Chizik Delivers Hope To Auburn Nation
There's little argument that Chizik has restored hope.
Let's be honest. National Signing Day has to be one of the most overblown events in all of sports. Watching 18 year-old baby faced kids sit at tables teasing audiences over what school hat they are going to pick has to rank up there with the Westminster Dog Show. At the end of the day, it's just stupid.
What's more idiotic is the "star ratings" that Scout Inc., ESPN and Rivals Inc. assign players prior to their senior seasons. Does anyone really believe that a group of guys who've never coached a day in their life can differentiate between the fifth-ranked player in the country and the 75th? How do you compare the 15th ranked running back with the second-ranked tight-end?
And what about the team rankings that so many fans hang their hats on? At the end of the day isn't this just a preseason poll? Can Ohio State really claim to have the top class in the country without us at least having a chance to see them play? Can you say Leon Hart?
Did Florida have the top recruiting class four years ago? What about LSU five years ago? They certainly had the best teams on the field four years later. We used to joke that if recruiting really meant that much, former Georgia coach Ray Goff would have five national championships and still be coaching instead of selling Zaxsby's chicken.
Somewhere in the middle of this circus is the truth. There's little doubt the Buckeyes, Alabama, LSU and North Carolina had tremendous days. Auburn appears to have had a great day. The same can be said for all of the SEC West. But I'll never be sold on the idea that you can say with certainty that UCLA's class is 11 spots better than Auburn's. Let's be reasonable. It's safe to say that both signed promising classes - and that's all you can say at this point.
In the days and months ahead, many of these young men will grow into stars. And others, despite having tremendous athletic ability, will find it hard to adjust to being away from Mama and no longer being the biggest fish in the pond. They will drop out or transfer and not live up to all the hype. Tray Blackmon immediately comes to mind.
At the same time there are two-star athletes and invited walk-ons who will arrive on campus unheralded, but will work hard and become All-SEC performers, and some will go on to play on Sundays. For hundreds of athletes, Wednesday was the high point of their careers. By late summer those recruiting stars will mean very little and it will be time to perform. Some will and some won't.
There's no question that Wednesday gave Auburn fans hope. It even put smiles back on the faces of Tiger fans that badly need some good news. And maybe that's the answer to why recruiting has become so big in college football - it gives fans hope.
Gene Chizik and his staff should be all smiles today. They've restored hope to the Auburn program. Now the hard part begins - delivering on that hope. How will we look back on Wednesday four years from now? That will be determined more by what's between the players ears and in their hearts than some ridiculous star system created to sell magazines and online subscriptions. Following these kids over the next four to five years will be interesting.
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Could not have said it better myself. For the first time since the Pat Dye days I am planning to attend “A” day. I have renewed hope and am looking forward to next year like no year in the recent past. Maybe just maybe, change is good sometimes.
I was and continue to be a Tubb fan. He brought respect to a program that needed it in the worst kind of way. His contributions will always be appreciated by loyal fans. That said, it was time for a change, I for one am excited about the future of Auburn football, WAR EAGLE!
Check out this trash from a journalist over in Atlanta.
Glad to have you with us Mr. Aycock.
War Eagle
Thats absurd.....
the more I hear about it the more absurd it gets. Paul Johnson probably just made sure alot of the highly rated recruits that he is after will not be early commits. You can’t put that much on a kid, especially when its the biggest decision (at least to that point) of his life. What a doofas, damn am I glad we didnt go after him as a head coach…….that would be as bad as the Texas Tech pirate.
I would have gone to bammer if my grades hadn't been good enough to go to AU
I would be a hypocrite
if I said that I disagreed with him. I published a post a week ago talking about this very subject, commitment. If Aycock wanted to visit other schools before committing, he should have and then make your commitment. The word means nothing if it means nothing to the speaker of it. I singled out Terrance Coleman in my post, but there are a lot of kids who do this, Aubrey Phillips is a big one that comes to mind. Phillips was committed to Tennessee for a good bit of time, and with a week left, he stayed committed and said that he would surprise everyone on signing day. I would by lying if I said that I didn’t think we needed him, but that is still crap any way you look at it. The word commitment means nothing anymore to anyone.
I do have a lot of respect for Oku right now, he stayed committed to Tennessee until hi took a couple visits where coaching staffs have changed. He pulled his commitment and said he wanted to take his time and be left alone to make the right choice for him. No matter where he goes, I will have some respect for him wanting to make the best choice for him and doing it in an upfront manner.
