Is Auburn Football a One Hit Wonder?
by Acid Reign on Jan 20, 2011 4:37 AM CST
Email
Print
The beginnings of the Chizik Era, A-Day 2009.
War Eagle, everybody! Awards continue to be bestowed on the National Champion Auburn Tiger football team. This week, Cam Newton picked up the Manning Award, as the nation's best college quarterback. Head coach Gene Chizik became the third Auburn coach to win the Paul Bear Bryant award honoring excellence both on and off the field.
Despite all Auburn has accomplished this past season, some folks think that the program is doomed to slide into mediocrity. Yes, Auburn lost three of the nation's best players to the NFL when Cam Newton, Nick Fairley and Darvin Adams declared for the draft. The Tigers also graduate 24 seniors from the program who've logged a lot of playing time. The odds are against any school attempting to repeat as BCS Champions. It has never been done. That does not mean Auburn won't contend again next season.
There are still some who believe that the NCAA and the FBI are poised to strip Auburn of everything won in 2010, and hammer the program with sanctions. Luckily, the NCAA doesn't make its decisions based on what's posted on message boards or babbled on talk radio. Let's review: there's been no investigation of Auburn, no letter of inquiry, and Auburn hasn't even been accused of any wrong-doing. The only "official" public action by the NCAA in the entire saga was to quickly reinstate Cam Newton when Auburn declared him ineligible. 'Nuff said here, I think.
Think back two years ago, early in the Gene Chizik era. Few pundits gave Auburn even a chance of being competitive in the SEC Western division. The Tigers had depth issues, little experience at quarterback, and few play makers. Even with the losses mentioned above, this year's Auburn squad is light-years ahead of where we were the past three seasons at this time. If there's one thing Chizik's staff has proven is that they can develop players. Let's face it. I think no one would have predicted that two late Tuberville-era receivers would have a shot at playing in the NFL (Adams and Zachary). This time last year, who penciled in Nick Fairley as even All-SEC, much less the Lombardi winner? Cam Newton was a flashy, but dicey JUCO pickup. There was no guarantee that he would even start at Auburn.
The 2011 team will feature a rebuilt front seven on defense, but there are pieces there for Ted Roof to work with. I can easily imagine a Fairley-like breakout year by sophomore tackle Jeffery Whitacker. Remember, Whitacker, and two other true freshmen played this past season, and were impressive. We'll have a pretty good line with Whitacker, Lemonier and Kenneth Carter going through a year of development under coaches Yox and Rocker. There's experience returning at linebacker. Eltoro Freeman, Darren Bates and Jonathan Evans, as well as talented second-year players Jake Holland, Jessel Curry, and LaDarius Owens should prove to be a capable bunch.
We saw signs of big improvement in the secondary the past six weeks, and most of those players return. Thorpe, Bell and Davis give us three battle-tested cornerbacks. Mike McNeil really came on late in the season, and should have a great senior season. Demetruce McNeal is a future star. This kid shone mostly on special teams, but he has a great motor, and unbelievable speed.
Everyone lauds Auburn's four departing seniors, but does anyone remember the tag on them two years ago? They were viewed as a false-starting, holding-flag, chop-blocking bunch, mostly. There's no reason to think that line coach Jeff Grimes won't piece together another talented unit. The 2011 team has experienced tackles returning, Brandon Moseley, A. J. Green, and John Sullen. There are capable folks beyond that, including our new center Blake Burgess. Mega-recruit Eric Mack enters the fray this spring.
Even with the loss of Darvin Adams, Kodi Burns and Terrell Zachary, Auburn has a lot of options at the receiver spots. Emory Blake proved to be a home-run threat in 2010. Quindarius Carr's a veteran who can make the catch. There's DeAngelo Benton, Trovon Reed, Shaun Kitchens, Antonio Goodwin, Ralph Spry, Phillip Pierre-Louis and Travante Stallworth who'll compete for playing time. Anyone think Trooper Taylor won't field another excellent unit?
With the fearsome foursome of backs returning, the running game will be in good hands. Eric Smith and Phillip Lutzenkirchen will plow open holes, and Michael Dyer and Onterio McCalebb will fly through them. We won't have the best player in America at quarterback, but I would not bet against Barrett Trotter doing great things. Gus Malzhan broke records with Chris Todd two years ago, and helped turn a JUCO athlete into a Heisman winner last year. Malzhan's greatest feat in the SEC might have been winning the West at Arkansas in 2006 with freshman Mitch Mustaine and sophomore Casey Dick at quarterback. I think we'll be just fine at quarterback in 2011.
