Fannin for QUARTERBACK?!?!?

[WarDamn 0]

I freakin LOVE the versitility we are going to have on offense this year. Mario is just one of the many special players we have on this team and I look foward to great things!!

http://blog.al.com/goldmine/2008/06/tuberv...k_at_aubur.html

Tuberville takes look at Auburn position changes

Posted by Charles Goldberg, Birmingham News June 12, 2008 3:00 PM

Categories: Football

Tommy Tuberville and his assistants are flipping the flip charts. We'll let the Auburn head coach explain some of the moves.

Todd Van Emst

Mario Fannin: Offense in bowl gameTuberville says Mario Fannin, formerly of the backfield, will be a super utility player (did we hear Tuberville say ``quarterback?''), moving away from the backfield and into a variety of spots, just like he did in the Chick-fil-A Bowl, where he excelled. The move was mutually made by player and coach, and was helped along after a shoulder injury in the spring convinced everybody that it would be best not to take a season's worth of pounding on the shoulder coming out of the backfield.

Tuberville says true freshman quarterback DeRon Furr, who participated in spring practice, will move to the secondary because that's the fastest path to playing time. Ryan Pugh, a starting tackle, will be the backup center to Jason Bosley with an eye of taking over the starting center spot in 2009. That's been the plan for a year.

Here's how Tuberville breaks down the moves:

**Fannin showed his versatility in the Chick-fil-A Bowl just a few weeks after new offensive coordinator Tony Franklin installed the spread offense. He led the Tigers in receiving with 53 yards on five catches and rushed three times for 18 yards. He suffered a shoulder injury in the spring, but he'll be back in the fall. The move out of the backfield was easy, since Ben Tate and Brad Lester form a solid 1-2 tailback punch ahead of him, though he was third on the team in rushing with 448 yards. Fannin's role this time: Instant offense.

``He's going to play a lot of positions,'' Tuberville said. ``He's going to play slot receiver, and the `Y, X and Z' spots. He'll be a move guy, like a small tight end. He'll be in the backfield, too. He could be a quarterback. You know he ran this offense in high school. (We interrupt this quote to explain Tuberville meant Fannin at quarterback could be an occasional, change-of-pace kind of thing.) He's going to be a universal guy, but we're not going to put him in the backfield and run him 25 times a game. He's got to steadily get back to playing. He was very productive with what we did with him in the bowl game, so we'll continue to do that. He's the kind of guy you move around.

``He's a heck of an athlete. He could play linebacker. He's got to touch the ball.''

**Furr finished spring practice as the No. 4 quarterback, a spot that may have been in jeopardy with the arrival of freshman Barrett Trotter. Tuberville said Furr wants to play now, so he'll give safety a try.

``That's probably the position with the least depth, and DeRon wants to play this year. We haven't given up on him at quarterback -- that's up to him. He's kind of like a Mario -- he could play anywhere you want him to play because he's that good of an athlete. He's got four years left and wants to participate rather than sit back and watch at quarterback for a couple of years.''

**Starting tackle Ryan Pugh is still on track to be the starting center.

``He'll be the starting center when Bosley is gone. We tried Mike Berry, but Mike is much better at guard and tackle. Bosley will be the starting center and Pugh will be the backup - but Ryan will start somewhere.''

[SCBusPilot 72]

Wow!

http://blog.al.com/goldmine/2008/06/tuberv...k_at_aubur.html

Tommy Tuberville and his assistants are flipping the flip charts. We'll let the Auburn head coach explain some of the moves.

Todd Van Emst

Mario Fannin: Offense in bowl gameTuberville says Mario Fannin, formerly of the backfield, will be a super utility player (did we hear Tuberville say ``quarterback?''), moving away from the backfield and into a variety of spots, just like he did in the Chick-fil-A Bowl, where he excelled. The move was mutually made by player and coach, and was helped along after a shoulder injury in the spring convinced everybody that it would be best not to take a season's worth of pounding on the shoulder coming out of the backfield.

Tuberville says true freshman quarterback DeRon Furr, who participated in spring practice, will move to the secondary because that's the fastest path to playing time. Ryan Pugh, a starting tackle, will be the backup center to Jason Bosley with an eye of taking over the starting center spot in 2009. That's been the plan for a year.

