A Turn in the Road
by War Eagle Atlanta on Oct 10, 2011 11:15 PM CDT
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We're not even halfway through the season or conference schedule and already Auburn finds itself at a crossroads. Just a week ago we were sitting at 2-0 in the conference after a big road win against a Top 10 team and all things looked possible. Now, aftera big second half collapse while on the road again with another top 10 team, suddenly 4th place in the west looks like a virtual inevitability. This team is headed in two different directions all at the same time--offense and defense, up and down, never in synch. They've got to find the way together. And unfortunately, the path of least resistance and the road less travelled aren't any of our available options.
We all know our difficulties in matching up with Arkansas the past few years, especially with Petrino at the helm. If you would have told me before last Saturday that we'd come away with more first downs, better third down conversions, almost 300 yards rushing, limiting Tyler Wilson under 300 yards passing and coming within 50 yards of their offensive total, I'd say we'd win that game. It obviously wasn't the case. Turnovers and poor play by the QBs and receivers are being universally acknowledged as what killed us. But is it more than that? Why did we collapse as we did in the 2nd half? Why can't this team fire on all cylinders at once?
Is there possibly an undercurrent of doubt that's infected this team. At the beginning of the season, the offense rolled while the defense dragged. Now after a vaunted stand in Columbia and even in Fayetteville, the defense is coming of age but the offense now is sputtering. Is there no harmony to be found? Play from the running backs has been solid both games, but it's from the QB position that we have the problem. I know that the coaches wanted Kiehl Frazier to have his homecoming while in Arkansas, but do we have a legitimate quarterback controversy on our hands now?
Barrett Trotter's troubling performance against South Carolina was somewhat overshadowed by his game-winning drive and the victory, but doubtful it went unnoticed by management. Could Chizik be looking to motivate Trotter by turning up the heat and playing Frazier more? Steve Spurrier solved his problem with Stephen Garcia last week by benching him and letting backup Connor Shaw roll over Kentucky, 54-3. Is that sort of strong medicine needed in this case? Hard to tell. Shaw started their first game, but Spurrier soon gave in back to Garcia for a while. Yea, that's Spurrier doing his customary flip-flopping and I don't think Chizik or Malzahn are like that.
We discussed the possibility of making the switch in Jay's thread yesterday, and most think we should spell Trotter for Clint Mosely. Just understandall the consequences that come with that. Unlike Spurrier, our switch would likely be permanent for the rest of the year. Switching horses mid-stream is a complicated maneuver. It sends misguided signals to everyone on the team. Never in my history as an Auburn fan has it worked out well within the framework of a single season, other than getting your eventual successor a little further down the road with some playing time. Frazier is being brought along slowly because he is the heir apparent in one to two seasons, but he's not ready yet. He lacks the leadership cred that Mosely can bring, assuming you're done with Trotter, and I just don't know yet.
Call ours a QB controversy of heart, but poor Florida has one of necessity. With John Brantley definitely out (courtesy of Alabama) and backup Jeff Driskel still in doubt, that leaves third-stringer Jacoby Brissett with the reigns. That lineup didn't work too well last week against LSU as Florida looked rudderless, and believe me, Gators, I WAS rooting for ya. With barely over 200 yards in offense, it was their worst offensive output in decades. Our defense's rise along with the removal of Charlie Weiss's offensive production puts us in a good position this weekend, but we play on more than one side of the ball. Their defense is pretty good, and our new problems on offensive have already been discussed. About the only thing I can guarantee you is that it will be a nail-biter. Auburn and Florida on a Saturday night. How we miss the foes from old Florida.
Make no mistake though. This game will be the point of no return in the road. Does this team find their rhythm and harmony and play as one synchronized unit? Do we take Florida down at home and gain the momentum to possibly poach a win from LSU or Alabama later on, or do we sputter again and possibly have to stare down 5th place or worst in the west? Even Georgia is looking resurgent these days. None of these games are gimmes. We are in a conference of tough customers and they all have us marked down on their hit list. Let's get it together, Tigers. It'll be halftime for the season after Saturday night and we can't afford a second half collapse like last week..
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Spot on WEA
I think you nailed the situation perfectly. Auburn gave a performance good enough to win against Ark. but will not win many more if the Tigers don’t start playing in "synch?
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
a question
Never in my history as an Auburn fan has it worked out well within the framework of a single season, other than getting your eventual successor a little further down the road with some playing time.
