He's Back! Who Says Todd Sequel Can't Be Better?
by Jay Coulter on Aug 17, 2009 2:00 AM CDT
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The thud you heard Thursday night wasn't from the storms rumbling across the South, but from Auburn's fanbase reacting to the naming of Chris Todd as quarterback. Todd's claim on the job was the biggest upset since - well, Gene Chizik. What's next? Kodi Burns moves to wide receiver?
If there was one player that was the poster child for the 2008 debacle it was Todd. When he went down with a shoulder injury in the second half of last season most believed they'd seen the last of Kentucky's all-time leading high school passer.
In case you missed it or didn't care at the time, Todd was absent from spring practice recovering from shoulder surgery. No big deal, right? Did anyone really believe he'd have the guts to take another shot at the job?
Like a bear that lurks in the woods while you walk, Todd remained in the shadows during summer workouts. He was hardly mentioned the first week of camp and was relegated to practicing with the freshmen while Kodi Burns and Neil Caudle practiced with the upper classmen. What was this guy thinking?
Auburn coaches sensed that maybe, just maybe the Chris Todd story had a few more chapters to go. After the first week of practice they were sure of it. The first clue came following Tuesday's scrimmage. Quarterback Neil Caudle said he was pleased with his play after going three and out on his first drive and throwing an interception on the second. Peterno is not my middle name, but I can tell you that didn't sound good.
While Todd was making his move like Y. E. Yang on Sunday at the PGA, Burns was doing his best Padraig Harrington impression, fading off the depth chart for perhaps the last time. While Burns will likely see some snaps in the Wildcat formation, his career as quarterback at Auburn is done.
So why not Chris Todd?
Auburn coaches promise the limp passing arm is a thing of the past. Players have talked all summer about the new zip he puts on the football. And all of us can learn from his perseverance. How many of you gave him a punchers chance of ever setting foot on the field again? I had him buried long ago.
Of course there are no guarantees for Todd. He's been named starter for the Louisiana Tech game. That's the only promise he's got. Neil Caudle may be running second team, but most people close to practice say Tyrik Rollison is closing fast. Should Todd stumble don't be surprised to see Rollison get his shot. If Southern Cal can start a true freshman, Auburn certainly can.
Burns Earns The Respect of His Team
Burns story continues to be one of peaks and valleys. It seems like he's been on campus for a decade. There's little doubt he's officially broken the record for the number of times an Auburn quarterback has won and lost his job. We just thought former Auburn quarterback Pat Washington's career was a roller coaster.
But give Burns credit: He's handled this recent adversity like a champion. I've said it here before: One of the things I love most about college football is the players and the lessons we learn from them. As hard as it is for me to believe, I graduated from Auburn before many of these guys were born; yet they continue to teach me lessons.
Burns may never end up an all-time Auburn great, but the way he handled his move to wide receiver last week is something I'll never forget. In one of the finest acts ever by an Auburn player, Burns addressed the team following the announcement of Todd as starter and gave a rousing endorsement of his rival and teammate. He publicly endorsed Todd for the job and asked his teammates to get behind the senior.
"This year, the coaching staff came in and everything was fair," said a disappointed Burns following the announcement. "I'm just thankful that I had a chance." Burns actions left an impression on Chizik. "He wanted to say some words to our team - truly, truly inspirational, very heartfelt," Chizik said. "He showed truly who he is today - just a guy with a lot of character and what a great competitor. I couldn't be more proud of a player (Burns) today, accepting the decision the way he did."
Imagine working your entire life for something and falling short. How would you handle it? Would you quit? Would you be bitter? Truthfully, I'm not sure how I would deal with it. But after watching a 20 year-old kid last week in the most public of situations, I now have the template on how to do it.
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Fan or Not....
You’ve got to love this kids attitude. I figured if Todd’s arm was healthy that he would get the job. I always felt like he read defensives better than the other candidates. I suppose that the coaches felt the same way. But i would have never thought that Burns would take it this way. I figured he would be bitter but fall into a backup role as the 2nd or 3rd stringer. Allowing a split to take place not by instigating it but rather by not saying anything to stop it (see last year). But to address the team as a humble and gratetful kid giving his full endorsement to Todd. Asking the team to put aside any hard feelings about the situation and get behind Todd as their leader. Burns’ actions are truly inspirational and i too have learned a lil something of sacrifice from a 20 year old kid.
War Eagle Kodi
I call BS on the poll
No one thought that chris todd would have taken the job away from caudle or burns
ALABAMA leading the NCAA with infractions since 1994
The Poll should have had another choice.