Here's how Tuberville breaks down the moves:

**Fannin showed his versatility in the Chick-fil-A Bowl just a few weeks after new offensive coordinator Tony Franklin installed the spread offense. He led the Tigers in receiving with 53 yards on five catches and rushed three times for 18 yards. He suffered a shoulder injury in the spring, but he'll be back in the fall. The move out of the backfield was easy, since Ben Tate and Brad Lester form a solid 1-2 tailback punch ahead of him, though he was third on the team in rushing with 448 yards. Fannin's role this time: Instant offense.

``He's going to play a lot of positions,'' Tuberville said. ``He's going to play slot receiver, and the `Y, X and Z' spots. He'll be a move guy, like a small tight end. He'll be in the backfield, too. He could be a quarterback. You know he ran this offense in high school. (We interrupt this quote to explain Tuberville meant Fannin at quarterback could be an occasional, change-of-pace kind of thing.) He's going to be a universal guy, but we're not going to put him in the backfield and run him 25 times a game. He's got to steadily get back to playing. He was very productive with what we did with him in the bowl game, so we'll continue to do that. He's the kind of guy you move around.

``He's a heck of an athlete. He could play linebacker. He's got to touch the ball.''

**Furr finished spring practice as the No. 4 quarterback, a spot that may have been in jeopardy with the arrival of freshman Barrett Trotter. Tuberville said Furr wants to play now, so he'll give safety a try.

``That's probably the position with the least depth, and DeRon wants to play this year. We haven't given up on him at quarterback -- that's up to him. He's kind of like a Mario -- he could play anywhere you want him to play because he's that good of an athlete. He's got four years left and wants to participate rather than sit back and watch at quarterback for a couple of years.''

**Starting tackle Ryan Pugh is still on track to be the starting center.

``He'll be the starting center when Bosley is gone. We tried Mike Berry, but Mike is much better at guard and tackle. Bosley will be the starting center and Pugh will be the backup - but Ryan will start somewhere.''

[WarDamn 0]

Didnt mean to make a post if this article was already on here. My bad.

[McWeagle 4]

He did play QB in high school. Doesn't hurt to have a package set up for him at QB. Arkansas was hugely successful with McFadden lined up in the gun. Of course, they didn't have anything resembling a Burns or a Todd.

I love the idea of opponents having to prepare for three quarterbacks (!!!). I also love it that CTF and CTT seem to be intent on getting the best athletes on the field as much as possible. I joked a few months ago about Fannin, Lester, Tate and Davis all being on the field at the same time. Suddenly it doesn't seem so unlikely.

[ATLauburnfan 0]

Why not? I agree with the post above me. If we have 3 different styled QB's with completely different personality and appearances then i don't see how a defense could prepare for us. Sounds like a great plan!

[PChamp119 96]

I love putting the ball in the athlete's hands and having them on the field.

But at the same time, I see this idea of multiple QBs as a gimmick.

[AU alum 2]

I love putting the ball in the athlete's hands and having them on the field.

But at the same time, I see this idea of multiple QBs as a gimmick.

And what's so wrong with that? Gimmick plays are great to have!

[jdub5793 0]

I love putting the ball in the athlete's hands and having them on the field.

But at the same time, I see this idea of multiple QBs as a gimmick.

And what's so wrong with that? Gimmick plays are great to have!

Done at the right time within the flow of the offense, sure. I just want to see the best players making plays.

[IslandTiger 0]

I love putting the ball in the athlete's hands and having them on the field.

But at the same time, I see this idea of multiple QBs as a gimmick.

And what's so wrong with that? Gimmick plays are great to have!

I Agree...I can clearly recall us having a few servings of toast handed to us via the gimmick play over the last few years. I personally think it'd be nice to see a little of the 'Ol Riverboat Gambler make a surprise appearance down on the plains again-Or at least put the other teams in a position of thinking that he might and maybe catch 'em on their heels!!

War Damn Gimmick Play!!!

[Auburn 6 101]

I love putting the ball in the athlete's hands and having them on the field.

But at the same time, I see this idea of multiple QBs as a gimmick.

Gimmicks that have led the last two champions to victory (Florida and LSU)

[Guest BoStillKnows]

I hope to see Fannin in a role similar to McFadden when he was at Arkansas. I think he has the ability to do a lot of things and his ability needs to be used to the fullest.

Tony Franklin will be very good for Mario Fannin.

[PChamp119 96]

I'm not talking about a particular play - I meant the offense. Florida won with their offense, I agree. But it's not like they were super great. The thing about a gimmick - is that once you solve it, they are screwed. See the Auburn game. See last season for Florida in general.