Didn’t Jason Campbell take over midstream for us in ’02? My memory may be off on that.
by SEC Supremacist on Oct 11, 2011 8:52 AM CDT reply actions
JC started in 2001 and was replaced by Cobb mid-season, then JC replaced Cobb again
later in the year. In ’02 Cobb started the season, and Campbell took over the last 5 games, including wins over Bama & Penn State. That pretty much cemented him as the starter from then on.
by TexasAUtiger on Oct 11, 2011 11:24 AM CDT up reply actions
The reason fans always like the backup QB better
is because they get tired of seeing the same person make the same mistakes.
You can point to the o-line, the receivers’ blocking, to route running, etc, and it is all fair criticism. Yet Trotter is still the same quarterback making the same mistakes week in and week out.
I don’t necessarily think or know that Moseley will come in and do light years better, but the repetitiveness of the same person doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result is well, insanity.
I love this young team. They’ve grown on me quick. It is time to start trying to mix some more of the youngsters in I think. I’d rather see the younger guys make mistakes than the few guys who have been here the longest. Just my take.
War Eagle! Beat Florida!
War Eagle
Beating Florida is imperative.
I don’t want us to be struck in Shreveport this December.
by SEC Supremacist on Oct 11, 2011 9:15 AM CDT up reply actions
BOOM! exactly!!
We discussed the possibility of making the switch in Jay’s thread yesterday, and most think we should spell Trotter for Clint Mosely. Just understandall the consequences that come with that. Unlike Spurrier, our switch would likely be permanent for the rest of the year. Switching horses mid-stream is a complicated maneuver. It sends misguided signals to everyone on the team.
I have seen the argument, that we are making changes for freshman and sophomores that don’t know any better. Are you kidding me? Unless the coaches make a change and clearly explain why they are doing it, you are going to see a lot of young guys out there playing scared. And you thought Saturday was ugly.
by Tiger on the mountain on Oct 11, 2011 9:22 AM CDT reply actions
My thoughts exactly
While I don’t begrudge those who look at Kiehl Frazier and see either: 1) the future of our program as an option for the present, or 2) a preferable alternative to Trotter; I’m not on-board with that just yet.
While Frazier’s running abilities are nice, his throwing skills didn’t look any better than Trotter’s at this point. If you consider the possibility that Trotter can develop (I’m not saying yes or no there), he needs to have time to learn from the mistakes that he makes.
I might feel differently if he’d had a bad showing in a game where his receivers were standing on his head to catch passes from him — but they weren’t. The effort from the receiving corps was lacking, to put it charitably. If no one’s yelling for our receivers to take a seat — with the exception of Blake and Lutzenkirchen — then I don’t see the constructive potential in clamoring to bench Trotter and introduce another unknown variable into the equation.
Just my two cents.
"The ball will be spotted at the six-inch-yardline."
And this is not a knock on Malzahn......
…but was there anyone who saw Frazier come into the game, that had no idea exactly what the play-calls were going to be most of the time?
I don’t think that’s on Malzahn. Rather, using Frazier means playing to his strengths and downplaying his weakness. That’s all well and good, but you can’t enjoy any sustained level of success in the SEC without a legitimate passing attack. You may run the ball to win championships, but this conference has enough talent spread around for teams to be able to stack the box and shut you down if they know that’s all you can do.
(all bets are off in the ACC though, where Georgia Tech apparently makes a living off of surviving with as little passing as possible)
"The ball will be spotted at the six-inch-yardline."
Well...
The problem for Malzahn is that he is very limited in his play calling options. When you have a QB that can’t throw effectively, it really limits your options. That’s why we keep seeing Trotter hand off the ball to Dyer on 1st and 2nd down for limited gains – there just isn’t much he can call that will work successfully if you can’t throw the ball.
Personally, this is the reason I think Frazier needs to be out there. If you’re already not going to throw the ball, you might as well put Frazier out there to run the zone read. I guarantee we would find ourselves with a whole lot more 3rd and 3s than 3rd and longs. By starting Frazier, it helps keep opposing defenses honest. They can’t key 8 guys in on Dyer (or whoever the RB is). They have to focus on Frazier as well. Then, we can slowly mix in some easy, safe screen passes that have the potential to be wildly effective. Speaking of that, I found it strange that the passing plays that the coaches called while Frazier was out there were deep routes. Why not give him some safe screen passes to build his confidence? The defense was already putting 8 and 9 people in the box leaving these types of passes wide open.
