What will make Paul Rhoads a success this season?

[BZ770 2]

With Muschamp, Gibbs and Chizik setting the Bar with great Defenses the past few seasons, we are used to top SEC caliber performances. Our D has won several games for us when our offenses have struggled, and kept us from getting blowed out on occasion. So what will make Rhoads a success this year. Will our new spread take the pressure off of him, or will it be like old times with our D pulling out the close wins when our offense can't get the job done. I hope we have a D we are used too, but until I watch a couple of games I have no clue how talented we are. If he can win a couple of games with our D this year, and keep us close in games that we may lose, it may be a success for him. Atlanta may be a stretch this year with a new OC and DC. Thoughts.

[AUslug 1]

The defense and Paul Rhoads success depends on not letting the other team score. Under CTT the defense has been pretty good at not allowing a lot of points, with notable exceptions. I like the potential of the offense under Franklin but right now my faith in them during a shoot out with the other teams offense isn't very high.

[Ronin 2]

The defense and Paul Rhoads success depends on not letting the other team score. Under CTT the defense has been pretty good at not allowing a lot of points, with notable exceptions. I like the potential of the offense under Franklin but right now my faith in them during a shoot out with the other teams offense isn't very high.

Because you don't have faith in the offense or the defense? If I'm understanding right, it sounds like the offense. We won the shoot-out with Clemson which had a pretty good O and D and we didn't have much time for the offense to learn the system. I sure don't know what's gonna happen next year but I haven't seen or heard anything that shakes my faith in the offense.

[Defense(clap clap) 4]

The defense and Paul Rhoads success depends on not letting the other team score. Under CTT the defense has been pretty good at not allowing a lot of points, with notable exceptions. I like the potential of the offense under Franklin but right now my faith in them during a shoot out with the other teams offense isn't very high.

I agree with not letting the other teams score. Our defense has been incredibly impressive in terms of points allowed in the last couple years. BUT, I also think that's been a by-product of a weak offense in the last two years. If that didn't happen, we could have easily been 6-6 or 7-5 last year. Our defense kept us in every game with the exception of uga in the last two years.

I think we have the talent to have another top 2 or 3 defense in the SEC, which would make us top 10 overall most likely. The only thing I'm worried about is our secondary and giving up big pass plays(i.e uga game last year). We've def got some talent, but we've also got youth and inexperience at safety and I don't think they're all that deep. I think our D line will be very strong and our LB's as well. We'll just have to make sure we don't get beat with big pass plays.

I still think if we need to though, we can waste the clock with the offense. I know it's a no huddle, fast paced offense, but that doesn't mean we can't run the ball over and over and wait til the play clock is down to 1 to call a play. I think lots of folks are worried about our defense having to be on the field more than normal, but I think we can still kill the clock with this offense.

The defense and Paul Rhoads success depends on not letting the other team score. Under CTT the defense has been pretty good at not allowing a lot of points, with notable exceptions. I like the potential of the offense under Franklin but right now my faith in them during a shoot out with the other teams offense isn't very high.

I agree with not letting the other teams score. Our defense has been incredibly impressive in terms of points allowed in the last couple years. BUT, I also think that's been a by-product of a weak offense in the last two years. If that didn't happen, we could have easily been 6-6 or 7-5 last year. Our defense kept us in every game with the exception of uga in the last two years.

I think we have the talent to have another top 2 or 3 defense in the SEC, which would make us top 10 overall most likely. The only thing I'm worried about is our secondary and giving up big pass plays(i.e uga game last year). We've def got some talent, but we've also got youth and inexperience at safety and I don't think they're all that deep. I think our D line will be very strong and our LB's as well. We'll just have to make sure we don't get beat with big pass plays.

I still think if we need to though, we can waste the clock with the offense. I know it's a no huddle, fast paced offense, but that doesn't mean we can't run the ball over and over and wait til the play clock is down to 1 to call a play. I think lots of folks are worried about our defense having to be on the field more than normal, but I think we can still kill the clock with this offense.

^^^How did I do that?

[AUslug 1]

The defense and Paul Rhoads success depends on not letting the other team score. Under CTT the defense has been pretty good at not allowing a lot of points, with notable exceptions. I like the potential of the offense under Franklin but right now my faith in them during a shoot out with the other teams offense isn't very high.