How was LSU a gimmick? They had some luck come their way and Miles had some questionable / ballsy play calls. If it was Tuberville, it'd be "The Riverboat Gambler does it again! War Damn Tubs!"

Anyone who still claims that Les Miles is an idiot and a bad coach is a moron. I'm not calling him the greatest coach, but let's remember two things:

1) Many claim he won with Saban's talent. You still have to win the games! Look at what has happened to teams like Louisville when a great coach has left. He had been the coach for 3 years - I'm sure some of those players were his and he still has to coach them for the majority of their career.

2) Many claim he made some dumb decisions. Dumb according to whom? The fans? The fans that don't get paid to coach? He won a freaking National Championship. Just because he made some decisions that you may not agree with, doesn't mean it is dumb. He may have taken the road less traveled in many choices throughout the season, but that road lead to some rings. Maybe the majority of the fans are dumb for not making those same calls. I think I will go with the guy who is being paid $4M a year to be the head coach and wins rings over a fan who posts on a website.

Just because you go for it on 4th down, doesn't mean it's dumb. I love going for it on fourth down. The rewards are so sweet and you have to have the confidence in your team. Look at Tubs - he goes for it on 4th and less than a yard and basically always gets the first down. Many pointed to the OT game against Clemson - who wouldn't go for it on 4th down? Many called Tubs risky for it, but I think any coach in America goes for it in that position.

[lca408 379]

I'm not talking about a particular play - I meant the offense. Florida won with their offense, I agree. But it's not like they were super great. The thing about a gimmick - is that once you solve it, they are screwed. See the Auburn game. See last season for Florida in general.

How was LSU a gimmick? They had some luck come their way and Miles had some questionable / ballsy play calls. If it was Tuberville, it'd be "The Riverboat Gambler does it again! War Damn Tubs!"

Anyone who still claims that Les Miles is an idiot and a bad coach is a moron. I'm not calling him the greatest coach, but let's remember two things:

1) Many claim he won with Saban's talent. You still have to win the games! Look at what has happened to teams like Louisville when a great coach has left. He had been the coach for 3 years - I'm sure some of those players were his and he still has to coach them for the majority of their career.

2) Many claim he made some dumb decisions. Dumb according to whom? The fans? The fans that don't get paid to coach? He won a freaking National Championship. Just because he made some decisions that you may not agree with, doesn't mean it is dumb. He may have taken the road less traveled in many choices throughout the season, but that road lead to some rings. Maybe the majority of the fans are dumb for not making those same calls. I think I will go with the guy who is being paid $4M a year to be the head coach and wins rings over a fan who posts on a website.

Just because you go for it on 4th down, doesn't mean it's dumb. I love going for it on fourth down. The rewards are so sweet and you have to have the confidence in your team. Look at Tubs - he goes for it on 4th and less than a yard and basically always gets the first down. Many pointed to the OT game against Clemson - who wouldn't go for it on 4th down? Many called Tubs risky for it, but I think any coach in America goes for it in that position.

Damn right! I hate when people downplay Miles' coaching abilities. He may not be the best coach in the SEC, but to average 11+ wins in the hardest conference in the nation is worthy of being praised. Talent only gets you so far. Look at Tennessee and Florida State and their recruiting success.

I wouldn't call Fannin lining up at QB as gimmicky. I don't even expect to see it. To me, that quote from Tuberville doesn't tell me that Fannin will be throwing passes to Dunn or Billings, it tells me that Fannin will get the ball in un-orthodox ways. He's a great athlete and he'll do well at almost any position.

I doubt every coach in America would have gone for it on 4th down like Tuberville did. With Wes Byrum as kicker, at that distance, I'm certain there were alot of coaches that would have attempted the FG over going for it on fourth down. I just wish Tuberville would have gone for it on 4th down in the '05 LSwho game rather than let Vaughn attempt another kick in swirling winds.

Ryan

[Auburn 6 101]

I'm not talking about a particular play - I meant the offense. Florida won with their offense, I agree. But it's not like they were super great. The thing about a gimmick - is that once you solve it, they are screwed. See the Auburn game. See last season for Florida in general.

How was LSU a gimmick? They had some luck come their way and Miles had some questionable / ballsy play calls. If it was Tuberville, it'd be "The Riverboat Gambler does it again! War Damn Tubs!"

You said multiple quarterbacks were gimmicky. Florida and LSU both won championships with multiple quarterbacks and their "gimmicky" offenses. They both had good defenses too, but that alone won't win a championship. Gimmick or not, it can work.