I believe in Auburn and love it.
by War_damn_eagle on Oct 11, 2011 10:11 AM CDT up reply actions
How many chances are we going to give a player that is not performing
I am not saying right NOW but… if you perform poorly at work, you lose your job. If you perform poorly at home, you could lose your family. If you perform poorly in football, you also should lose your job. That is the nature of life and football. Trotter is 79-141 with 9 TDs and 6 ints. That is 56%. I can’t find stats that exclude the gimmie completions on screens and dump offs but I bet if you take the gimmies out of the equation, Trotters downfield completion percentage is around 25%. Not first team numbers IMO.
Like TOTM said, Fraziers throwing abilites don’t look any better than Trotters but at least he can escape a rush and run the ball for positive yardage. Trotter can not run a lick and opposing defenses know that and ignore the possibility.
I think the coaches should give Trotter a start at Fla but if there is not a significant improvement, they should sit him and give Mosely and/or Frazier a serious look.
I just hope they erect the Saban statue/altar/shrine before he leaves
Exactly
Frazier is a play maker – he can make stuff happen with his legs. Trotter cannot make plays. I’ve seen big plays handed to him and he can’t convert… Did you see how wide open that flea flicker was in the Arkansas game? That throw was miserable.
Additionally, everyone is knocking Frazier for being a worse passer than Barrett. Do we really think we have a large enough sample size to say this with any certainty? The guy has thrown like 8 passes all season.
I believe in Auburn and love it.
by War_damn_eagle on Oct 11, 2011 10:15 AM CDT up reply actions
To be fair to Trotter
If you’re going to discount the "gimme"s, then you’d damned well better discount the incompletions that came from stone fingers (as well as at least one pick owing to the same).
Mind you, I don’t really have a strong opinion, either way. But if you’re going to put the kid on trial, at least do it fairly.
"The ball will be spotted at the six-inch-yardline."
Good point but
I would bet that the completion rate would shoot up to 30-35%. That still isn’t first team numbers.
I just hope they erect the Saban statue/altar/shrine before he leaves
Quite true
which is half of why I don’t have a strong feeling either way. I don’t know that Trotter’s the solution.
On the other hand, I can’t say Frazier is either. Once Arkansas’ D started cuing in on Frazier and the rollouts/option-type plays, the efficiency of those went down. How would that play out across a whole game, against the like of a D that LSU or Alabama has?
And there’s the other half of it for me — I’m not so sure that Frazier’s a solution either.
Like ToTM, I don’t really know what to think….except to be glad that there are coaches paid to make these decisions. I wouldn’t my job to ride on having to successfully project the best way out of this.
"The ball will be spotted at the six-inch-yardline."
look... all of a sudden we're almost favorites against aUF... this is a HUGE game.
a crazy circumstance or three have us here. we can thank bama for this opportunity… otherwise, I guess we’d be 10 point dogs against a Brantley led UF.
we need this Win. I think Auburn will Win this game. This isn’t about the rest of the season, it is about getting a Win on Saturday … at home… against UF.
don’t get ahead of yourselves. i do see a QB battle happening now. what was settled preseason with Trotter is now up for grabs once more.
that doesn’t mean that Trotter won’t start for Auburn on Saturday.
coaches are weighing 2 potentially conflicting urges:
option1. layout the team toward a W week to week… whatever lineup that requires. i think we need to see Mosley now.
option2. lets be honest: start preparing for next year starting NOW
i would also say that in both scenarios there needs to be a built in ‘plan B’ contingency prepped in case the original lineup fails to produce. coaches should have a measure in their heads prior to kickoff and all be on the same page if a change is needed within the scope of a game.
i am not a fan for option 2, personally, because i just don’t think there is any substitute for winning… NOW.
the seniors (all 3 of them) deserve that consistent dedication to W from the coaches.
Having said that, I wouldn’t be surprised if any of our 3 QBs are chosen to start and lead Auburn on Saturday night.
you do it and you wipe it up.
The "Wizard" not doing a great job of coaching....
I am very dissappointed in Malzahn and his tutelage of Trotter. If Chris Todd can succeed in this offense, Barrett Trotter can. Trotter has a much stronger arm than Todd did while he was here but his mechanics and feel for the game get worse week by week. As much as people on here moan and groan about Roofs coaching, there is NO DEBATE that Malzazhn is responsible for coaching the QB’s and their mechanics and decision making skills. Trotter’s regression is Malzahns problem to fix. Whether he needs to put him in more manageable passing situations or design different routes for the receivers, Malzahn needs to get Trotter comfortable with making the throws HE HAS TO MAKE.