Much has been made over the decisions of star juniors Cam Newton, Darvin Adams and Nick Fairley to declare for the NFL draft. Some call them disloyal. I disagree. The fact is that scholarships are only handed out one year at a time. Auburn can (and has in the past) decline to renew them upon occasion. Football is a violent sport that can cripple at any time. I don't think it's fair to ask those players to turn down multiple millions of dollars after they've earned that opportunity on the field. On top of that, there's talk of a rookie salary cap that will be in place for 2012 and beyond. There are plenty of guys coming out of high school every year. We'll give new guys a chance, and move on.
The bottom line is that Cam, Nick and Darvin got where they are by busting their tails year-round. They set a great example for the younger players of where effort and perseverance will take you. Much like one-year star Rudi Johnson ten years ago, this example will pay dividends going forward. I'm fully convinced that young Auburn backs like Ronnie Brown saw what a practice warrior Johnson was, and used that example to become great ones in their own right.
It has been a fascinating two years watching Coach Chizik and his staff build a championship team. They've cultivated a great atmosphere around the program, and are attracting top talent. They've shown tremendous propensity to develop that talent. This winter, we're watching them put together another highly rated recruiting class. Auburn should be poised to make some noise in the SEC West for years to come. It's a great time to be an Auburn Tiger! This era is only just beginning!
--
71 comments
|
1 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Really good read Acid.
I really enjoyed it. Very encouraging. To sum it up … “Your in good hand” with Chizik.
AubTigerman
"The reason you come to Auburn is because of Auburn people.This is a special place, from the coaches all the way to the fans" - Andrew McCain OT
Excellent post Acid
While I do not expect a repeat of this past season next year, I do not think we will fall of the face of the earth either.
The coaching staff is fully intact and it appears we will have another outstanding recruiting class.
Veni vidi vici
GREAT STUFF... 5th paragraph... Don't forget Nosa Eguae @ DE coming back.
Eguae had a good year as a FR…battling with SR Goggins for time. Even as a SOPH, Eguae will bring a ton of experience to 2011.
Also, despite T-Zac and Adams going… we shouldn’t forget about Phillip Lutzenkirchen…4th on the team in catches and 3rd on the team for receiving TDs.
Blake and Lutz combined for 13 TDs… and they caught the ball in some clutch situations.
With the potential for 2-3 TEs coming in… I would not be surprised if Lutz’s role becomes more offensively oriented in 2011.
you do it and you wipe it up.
I was about to cite Nosa
He will be Fairley-esque this year or next. I am not concerned about our talent pool at all. The only drop off I worry about is at QB….for obvious reasons.
Having talent is not the key to winning, coaching up that talent, having discipline and playing with desire is WAY more important. If talent meant everything, Florida, UGA and LSU would pass the BCS trophy around with Alabama every year. We have a great program with a great leader heading it and I think losing Cam and Nick will be a mixed blessing because all the other guys will be out to prove that we weren’t just those two players.
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!!
A truer statement can not be made.
I don't troll so I reserve the right to berate trolls as I see fit.
Just so you know I won't forget.....LSU Jonno predicted we would finish 5th in the west in '11.
Very Nice
I read Year2’s opinion of the Newton investigation on Team Speed Kills yesterday and that left me in a foul mood most of the night. If you haven’t read it, don’t waste your time. Its just more highly biased opinion and rumor mongering.
Anyway, this is just what I needed this morning to get my head cleared of that crap.
You know, most non-Auburn people either aren’t aware or choose to ignore the fact that Barrett Trotter took Cam Newton to the wire for the starting job. While I harbor no fantasies that Trotter will be another Newton, I know that he will be more than capable of winning in the SEC if he can stay healthy.
We are not going to go undefeated next year and will probably lose at least three games due to the brutality of our schedule. But I believe that notice has been served: Auburn football is not going away anytime soon.
"A lot of people said it would be a cold day in hell before Auburn played for a national championship... well, it was 17 degrees in Tuscaloosa today."
- Demond Washington
Trotter has that 'IT' factor as a QB
I’m not sure what exactly ‘IT’ is, but you can feel it when he is in the huddle. I honestly remember thinking that he should be the starter after the A-Day game last season facepalm :)
I agree here:
Auburn should be poised to make some noise in the SEC West for years to come.
I just don’t expect that run to start until 2012.
Next year’s Auburn team still has a gaping two year recruiting hole from the Tubberville era. Sure Chizik has brought in 2 excellent recruiting classes. But Les Miles, Nick Saban, and Urban Meyer have an entire roster filled with excellent recruiting classes. Auburn has some talent at every position, but it isn’t upper classment talent, and that’s what it takes to compete.
Auburn’s schedule also turns pretty tough next year. Going on the road to play Clemson, LSU, Arkansas, Florida & Georgia. Remember how Auburn was playing for revenge last year? Yeah, now Auburn’s opponents are playing for revenge.