[TexasTiger 14,044]

I'm not talking about a particular play - I meant the offense. Florida won with their offense, I agree. But it's not like they were super great. The thing about a gimmick - is that once you solve it, they are screwed. See the Auburn game. See last season for Florida in general.

How was LSU a gimmick? They had some luck come their way and Miles had some questionable / ballsy play calls. If it was Tuberville, it'd be "The Riverboat Gambler does it again! War Damn Tubs!"

Anyone who still claims that Les Miles is an idiot and a bad coach is a moron. I'm not calling him the greatest coach, but let's remember two things:

1) Many claim he won with Saban's talent. You still have to win the games! Look at what has happened to teams like Louisville when a great coach has left. He had been the coach for 3 years - I'm sure some of those players were his and he still has to coach them for the majority of their career.

2) Many claim he made some dumb decisions. Dumb according to whom? The fans? The fans that don't get paid to coach? He won a freaking National Championship. Just because he made some decisions that you may not agree with, doesn't mean it is dumb. He may have taken the road less traveled in many choices throughout the season, but that road lead to some rings. Maybe the majority of the fans are dumb for not making those same calls. I think I will go with the guy who is being paid $4M a year to be the head coach and wins rings over a fan who posts on a website.

Just because you go for it on 4th down, doesn't mean it's dumb. I love going for it on fourth down. The rewards are so sweet and you have to have the confidence in your team. Look at Tubs - he goes for it on 4th and less than a yard and basically always gets the first down. Many pointed to the OT game against Clemson - who wouldn't go for it on 4th down? Many called Tubs risky for it, but I think any coach in America goes for it in that position.

Les Miles went for it 3rd down. Not dumb, necessarily, unless you have a mistaken sense of what the clock is at. Miles didn't understand what he had done until he watched the tape.

[baseballman8388 0]

I've been saying it all offseason and Tuberville confirmed it today, Fannin will be our Percy Harvin. Fannin won't be a QB that we rotate in. He will line up at under center for certain trick plays or to create confusion.

[mcgufcm 4,109]

A few things:

1) Having a set with Fannin taking snaps is a great idea. As good as Brad and Ben are, he's the best running back on the team. If we're moving him out to reduce the pounding he takes while we have two other great options at tailback, I fully support it, but we still need to get him the ball in the backfield at least 10 times a game. He's too good of a runner not to do that. Underutilizing Fannin was one of Borges' biggest mistakes last year.

2) Two-QB systems aren't a gimmick, but they usually are a bad idea. It's not gimmicky to have two QBs, especially when they have completely different skill-sets. BUT the set up usually works against you at least once a year (sticking to the system and benching a red hot guy for the change of pace and never getting the offense back on track is the most common way... just ask UGA fans about that DJ Shockley substitution in the 2002 UF game).

3) Just because something works doesn't mean it wasn't stupid. Les Miles made some really, really, really stupid calls last year that just happened to work. I personally think he's a flawed but very, very good coach. Let's just not paint him as a genius simply because of the outcome. (Conversely, people should remember that every play that fails wasn't a terrible playcall.)

4) No team is actually going to prepare for three QBs. Whoever said Fannin won't be a real QB (just a RB taking snaps) is exactly right. Teams will basically prepare for a no QB/straight option set, but the thought of Fannin throwing the ball isn't going to scare many people.

[McWeagle 4]

A few things:

1) Having a set with Fannin taking snaps is a great idea. As good as Brad and Ben are, he's the best running back on the team. If we're moving him out to reduce the pounding he takes while we have two other great options at tailback, I fully support it, but we still need to get him the ball in the backfield at least 10 times a game. He's too good of a runner not to do that. Underutilizing Fannin was one of Borges' biggest mistakes last year.

2) Two-QB systems aren't a gimmick, but they usually are a bad idea. It's not gimmicky to have two QBs, especially when they have completely different skill-sets. BUT the set up usually works against you at least once a year (sticking to the system and benching a red hot guy for the change of pace and never getting the offense back on track is the most common way... just ask UGA fans about that DJ Shockley substitution in the 2002 UF game).

3) Just because something works doesn't mean it wasn't stupid. Les Miles made some really, really, really stupid calls last year that just happened to work. I personally think he's a flawed but very, very good coach. Let's just not paint him as a genius simply because of the outcome. (Conversely, people should remember that every play that fails wasn't a terrible playcall.)