Yes the receivers are culpable in this equation but we are getting pretty far down the depth chart as it is, so unless you want to get Fulse, Uzomah and Bray involved, you have to play the hand you’re dealt. I think if they get passes that aren’t being thrown at Mach 2 into double coverage, you will see greater success.
Truth be told, if Trotter can get his mechanics fixed he should find open or single covered receivers aplenty because UF will be keying HEAVILY on the run and discounting him unless we are in obvious passing downs. Its up to Malzahn to keep Trotter out of those.
Place, I say, place your bets! Money plays, loser stays! Everyone's a winn - well, not everyone.
Okay, I'll shut up. I'm not one that has to keep talkin'. Some fellas just have to keep their mouths flappin', but not me! I was brought up right, my pa used to tell me "shut up" and I'd shut up! I wouldn't say nothin'! One time, darn-near starved to death -
This comes as a bit of a surprise...
…given how you came to Roof’s defense earlier in the season.
By the same token, one could look at our defensive performance in the last game and find plenty of places where the D didn’t deliver (I’m thinking….oh, I dunno….third downs, for some reason).
That’s not to say that I really think you should. I’m just trying to reconcile your take on the two.
"The ball will be spotted at the six-inch-yardline."
My take on Roof and Malzahn
I don’t think what we see of the defense is entirely Roof. According to some reports it is Chizik who is ordering the deep cover 2 that is causing our pain on 3rd down. Am I frustrated with the defense….ummm yeeaah….but there are a lot more variable at play there than I think we are privy to. That and people have been on Roof’s case since Day 1, so you know what you are getting there, ie you better score some points because the defense is not the strength of the team…..which leads me to Malzahn
The Wizard….the Guru…the Alpha and Omega of offense.
Yes, he creates confusion with the spread and when things are clicking, the offense is very good. By like I said….there is NO DEBATE who is in control and who is supposed to be repsonsible for growth and development of the skill position players here….especially the QB. I am not clamoring for Malzahn to be fired, like the Roof zealots, I want Malzahn to address the problem and get it fixed…..preferably last week. Why he is getting a pass on the “BEAT THE F OUT OF THE COACHES!!!” crowd is beyond me….he’s the highest paid assistant in the country (I think) and he needs to take his wizard cap off and put his polyester coaches shorts on and get Trotters problems fixed.
That is all.
Place, I say, place your bets! Money plays, loser stays! Everyone's a winn - well, not everyone.
Okay, I'll shut up. I'm not one that has to keep talkin'. Some fellas just have to keep their mouths flappin', but not me! I was brought up right, my pa used to tell me "shut up" and I'd shut up! I wouldn't say nothin'! One time, darn-near starved to death -
Good answer, and fair enough
Although I might argue that if Chzik is grabbing the wheel on certain downs and distances, then why have things reached that point? I don’t honestly know.
As for Malzahn, I don’t completely disagree with you. I was rolling my eyes at nearly every first down play-call I saw last week (“Dyer? Between tackles? NO WAY! They’ll never see it coming!”).
And you’re right in that Trotter could use a huge shot of confidence. Then again, with the specter of getting benched looming overhead, how confident can he really feel? If the coaching staff doesn’t have confidence in a QB, then the QB will never have confidence in himself.
"The ball will be spotted at the six-inch-yardline."
Again....this is on Malzahn.
He, Trotter and Chizik need to have a sit down……look at some film and say
“Barrett….see where you keep clocking the receiver, while pounding on the ball waiting for him to get open?? The safety and the LB’s see that too and are converging on that receiver……thats why you feel like you have to throw it 100mph to get it to him…….DON’T DO THAT!! ……..See, If you had looked to your right, Stallworth went from being singele covered to being wide open…..you have to check down on your receivers and GET RID OF THE BALL!!”
“We want you to be successful but you need to to stop pressing and forcing passes into coverage WHEN YOU DON”T NEED TO!"
“If you can’t make progress there we are going to HAVE to make a change”
If they haven’t had that discussion…they need to. And if they have, then Trotter needs to Step up or Step aside.
Place, I say, place your bets! Money plays, loser stays! Everyone's a winn - well, not everyone.