I just think its putting too much on a 17 or 18 year old kid.....
to expect them to not question their decision or even change their mind. The coaches go into a high pressure sales mode and get the kids bigeyed and they make hasty decisions. They are just kids and should be viewed as such. If you want them to commit and keep their word then change then change the recruiting culture from both sides.
I would have gone to bammer if my grades hadn't been good enough to go to AU
Johnson doesn't agree apparently...
I will admit that I don’t know the whole back story on this kid, but from the article I can’t fault Johnson at all. I actually admire his willingness to be so with a recruit.
I do think that Paul Johnson seems like the kind of coach who knows exactly what he is looking for in a player. Am I missing some story where Johnson went into “high pressure sales mode” on this kid or are you simply assuming he did?
I don’t think it is too much to ask a kid to not commit until he is ready and then keep to his commitment .
You don't think....
that Johnson’s ultimatum is proof of his “high pressure” tactics? Knowing what we know about recruiting there is no such thing as a “soft sell” strategy. GT’s loss is our gain and I for one am glad, also, I would hope that our coaching staff never gives a recruit, who is committed yet still having reservations for whatever reason, and ultimatum of this kind. GT lost out on a great kid.
I would have gone to bammer if my grades hadn't been good enough to go to AU
Another thing to consider,...
based on the pressure they put on Aycock to not make a visit to Auburn, in many cases, if you push “too hard”,…guess what,…you get just the opposite response. Given what the journalist said,…Aycock may have taken the position of, “What,…do they think they own me or something?” Sure, keeping one’s word is important,…but 17 and 18 year olds don’t necessarily think that way and when rubbed the wrong way,…respond accordingly. I’ve had three of them (17 and 18 year olds) myself and been around a ton of them and seen it in action. Some kids when told not to do something, will comply, but others will not, especially if you push their buttons too hard. Aycock was probably tired of hearing, “stay away from Auburn, stay from Auburn” and when he finally did take a look around Auburn,…loved what he found and committed. So,…maybe it was more a matter of finally pushing Aycock over the edge than Aycock simply being unloyal in this case. Whatever the ultimate cause,…Auburn benefited.
And,…“Too bad … for Aycock.”??? I don’t think so,..Mr. Journalist,…Aycock will be welcomed to Auburn and treated well,…and given an excellent shot/opportunity to eventually make the team.
Welcome to Auburn,…Aycock,…and War Eagle!
Good Post.....
I agree 100%.
I would have gone to bammer if my grades hadn't been good enough to go to AU
This is the thread...
…I wish I had written!
by War Eagle Atlanta on Feb 6, 2009 9:52 AM CST reply actions
You have.....
pensman envy…..
I would have gone to bammer if my grades hadn't been good enough to go to AU
Only thing I know is we are in......
hurry up and wait mode for his decision.
I would have gone to bammer if my grades hadn't been good enough to go to AU
I see...
..someone took some pysch classes as electives back in the day!
:-)
by War Eagle Atlanta on Feb 6, 2009 12:49 PM CST up reply actions
I took alot of crap that didn't.....
count towards anything but my GPA to keep my full time status……..had too with my work load and yes a couple of psych courses were among the dribble.
I would have gone to bammer if my grades hadn't been good enough to go to AU
it seems as though we're out of scholarships...
If we’re out of scholarships we can give, how is this even an issue?
We signed 28....
of which 2 count towards last year and one is a grayshirt which will count towards next year. And with a few questionable qualifiers of which law of average suggest at least a couple will be sign and place we should have room for a couple of late signees if they decide to come.
I would have gone to bammer if my grades hadn't been good enough to go to AU
Well...
Then, we have room for him. I think he would be wise to come out here. We are Running Back U for a reason. He would get ready for the NFL really quick if he came out here.
We do have the reputation as running back U, but...
all of the coaches who developed and recruited those running backs over the years, especially recently (like Gran), are gone. It will be interesting to see if we can maintain that reputation under the new staff.
I do think Coach Luper will do a great job, but only time will tell.
by Jumpn_JackFlash on Feb 6, 2009 2:37 PM CST up reply actions
We were running back U.....
long before the previous coaches got there……you can go back as far as Joe Cribbs, Lionel James, Joe Cribbs, etc….for proof. And we have the reputation andthe title until someone proves otherwise.
I would have gone to bammer if my grades hadn't been good enough to go to AU
I agree.
