Rarified Air For Auburn and Newton
by Jay Coulter on Oct 18, 2010 3:00 AM CDT
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How appropriate that Bo Jackson led Auburn onto Pat Dye Field Saturday to face Arkansas. By day's end, 25 years after leaving Auburn, the Tigers crowned his successor. With apologies to Brent Fullwood, Dameyune Craig, Carnell Williams and Ronnie Brown, Auburn fans are witnessing the greatest performance at Jordan-Hare Stadium in a quarter century.
My nine-year-old son asked whether Cam Newton was better than Pat Sullivan. Truthfully, Newton may be the best college quarterback to ever play the game - period. And that's no hyperbole.
Whether Newton eventually wins the Heisman Trophy or not, the eyes know what they see. This kid is not only the best in America this season; he may be the best to play the college game at any position in more than 10 years.
Many are comparing this team to the 2004 undefeated Tigers. That's not even close. Only a handful could have started on that team. They more closely resemble the 1993 undefeated team, but even that's like comparing apples to oranges.
No player in recent memory has carried a team to greater heights than Newton. The results have given him rock star status on campus. Witness Newton running to the student section after Saturday's win. Close your eyes and you would have sworn John, Paul, George and Ringo were getting off the plane in the United States for the first time.
There is a flip side to all of this madness. Take Newton out of the equation and this is not a great Auburn football team. Defensive coordinator Ted Roof woke up Sunday morning with Bobby Petrino's foot still firmly planted in his ass. You never assume anything with this team, but it's unlikely they win out if they continue playing defensively the way they have for the past six quarters.
Auburn coach Gene Chizik knows things must get better. "I can't say enough about the job he's (Newton) done for us," he said. "The players around him need to elevate their play to meet him."
Righting the ship defensively may prove as elusive as tackling Newton on third and short. An already thin and weak Auburn secondary suffered more losses Saturday. Senior Aairon Savage looks to be done after being carted off the field late in the game. Mike McNeil and T'Sharvan Bell also are questionable for Saturday. The loss of Savage is devastating for the man and the team.
"It breaks my heart," Chizik told The Columbus Ledger-Enquirer. "When I went out on the field and he is laying there and he is crying and he has tears in his eyes, that hurts me. This guy has done everything we've asked him to do to come back and be a football player at Auburn because he loves Auburn and he loves football, and that hurts."
Now the Tigers turn their attention to LSU, a team that seems to do nothing right but win. On paper, Auburn looks to maybe catch a break. They finally face a team that has trouble throwing the football. In an ugly 32-10 win Saturday over McNeese State, LSU managed only 103 passing yards and no touchdowns through the air.
But everyone knows better than to take Les Miles for granted. This Saturday, something has to give for the two most exciting teams in the SEC. Odds say it's an Auburn win. Destiny so far, says neither team will lose. Here we go again.
Rest up this week. Drink plenty of fluids. Once again, Saturday is likely to be the toughest day of the week. Has there ever been a more exciting season at Auburn than this one?
So far, no way.
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LSU is going to be just as tough as Arkansas if not tougher.
There is zero room for error with the Bayou Bengals. You KNOW that something crazy will happen with them. You have to prepare for that. Prepare for Miles not exactly calling what a traditional coach would call. Prepare your team for all the quirky little things that have happened with Tennessee this season and others in years’ past. Its going to be the biggest game in Jordan-Hare stadium in quite a while. I pray that we don’t suffer a let down against LSU. Its definitely going to be crazy crazy crazy again this week in Jordan-Hare.
BREAKING NEWS: ESPN has several sources reporting that the University of Alabama's 1st string waterboy will be declaring himself eligible in the 2011 NFL draft. He projects as WR with 4.29 speed and a vertical of 12....feet.
Here we go again- indeed
This week is where we can show we are for real, or we have just been lucky.
Defensively we match up well against them, but, and you knew there was a but coming, offensively, we haven’t faced this much quality depth since last year’s IB.
Let’s hope Gus pulls some tricks out of his sleeves, goes really really fast, and wears their “D” down early.