Okay, I'll shut up. I'm not one that has to keep talkin'. Some fellas just have to keep their mouths flappin', but not me! I was brought up right, my pa used to tell me "shut up" and I'd shut up! I wouldn't say nothin'! One time, darn-near starved to death -
I'm sure they've had plenty of conversations like this while watching film
Which is why if Trotter continues to struggle with the same things in the Florida game, it’s time we consider another option. You get to a point where a guy just isn’t going to get it, you know?
I believe in Auburn and love it.
by War_damn_eagle on Oct 11, 2011 11:33 AM CDT up reply actions
That was really rhetorical...
I’m assuming that the conversation has taken place on several occasion which is why you are seeing more and more Frazier . Its also why I say….get some Bactine and rip the Band Aid off!
Place, I say, place your bets! Money plays, loser stays! Everyone's a winn - well, not everyone.
Okay, I'll shut up. I'm not one that has to keep talkin'. Some fellas just have to keep their mouths flappin', but not me! I was brought up right, my pa used to tell me "shut up" and I'd shut up! I wouldn't say nothin'! One time, darn-near starved to death -
I completely agree!!!
The boy would have burned holes in the receiver’s head if he had lasers. He has to check down…. Good comment.
WDE
The only reason I could imagine for Chizik interfering with Malzahn's game-planning
would be to encourage more rushing and “control the clock” play to compensate for how bad the defense was. The defense has looked better lately (maybe because they haven’t been on the field for 90 snaps), so one has to wonder if it’s time to take the brakes off Malzahn and let him run the offense he wants (assuming he isn’t already), or is the “control the clock” mindset what has been helping the defense? Heck, I don’t know. Glad I’m not a coach.
by TexasAUtiger on Oct 11, 2011 11:33 AM CDT up reply actions
I didn't indicate which coach I was referring to
My bad.
I meant Roof. Though what you’re suggesting may be true, I don’t know. The rumors of this with Roof are pretty widespread, so I was going off of that assumption.
"The ball will be spotted at the six-inch-yardline."
Agreed to an extent
Yes, Gus has to be held responsible for the pure ineptitude of the offense. However, I believe he is getting a pass because he just wont a national championship with the best offense we’ve ever seen at Auburn. Sure, he had Cam Newton. But still – his offense had to outscore half of the opponents on our schedule because the defense was so bad. Roof is getting questioned because the defense was 2nd to last in the SEC last year. That’s terrible for a defensive unit that had such a great offense to go with it.
I believe in Auburn and love it.
by War_damn_eagle on Oct 11, 2011 11:13 AM CDT up reply actions
Again...I don't want to fire Malzahn
I want better results from what he is responsible for….you don’t get a pass on criticism from not doing what you are paid for. Roof deserves A LOT of criticism but Malzahn needs some as well.
Place, I say, place your bets! Money plays, loser stays! Everyone's a winn - well, not everyone.
Okay, I'll shut up. I'm not one that has to keep talkin'. Some fellas just have to keep their mouths flappin', but not me! I was brought up right, my pa used to tell me "shut up" and I'd shut up! I wouldn't say nothin'! One time, darn-near starved to death -
Definitely agree
I have been really disappointed with Malzahn thus far. However, I can see how difficult it is to call plays without a passing game. Whenever he tries to open up the playbook and throw downfield, it doesn’t turn out well. Remember some of the decisions Trotter was making when Malzahn gave him opportunities? It was bad…
I believe in Auburn and love it.
by War_damn_eagle on Oct 11, 2011 11:31 AM CDT up reply actions
Col...you mean it is up to the run game to keep trotter out of those obvious pass downs...
i personally saw an offense with little mystery last Saturday.
what happened to passing on 1st down? we ran two run plays in a row and crossed our fingers that we got 10 yards in 2 plays. we had what… 9 punts against Arky?
that will NOT work against UF on Saturday.
the AU D effort deserves a better effort ffrom the AU O.
WEA is right … this has been a year where the AU O and AU D haven’t found their harmonic rhythm TOGETHER yet. i suggest that this rhythm and harmonic relationship (btwn O and D)is a wildly unique aspect/consequence of the Malzahn system. this… i got your back feeling both sides of the ball has been an unusual and distinctive talking point the last few years.
i think it is premature to expect that trust from one side of the ball to the other…and from the coaches to the units on the field.
so then… we know one of the main components of the system is for the O to move the chains early in a drive… sustain the drive…
what then is the formula that puts this roster in the best position to accomplish that?
let’s talk down and distance scenarios…
you do it and you wipe it up.