We have had them long before, and we will have them long after I’m sure. I’m not going to take anything away from Eddie Gran. I did think he did an excellent job, and I see it as only wrong to demean the work of someone who was here for so long. With that said, We are still Running Back U, and I have a good feeling starting this year with Fannin, we will continue that reputation. I still cannot understand pulling him during the GA game. You will never make me think that was a wise decision. I look forward to him getting the ball more this year and he will do some good things with it.
Yes, we have had great running backs for a long time
I am just saying, when a new coaching staff comes in, it is hard to know if things that were a success in the past will continue to be in the future. The same holds true for things that we did not have success in as well, like lack of quality qb’s and receivers/tight ends. What players are recruited, and the focus on development really all depends on the philosophies of the coaches in place.
I would love to see the trend of great running backs continue. But I would also like to see us become more of a balanced offense with an actual threat of the deep ball every now and then to open up the running lanes, which were all but filled with concrete the last 2 seasons.
by Jumpn_JackFlash on Feb 6, 2009 3:04 PM CST up reply actions
I don't fault you on that line of reasoning.
I’m just giving the reasons why a running back should come here. As far as the other skill positions, they have a chance to start a new tradition. It does seem as though we’re headed that way too.
Websters
Is evetually a new word that means never going to happen?
I didn't know
evetually was even a word. Did the bear come up with it?
"Jay Jacobs can't go to the bathroom without Bobby Lowder's permission" - Paul Finebaum
by GumptownTiger on Feb 11, 2009 3:11 PM CST up reply actions
I thought it was the multiplier....
that turns 7 into 12. Kinda like pi only not used by anyone but a bammer.
I would have gone to bammer if my grades hadn't been good enough to go to AU
fun with math
So if a bammer used this multiplier would he then have to borrow his Auburn friends negative multiplier that would reduce 7 or 12 or any number that makes you guys look horrible next to your championship reality to the lonely 1 that is why you act the way you do dear Todd
by The Voice of Reason on Feb 11, 2009 3:39 PM CST reply actions
Fun with punctuation
I can’t read sentences with no punctuation. Please resubmit with maybe a period, comma, or even a dash in there somewhere.
"Jay Jacobs can't go to the bathroom without Bobby Lowder's permission" - Paul Finebaum
by GumptownTiger on Feb 12, 2009 9:36 AM CST up reply actions
Dude we only claim the one....
and it is with pride and nothing less. We do not claim the titles awarded us by looking back at history and saying who was the best. And I hope we never do. I am actually old enough to remember when Bama didn’t either and that is the humorous part of most Bama fans logic…..they didn’t claim all those titles in the late 60’s or even through the seventies for that matter. It is not out of jealousy that we wish you would hold yourself to a higher standard its because we are brothers and sisters mothers and fathers of each other and we would prefer that our relatives didn’t look so foolish. I will take my one national championship and be proud that we don’t feel the need to embelish our stature with falsehoods…..its about honor and self esteem. I am comfortable in my own skin. Are you?
I would have gone to bammer if my grades hadn't been good enough to go to AU
Delusion is a common theme here
GumptownTiger the fact you can’t read could be because the punctuation was not there to lead you along, or it could be because you are an idiot with a loser football team that likes to talk more about punctuation that actual statistics involving your team because there is nothing positive to speak of regarding AU (or your life for that matter) ….and Todd I am sure you truely believe that your one little championship is worth more than anyone elses and you can talk all your psychology b.s if you believe it. I dont think whether you agree we have 12 or 7 matters considering if we have 2 that should be enough to shut you up…and i dont think being comfortable in ones own skin should have anything to do with football… and if it does it makes me think even less of you….and i didnt bring up jealousy you did todd hmmmm think about that freud…..and considering the inbreeding going on in your double wides you guys probably are all brothers sisters mothers fathers and husbands and wives all rolled into one big ball of losers with loser syndrome have fun living in our shadow of greatness
by The Voice of Reason on Feb 12, 2009 3:29 PM CST reply actions
Was it you who said
"Ironbowl is a bad representation of UA fans let alone the state of AL "?
You haven’t proven to be much better. Also you never responded to my question in the other thread about your name. What’s the deal? The more posts of yours I read the more I think it should be ‘The Voice of Pretentiousness’
You want to talk about who has anything positive in their life, but IMO you are a much more pathetic individual than you give yourself credit for. You believe you are a winner because the team root for wins. That is pathetic.
I root for Auburn. I went to Auburn. I love Auburn. I don’t live every second of my life around Auburn and I don’t run around talking smack to make myself feel good about how crap my life is.