Because you don't have faith in the offense or the defense? If I'm understanding right, it sounds like the offense. We won the shoot-out with Clemson which had a pretty good O and D and we didn't have much time for the offense to learn the system. I sure don't know what's gonna happen next year but I haven't seen or heard anything that shakes my faith in the offense.

The offense is what I don't have faith in right now, it is a brand new system that all of the kids are learning at once, there will be rough patches this season. The bowl game was not a shoot out, I'm talking about getting into a 38-35 type game. Defense, you make a good point about not giving up the big play which Auburn has been pretty good at lately, except for the last two UGA games.

[sogaaufan 27]

Big plays will be the secret. If this defense will make the opposition work for every score they get, we will be fine. I know the bowl game was no shootout, but the offense registered season highs in just about every offensive category after just nine practices. This offense WILL put up some points this year. It will be the defense's job to not give them any easy TDs. I doubt this defense will have to pitch any shutouts to win games this year. As long as they play solid, disciplined, assignment football and make the offense drive the length of the field to score, the overall won-loss record should look prety good at the end of the year.

Of couse a few big plays of their own along the way would be nice.

[PChamp119 96]

Beat Bama first and foremost and then be competitive in the division and every coach was a success IMO.

[AUBoggs 0]

With Muschamp, Gibbs and Chizik setting the Bar with great Defenses the past few seasons, we are used to top SEC caliber performances. Our D has won several games for us when our offenses have struggled, and kept us from getting blowed out on occasion. So what will make Rhoads a success this year. Will our new spread take the pressure off of him, or will it be like old times with our D pulling out the close wins when our offense can't get the job done. I hope we have a D we are used too, but until I watch a couple of games I have no clue how talented we are. If he can win a couple of games with our D this year, and keep us close in games that we may lose, it may be a success for him. Atlanta may be a stretch this year with a new OC and DC. Thoughts.

It's simple: 1) An offense that does not turn the ball over multiple times a game and 2) can score >24 points in a game.

[aucanucktiger 1,850]

1. Don't let the D give up big plays @ bad times

2. Find your captain(s) on D

3. Beat tackling & assignment discipline into the ground (something Muschamp didn't stress enough)

4. get us ready on D for the MNC run we'll make in 2009. A couple JC transfers for the DL would be nice

[sogaaufan 27]

With Muschamp, Gibbs and Chizik setting the Bar with great Defenses the past few seasons, we are used to top SEC caliber performances. Our D has won several games for us when our offenses have struggled, and kept us from getting blowed out on occasion. So what will make Rhoads a success this year. Will our new spread take the pressure off of him, or will it be like old times with our D pulling out the close wins when our offense can't get the job done. I hope we have a D we are used too, but until I watch a couple of games I have no clue how talented we are. If he can win a couple of games with our D this year, and keep us close in games that we may lose, it may be a success for him. Atlanta may be a stretch this year with a new OC and DC. Thoughts.

It's simple: 1) An offense that does not turn the ball over multiple times a game and 2) can score >24 points in a game.

Not to be a smart***, but what does Rhodes have to do with either of these?

[AUBoggs 0]

With Muschamp, Gibbs and Chizik setting the Bar with great Defenses the past few seasons, we are used to top SEC caliber performances. Our D has won several games for us when our offenses have struggled, and kept us from getting blowed out on occasion. So what will make Rhoads a success this year. Will our new spread take the pressure off of him, or will it be like old times with our D pulling out the close wins when our offense can't get the job done. I hope we have a D we are used too, but until I watch a couple of games I have no clue how talented we are. If he can win a couple of games with our D this year, and keep us close in games that we may lose, it may be a success for him. Atlanta may be a stretch this year with a new OC and DC. Thoughts.

It's simple: 1) An offense that does not turn the ball over multiple times a game and 2) can score >24 points in a game.

Not to be a smart***, but what does Rhodes have to do with either of these?

Not a d@%n thing but if you'll refer to last year, Auburn lost to MSU and South FLorida while giving up a total of at least 10 turnovers. Point being, the defense will be fine, it's the offense we need to be concerned with.

[otterinbham 0]

From what I've read, Rhoads is an excellent DC.