Look at what happened to LSU 2008 (8-5), Oklahoma 2009 (8-5), Florida (8-5), Bama (10-3), and Texas (5-7) in 2010 after they lost their senior leadership that guided them to the championship game. All of those teams were equally or more talented than Auburn will be next year.
I completely agree that Auburn is here to stay, and will be playing with the big boys for years to come. But Auburn will be taking two steps back in 2011 before they take 3 steps forward in 2012.
"I know the quarterback has a strong arm, but...I mean the ball's not gonna outrun ME" --PP7
Just a few points..
Urban Meyer is now sucking down darjeeling and we play Florida in Jordan-Hare.
Now witness the firepower of this fully ARMED and OPERATIONAL Offense!
Yeah, but he recruited all of those players. That was my point.
Also, it looks like Auburn plays @ SC and gets UF at home.
"I know the quarterback has a strong arm, but...I mean the ball's not gonna outrun ME" --PP7
Jonno has gone on record saying that we will finish 5th in the west as per my signature....
but we now have a bet that AU will finish either in the top half or bottom half next season…..with Malzahn’s wizardry and a defense that should be better overall I’m obviously going with the top half.
I don't troll so I reserve the right to berate trolls as I see fit.
Just so you know I won't forget.....LSU Jonno predicted we would finish 5th in the west in '11.
My fearless predictions is......
I think Malzahn will make some major changes to the offense to accomodate Trotters less than Cam running ability. I see Dyer and McCaleb getting a ton of carries and more passing. That being said, if one of the younger QBs who can motor steps yp to challenge Trottte, we could see more of the samer.
I actually see our defense being better even without Fairley. We rotated a lot of guys this year and the backups performed very well. If you did not notice one of our goal line stands against Oregon was with the backups. We will have one of the youngest teams in the country next year but we are LOADED with athletes. With our coaching staff I will not be surprised to win 11 games next year, although 9 is more likely.
I just hope they erect the Saban statue/altar/shrine before he leaves
Sorry about the typos, I was in a hurry.
I just hope they erect the Saban statue/altar/shrine before he leaves
Great Article
As much as I hate to see our super juniors go, I think a lot of people are over-reacting when they assume we’re going back to being a 5-7 team next year. I was talking to my roommate about next years season and told me he felt we’d be lucky if we made it to a bowl game. I told him he needed to stop listening to his bama friends and ESPN. Now I’m not saying we’re going to repeat as SEC or National Champions. I’m realistic in knowing that that’s just not very likely, especially in the toughest division in the nation. But if you listen to everyone else, you’re likely to believe that not only will Auburn lose every win from this year, but we will also not win another game for 5 years, and our coaching staff will be executed by an NCAA firing squad. Nobody expected us to win a National Championship with our squad this year, when a loaded Bama team was in our division. Great coaching can elevate the talent of players. And besides, I’m just planning on enjoying the championship all off-season. I trust CGC to work out the logistics of next year.
I'm an Auburn fan because I go to Auburn. You're a Bama fan because you went to Walmart.
Auburn Tigers 2010 National Champions
Love it.
Good post. I agree 100% :
Auburn should be poised to make some noise in the SEC West for years to come. It’s a great time to be an Auburn Tiger! This era is only just beginning!
the SEC will bring back on 6 starting QBs from 2010...
LSU, MSU, UGA, SC(Sr), UT(So),vandy(Sr)
Auburn will not be a 1 hit wonder… for 1, many other SEC teams are undergoing transitions as well. we saw how the loss of underclassmen really caught up with UF last year… who is next? the SEC is really being forced into a yearly scramble as the draw for SEC Jr talent rises…
LSU is still looking for JJ and Lee to turn the corner… are they going to make it happen? how all of a sudden is LSU going to find consistency with these QBs if they haven’t gotten it already? They are losing Ridley? and starting with a new OC in 2011. could LSU be setting itself up for a jevon sneed/ ole miss, mullet/arky kind of disappointing year? they open with Oregon… we’ll see.
i do think there are some good players out there that could break through in 2011 and make all the difference in the world for their teams:
LSU: russell shepard… maybe this coming OC will be smart enough to get this guy the ball every 3 plays. i’m surprised they don’t consider a wildcat package more with him. i like the combo of Ford and Ware at RB.
SC: Lattimore and Alshon Jefferey. we know now that this SC O can find some good balance with these 2 guys alone.
MSU: chad bumphis- reminds me of a dexter mccluster. QB Relf got better as the season progressed.
MISS: brandon bolden, RB… if only he was running behind a decent Oline. this guy is good.
bama: trent richardson @ RB, marquis maze and darius hanks get consistently good separation… mccaron can throw. i also really like bama’s hightower and upshaw @ LB. Barron deciding to come back at CB is big for bama.