That being whomever the coaches put in the position. In other words trust the staff to make the right choice and not second guess them. That is my vote…..like it or not. Burns did show an incredible amount of class and character in his actions….I for one am proud he is an Auburn man. With the amount of fortitude he has shown don’t count him out in what ever he chooses to pursue.
I would have gone to bammer if my grades hadn't been good enough to go to AU
I agree...
I for one trust the decision that the coaches have made with Todd. Most people wrote Todd off last year because we only heard rumors about how bad a condition his arm was in. Turns out, the truth was a whole lot worse. I don’t know why the coaches weren’t truthful about it then. Fans need the truth, even when it hurts.
Excellent article, Jay! You’ve been knocking them out of the park here lately…
by War Eagle Atlanta on Aug 17, 2009 4:18 PM CDT reply actions
THIS IS AUBURN!!!
As much as I hate to admit it, Auburn is the classic underdog. Never the favorite, always underestimated and overlooked. Building success off of hardwork and determination rather than overwhelming god given talent. The Todd/Burns situation is another classic example of atheletes who have been dealt a bad break and yet instead of quitting, sulking or being a locker room cancer, have chosen to accept reality and work as hard as possible to make the best of the opportunity still available to them. This is the epitome of the Auburn spirit and I am very proud of these young men. Not only for them as they have another chance to prove themselves, but also for the shining example they are showing my sons and all the other sons of the Auburn family.
I really hope things work out well for Chris and he can finish his college career on a high note and bridge the gap to Rollison eventually taking over next year.
As far as Kodi goes, all I have to say is…Hines Ward. The former Georgia star and all-pro for the Steelers, went through the same ordeal although maybe not in the same fashion, but the bottom line is he did what the he needed to do to make the Bulldogs a better team and his class and sacrifice led to what will eventually be a hall of fame career. Burns has a great chance to show us the winner he has inside of him that may have never have come out if he had stayed at QB and struggled.
I hope everybody appreciates what both of these young men have done and be proud that they are members of the Auburn family. We may have a rough season, but if this is the way it starts, it’s a great sign of the team and foundation that Coach Chizik is building at Auburn. I can wait untill Tiger takes flight once again, the ball is teed up and the Jordan Hare stadium quakes with WAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRREAGLE, HEY!!!!!
God Bless Everybody, its great to be an Auburn Tiger!!
On what day did the Lord create Bear Bryant and couldn't he have rested on that day too?
new commitment
anybody know anything about the new recruit we got justin delanie
Met Chris Todd and impressed....
My best friend and I met Chris Todd after the A-Day game. He was a class act and very charming (not to mention tall and handsome). I asked how his shoulder was healing and if he thought he would be ready to compete for the starting job for this season. He appeared impressed that an “old lady” would know to ask such a question and spent about 20 minutes talking to us (occasionally interupted for photo ops). He said the shoulder appeared to be healing nicely and that he was confident that he could compete for the QB job. He exuded confidence, something not shown last season with all the controversities, a bad shoulder and his mentor being fired mid season. I told my friend on the way home that, if his shoulder heals properly, I think he will start this season and that I would be pulling for him.
Yes, I graduated from Auburn! Is there anyplace else? WAR EAGLE!!!
by AUTigress on Aug 18, 2009 12:31 PM CDT reply actions
I hope I'm right...
I have a feeling Chris Todd is going to be the 2nd coming of Brandon Cox. Questioned by many at times, but in the end someone who can pull off the big win. I think Todd can lead this team and carry it on his shoulders. I really hope I’m right on this. WAR EAGLE!
"We're at AUBURN. I think that says it all. We're going after the best in the country -- no matter when, what, where, how. That's how we're going to do it. We're going to work really hard to try to get that done every year -- including this one." -- Auburn University Head Football Coach Gene Chizik
The Brandon Cox is a very good comparison. And in that regard, I want to give Brandon some props. The man stood in there, held together with duct tape and super glue, and took his beating like a man, for the most part. There were two games where his nerve failed him and he cringed prior to getting hit. Shell shock. He was in bad psychological as well as physical shape those two games.
But for the most part, he used his brain and medium frame to manage the offense pretty darn good. Once he was counseled to toss the ball into the stands rather than into double and triple coverage, he did okay. He could run just enough to save a few yards rather than allow a 10 yard loss. So he was not Jason Campbell. But he kept the team moving forward.
And therein is the model for Chris Todd. You do not have to be Tim Tebow. But you have to be the guy who decides how the flow of the game will be managed. Rely on those ball carriers. Make some throws. You are not alone out there.