No I expect them to throw, when the D expects them to run!!
If they load the box, I dunno, throw a quick slant???
No WR’s screens, no dump offs to RB’s…..DOWNFIELD passing. You have to
S T R E T C H the field….otherwise you are getting Dyer pounded for nothing.
Place, I say, place your bets! Money plays, loser stays! Everyone's a winn - well, not everyone.
Okay, I'll shut up. I'm not one that has to keep talkin'. Some fellas just have to keep their mouths flappin', but not me! I was brought up right, my pa used to tell me "shut up" and I'd shut up! I wouldn't say nothin'! One time, darn-near starved to death -
I agree with this
But have you what happens when Trotter tries to throw downfield? It’s no pretty… he is incapable of throwing anything other than a bullet pass. He also throws to receivers like he has Calvin Johnson on his team… 5 feet above their heads.
I believe in Auburn and love it.
by War_damn_eagle on Oct 11, 2011 11:15 AM CDT up reply actions
And the snake begins to swallow its tail...
…I — personally — think that Trotter’s throws would be less erratic, and more likely to connect with receivers, if they weren’t coming on third-and-a-cab-ride…when the defense is expecting a pass and responds by sending the house to blitz.
I don’t entirely disagree with you. But that Catch-22 is where we find ourselves, and therein lie problems that need to be solved one way or the other.
"The ball will be spotted at the six-inch-yardline."
Then what??
You can slam Dyer and Omac into the wall only so many times. If we are sticking with Trotter, you have to do the unexpected.
For the record I don’t think Trotter is incapable, I think he is pressing…and it begins with throwing in obvious passing downs.
Place, I say, place your bets! Money plays, loser stays! Everyone's a winn - well, not everyone.
Okay, I'll shut up. I'm not one that has to keep talkin'. Some fellas just have to keep their mouths flappin', but not me! I was brought up right, my pa used to tell me "shut up" and I'd shut up! I wouldn't say nothin'! One time, darn-near starved to death -
I agree that we need to be more creative with the play calling
But my point is that it’s hard to keep defenses honest when you have a QB that just can’t pass that well. If you can’t look off of a receiver in the SEC, your in for a world of hurt.
I believe in Auburn and love it.
by War_damn_eagle on Oct 11, 2011 11:35 AM CDT up reply actions
you're*
I believe in Auburn and love it.
by War_damn_eagle on Oct 11, 2011 11:35 AM CDT up reply actions
true. true.
i don’t like the quick slants option that Col brought up when the D is stacking the box.
Newton was big enough to make those intermediate throws much better than Trotter.
I think Trotter’s best throws are screens and routes he can hit outside the hash marks… decent throws outside the pocket as well.
long developing pass plays seemed to work well early (i.e. blake’s 2 deep posts for TDs)… but that was against inferior secondaries…
our WR aren’t getting the same separation anymore.
i think mosley’s size and frazier’s size are big advantages against the stacked box and 3-4 Ds coming up.
this this is why i think that duo would be better for AU right now.
you do it and you wipe it up.
regardless who is our QB... we need a couple WR to step up.
my gut: it won’t be benton… it won’t be stallworth, … it won’t be carr.
they just seem way too inconsistent.
i think we’re going to continue to see the ball thrown to Ontario McCalebb more than ever before…and i think Lutz knows he needs to be more of a go to guy beyond the red zone…and despite the down and distance. Couple passes outside to mason seem to indicate that is where Malzahn’s head is … swing passes to backs as a significant part of pass game.
if we can get our Wr to block , block, block… we could turn those 2(O-Mac & Lutz) into a passing game to compliment the runs.
I would be very surprised if we don’t see CJ Uzomah and/or Jaylon Denson on saturday. AU is desperately looking for “gamers”… sometime they just need to get in front of a crowd to turn the corner.
you do it and you wipe it up.
If you think I'm arguing to keep Trotter.....
you would be wrong. I would take my lumps with Frazier and hope that he brings more to the table than experience.
BUT…the concensus seems to be that Trotter is going to probably be the man until LSU snaps him in half.