TN: DaRick Rogers @ WR… one of the next great big WR in the SEC… he’s young but really good.
UF: RB demps and WR rainey back… i liked Reed at QB late in the season, but can’t figure out what they are going to do at QB w/ Muschamp thinking pro-style. Trey burton moves to slot WR and brantley back as starter? lots up in the air for UF.
AUB: Michael Dyer, he’ll be in the top 3 of RBs in the SEC as a Soph, Phillip Lutzenkirchen could rise to be a big time O threat for AU. WR Blake and Lutz are back and should rack up some good #s.
you do it and you wipe it up.
who would you all consider the best QB in the SEC starting the 2011 year?
you do it and you wipe it up.
By default you would have to go with Garcia but....
I have a feeling AU will have an epic battle at QB and don’t be surprised if we have a freshman or redshirt freshman behind the center next year. I have a feeling about the Frazier kid. The CEO of Mountain Valley Spring Water in Little Rock is a big Arky booster and a good friend of mine. He has already been pissing and moaning to me about us getting Frazer out of their back yard. He talks about him becoming Cam like in a year or two. I will wait and see but his potential is definitely there.
I just hope they erect the Saban statue/altar/shrine before he leaves
Dyer fron ARK... now Frazier. we're doing well in Arkansas...and Louisiana.
you do it and you wipe it up.
i think the QB competition will be a good one at Auburn. Frazier and Trotter.
Frazier comes from a similar malzonian system I believe. he was very fun to watch in the UA game. led the team down for the game winning FG.
against such fast Ds in the SEC… i am thinking more and more that SEC teams have to have a run threat at QB… to make the SEC Ds pay for overpursuing and too deep a push into the backfield. the affect of a run threat at QB is that it turns an otherwise traditional power SEC run game into a nightmare for Ds to defend.
you do it and you wipe it up.
Wow. That's really tough!
…..Garcia, Relf? Lord help us! Those are the “proven” veteran starters.
…..There’s Bray up at UT. Honestly with Bray, though, a lot of his late-season numbers were chunking up ill-advised bombs against Ole Miss, Kentucky and Vandy,and his receivers coming down with the ball. Given UT’s usual early slate, he’s got “sophomore slump” written all over him. I think Aaron Murray’s got a lot of upside, but who’s he going to throw to next year?
…..I’ve also got a gut feeling Weis will break Florida’s offense out next season. Kragthorpe might be successful at LSU eventually, but he’s a 500-page playbook guy. It won’t happen overnight, I don’t think.
agree. that young 6'3 Rogers WR is the next julio jones/Aj green of the SEC... you just need to throw it within a few yards of that guy.
i think i might pick aaron murray at UGA.
he will struggle finding people to throw to… but i think he might be the most skilled of the returning SEC QBs. murray is going to feel a ton more comfortable with the home leaning schedule they’ll have in 2011.
consistency is holding LSU and SCaroline back at QB… though those 2 teams may be able to overcome because they’ll have plenty of playmakers back.
you do it and you wipe it up.
tough
I’m going to go out on a limb here and go with Zach Mettenberger at LSU. This kid had Aaron Murray beaten out at georgia before he got kicked off the team, and you’ve seen what murray can do. Mettenberger will have a good group of receivers this year at LSU and I really think they were one good quarterback away from being a good offense this year. I think they’re probably the team to beat next year
I'm an Auburn fan because I go to Auburn. You're a Bama fan because you went to Walmart.
Auburn Tigers 2010 National Champions
by FlyAuburn13 on Jan 20, 2011 12:56 PM CST up reply actions
you think Mettenburger is going to start? haven't heard anything about that...and don't know much about him
…other than his off the field debacle at UGA.
you do it and you wipe it up.
Mett was in the mix for a starting spot, but never displaced Murray
Most Dawgs thought Murray would start, but a sizable minority wanted Mett. There’s no doubt that he’s the real deal, but – based on what we’ve seen so far – I wouldn’t trade Murray for Mett.
Mett’s upside is unreal. He’s a poor man’s Ryan Mallett who could really blow it up. He’s a prototype pro QB. But the quality of Murray’s season was lost by UGA’s otherwise-terrible performance. Murray’s first year was as good as Stafford’s last. He might not have the pro qualities (he’s not that tall and his arm is not the cannon of Mett’s), but I think he’ll be a dynamite college QB.
by first and thom on Jan 21, 2011 10:15 AM CST up reply actions
Relf @ MSU might be my #2, then SC's Garcia. just shootin from the hip.
again, i really thought Relf grew over the course of the season… gained a ton of confidence in the offensive system. he was throwing the ball much better toward the end of 2010 then he did against AU early.
you do it and you wipe it up.