WAR EAGLE!
Come and join me at http://trackemtigers.com
Wow, not sure it can be said any better.
But everyone knows better than to take Les Miles for granted. This Saturday, something has to give for the two most exciting teams in the SEC. Odds say it’s an Auburn win. Destiny so far, says neither team will lose. Here we go again.
"I know the quarterback has a strong arm, but...I mean the ball's not gonna outrun ME" --PP7
Why is it when we're having a good year.....
Everybody in the west has a good year?? If we keep winning I am put in the unpallatable position of hoping LSU, Georgia and Bama win!!!
Makes me want to wretch.
Col.Angus may be rough, Col.Angus may not smell like a bed of roses, but deep down Col.Angus is very sweet. If I overstay my welcome, just tap me on the head!!
I feel your pain...immensely!
"The spirit of the Auburn family is a magical, mystical thing. It defies explanation. It transcends wins and losses on a football field. It imprints itself on your character and can never be extinguished. Being an Auburn fan defines part of who and what you are..."
-Unknown Author
Great read. Its an exciting time to be an Auburn Tiger!
As exciting as the win was Saturday, I was so sad for Savage. I’m not ashamed to say that I teared up when they carted him off the field. He has paid so much to be a part of what is happening on the Plains : http://www.trackemtigers.com/2010/8/4/1598614/the-long-journey-of-an-auburn-man
by GreenvilleAUfan on Oct 18, 2010 8:36 AM CDT reply actions
You weren't alone bro'
My heart sank deep, after he got carted into the locker room.
We’ll coach em up, and keep on keepin’ on!
And pray for Aairon.
WAR EAGLE!
Come and join me at http://trackemtigers.com
Just thinking about all the ludicrous possible outcomes to the 2010 Tiger Bowl is making my brain heat up.
Its only Monday morning too.
War Eagle! Beat LSU!
BREAKING NEWS: ESPN has several sources reporting that the University of Alabama's 1st string waterboy will be declaring himself eligible in the 2011 NFL draft. He projects as WR with 4.29 speed and a vertical of 12....feet.
Everyone that sees Cam play -
Agrees that he may be one of the best ever. Problem may be in the voters that have not watched anything but highlight tapes.
Congrats
From an Alabama fan, i have to say that right now i think Cam is the best qb in America right now. Maybe the best all around player. Certainly the most important and crucial to his teams sucess. The guy is a machine: Overlooked by his physical talent is his mental toughness and his good decision making.
However, to say h’es the best ever? Or best in 10 years? He’s not on Vince Young’s leves yet. If you examine VY’s stats and and production, you’ll see similar numbers on the ground and SIGNIFICANTLY better passing yardage and completion percentage his 2005 season. IF cam keeps playing like this, and ya’ll win the national title on his arm and his legs and his brain,… then you can say that. But no, not yet. Not by a long shot.
However, the fact that Cam is a human highlight reel Heisman leader and that there is even a discussion of him ‘being the best’ speaks volume about ya’ll’s potential with him running your offense. And who wouldn’t want to see and Oregon v Auburn National title game?? would the scoreboard melt?
Anyway, congrats on whuppin Arkansas. I just hope bama can solve some of it’s problems so we can trip ya’ll up in t-town…but if we played today ya’ll would be a 14 point favorite.
Good luck to you…til the Iron Bowl!
by TheYellowHammer on Oct 18, 2010 10:39 AM CDT reply actions
Thanks for the kind words, but your assertions about Cam vs. Vince are off a little bit
- Cam runs for 122.9 yards per game (6.7 yards per rush) while Vince ran for 80.8 yards per game (6.8 yards per rush) in 2005.
- Cam throws for 182.6 yards per game (10.5 yards per attempt) with a 65.6% completion percentage and a 180.52 passer rating while Vince threw for 233.5 yards per game (9.3 yards per attempt) with a 65.2% completion percentage and a 163.95 passer rating in 2005.