4) No team is actually going to prepare for three QBs. Whoever said Fannin won't be a real QB (just a RB taking snaps) is exactly right. Teams will basically prepare for a no QB/straight option set, but the thought of Fannin throwing the ball isn't going to scare many people.

Teams might not prepare for 3 QBs... and of course Fannin won't throw many passes. But you have to remember... Darren McFadden threw several TD passes at Arkansas. And he didn't play QB in high school. Fannin did. *IF* Fannin ever lines up at QB for Auburn, a defense would be stupid to flatly assume he's not going to throw it.

He could be absolutely devastating with that QB-keeper-draw-play-action-whatever-you-call-it play.

[mcgufcm 4,109]

He will be devastating at the keeper/read/option play. If he's throwing more than 1 pass a game... we've gone overboard. And yes, i know what McFadden did. That was solely because of the threat he presented as a runner. You have to set that up with (repeated) success running the ball before it's really dangerous.

[Wishbone 0]

A few things:

1) Having a set with Fannin taking snaps is a great idea. As good as Brad and Ben are, he's the best running back on the team. If we're moving him out to reduce the pounding he takes while we have two other great options at tailback, I fully support it, but we still need to get him the ball in the backfield at least 10 times a game. He's too good of a runner not to do that. Underutilizing Fannin was one of Borges' biggest mistakes last year.

2) Two-QB systems aren't a gimmick, but they usually are a bad idea. It's not gimmicky to have two QBs, especially when they have completely different skill-sets. BUT the set up usually works against you at least once a year (sticking to the system and benching a red hot guy for the change of pace and never getting the offense back on track is the most common way... just ask UGA fans about that DJ Shockley substitution in the 2002 UF game).

3) Just because something works doesn't mean it wasn't stupid. Les Miles made some really, really, really stupid calls last year that just happened to work. I personally think he's a flawed but very, very good coach. Let's just not paint him as a genius simply because of the outcome. (Conversely, people should remember that every play that fails wasn't a terrible playcall.)

4) No team is actually going to prepare for three QBs. Whoever said Fannin won't be a real QB (just a RB taking snaps) is exactly right. Teams will basically prepare for a no QB/straight option set, but the thought of Fannin throwing the ball isn't going to scare many people.

You have always given the best analysis of any one this board. Keep posting.

[McWeagle 4]

He will be devastating at the keeper/read/option play. If he's throwing more than 1 pass a game... we've gone overboard. And yes, i know what McFadden did. That was solely because of the threat he presented as a runner. You have to set that up with (repeated) success running the ball before it's really dangerous.

Great points all.

[PChamp119 96]

I said the offense was a gimmick. Not necessarily the dual QB thing. I mean the offense as an entirety. IMO, you have to have variety. Do you guys realize that the only snap of the game under center was the 4th and inches play in OT? When it is third and a full yard, we will be out of the shotgun. I love variety. With our previous offense, we would be in the shotgun or under center with one or two backs.

I just feel that the spread offense, once it is broken, will really hurt because there is no other option. Watching us defeat Florida and watching us in the Clemson game - I just see the spread being very easy to stop. Yes there are "many looks" but when it comes down to it - It's a lot of running. It's a lot of play action and option. I would just think a blitzing defense would stop it. There isn't much of a deep threat in the spread offense - so play press defense and force the QB to go deep. Like we have always heard - you can't go East and West on the SEC defenses. They are too quick. So if you have to go North and South, clog the middle.

Obviously I haven't played the game, but these are just observations that I have noticed and analyzed over the past two seasons.

[Duder 241]

I wouldn't call Fannin lining up at QB as gimmicky. I don't even expect to see it. To me, that quote from Tuberville doesn't tell me that Fannin will be throwing passes to Dunn or Billings, it tells me that Fannin will get the ball in un-orthodox ways. He's a great athlete and he'll do well at almost any position.

I agree. I think that statement has been taken too literally. Note that he also said in the same interview he "could play linebacker"--I doubt we'll see him dropping into pass coverage any time soon.

[WAR-GIGEM-EAGLE 4]

i have classes with that kid. this must be why he's always on his lap top --- probably watching film learning all those new routes he'll be throwing to.

[IndyTiger 3]

i have classes with that kid. this must be why he's always on his lap top --- probably watching film learning all those new routes he'll be throwing to.

I had a class with Fannin last fall and he was pretty nice. We talked a lot and he seemed really down to earth, I would like to see him get a bigger role in the offense next year as I think he is one the most talented players we have on the team right now.