Our schedule next year is about equal to 2009's schedule, maybe slightly more difficult
We have more talent on the 2011 squad than we did in 2009, even if it’s not experienced. The 2009 team won seven regular season games in their first year under a new coaching staff. The 2011 team will win eight or nine regular season games under a coaching staff that has remained unchanged for three years.
Auburn Tigers - 2010 National Champions
Completely agree
Unfortunately, with 3-4 losses I think that drops AU to 4th or 5th in the west.
"I know the quarterback has a strong arm, but...I mean the ball's not gonna outrun ME" --PP7
Now we get to where we truly disagree.....
I think that 3 losses nets you no worse than 3rd in the west and I don’t see an undefeated team in the west next season. I don’t see AU losing more than 3 or 4 either and I’m of the opinion that it will be 3 or less…..it just won’t be winning the way we did this season with an explosive offense. Instead it will be with a good offense and very good defense. The East will also rebound next season….UF will be back at the forefront along with UGA and UT as close seconds, USCe will backslide into their usual 4 or 5 loss team.
I don't troll so I reserve the right to berate trolls as I see fit.
Just so you know I won't forget.....LSU Jonno predicted we would finish 5th in the west in '11.
Nah
3 Losses was good enough for 4th place this year, and 4 losses got you 5th place in the west.
Auburn doesn’t be Arky or LSU on the road next year. Bama, SC, UF, and UGA will all be toss ups. I see 4 losses.
"I know the quarterback has a strong arm, but...I mean the ball's not gonna outrun ME" --PP7
There's the difference between this past season and next....
there won’t be an undefeated west champion (in fact the west champion could easily have 2 losses). I don’t see AU losing to both Arkansas and LSU. I will believe that AU loses to USCe when it finally happens til then that’s always a W in my prognostications….UGA is going through turmoil and just lost the best WR in the SEC (not a good combination)…..Bama? who knows…..AU has an axe to grind with UF and MSU…….Clemson is on the cusp of a coaching change and lost a lot from this years squad as well…..all in all I see AU losing at the most 3 games and finishing in the top half of the west if not winning it.
I don't troll so I reserve the right to berate trolls as I see fit.
Just so you know I won't forget.....LSU Jonno predicted we would finish 5th in the west in '11.
here we go again... the preseason pessimist
of the group. i don’t disagree with nine wins or so, but dude… you are not much fun to listen to.
jd, you didn’t believe in Auburn in 2010 and all they did was go out and win a National Championship… didn’t you guess somewhere in the 4 or 5 loss range? come on man.
you need to let go of being timid and worry filled… it is about time Auburn embrace expectations, play up, come together, and believe. stop feeling sorry for yourself and for Auburn that we have missed opportunities in the past… that we haven’t lived up to hype before…and kick your own ass as a fan to wake up more confident. if a National Championship run like the 2010 one can’t wake you up, I don’t know what can. it isn’t like we dominated everyone on our schedule this year. we came together, got better 1 week after another… and never stopped fighting through all the crap.
your position of … well, lets not expect too much… is exhausting.
you do it and you wipe it up.
HEY...
Don’t give him my title. I earned it over years of anguish. I think we’ll win 8 or 9 games this year. Jonno is acting like we only win 4 games this season comparing us to Texas and they’re in a much weaker conference. Wow-4-8 huh?? What about 3-9 that sound better? Sorry, but when Jonno chimed in on the “I Hate everything about Auburn” article and only added to it, he did something I won’t even forget.
I'm not even being pessimistic!
I don’t see how any of your rant has to do with my comment above. People are saying we’ll be at our 2009 level or worse, and I disagree. We’ll be better than 2009, but not as good as 2010. With a schedule comparable to 2009’s and a coaching staff that has been together for three years, we’ll win a game or two more than we did that year. I would be tremendously pleased win a 10-win season (after a potential bowl win). Would you not?
You even say you “don’t disagree with nine wins” so why are you even trying to call me out?
Auburn Tigers - 2010 National Champions
by jd is legend on Jan 20, 2011 12:45 PM CST up reply actions
i would have NEVER think of comparing where Auburn is NOW with 2009...
in any way or shape.
we just won a national championship.
we’re a single year away from catching up on depth and filling our squad to full strength.
we’ve retained a coaching staff that is coming back after a national championship season of growing together.
i think they’ll be even more effective under these kind of conditions (losing 24 seniors) then they were with the group we had last year. they’ve proven that they can relax and pump up the team at will…either between halves of a game, or during the practice week leading up to a game. based on the losses of the other teams, i don’t consider the parallel of the road leaning schedule and 2009 a worthy discussion point at all. Auburn is in a completely different place right now. i am not trying to undermine the notion that you still need the players to play and win… i just think that AU and the mindset is completely different now. the mindset of Auburn players that didn’t play that much this year, but will be looking to start next year is night and day from those in the same position in 2009. i believe there is a chance that… EVERYTHING has changed for Auburn (an optimistic view?… i don’t think so… not after what AU fought through in 2010) i much prefer the attitude of … BRING IT!