I think they’re pretty comparable, actually (at least at this point — we’ll see what happens after the LSU game). Nothing about Vince’s passing game in 2005 is “SIGNIFICANTLY better” than Cam’s current totals, at least not any more significantly better than Cam’s running game is compared to Vince’s. You also have to remember that in the Louisiana-Monroe game, Cam was under strict orders not to run the ball, and only tallied one rush — a sack. So his rushing totals are actually deceiving.
Do you remember that spelling bee you won in the first grade? Rock? "R-O-K"?
by jd is legend on Oct 18, 2010 11:43 AM CDT up reply actions
what a weekend. war eagle AU pals!
the irony is incredible… for all the jokers out there labeling AU as a “gimmicy” offense full of “trickeration”… this looks like a classic smash mouth SEC football game coming up against LSU. pretty sure both will come to run.
wappa
I was hoping to breath easy after Arky, but not with LSU right on our heels.
It is going to be tricky tricky this Saturday. You can prepare for an offense or a defense…you can’t prepare the ‘Les Miles’ luck factor.
That said. I feel good about our Tigers chances. This team finds ways to win. I have a hard time imagining that it would be different this weekend. The team will be ready; the fans will be more than ready. It will be another hell of an afternoon in Jordan-Hare!
War Eagle! Beat the Bengals!
by Tiger on the mountain on Oct 18, 2010 11:08 AM CDT reply actions
I love Auburn week...
… nothing personal, but I love hating Auburn. I hate Auburn because of the past two decades, we have played some of the craziest, hard-hitting, meaningful games in the SEC. It’s a rivalry that didn’t exist when I was a kid, and now it’s an intense rivalry based solely on the fact that we play really tough games against one another in which unfathomably wierd stuff happens.
I’m excited y’all are good this year and so are we, so we can get this rivalry back up to its intense levels of a few years ago. I hate Auburn, and I swear I mean that as the highest compliment.
Here’s to another crazy, hard-hitting, and meaningful game on Saturday. May the better Tigers win.
Fake Pundit. Real Fan.
And The Valley Shook!
I completely agree
Well we hate you too _ It will be a great game!!
I can't bring myself...
…..to hate LSU. Every time I visit Louisiana, I have a fantastic time. I dream about the food for months afterwards!
…..Sometimes one side blow the other out in this rivalry. If it’s a close came, there’s just no predicting what crazy thing happens!
I guess i should say “don’t say he’s better than VY” until he runs crazy on three solid defenses (like VY Okie, Ohio State, and then USC in the title game). Also Cam’s one weakish spot is his deep ball, where his completion % drops of on passes over 20 yards. Cam will not be on the same level as VY until he beats a better team in a bigger game (which is something he can’t help cause he hasn’t gotten there yet). He’s gonna have to win a championship (SEC or National) to be in the same conversation cause everyone agrees that the greatest players are bigger than mere stats and it’s about what they can elevate their team to acomplish. Who knows, by the end of the season, we might say he’s better than VY or any other player of the past decade(s). Point is, we have to wait to see how he handles tougher defense, and bigger stages, BEFORE the coronation.
by TheYellowHammer on Oct 18, 2010 11:51 AM CDT reply actions
IF and I mean IF...
Cam can beat LSU with crazy numbers, that is a large feat. LSU has a killer defense. If Cam can beat Bama (another big IF) with any numbers he will be “better” than Vince. Vince was amazing, no doubt but Cameron is like nothing that younger Auburn have ever seen. You have to remember that most folks watching Cam never saw Bo Jackson on the field. Ronnie and Caddy are the bests AU ball carriers they know. Newton makes both of them look average, with no disrespect to Williams and Brown intended.
I did see Bo play, and every time he touched the ball you knew something special was about to happen. I see the same things in Cameron. I am not ready to anoint Cam the Heisman winner, and I am sure not ready to give him Bo like status in Auburn lore… but IF and I mean IF he can keep this up. I will.
If you are a War Damn Eagle, you can War Damn anything.
by WarDamnZach on Oct 18, 2010 12:23 PM CDT up reply actions
Cam has been very good and has some games coming up to continue to showcase his abilities and solidify his legacy.
