem. COULD BE...it could be amazing...it could provide us with a lot of depth...it could provide consistent competition for the starting jobs, causing the work ethic to increase...it could mean our team is slacking in some departments...it could mean our veterans haven't made very much progress.

[BAMMERPERRY 0]

We'll be relying on quite a few Freshman on Defense, so I'm not casting stones. Maybe not is starting roles immediately (except McClain), but they'll get a lot of PT.

[Bama Possum 0]

It is very easy to read too much into any of these things, but starting several freshman is generally considered to be a weakness. As was mentioned, Alabama will probably have a freshman or two show on defense this season. That's not because they are so great, but because the depth at that position wasn't where it should have been.

IMO, very few freshman are ready to play in their first season. There are occasional standouts, (I was pleasantly surprised by Andre Smith's abilities as a true frosh.)but having more than one or two have to step up usually isn't a good thing.

Just to make folks angry, I will paraphrase Coach Saban from yesterday's press conference: You have to remember that these kids just went to the prom a few months ago. They have a lot of maturing and learning to do.

[AuburnChopper1 0]

I think some of you are missing the "tone" or "context" of the article. It's clearly saying they "could" start, but really just points out the "start worthy" talent that has to be considered. If you notice most of the spots he talks about for this year with the exception of Ziemba, are number two spots. Carter on third down situations.

It's something to be excited about, something that points out our "re-loading" capabilities for the near future, but it's not something that indicates a "need" for them this year.

I'm excited about the article! As Auburn fans, you should be too, it shows that quietly, and in our typically "under the radar" fashion...we're doing juusssst fine in the growth department.

War Eagle!

[AUloggerhead 2,841]

... Just to make folks angry, I will paraphrase Coach Saban from yesterday's press conference: You have to remember that these kids just went to the prom a few months ago. They have a lot of maturing and learning to do.

Angry? Whatchu talkin' bout, Willis? Anytime the topic turns to depth & $aben, I start to get the chuckles. Has he got the one-deep depth chart figured out?

[AuburnChopper1 0]

... Just to make folks angry, I will paraphrase Coach Saban from yesterday's press conference: You have to remember that these kids just went to the prom a few months ago. They have a lot of maturing and learning to do.

Angry? Whatchu talkin' bout, Willis? Anytime the topic turns to depth & $aben, I start to get the chuckles. Has he got the one-deep depth chart figured out?

DAM*IT!!!!! HE DOESN'T HAVE A DEPTH CHART!!!!!!

[BAMMERPERRY 0]

he has a depth chart, just ain't sayin' what it looks like!

[GalensGhost 0]

I think some of you are missing the "tone" or "context" of the article. It's clearly saying they "could" start, but really just points out the "start worthy" talent that has to be considered. If you notice most of the spots he talks about for this year with the exception of Ziemba, are number two spots. Carter on third down situations.

It's something to be excited about, something that points out our "re-loading" capabilities for the near future, but it's not something that indicates a "need" for them this year.

I'm excited about the article! As Auburn fans, you should be too, it shows that quietly, and in our typically "under the radar" fashion...we're doing juusssst fine in the growth department.

War Eagle!

But SI -- and a couple of gloomy gus weiners here -- said Alabammer is just whippin' our butts in recruiting. We don't have even a single chance.

[AuburnChopper1 0]

I think some of you are missing the "tone" or "context" of the article. It's clearly saying they "could" start, but really just points out the "start worthy" talent that has to be considered. If you notice most of the spots he talks about for this year with the exception of Ziemba, are number two spots. Carter on third down situations.

It's something to be excited about, something that points out our "re-loading" capabilities for the near future, but it's not something that indicates a "need" for them this year.

I'm excited about the article! As Auburn fans, you should be too, it shows that quietly, and in our typically "under the radar" fashion...we're doing juusssst fine in the growth department.

War Eagle!

But SI -- and a couple of gloomy gus weiners here -- said Alabammer is just whippin' our butts in recruiting. We don't have even a single chance.

I hear ya GG... Whatever are we ever going to do?????