before, i was discussing the key QBs and playmakers coming back in the SEC… consider now those who are gone… again, shootin from the hip…
UGA: AJ Green, LBs Houston & Dent
UF: WR Carl Moore, Pouncey, P Chas Henry
LSU: Patrick Peterson, LB Kelvin Sheppard=to AU losing Bynes), K Jasper, RB Ridley, WR Toliver, DT Nevis… and these guys are supposed to push for the west?
SCaroline:DE Matthews, P Lanning, CB Culliver, LB Straughter
bama: Julio Jones, Mark Ingram, Greg McElroy, DT Dareus, OL Carpenter, TE Preston Dial…
i hope i am making my point. i’m trying hard here.
for the love… transitions don’t just happen to Auburn.
this leaves incredible opportunity for ALL teams throughout the SEC to step up with their playmakers and take advantage. one or 2 of the SEC teams will have high hopes and fall short (Arky 2010)…and/or they’ll be caught in the limbo of the transition (UF 2010). point is, the opportunity is out there for everyone… including Auburn. i am a firm believer in the football game being about pounding away at the opponent’s weaknesses. there will be new strengths and new weaknesses, for everybody. you only have to win by 1.
you do it and you wipe it up.
I think you're missing my point
The reason I’m comparing next year’s team to 2009’s is because fans of other teams think we will sink back to that level or worse. What I’m saying is that we’re more talented than that team, and face maybe a slightly more difficult schedule. Ergo, we win one or two more games than we won that year.
Auburn Tigers - 2010 National Champions
by jd is legend on Jan 21, 2011 9:52 AM CST up reply actions
Nobody in the SEC lost more talent to the pros than Auburn
Nobody had more to lose. It’s the problem with having great players – they’re great and then they’re gone.
by first and thom on Jan 21, 2011 10:18 AM CST up reply actions
i think that assertion is a bit presumptuous. Auburn didn't enter 2010 with NFL talent all over our roster... guys like and Mullet, AJ Green, Patrick Peterson, and Julio Jones were the ones who were deemed pro-ready guys.
i think you could argue that bama and LSU lost more NFL level players than Auburn did.
Peterson, Nevis, Sheppard, Toliver and Ridley
Ingram, Jones, Darius, Ingram, & Dial
by the way, Kiper chose CB Neiko Thorpe as the highest rated NFL prospect on the Auburn squad prior to the 2010 season. that goes to show how much those guesses are worth preseason.
so then, how was Auburn able to finish with 3 going to the NFL?… they grew each week. and with the same coach staff together for the 3rd straight year why couldn’t Auburn fans expect a similar result in 2011?
you do it and you wipe it up.
I'll agree with you
Newton and Fairely came out of nowhere. And I shouldn’t have said that Auburn lost all of its talen to the pros – several guys are just graduating.
But show me another team that lost as much as Auburn. Lost the SEC’s leading rusher and most efficient passer. Lost the SEC sacks/TFL leader, along with a lot of the Dline rotation. Lost its starting offensive line. Lost linebackers and DBs. Lost leading WR.
Maybe Auburn can replace all of this (that’s why we play the games). Auburn is sure recruiting a top-notch class. But, at the same time, it’s hard to deny how much Auburn lost. Losing all these guys is a problem that has to be solved by recruiting, coaching, and guys stepping up.
by first and thom on Jan 21, 2011 2:00 PM CST up reply actions
"a problem that has to be solved by recruiting, coaching, and guys stepping up."
you just summarized my point in your last sentence.
that is all Auburn did last year… why can’t that happen for Auburn again in 2011?
Auburn will enter the 2011 season likely with a projected 3-4th SEC west finish… identical to the projected finish in 2010.
what did Auburn do with all that overwhelming expectation?…they won a National Championship. Don’t waste your time suggesting to me that we lost everything, or that Auburn is gooing to free fall.
it isn’t logical… when you consider everything that they managed to accomplish in 2010.
this article is asking the simple question of whether or not Auburn is a 1 hit wonder. the folk that guessed once again (because it was easy to do so) that bama and UF would play for the SEC CG in 2010 should be ashamed of themselves. this is the SEC, it isn’t that simple.
you do it and you wipe it up.
To answer your question with a bit of snark then some reasoned logic
that is all Auburn did last year… why can’t that happen for Auburn again in 2011?
