Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Login-facebook
Around SBN: Knicks Beat Lakers With Familiar Strategy

Game 2 Thoughts on the Quarterbacks

I changed the title to quarterbacks because Kodi Burns is getting a good bit of playing time in the "wildcat" formation. 

Let’s start with Kodi, since it is apparent that our running backs are not going to get many touches in the goal line package.  That seems to be reserved for Kodi.  Don’t misunderstand me, I am happy that Kodi is getting touches, and I love the fact that he actually threw a TD to Philip Lutzenkirchen.  My thoughts on the "wildcat" from the MSU game are that Gus Malzahn is setting up the end around or the Mario Fannin around in the goal line set.  Kodi seems to be running the "Tim Tebow" bash it up the middle play every time it is a short yardage down.  I wonder if that is the offensive plan, or if Gus is setting us up for something better.  Kodi’s pass to Lutzenkirchen was a pretty good touch pass.  Although I might have questioned it if there was a defender within 100 feet.  But there was not so I give kudos to Kodi, Lutzenkirchen, and the play call.

 On to Chris Todd.  There is little doubt that Chris was not as sharp as week one.  I even saw a couple of the infamous Chris Todd floaters, and when I saw them, I immediately went into a panic mode.  I cannot recall seeing him make a "big boy throw" after that, so who knows.  Was he just tired?  Did he "tweak" something?  I don’t know, but until he has a game where he looks like Todd version 1.0, I am saying he is fine.  I just want to point out that for all the great throws he made in game one, he did not follow up that performance with great throws in game two. Something to keep an eye on. 

With that said, he did manage the MSU game very well.  There was never a doubt in my mind that he could make the plays if they were needed.  I also think that Chris is suffering from a case of Wide Receiver issues.  Darvin Adamsand Terrell Zachery are just average right now.  Neither of these guys are able to consistently get open.  They are both fast and able to "blow by" defenders on occasion, but Todd needs them to get open.  Another question is where are these top notch rookies?  It is time for Emory Blake and DeAngelo Benton to show up.  They have been in camp long enough to be ready and Auburn is going to need them this week.   

You might have noticed that Fannin is the favorite target of Todd.  By Tivo-ing the MSU game, I had the ability to watch that Todd always knows where Fannin is, or is supposed to be.  While it is a great thing to know where your receiver is going to be, it can be an issue as well.  On more than two plays, Todd was not even looking in Fannin’s direction when he decided to throw it to him.   I am not talking about "looking off the safety" (or line backer in this case), I am talking about like a "blind screen" type throw.  A disciplined defense will be all over that sort of play.  If I am noticing that Fannin is the favorite target, I am quite sure coaches are noticing it as well. 

Overall, I still give the Auburn Quarterbacks a high mark.  They are playing within themselves and managing the game.  I look for West Virginia to load the box and make Todd beat them.  Personally I think this is the best strategy to beat Auburn.  It is obvious that the Tigers can run it, maybe after this week’s game we as fans can say that we can throw it as well.

War Damn Eagle

Comment 9 comments  |  0 recs  | 

Do you like this story?

Comments

Display:

I'm sure that we have worked on things this week...

Our OC is no idiot, he knows people are watching and analyzing everything..including the competition. Look for some new and adjusted moves Saturday as we continue to role out all the O has to offer.
This is going to be a test, but I am sure we’ll do fine.

by rn4au on Sep 16, 2009 1:20 PM CDT reply actions  

Why did you have to remind me about Todd's arm?

I really didn’t need to think about that, and yes I saw them too I just wasn’t going to mention them. If they stack up the box, I think our receivers will be open a lot and you will see lots of throwing. Besides, sometimes you get through those guys in the box anyway.

by Sparkey on Sep 16, 2009 2:31 PM CDT reply actions  

QB play for this AU team doesn't have to be great.....

just adequate. As long as Todd manages the game and hits the open reciever enough to keep the defense honest we will be fine. As far as someone loading the box and playing man on our recievers….great let ‘em. MSU tried that a couple of times and Malzahn created problems not with the pass but with Todd running the option (who woulda thunkit). Malzahn has shown he knows how to keep a defense off balance and guessing so I won’t worry until I see a need to worry.

I would have gone to bammer if my grades hadn't been good enough to go to AU

by Todd92 on Sep 16, 2009 3:15 PM CDT reply actions  

This post kind of bums me out...

Sat night will be the first time that I get to see the Tigers on TV. I am looking forward to it. So what if Todd threw a couple of floaters? He hardly Cromptoned the game. We put up ~550 yards of offense and 49 points. What the heck is there not to be excited about??

Yes, we should be cautiously optimistic. But for the first time in a while, I am not waiting on edge for the floaty pass to be intercepted. This team is not only finding their swagger, they are owning it!

by Tiger on the mountain on Sep 16, 2009 8:37 PM CDT reply actions  

I don't think that Todd's performance was bad......

I think he managed the game well and did what he was asked to do……..and every QB out there has a couple of bad throws a game. Don’t let it “bum you out”…..what he is also not telling you is that he has also thrown some NFL quality passes as well.

I would have gone to bammer if my grades hadn't been good enough to go to AU

by Todd92 on Sep 17, 2009 9:09 AM CDT up reply actions  

Cool!

Honestly, I am in game time countdown mode. I can’t wait!

by Tiger on the mountain on Sep 17, 2009 10:20 PM CDT up reply actions  

Dont be bummed out...

You are really going to get a kick out of how the Offense looks…nothing in the world can discribe OMac taking off like a streak of lightening on a clear day…it just can’t come over a radio or internet the same. Your going to love watching Auburn.

by rn4au on Sep 16, 2009 9:51 PM CDT reply actions  

I actually thought Todd looked better against MSU than LT

His stats weren’t as gaudy, but he was more comfortable in the pocket and made quicker decisions. His throws weren’t always on line, and he had a ton of drops, but those are both correctable issues. If he looks like he did against MSU, he will have a very good year.

"You just keep pounding balls into the gap. The one thing you don’t want to do is hit a home run. That’s a rally-killer." - Jeff Francouer

by jd is legend on Sep 16, 2009 9:59 PM CDT reply actions  

The QBs are doing well

although neither are going to be stars. I like the way they are managing the offense and am glad to see you mention it. Most people think being a QB is about throwing the ball. The main thing a QB does is manage the offense, and these guys seem to be doing incredible jobs when you consider how quickly things are moving.

by SteveFC on Sep 17, 2009 1:15 AM CDT reply actions  

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Auburn's Oldest and Most Read Independent Blog

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recent FanPosts

Tom_of_the_jungle_small
Here's one thing we can do!
Koolbell_and_tootie_in_auburn_small
Stefon Diggs Announcement Thread
Acid_reign_small
Q&A about Ted Roof!
Colkilgore_small
Jordan Moore picks TCU
Squidbillie_small
Will The Real Nick Saban Please Stand Up?
Aulogo_small
What will Auburn's new offense look like?
_vc00396_small
Why your quarterback should be the best player on your team
Img_2302_small
Is Cameron Auburn's New Offensive Coordinator?
_vc00396_small
Jay Prosch, Great Blocker and Great Kid
Colkilgore_small
Gregg Knapp of Texans as OC??

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >


Managers

Headshot_small Jay Coulter

Gg455b_small War Eagle Atlanta

Acid_reign_small Acid Reign

Img_8384-3_small aubtigerman

Koolbell_and_tootie_in_auburn_small KoolBell777