My Two Cents

After reading 100's blogs and newspaper articles over the last 3 weeks or so, I've decided to just throw my personal opinion out there for the world to see (well, at least the Trackem Tigers world!).  I've just been doing alot of thinking and these are a few of the things I've come up with...so here we go!

    Running Game:  I can't help but place a heafty portion of the blame for our, so far, dismal season, on our running game, or lack there of.  It all starts with the suspension of Brad Lester.  I think most Tiger Fans, including myself, didn't really think the loss of Lester would have hurt us this bad, but it has.  Ben Tate, more and more, has looked like a disappointment than the 4 star back out of Maryland that we all thought he'd be.  He seems sluggish and unable to hit the holes quick enough.  He also appears to lack the creativity needed to create holes, something that is more so necessary this year than in prior years due to our lack of experienced O line.  Mario Fannin, is no doubt, an electrifying player.  I see a very bright future for him, but as for the current, he has way too much trouble holding on to the football, leading to a lack of confidence in him by the coaches.  I do believe that with the return of Tristan Davis, the running game should drastically improve.

    Passing Game: There isn't much here that hasn't been said a million times over.  Brandon does not look like the QB from '05.  He seems hesitate to step up into the pocket and is making poor throwing decisions.  But, I believe he can still be a great QB for us this year.  He understands the offense, he knows how to read defenses and he is a great playmaker.  He appears to lacking self-confidence and seems to be trying to "avoid" big hits, likely an effect from the beatings he took last year.  With Kodi Burns now thrust into the forefront, he has to step up his mental game.  There is no doubt that Kodi is physically ready to play at this level, but mentally, he needs more time and practice.  He will be great for us one day.  Also, let us not forget, Tiger Fans, just as much to blame for our awful passing game are the wide outs and tight ends, all of which who seem to be unable to catch a football.  How many dropped passes have we seen this year?  More than I care to count. This is a young group (only 2 seniors) and no doubt, they'll improve.  The only question is, how long will it take?

    Play Calling:  Al Borges has appeared to have been broken down by TT's conservative offensive style.  I don't believe that Al has lost the spark that he displayed during the 2004 season, I just believe that he has been blindsided by the dismal individual efforts of his offensive stars.  Imagine if you will, writing a 125 play playbook based on a returning 5th year senior quarterback, a completely loaded backfield and arguably the best 3 person tight end tandum in college football!  Then to find out in the first game of the year that none of them are as you expected.  I'd have to say that that would throw me for a loop too.  Al is struggling to revamp his offensive scheme to fit the level of talent and understanding that is being displayed by his players, all the while trying to nurse the self-confidence of a broken down Brandon Cox.  I just wonder, if Al would just throw all haste towards the wind and open up the playbook, would Brandon and the others rise to the occassion?  Sometimes, a coach just has to put it all on the line.  I personally believe that Brandon would respond.

All and all, yes, Auburn is not the team this year that we all had hoped they'd be, but maybe they are!?!  Maybe this is the team that will be talked about 2, 3 years from now as the team that stood up in the face of adversity, got back up after time and time again being knocked to the ground.  Maybe this is the team that develops the character and determination to be eventual national champions.  It's important for players to know how bad, bad is.  It drives them to always want to be nothing but better, never to look back, never to take anything for granted.  This team can rise from the ashes. This team has the talent.  They'll soon have the character.