The Snark: Yes, because every example of what has ever happened is exactly what will happen this time
The reasoned logic: You could argue this both ways and be reasonable. Don’t get so worked up. Just because Auburn did it in 2010 doesn’t mean they’ll do it again in 2011 and that’s a reasonable argument. On the other hand, because Auburn did it in 2010 means they could do it again in 2011 is also a reasonable argument.
first and thom makes a reasonable point and he’s not one of the crazies that’s predicting that Auburn is going 5-7 or 4-8 or anything like that. I realize you view the world in blue and orange and we view it in red and black, but we can have reasonable discussions without resorting to being snarky or telling reasonable people to quit wasting your time.
http://hobnailboot.wordpress.com/
What Auburn accomplished in 2010...
…is the result of some excellent players at full maturity playing for excellent coaches. The coaches return. Many of the excellent players have moved on, but many potentially excellent players are coming behind them. Much experience was lost, but, hey, Cam Newton was a first-year starter, too.
As hard as Auburn had to work for its wins this year, it will have to work harder next year.
by first and thom on Jan 24, 2011 3:30 PM CST up reply actions
Auburn most likely won't contend for it all in 2011.
However, a run at the SEC may be possible. Our shelves aren’t being emptied, but replenished with younger mostly more talented players. Our loss of experience will be huge, but we will make up a lot of ground by adding young talent.
War Eagle
losing senior leaders will hurt, but
I want to see how much of that is offset by the “never give up” mentality that has to have been instilled in the youngsters on this team. 8 come from behind wins has to be a tremendous confidence booster. Combine that with what was mentioned above about the returning QBs in the league and we stand as good a shot as anyone. We lose 3 talented juniors, but think about the underclassmen and seniors lost by the other conference and OOC foes.
"I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass...and I'm all out of bubblegum."
by tigertracker on Jan 20, 2011 12:07 PM CST up reply actions
Well, everyone has to realize that
rookie mistakes will be made in surplus in 2011. But the experience going forward will be invaluable. the talent we’ll be fielding for the next few seasons will be very very high.
War Eagle
good post. we're not the only team to lose JRs...
call it a bright side or whatever you want…
just a couple: AJ Green, Justin Houston, Julio Jones, Mark Ingram, Marcell Dareus, Patrick Peterson, Stevan Ridley…
these guys were just a little bit productive for their teams… don’t you think?
there are plenty of 1st and 2nd team all SEC Jr. players that are declaring.
the key to your post for me was the word “mentality”… we had a good many talented players who were able to ride with the team to the Glendale confetti. it took a mentality, and i suspect that there were future leaders growing each week for 14 weeks.
you do it and you wipe it up.
I hear everything you guys are saying...
Although I’ll refer back to Acid’s point about this staff. Three years together, working with these players who have experience now, and plenty of it, makes me excited to see what can happen next season.
True, we are one more recruiting class away from being “caught up” with everyone else in the SEC, talent wise.
Now look at the bright side, top notch talent has been recruited the last two seasons, and we are in the mix for another special class. I can not help but feel we are out of the tunnel and basking in glorious sunlight.
I very seldom have thought that Auburn “should” contend for a national title every season, but if guys think we can contend for the West or even Conference titles, then the shot at the Crystal goes with it.
We should contend next season for all the marbles, any other attitude is unacceptable.
Come and join me at http://trackemtigers.com
Good point
As the last 5 years have shown, the SEC title equals Crystal!!!
I just hope they erect the Saban statue/altar/shrine before he leaves
I am so with you!!!
Thinking of JD’s ‘Retire 18’ thread, I have been wondering what Kodi would have been like if Malzahn had him from the beginning. I feel like in the last two Tubb-years, a lot of talent was misused and squandered. I understand that we have some tough road games. I get that we lost a tremendous senior class. BUT, what everybody is forgetting are the tremendous non-seniors that are returning! Our rock solid coaching staff is intact. Chizik will keep taking it one week and a time and plodding us forward. Dye dug the Foundation, Tubbs poured it, now Chizik is razing the House!
by Tiger on the mountain on Jan 20, 2011 12:50 PM CST up reply actions
Agree and ...
… I love your analogy, except I would have Shug in there somewhere. Point is – we have always had a good program and now Chizik is moving us on up (to the East side, we finally got a piece of the pie).
AubTigerman
"The reason you come to Auburn is because of Auburn people.This is a special place, from the coaches all the way to the fans" - Andrew McCain OT
Shug secured the Property!
Lake-front property, that is. ATM, you are right—I just started from my generation of coaches :)………
by Tiger on the mountain on Jan 20, 2011 3:05 PM CST up reply actions
Unfortunately...
Doug Barfield moved an old trailer onto the lot and never mowed the grass.