That being said, if Auburn manages to stay in the same range of points allowed as we did last year AND enjoy better offensive production, then it will be a great year. After all, if we had just put one more touchdown per game on the board last year, we would have rolled on everyone but Georgia.

[quietfan 233]

If we had scored one more touchdown a game last year (Less in a couple of our losses), we would have finished 11-1 regular season (damn Georgia!) ...and, I believe, beaten UT in Atlanta and played OSU for the MNC.

I think our new offense can get us that extra touchdown this year, so I just want a scoring defense that will be at least as good as last year. (...aided, by the way, with an easier SEC road schedule and UT in place of Florida in the SEC East.)

[PChamp119 96]

If we had scored one more touchdown a game last year (Less in a couple of our losses), we would have finished 11-1 regular season (damn Georgia!) ...and, I believe, beaten UT in Atlanta and played OSU for the MNC.

I think our new offense can get us that extra touchdown this year, so I just want a scoring defense that will be at least as good as last year. (...aided, by the way, with an easier SEC road schedule and UT in place of Florida in the SEC East.)

You do realize we defeated Florida... twice... right? Theoretically, no one is easier than Florida to us right now. The only team in the east that has beaten Auburn in the last 6 years would be Georgia and only Georgia.

[quietfan 233]

If we had scored one more touchdown a game last year (Less in a couple of our losses), we would have finished 11-1 regular season (damn Georgia!) ...and, I believe, beaten UT in Atlanta and played OSU for the MNC.

I think our new offense can get us that extra touchdown this year, so I just want a scoring defense that will be at least as good as last year. (...aided, by the way, with an easier SEC road schedule and UT in place of Florida in the SEC East.)

You do realize we defeated Florida... twice... right? Theoretically, no one is easier than Florida to us right now. The only team in the east that has beaten Auburn in the last 6 years would be Georgia and only Georgia.

Sure, I realize we're 2-0 against Florida in the past two games...the same can be said for our last two games against Tennessee. I was just suggesting UT would be slightly easier than UF based on pre-season comments from media talking heads, more of whom seem to have Florida in the MNC race than Tennessee. Of course, that could be nothing more than Meyer/Tebow worship on their part...

[ProgRock 0]

I think we wil be defensively solid because of Tuberville.I think ever since he's gotten the full alloted scholarships ,from that point on Auburn has been solid on defense.

What I DO think is that Paul Rhoads will not be clueless when facing those Georgia Dogs.I mean think about it ,Mshchamp looks good until he faces his former university...then (finger to lips) BBbbbbbbbbbbbb.

Mark it down the dawgs won't go three straight.!!!!!!!

[AUTiger1 0]

The defense and Paul Rhoads success depends on not letting the other team score. Under CTT the defense has been pretty good at not allowing a lot of points, with notable exceptions. I like the potential of the offense under Franklin but right now my faith in them during a shoot out with the other teams offense isn't very high.

I agree with not letting the other teams score. Our defense has been incredibly impressive in terms of points allowed in the last couple years. BUT, I also think that's been a by-product of a weak offense in the last two years. If that didn't happen, we could have easily been 6-6 or 7-5 last year. Our defense kept us in every game with the exception of uga in the last two years.

I think we have the talent to have another top 2 or 3 defense in the SEC, which would make us top 10 overall most likely. The only thing I'm worried about is our secondary and giving up big pass plays(i.e uga game last year). We've def got some talent, but we've also got youth and inexperience at safety and I don't think they're all that deep. I think our D line will be very strong and our LB's as well. We'll just have to make sure we don't get beat with big pass plays.

I still think if we need to though, we can waste the clock with the offense. I know it's a no huddle, fast paced offense, but that doesn't mean we can't run the ball over and over and wait til the play clock is down to 1 to call a play. I think lots of folks are worried about our defense having to be on the field more than normal, but I think we can still kill the clock with this offense.

The defense and Paul Rhoads success depends on not letting the other team score. Under CTT the defense has been pretty good at not allowing a lot of points, with notable exceptions. I like the potential of the offense under Franklin but right now my faith in them during a shoot out with the other teams offense isn't very high.

