Darren Bates

[au_bsci_04 407]

First post...

Any chance with McNeil, Etheridge, and Savage getting back on the field next year, that Bates gets some reps at LB?

[CraigMac 0]

I say keep him where he is. He is one guy that has a tremendous future at safety IMO. Eric Berry-esque. I might be a tad bias though.

[White Tiger 0]

Welcome au_bsci_04 and War Eagle!!!!!!!!

[AUmarine1345162814 0]

Bates has become one of my favorite players. He plays hard and is a head hunter that we have not had in a while. I am sure some people will hesitate going over the middle as Bates continues to lay people out.

[CaptainBrannigan 0]

No. He is going to be a 4 year starter. But IF Savage and/or Ethride come back, they will provide much needed depth. So Daren does not have to play every single snap again.

[Ronald McDonald 0]

No. He is going to be a 4 year starter. But IF Savage and/or Ethride come back, they will provide much needed depth. So Daren does not have to play every single snap again.

i agree. he's gonna be a 4 year starter.

reminds me a lot of eric berry and i've posted this multiple times on this board. if bates can get recognized early next year watch for his name on the thorpe award list.

[Mattco 0]

I think that the rotation should be Bates and McNeil starting and Etheridge and D. McNeil as backups.

As far as Savage goes, I know that he wants to get back out there and play but he hasn't seena field in two years and would have a learning curve to go back through for one year, so as far as he goes, chances of him starting anywhere on defense would be very slim if he does come back.  I would love to see Etheridge come back but a safety that had a serious neck injury is not in a good position.

[CaptainBrannigan 0]

I think that the rotation should be Bates and McNeil starting and Etheridge and D. McNeil as backups.

As far as Savage goes, I know that he wants to get back out there and play but he hasn't seena field in two years and would have a learning curve to go back through for one year, so as far as he goes, chances of him starting anywhere on defense would be very slim if he does come back.  I would love to see Etheridge come back but a safety that had a serious neck injury is not in a good position.

D. McNeal is going to redshirt. He only weights 175lbs.

Savage wont start but he could play as a back up, and add depth.

And if Ethridge is allowed to come back, then he is not risking anything. Because if there was a risk of an injury, then he wont be allowed to comeback.

[AU TIGER1345162826 0]

I wonder if Zac comes back we move Bates to CB. He played Rb/CB in high school and wanted to play cb at Auburn until we had no safeties and we put him there

[CaptainBrannigan 0]

I wonder if Zac comes back we move Bates to CB. He played Rb/CB in high school and wanted to play cb at Auburn until we had no safeties and we put him there

Demond Washington is going to move to corner to replace McFadden.

Bates played S in highschool. He had over 95 tackles his senior year. That is way too many for a CB.

[AuburnEngineer 0]

Bates and Washington at CB and Etheridge Mcneil as Safety. 

[Rednilla 5,469]

Bates and Washington at CB and Etheridge Mcneil as Safety. 

Washington and Thorpe will play the corners. Bates will stay at safety. Whether McNeil can unseat him remains to be seen.

[AuburnEngineer 0]

forgot about thorpe...thorpe will play over washington

[CaptainBrannigan 0]

Why do think it is so easy for Bates to move over and play CB? He is a S. That is what he is, and that is were he will play.

Playing CB on an island with a WR is completely different than playing center field as a S or coming down to stop the run.

Washington will start at corner next year. We was the nickle back, and move to S out of necessity.

[Rednilla 5,469]

forgot about thorpe...thorpe will play over washington

You're right, he will. But Bates isn't moving to cornerback. Get that out of your head, because it's not going to happen.

[Ronald McDonald 0]

Are ya'll crazy? Bates was a Freshman All American performer at Safety!! Why would he move?  :laugh:

[jgarrett 0]

Don't fix it if it ain't broke. He did great as a safety as a freshman, why move him to cb?

[bow9den 0]

CB Thorpe

CB Washington

FS M.McNeil

SS Bates

[au_bsci_04 407]

Good points guys. I guess my thinking was that (prior to us signing some pretty talented LB's) that we would be thin at that position. Bates is big enough and fast enough to step in and take some snaps as a backer. He has done an amazing job this year, and would be more than happy to have him return to S, just didn't know how those other guys would play a factor.

[Ronald McDonald 0]

CB Thorpe

CB Washington

FS M.McNeil

SS Bates

^this^

[wt 0]

Bates is an ausome Safety. He should never be anywhere else! He IS THE HAMMER, everyone else was the nails, including the questionable heisman winner!

[Jonesy 1]

Bates is solid to the S position. I can't imagine that changing. He played S all throughout HS and he's been one of the few brightspots on our defense this season. Bates next year will most likely be the best S on our roster. Just because a guy started two seasons ago doesn't mean he's ready to start again. However, having those guys back will give bates rest and add to the overall quality of our defense.

[Rednilla 5,469]

Bates is solid to the S position. I can't imagine that changing. He played S all throughout HS and he's been one of the few brightspots on our defense this season. Bates next year will most likely be the best S on our roster. Just because a guy started two seasons ago doesn't mean he's ready to start again. However, having those guys back will give bates rest and add to the overall quality of our defense.

You're absolutely right: just because someone started two seasons ago doesn't mean he is ready to start again. But just because a freshman stepped into his place and did a good job doesn't mean that he couldn't win the position back. I've liked McNeil since the day he stepped on campus, and I'm not quite ready to say that he or Etheridge is definitely going to be riding the pine pony because of Bates.

Now, don't misunderstand...I really like Daren Bates, and if he's not starting next year, then he dang sure ought to get a great deal of snaps. He's the one who has been playing in Roof's defense for a year, and he played all 117 snaps against Northwestern. I'm just reminding everyone that we have three safeties with starting experience and All-SEC talent. Nothing more, nothing less.

[millejb 0]

Someone will have to take the job from Darren and I don't see that happening

[CaptainBrannigan 0]

Just so we are all clear..it is Daren