My point is that IF you are keeping Trotter as the QB you have to give him a better chance to succeed…..and if you think that is running more WR screens and out patterns…..well, what have you been watching that would lead you to think that those will work now, when they haven’t so far. WR screen = 2 yard loss. 5 yard outs = well defended incompletion
Place, I say, place your bets! Money plays, loser stays! Everyone's a winn - well, not everyone.
Okay, I'll shut up. I'm not one that has to keep talkin'. Some fellas just have to keep their mouths flappin', but not me! I was brought up right, my pa used to tell me "shut up" and I'd shut up! I wouldn't say nothin'! One time, darn-near starved to death -
*****...more to the table than INexperience***
Place, I say, place your bets! Money plays, loser stays! Everyone's a winn - well, not everyone.
Okay, I'll shut up. I'm not one that has to keep talkin'. Some fellas just have to keep their mouths flappin', but not me! I was brought up right, my pa used to tell me "shut up" and I'd shut up! I wouldn't say nothin'! One time, darn-near starved to death -
if you were the head coach, offensive coordinator...
what attempt/incompletion percentage would have you go to 2nd string?
the Ds we’re going to face are going to get better… (UF, LSU, UGA, bama)…
i think Gene chizik and gus malzahn are putting too much weight on how poised Trotter is. i don’t think poised is an advantage when you look as calm as he after an INT… i want FIRE in the belly & heart of my leader.
i want my QB to learn from the past… i want my QB to lead from the first snap to the last click… on the field AND sidelines… non stop.
i can appreciate game managers for what they do,… but i prefer gamers.
you do it and you wipe it up.
The question is not...
who has more potential. The question is who will not put the team in jeapordy when passing the ball.
Frasier: will throw into coverage (stares down his receiver) and he puts up a floater ball. But he can run… (remind you of anyone in AU recent history?) I think he has future potential… but right now… he is at his limits.
Mosely: we haven’t seen much of this kid. But he is a pocket passer… meaning with our O-line… you can go ahead and garauntee 2 to 3 times more sacks of the QB.
Trotter: is the only semi-mobile QB we have that has a head on his shoulders.
It’s all we got. But hey… it’s just an opinion.
WDE
Trotter
Is mobile? Haha for real?
I believe in Auburn and love it.
by War_damn_eagle on Oct 11, 2011 1:25 PM CDT up reply actions
Just to clarify
Just messing with you
I believe in Auburn and love it.
by War_damn_eagle on Oct 11, 2011 1:26 PM CDT up reply actions
creative playcalling
we have been creative…like back of the playbook flea-flicker and fake FG creative! The well is empty. It’s not about getting creative, it’s about executing plain and simple. Blocking, tackling, throwing, and catching. Be fundamentally sound and the rest will take care of itself. Our receivers have developed a severe case of cockfingers the likes of which we haven’t seen since greg knox was around! They are blocking about that well too. Time for troop to dial up some headache drills. Trotter stares holes in the head of one receiver. why? who knows. I’m not ready to throw him to the wolves yet, because I think it will shatter fraziers confidence to have him fail in the passing game right now…BUT we’ve seen other youngsters take the ball and run so maybe he can. Bray and Murray are doing ok. I am frustrated like everyone else and am really not sure what is going on. It’s this going in two different directions that is killing us. For the last few years we could count on the offense putting up serious points and the D leaking like a sieve. Now the shoes are slipping on the other feet and we don’t like it either. Not that the D is playing at an elite level, but progress can’t be denied. Time for Omac, Dyer, and Frazier to go wishbone with occasional play action to Lutz. They’ll never see it coming!
"I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass...and I'm all out of bubblegum."
by tigertracker on Oct 11, 2011 6:45 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
Amen!
Now accepting applications for SEC membership.
by War Eagle Atlanta on Oct 11, 2011 7:05 PM CDT up reply actions
1st down..
where we stand now … this to me is the most important of all downs.
3 and 5ish seems to be within the Frazier realm and O-mac screens have worked on pretty much every down and distance…
assuming we aren’t forced into a 1st and 15.
i think if our O is weighted toward the run game ( i think we can agree that we’re headed in that direction) then 1st down needs to be weighted toward the pass.
at all costs AU is trying to avoid 3rd and 7 or more.
check averages of the run game…
Michael Dyer 124- 679- 5.5- (TD) 8
Onterio McCalebb 56- 312- 5.6 – 0
Kiehl Frazier 26- 135- 5.2- 1
Tre Mason 12- 64- 5.3
4-deep are averaging over 5yds / carry. I think that if we want to avoid 3rd and long, we need to pass on 1st down…
the most consistent play we’ve got so far this season is Frazier on 3rd. and 3 or 2nd and 5.
you do it and you wipe it up.