Bama had a great year and a great recruiting class for the second year in a row. One would think that would give your life meaning, but apparently it doesn’t. I would think that you would be at RBR talking with your fellow bama fans about how great next year is going to be, but no such luck. Instead, you feel the need to come here and stir the pot so you can get through the day thinking you have accomplished something.
Don’t forget, when Alabama wins a game that is all that happened. YOU didn’t win the game, Saban is not your buddy, and these recruits won’t be coming to your house to watch the NFL on Sunday.
"Jay Jacobs can't go to the bathroom without Bobby Lowder's permission" - Paul Finebaum
by GumptownTiger on Feb 12, 2009 4:20 PM CST up reply actions
hm
Bama had a great year and a great recruiting class for the second year in a row. One would think that would give your life meaning, but apparently it doesn’t.Sorry my life already HAD meaning Gumpy maybe if you guys can land a good class and win you can get some meaning to your life as well and things will improve for ya
by The Voice of Reason on Feb 13, 2009 8:25 AM CST up reply actions
You can lie to me all you want, but you can't lie to yourself
But thanks for proving my point.
“maybe if you guys can land a good class and win you can get some meaning to your life as well and things will improve for ya”
I was referring to personal lives. I don’t recruit and I don’t play football so I can’t get a good class and I can’t win games. You need to learn how to seperate your life from college football buddy. Take a look in the mirror and do a little self assessment.
I bet you wear a Saban hat to play golf because you feel better thinking you’re someone else. You do don’t you?
"Jay Jacobs can't go to the bathroom without Bobby Lowder's permission" - Paul Finebaum
by GumptownTiger on Feb 13, 2009 9:35 AM CST up reply actions
There is no way
VOR can separate his life from bama football. That is his reason for living, Pathetic, but true. That is the MAJOR difference between bammers and barners.
When you wear bammer clothing everyday of your life, you have defined yourself as nothing else matters in your pitiful life.
Bama had a great year and a great recruiting class for the second year in a row. One would think that would give your life meaning, but apparently it doesn’t.Actually SIr Gumpalous, you insinuated that “one” ( you jackass) “would think it would give my life meaning” because of our recent football accomplishments….I was refering to personal lives as well, to play off of your hollow point ( and not the metaphorical bullet I am daydreaming your way) I dont recruit and I dont play football but If you cant gain anything in your life from AU inferior game play then how am I expected to gain meaning in my life because of our superior team ?…. "Sorry my life already HAD meaning " HAD as in past tense…as in before these past few football seasons as in not related to football …as in you my friend are an idiot
Jealousy is the thread that holds TET threads together!
by The Voice of Reason on Feb 13, 2009 12:59 PM CST up reply actions
Uh...ok
"Jay Jacobs can't go to the bathroom without Bobby Lowder's permission" - Paul Finebaum
by GumptownTiger on Feb 13, 2009 1:10 PM CST up reply actions
You are the douche....
that I was hoping you weren’t.
I would have gone to bammer if my grades hadn't been good enough to go to AU
Psycholoy? Freud? hmmmmmm....
are you a little preoccupied with psychosis? I merely state my stance and you bring up psych references. And as far as using the word “jealousy” sorry I have to point out the obvious but that is what your above post infers regardless of the verbage used. I really thought that with all of your grandeose better than though ramblings on how to behave when you first showed up that perhaps you could come on here and actually wish to have a good conversation about football…..but nope not possible. You are as bad as IRONBOWL (the douche, not the game). Just because you don’t use vulgarity to say insulting and ridiculous things doesn’t make you any better……so as it turns out you really are the douche. Don’t go away mad just go away.
I would have gone to bammer if my grades hadn't been good enough to go to AU
better than thow.....not though
I would have gone to bammer if my grades hadn't been good enough to go to AU
Its ok Todd
Please dont feel like you need to correct your punctuation on your rants….. I am not hear to argue who takes their time and proofreads their thread input…trust me I dont come to TET to be impressed by literary geniuss or act like one ( hence the spelling of genius plural)…If you would like to apologize though you can for the fact that half your posts are so painfully biased and uninformative…..All I need to remember about you is that you would rather have your one NC than however many you would like to concede we have EARNED so based upon that point alone I have lost all respect for any insight you can bring to table since it must obviously be jaded if someone is a dumb as you to believe your trophy is more worthy
Jealousy is the thread that holds TET threads together!
by The Voice of Reason on Feb 13, 2009 1:04 PM CST up reply actions
I have tried to understand
,,,,the mentality of bammers, but just cannot. Almost every bammer fan I know lives and dies by their precious football program. THAT is their life. I work with a guy that wears some kind of bammer clothing to work everyday. WHY?