"A lot of people said it would be a cold day in hell before Auburn played for a national championship... well, it was 17 degrees in Tuscaloosa today."
- Demond Washington
by Foy Onion on Jan 20, 2011 3:56 PM CST up reply actions 4 recs
Haha!
Auburn Tigers: The 2011 BCS National Champions!
by War Eagle Atlanta on Jan 21, 2011 11:27 AM CST up reply actions
Dyer
Remember how early in the season Lattimore was blowing up at SCe and Dyer was was our 3rd back behind fannin and OMac? Everyone quietly wondered if SCe had gotten the better back and then we said welllllll, Lattimore can’t hold up to that # of carries in conference. Let’s look at the final #s and I will blow your mind.
Lattimore 249 attempts 1,197 yds and 17 TDs avg 4.8 yds/carry
Dyer 182 attempts 1,093 yds and 5 TDs avg 6.0 yds/carry
Both teams played in 14 games. The thing that really stands out to me is that Lattimore was the only real running threat on his team and received the lions share of the carries. That’s not to say teams could key on stopping the running game with jeffries and gurley both 6’5" capable wideouts!
Dyer meanwhile didn’t even really get too involved until the arkansas/arkansas state games…I think the fannin fumble in the arky game was when the door really opened and that was game 6? Tangent! anyway, dyer put up these #s IN SPITE OF not getting significant carries until midseason AND sharing the carries with HEISMAN TROPHY WINNING, RECORD BREAKING RUSHING QB CAM NEWTON and OMAC!
Seriously think about that. The future is bright.
"I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass...and I'm all out of bubblegum."
Look for Dyer to be on some early season Heisman watch lists
I just hope they erect the Saban statue/altar/shrine before he leaves
I don't know about you guys...
but I think Craig Sanders is going to be something special. I mean, was he not in on nearly every punt/kick-off return tackle? I expect we will see much more of him next year on defense.
War Eagle!
"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
I see one thing that isn't being mentioned here is....
the wining culture that CGC has now instilled as a base for the future of our team. The All In theme personified our Auburn family mantra during the 2010 football season, but I think it was more than just a one season deal that was instilled up and down our roster. Given the results that were achieved when all was said and done, every returning player is going to carry this togetherness into next season. I’m not just talking about the guys who saw snaps and moved into pivotal roles during the course of the season. This includes all of our red shirt players and scout team guys as well. CGC embraced this from the beginning and was able to spin all of the turmoil that the team faced throughout last season into solidifying what most of us already knew. Do What We Do, All In, and Auburn Family are no longer punch lines in that locker room. They are gospel and are the reasons that we did what we did this past season. We have a roster full of young men who have complete belief in all of the above and will have no problem helping the new comers walk the same line.
I do not see another SEC team with that kind of togetherness on their roster going into next season.
I also want to bring up our defense for next season. We are going to be absolutely stacked talent wise on defense next year. We lack some experience, but we will have no depth issues whatsoever. By the end of last year, we were a dominating defense as shown in both the SECCG and the BCSCG. If we can carry that over into the start of next season we can jump the gap that the possible drop off in our offense may have from losing a transcendent player like Cam Newton to the NFL.
On offense if we can get the O-line class inked , that it looks like we will on NSD, by mid season we should be just fine there. This will be as gifted team in the skill position department as Malzahn has had, other than at QB. But whoever the starting QB ends up being they will have had at least a year in Gus’s system already. I would not be surprised at all if we were operating at a similar level as last season in 2011.
Yes the schedule will be tougher and everyone will be gunning for the defending champs, but don’t sell these guys short just yet.
WDE!!!
great post...
4*C Dismukes and 5*OL Westerman had their arms around each other in the UA game…i couldn’t believe my eyes when i saw it…
we’ve also got a 4* OG Greg Robinson who we stole from LSU…and a 3* OG Thomas O’reilly on board as well.
there’s 4 potential new OL guys… (Dismukes, O’Reilly, & Robinson already on board).
Westerman will hopefully commit to Auburn TODAY…(defecting from Texas)
Auburn is setting itself up for another great class that will push the upperclassmen in the offseason.
you do it and you wipe it up.
no idae why anyone would call them unloyal
They busted their ass to lift a good tigers team to great.
thats like calling ANY early out player leaving unloyal… stupid. There is a shelf life to these boys, and they will never have higher stock than right now. Look at ingram… he returned and he wasnt as prolific as last year ( and even then he didnt have staggering numbers … just the ability to step up when it mattered most ). whatever…. screw those who call them names.
Rtr and see you all next year
Looks like national media
and certainly local blogs/sports sites seem to think you’re 1 hit wonders. I’ll certainly enjoy Auburn proving the doubters wrong.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Track Em Tigers
Related FanShots on Track Em Tigers
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