Yep
Thats what I’m saying
Place, I say, place your bets! Money plays, loser stays! Everyone's a winn - well, not everyone.
Okay, I'll shut up. I'm not one that has to keep talkin'. Some fellas just have to keep their mouths flappin', but not me! I was brought up right, my pa used to tell me "shut up" and I'd shut up! I wouldn't say nothin'! One time, darn-near starved to death -
Agreed
We also have to quit with the inexcusable holding penalties… they KILL our drives. We’re just not good enough offensively to overcome them
I believe in Auburn and love it.
by War_damn_eagle on Oct 11, 2011 11:16 AM CDT reply actions
If we had any passing game at all we could overcome them easier. We have none.
I just hope they erect the Saban statue/altar/shrine before he leaves
This from an old fart...
Considering the talent of our coaching staff… and the job they did in the off season…I’d make changes ONLY if I was garaunteed to lose.
Change Trotter for Mosely??
Really? No offense to Clint, but he has been a head case after being overlooked for Trotter. What makes folks think that a pocket passer is going to stand in there and throw a pass? Much less get a completion…
If we do this… EXPECT more sacks.
Change Trotter for Frasier??
Hey, I admit mid way through Saturday’s game I was saying… Frasier isn’t so bad…. in fact, he was great up until he threw his first PICK. It was a terrible throw and one that shouldn’t have been made. Then he threw his second PICK and that pretty much put the stake threw our hearts. And I said… I see why he isn’t the starter. I heard for every TD pass he throws in practice you can pretty much garauntee that 5-8 interceptions. That can be fixed. In time. But now is NOT the time.
KEEP TROTTER. Make changes next season if needed.
I have yet to see Ladarius Phillips do ANYTHING that would warrant a scholarship. It’s time to put the ball in his hands. I would almost bet that the kid is like NY Giant that played for AU (forget the name). He had fumblitis. Considering the fact that defenses are stacking the box, it’s time we get the ball to a bigger guy to take the focus off Dyer.
LP NEEDS TO GET THE BALL.
Our receiver corp needs to invest in a bulk for “stick’um adhesive spray”. We don’t seem to be able to catch ANYTHING. D’Angelo Benton is probably someone who I would put at the top of the list to do EXTRA drills in catching a football. That size and speed and he can’t catch a ball when it drills him in the number 3 is pretty bad. That falls in Trooper Taylors purview. I am glad he is out there with a towel and revving up the team… however… I would hope our receivers can actually do what is being asked of them. These kind of missing skills would suggest otherwise.
IMPROVE COMPLETION RATIO
Well – that’s it for me. Take it for what it’s worth.
I want my tigers to win. But it’s obvious that the “new champion” smell has worn off this team. We must go back to the basics and master them.
WDE
i'm not sure Mosley is the most poised athlete / human in the world... but can he play... he's got credentials. i say... put him in coach.
besides… i’ve met many successful head case folk. sure as hell don’t want a “normal” guy leading my team if i were coach. if he can throw… let it fly!
you do it and you wipe it up.
Chizik announces Trotter the starter for this Sat. night's game against UF.
you do it and you wipe it up.
Did he fall off the wagon with his benching?
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.
No info on why but with his track record, bet on it!
I just hope they erect the Saban statue/altar/shrine before he leaves
Aparently AU OL Jared Cooper was hurt last week... Chad Slade starting in his place...
you do it and you wipe it up.
The left side of our OL has been deficient in pass protection all season....
and isn’t exactly clearying holes for the run game either…..if you go back and watch you will see very few runs off the left guard or tackle most are off of the right guard or tackle. I didn’t see a huge difference last week in the play of the right side of the line from previous weeks mainly because it’s been bad the whole time.
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.
Absolutely....
but it would be nice to be able to effectively swap it up now and then and it would be nice if AJ Green wouldn’t let every DE have free reign in the backfield.
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.
Ahhhh...my main man WEAtl...
Wish we could pry you away from these guys and get you to put more work in at the FB…
You may not like what I have to say...but somebody has to say it...
Yea
kind of withering on the vine over there…
Now accepting applications for SEC membership.
by War Eagle Atlanta on Oct 12, 2011 10:02 AM CDT up reply actions
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