I’m reminded of a scene in For Love of the Game, when Costner is on the verge of pitching a shut out, but his arm is starting to fail him a little. The catcher comes out to the mound and tells him something like, “Hang in there. You don’t have to do this all by yourself. All the guys are gonna play awesome for you.”
I think this team will come together to make it happen this season. They have something to prove.
The one critical variable beyond our control is the number of injuries.
by KungFuPanda9 on Aug 18, 2009 8:42 PM CDT up reply actions
Good post KFP...
but one thing I will say about Cox’ first few games in ‘07 is that he tried to do too much when the offensive line could not get the running game the push off the line to be successful. I don’t think that he lost his cool so much as he tried to win the games by himself because he felt he had too and he just wasn’t that kind of QB. As soon as the freshman started in the UF game and the OL was able to get the push for the running game Cox was back to Mr. Reliable. And I have been saying all along that the QB didn’t have to be the game winner just the game manager for AU to be good this season.
I would have gone to bammer if my grades hadn't been good enough to go to AU
Not buying what you guys are saying, sorry.
I am glad everyone is so excited that Todd is coming. I will be 100% behind him. Still, it denotes a serious issue that someone who comes back from such a devastating injury and who had such a rough go of it last year. I sincerely hope he is much better this year than last year. I would say his biggest problem is that he has to release the ball quicker. If he can’t do that, he may indeed be injured again. Which, I would truly hate to see that as from all indicators he seems to be a great kid. My biggest worry is our suspect offensive line. Not to mention, this is the SEC you have to get the ball going in a hurry and this greatly concerns me. It does not sound all peaches and cream as you guys seem to be stressing.
Not so fast, Sparky
We don’t have to run out and get the number 12 tattooed on our faces. He won the starting job. As long as his shoulder is healthy, as long as he is the best QB, he will start.
Now, if things happen during the season and Todd’s shoulder gets hinky, we have options. The main one getting Rollison trained up to take the helm. But it would be “ludicrous speed” to expect the freshman to start opening day. There’s a lot to learn and rea;lly, the limited time prior to the first game is not long enough, especially for all the options and reads required for a sophisticated system that relies on timing and a smart quarterback.
The QB has to make decisions on the fly, while being stalked by angry ogres.
So, okay, it may not be nirvana, but it is workable. I also think you underappreciate our offensive line (on another article). The starting guys are all first rate. The drawback is depth. Yeah, that’s an issue. But the starters are first rate.
by KungFuPanda9 on Aug 18, 2009 3:41 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm only reacting to what happened...
I realize that last year our guys were undersized. I’m not unaware of that fact. Yet, I still can only go by what their performance was last year. I realize depth is an issue. And, injuries happen-somehow, Alabama avoided all of them last year. You have to have a lot of luck along with being good to go undefeated in the regular season if you’re playing in the SEC. The starting guys may in fact be first rate, but it won’t be them throughout the season. Such is the nature of the physical style of football we play in our conference.
I’m not saying to put Rollison in already. To the contrary, I think that would be a great disservice to the young man. What I am saying, is that Todd cannot hold on to the ball for too long. That’s all there is to it. If he does, he’s going to have a hard time of it that’s for sure. The good news is, he can improve from last year. If he can get rid of the ball a little better, it will also help his line stay in better health I think.
This was no surprise
After last season I predicted that Todd would be the starter if his Auburn healed. I predicted it again after we didn’t have a clear cut #1 after spring practice. Then a couple of months back when I read a story about Tate saying how hard Todd was throwing the ball, I knew he was the guy and it was only time?
Why? The offensive troubles last season didn’t have a lot to do with the QB early. The was a chemistry problem on offense and there were some ridiculous penalties, particularly in the MSU game. I saw Todd making good decisions and having some pretty good passing performances. As the season went on it was very apparent that his arm was gone and there was no choice to make a change at QB. The result was the collapse of the team. Things didn’t get real bad until Todd was no longer the starter.
An injured Todd beat out Burns last season for the starting job. Why would anyone not realize that a healthy Todd would do it again this season?
Things were bad....
long before Todd was pulled in favor of Burns. I think you need to refresh your memory on the first few games. And as far as Todd beating out Burns…..actually it was the other way around….they were “co-starters” (what ever that means) then Burns got the nod but got hurt then Todd took the starting job until Otis was fired. Now I’m not saying in the least that Todd shouldn’t be the man this year….I trust Malzahn to pick the right guy…but, Otis chose his guy “Todd” who had a lame shoulder rather than coaching the more raw talent in Burns. I personally believe Otis lacks the ability to coach raw talent or scheme around the strengths of what he has…..but then again thats pretty obvious.
I would have gone to bammer if my grades hadn't been good enough to go to AU
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