I agree with not letting the other teams score. Our defense has been incredibly impressive in terms of points allowed in the last couple years. BUT, I also think that's been a by-product of a weak offense in the last two years. If that didn't happen, we could have easily been 6-6 or 7-5 last year. Our defense kept us in every game with the exception of uga in the last two years.

I think we have the talent to have another top 2 or 3 defense in the SEC, which would make us top 10 overall most likely. The only thing I'm worried about is our secondary and giving up big pass plays(i.e uga game last year). We've def got some talent, but we've also got youth and inexperience at safety and I don't think they're all that deep. I think our D line will be very strong and our LB's as well. We'll just have to make sure we don't get beat with big pass plays.

I still think if we need to though, we can waste the clock with the offense. I know it's a no huddle, fast paced offense, but that doesn't mean we can't run the ball over and over and wait til the play clock is down to 1 to call a play. I think lots of folks are worried about our defense having to be on the field more than normal, but I think we can still kill the clock with this offense.

^^^How did I do that?

I just hope they will actually turn their head and look for the ball this year. Last year we could keep up with most receivers step for step but we never turned and looked for the ball to throw a hand up and try to bat the ball away.

[sntemp 0]

What will make Paul Rhoads a success this season?

Paul Rhodes will be a success this season if he gets a DC or Co-DC offer from Texas at the end of the season.

[Wishbone 0]

Auburn lost almost the entire DL. The best DL we have had in a while. The defense will not be as good. It will have nothing to do with Rhoades.

[subterranean_jack 113]

The only way Rhoads flops is if he loses respect of the players on defense. The talent and leadership on the defense bodes well. I expect Rhoads to manage it well.

It's hard to see how the offense won't be improved, and if the offense can take some pressure off the defense (like not having to be perfect as in the past two seasons), then the defense will be the best in the SEC and Top 5 nationally. There may be some better individual defensive players nationally, but I doubt there are more than a handful of teams that can match Auburn's defense overall. I expect Rhoads to have a season similar to Borges' first season on The Plains, if the offense has a heartbeat and barring catastrophic injury.

From what I am seeing, Auburn is being underestimated nationally. All but a few from LSU and UAT have already written off Auburn. The national media will do the same, at least until Auburn beats undefeated West Virginia in Morgantown. If the stars align, Auburn has a solid shot at the MNC. Rhoads will play a big role. I'm hoping Rhoads fares better against UGA than Muschamp.

[AUdrew1 3]

The defense and Paul Rhoads success depends on not letting the other team score. Under CTT the defense has been pretty good at not allowing a lot of points, with notable exceptions. I like the potential of the offense under Franklin but right now my faith in them during a shoot out with the other teams offense isn't very high.

Because you don't have faith in the offense or the defense? If I'm understanding right, it sounds like the offense. We won the shoot-out with Clemson which had a pretty good O and D and we didn't have much time for the offense to learn the system. I sure don't know what's gonna happen next year but I haven't seen or heard anything that shakes my faith in the offense.

The offense is what I don't have faith in right now, it is a brand new system that all of the kids are learning at once, there will be rough patches this season. The bowl game was not a shoot out, I'm talking about getting into a 38-35 type game. Defense, you make a good point about not giving up the big play which Auburn has been pretty good at lately, except for the last two UGA games.

in 2004 al borges had a new system did you put much faith in our O that year?

[AUslug 1]

The defense and Paul Rhoads success depends on not letting the other team score. Under CTT the defense has been pretty good at not allowing a lot of points, with notable exceptions. I like the potential of the offense under Franklin but right now my faith in them during a shoot out with the other teams offense isn't very high.

Because you don't have faith in the offense or the defense? If I'm understanding right, it sounds like the offense. We won the shoot-out with Clemson which had a pretty good O and D and we didn't have much time for the offense to learn the system. I sure don't know what's gonna happen next year but I haven't seen or heard anything that shakes my faith in the offense.

The offense is what I don't have faith in right now, it is a brand new system that all of the kids are learning at once, there will be rough patches this season. The bowl game was not a shoot out, I'm talking about getting into a 38-35 type game. Defense, you make a good point about not giving up the big play which Auburn has been pretty good at lately, except for the last two UGA games.

in 2004 al borges had a new system did you put much faith in our O that year?

I was optimistic about that offense cause I had read up on Borges previous stops. I was just glad it was anything but Nallsminger.