The bammers that come to our site are no different. Bammers are on our site just as much as they are on RBR. WHY? They live for bammer football AND to rub their precious “12” in our faces.
Auburn fans, on the other hand, like to talk about Auburn football. Yes, we mention bama. Yes, we talk about bammers recruiting. SO WHAT!
I will say it again. ALL BAMMERS, if you don’t like what we say, leave and NEVER COME BACK.
thanks
Auburn fans, on the other hand, like to talk about Auburn football. Yes, we mention bama. Yes, we talk about bammers recruiting. SO WHAT!
As long as your mentioning us in the respect to draw comparison as to what you wish to accomplish we dont mind
by The Voice of Reason on Feb 13, 2009 8:26 AM CST reply actions
We can mention bammer
any way we like. You are so pitiful that you think you have to come here to our site and defend your precious bammer team. GET A LIFE.
I will say one thing.....
it does give me a greater appreciation for “LSUJonno” and “bammer” now that I have witnessed the childish nitpicking of the not so aptly named “Voice of Reason”. Obnoxious.
I would have gone to bammer if my grades hadn't been good enough to go to AU
At least LSUJonno
,,,will hold a logical converstaion with you. Bammer did at one time, but I have to say, to me, he has started moving the way of typical bammers.
Completely Unrelated
Against current SEC programs, Alabama holds a winning record against every team.8
Jealousy is the thread that holds TET threads together!
by The Voice of Reason on Feb 13, 2009 1:23 PM CST reply actions
Also unrelated
Other NCAA records include eight perfect, undefeated and untied, seasons, 21 10-game win streaks
Jealousy is the thread that holds TET threads together!
by The Voice of Reason on Feb 13, 2009 1:24 PM CST reply actions
Really unrelated
Alabama has won 25 conference championships, (four Southern Conference and 21 SEC championships) and has made an NCAA-record 56 postseason bowl appearances, which includes a record 31 victories.7
Jealousy is the thread that holds TET threads together!
by The Voice of Reason on Feb 13, 2009 1:25 PM CST reply actions
7 or 12 > 1 Todd you missed this question on your 6th grade math test
The Crimson Tide is one of the most storied and decorated programs in NCAA history. Since beginning play in 1892, the program has claimed 12 national championships,124 and its seven consensus national championships rank second only to Notre Dame’s eight.5 From 1958 to 1982, the team was led by Hall of Fame coach Paul “Bear” Bryant, who won six national championships with the program.[2
Jealousy is the thread that holds TET threads together!
by The Voice of Reason on Feb 13, 2009 1:26 PM CST reply actions
nice wikipoint
"Jay Jacobs can't go to the bathroom without Bobby Lowder's permission" - Paul Finebaum
by GumptownTiger on Feb 13, 2009 3:43 PM CST up reply actions
Difference between two programs
While to the TET bloggers’ disgust Coach Nick Saban Delivered 2 back to back #1 recruiting classes as well as an undefeated regular season, While equally impressive Chizik Delivers Hope To Auburn Nation
Jealousy is the thread that holds TET threads together!
by The Voice of Reason on Feb 13, 2009 1:30 PM CST reply actions
Difference between two programs
While to the TET bloggers’ disgust Coach Nick Saban Delivered 2 back to back #1 recruiting classes as well as an undefeated regular season, While equally impressive Chizik Delivers Hope To Auburn Nation
Jealousy is the thread that holds TET threads together!
by The Voice of Reason on Feb 13, 2009 1:30 PM CST reply actions
Sometimes when I am talking to my little brother and he does not hear me, I am forced to repeat myself to allow him the opportunity to understand.
Jealousy is the thread that holds TET threads together!
by The Voice of Reason on Feb 13, 2009 1:32 PM CST reply actions
You wouldn't have to
if you didn’t frame your sentences to sound more intelligent than you are. Just use a simpler sentence structure and you’ll prob be easier to understand. I don’t know if you are capable of doing so. I have a feeling your arrogance doesn’t allow you to make sentences without an attempting to sound holier than thou.
"Jay Jacobs can't go to the bathroom without Bobby Lowder's permission" - Paul Finebaum
by GumptownTiger on Feb 13, 2009 3:47 PM CST up reply actions
Yes, hope
Nothing like a 5-19 record to say that “Auburn is Back” YESSSSS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Still looking for that Auburn thread that does not obsess over Bama.
Still looking.
I have to either stop drinking.... or drink more

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