Looking Forward - Offensive Line
by KoolBell777 on Apr 8, 2011 1:00 AM CDT
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Offensive Line Coach Jeff Grimes
Hello once again and War Eagle everybody!
WE have already looked at the defensive backs, linebackers and running backs in this series, so let's dive in and see what's brewing on the 2011 Tiger "O" line.
Coach Jeff Grimes spurned a move closer to home and working with Mack Brown, to stay here at Auburn with Coach Chizik. That non-move put an end to the AU to UT coaching carousel, I hope, for good! It's also evident that Grimes likes Auburn, and living in Auburn.
There are now 21 designated Offensive linemen on the AU roster, with two more coming in this fall. Obviously not all of them will make the field this season, although it's good to know the numbers are there to develop some great depth. Injuries are a big part of playing offensive line as exampled last season, and that depth sure came in handy.
Auburn's incoming recruits aside, the Tigers will have 3 true freshmen, 8 red-shirt freshmen, 2 sophomores, 3 juniors, and 5 seniors. The 2 recruits that will show up for fall practice are highly rated, and will be expected to come in and work for playing time.
In comparison, we have a tale of two seasons when it comes to the offensive line. Last season the Tigers strength was a senior laden heavily experienced group that worked as well as any in all of college ball. This season the experience is lacking, and senior leadership will be sorely missed. Fear not Tiger fans, there is a silver lining to this dark cloud.
What is lacked in experience and age, is more than made up in talent. Coach Gene Chizik and his staff have gone out and recruited some of the best linemen available. With the return of Aubrey Phillips, and Shon Coleman's return looming, it is safe to say that there hasn't been this much offensive line talent, at one time on the Plains, since Pat Dye walked the sidelines as coach.
I do believe that this will once again be a strength for the Tigers as the season approaches. Competition breeds success, and there is plenty of competition for the rotation up front. I'll just guess what the starting lineup and second teams will look like, although it is a long, long way to the start of football season.
Left Tackle - #75 Brandon Mosely
Left Guard - #60 Eric Mack
Center - #63 Blake Burgess
Right Guard - Chad Slade
Right Tackle - #77 A.J. Greene
Back up - Tackles - John Sullen, Jared Cooper, and Aubrey Phillips
Back up - Guards - Ed Christian, and Tunde Fariyike
Back up - Center - Reese Dismukes
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When it is all laid out like that
I totally get why Acid is not worried about our O-line. Let’s hope that the upperclassman step up and be the leaders on the Field that we need them to be.
War Eagle!
by Tiger on the mountain on Apr 8, 2011 11:37 AM CDT reply actions
Is A.J. Greene 100% ?
Grimes certainly has a stable to work with and I agree that …
“Competition breeds success.”The O line shouid be ok and grow with each game.
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
I have been telling people
not to worry about the O-Line. We have done a great job of building depth on the O-line I think. I am glad to see Slade up there. I have always thought he was underrated. That will also be quite a story if Burgess can win the starting job after signing as an invited walk-on. WAR EAGLE!
I will be surprised if Sullen doesn't make first team....
at one of the guard positions…..with the amount of improvement he showed last season and the fact that he came close to beating out Moseley for the RT speaks volumes….I just think the guy has the smarts and the work ethic to get it done.
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.
As the author of this post....
To heck with that, go ahead and dock my pay this month Jay!
My heart wants Sullen and Burgess to win their respective positions, but I am not pulling against anyone, if that makes sense. Those would be great stories, much like Kodi Burns. It’s their love of Auburn that drives them.
WAR EAGLE!
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No one has mentioned Westerman
I think he competes for a starting job. I watched his highlights and the guy not only blocks people, he knocks them down and looks for someone else to abuse.
I just hope they erect the Saban statue/altar/shrine before he leaves
The most difficult place for any freshman to come in and play is offensive line.....
As complicated as some of Malzahn’s blocking schemes are, a freshman would have to be “all world” to step in and play, considering Auburn has had the best two “O”-line recruiting classes in the nation the last two seasons.
If Westerman were to come in and win a starting job, he is either super good, or Auburn is in real trouble on the line next year.
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Not saying it can't be done...
Greg Robinson, and Chris Westerman are both extremely good talents.
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Ryan Pugh and Lee Ziemba did 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.
by Todd92 on Apr 9, 2011 2:27 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Yes they did.....
I am not saying it can’t be done. Ziemba and Pugh had to get in the game because the other O-linemen weren’t cutting the mustard. Tubbs inserted them into the fire against Florida as starters I believe, and AU won that game.
Anyway, they both suffered in their sophomore years, Ziemba with false starts, and Pugh with chop blocks. In my estimation that was more coaching than players ability.
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Two guys I will be watching are Coleman and Phillips.
I’m not sure if Aubrey Phllips can stick it out. But if he does, I believe he has great potential. Also it would be great if Shone Coleman could make the playing rotation.
I believe Shon is not scheduled to actually compete this fall...
He is practicing some of the drills with the team, but has not been released to go full bore by the Doctors.
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According to Bitter and Morrison....
AJ Greene has been practicing at left tackle all spring, and Brandon Mosely has strictly been at right tackle.
So, I already had that figured wrong. Just swap them on the list I made.
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