I did see Bo play—college/NFL/even baseball—though and that combination of power, speed, and intensity is and always will be unique. If he did not have the hip injury, I have no doubt he would be right up there with Jim Brown as the best running back ever if not best overall player to play.
"When a hurricane damaged my father's house, my brother rushed over with a gas grill, three coolers of beer, and an enormous F***-It Bucket - a plastic pail filled with jawbreakers and bite-size candy bars. ("When s*** brings you down, just say 'f*** it,' and eat yourself some motherf****** candy.")"
— David Sedaris from "You Can't Kill the Rooster"
Bo was pure speed and power....
He wasn’t a “playmaker” like Cam is. By that I mean, his forte was hitting the corner/ or finding an open lane through the line and blowing the doors off the defense on the way to the endzone. If the hole was filled by a defender, he blasted him and either went through him or carried him for five yards. He didn’t dance and manufacture something out of nothing like Cam does. Bo and Cam are totally different players but if I had to pick one guy for one game, I have to pick Cam because he can sling it a mile on a rope as well as break defendeers ankles in the open field. If Cam keeps up this level of play…..he is Auburn’s best ever.
Col.Angus may be rough, Col.Angus may not smell like a bed of roses, but deep down Col.Angus is very sweet. If I overstay my welcome, just tap me on the head!!
I'm not sure that's exactly fair
I agree that Cam hasn’t faced the toughest defenses in the world, but to say that if Auburn were to not win an SEC or national championship, then that would somehow diminish Cam’s performance is unfair. This year’s Auburn team without Cam is nowhere near as talented as 2005 Texas without Vince, ESPECIALLY on the defensive side of the ball. We gave up 43 points on Saturday. Cam can’t go out and play linebacker, too.
Do you remember that spelling bee you won in the first grade? Rock? "R-O-K"?
by jd is legend on Oct 18, 2010 12:47 PM CDT up reply actions
Well he could.
He is big and quick enough :)
If you are a War Damn Eagle, you can War Damn anything.
by WarDamnZach on Oct 18, 2010 12:51 PM CDT up reply actions
You'll forgive us if we're a little excited.....
At worst Cam is the best player we’ve had since Bo roamed Jordan Hare. I won’t comment whether he’s the best EVER, but even a Bama fan has to admit he’s the Best player right now. If you can’t admit that, you haven’t seen him play or you’re just hating.
Col.Angus may be rough, Col.Angus may not smell like a bed of roses, but deep down Col.Angus is very sweet. If I overstay my welcome, just tap me on the head!!
i was in the endzone..
that he ran that guy over in. he stood up and yelled GET OFF ME. it was nasty.
WAR DAMN.
That dude had to have seen his life flash before his eyes
Do you remember that spelling bee you won in the first grade? Rock? "R-O-K"?
by jd is legend on Oct 18, 2010 1:24 PM CDT up reply actions
The Cam vs. Bo comparisons...
…..aren’t quite fair yet. Cam has yet to lose, or be stopped, for that matter. But it’s only been seven games. Will anyone stop Cam? It’s a different equation when the player is such a dual threat.
…..There were teams that DID stop Bo, Texas in 1983, then the Longhorns knocked him out in 1984. We were shut down by Florida in 1985, and blown out in the Cotton bowl. Bo was overshadowed in that one by two TAMU guys named Vick and Hector.
Nobody
is crowned the best player in a generation immediately. It takes years or decades of reflection and comparisons to make that call. Mark Ingram won the Heisman last year, but do you think of him on the same level as Herschel or Bo? Not yet, and maybe there will be a generational buffer between them so the comparison is seldom made, but in 20 years, conventional wisdom may come to support that notion.
#2 Cameron Newton for Heisman
by War Eagle Atlanta on Oct 18, 2010 9:03 PM CDT reply actions
Mike McNeil Questionable for Saturday?
Jay…. Need to check this out. Bitter says he will likely start with Zac Ethridge in his 10/18 blog.
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