It is now officially next year...a look ahead
by myauburn on Jan 10, 2012 9:55 AM CST
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Here is my projected starting lineup for the Clemson game. (Hey, it is never too early)
Offense
QB-Zeke Pike, Fr
RB-Omac, SrHB-Lutzie, Sr
WR-Blake, Sr
WR-Reed, So
WR-Stallworth-Sr
4th WR-Reed, So
LT-Robinson, So
LG-Slade,So
C-Dismukes, So
RG-Sullen, Sr
RT-Westerman, So
Defense
LE-Lemonier, Jr
DT-Whitaker, Jr
DT-Wright, So
RE-Eguae, Jr
LLB-Evans, Sr
MLB-Holland, Jr
RLB-Bates, Sr
S-Florence, So
S-McNeal, Jr
C-Mincey, So
C-Whithead, So
7 Seniors
5 Juniors
10 Sophmores
1 Freshman
Where is Frazier on this roster? At Wildcat and running back. Where is Moseley, I don't know but I think Pike will be the real deal.
While this is based on the depth chart from 2011 and does not take into consideration early NFL entries, injuries, major impact Freshman etc. one thing jumps out at you. It is still a very young team that almost to a man has been under SEC fire and will be much better in 2012.
Now, how about your opinion.
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I'll be very surprised if Pike comes in and starts
I think your opening day starter is Trotter again. I hope its Frazier if we are still runnging the spread, but I think Trotter may have “Groweds up” while he was on the bench. I’m not sure what to make of Moseley. He has the physical tools but he just doesn’t seem to have “it”…..that leadership quality that you HAVE to have to be a winner. Trotter showed “IT” during the bowl game but that was NOT against an SEC team.
Robinson and Westermen will be RS Freshmen and, the youth on that line is concerning…..especially if we are going to try and break in an inexperienced QB. I would look for Eric Mack and Aubrey Phillips to challenge for roles as well as Redshirt Sophs.
On defense, hopefully we get a healthy Dee Ford back to challenge/ spell Eguae and Lemonier. It will be interesting to see how BVG plays the thin linebacker corps we have. I definitely think Kris Frost makes it into the rotation to take playing time away from Evans and Bates and eventually be a starter on one side. What I would really like to see is more use of the Athletic and BIG, Craig Sanders and LaDarius Owens in the middle or on the sides against heavy run teams. Bates and Holland are just too small to provide adequate run support and are kind of ’tweeners when it comes to pass coverage. Both Owens and Sanders have been used as speed rushers on the line but I think we are wasting their talent by only using them situationally. I see both as being real playmakers with a nose for the ball and I think we could use their physicality from the linbacker position. That may not work for covering backs coming out of the backfield but its seems to work fine for Alabama and we REALLY need depth there.
I love the smell of Auburn in the autumn.....it smells like....victory.
Owens
I would like to see Owens moved to LB. I thought that was what he was recruited as. We need more size especially at MLB. Holland can’t shed blocks and Eltoro is gone. Owens just doesn’t look like a DE.
by WolfSpringsTiger on Jan 10, 2012 2:14 PM CST up reply actions
Barrett Trotter is...
Leaving, he has two degrees at Auburn and he said he wants to get his life going. I think it will be Frazier at QB.
by WarEagleCole on Jan 10, 2012 3:50 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
I specifically stayed from a "depth chart" post
because who knows who will have trouble with grades, injuries, etc.
Westerman is a big time player and I think will be hard to beat out. I agree that Frost will see significant playing time.
While I don’t completely disagree with your QB assessment, I just can’t see either Trotter or Moseley having a “break out year” next season. I saw no evidence of that this year.
Now that the statue/altar/shrine is up, is it in Sabans contract that he gets to take it with him when he leaves?
It will be interesting to come back after the A-day game and take another look at the list.....
"We see the door; we're here to knock it down"-Cam Newton
"I got moves like BADGER!"- LSU Jonno
by Tiger on the mountain on Jan 10, 2012 12:28 PM CST reply actions
It will probably be no more than 70% correct at best.
Other than Westerman and Pike I completely ignored redshirts and incoming freshmen. Who knows how that could change the staring lineup.
Now that the statue/altar/shrine is up, is it in Sabans contract that he gets to take it with him when he leaves?
I’m surprised you left Chris Davis off the depth chart. Oversight? He was our best corner and a starter all year. Quan Bray will play before Stallworth. You have Reed on there twice, so maybe one of those spots was intended for Bray?
by Jumpn_JackFlash on Jan 10, 2012 1:29 PM CST reply actions
OOPS on Reed, you are right with Bray.
Like I said this is just from the 2011 depth chart and I am only projecting starters. Davis was an omission.
Now that the statue/altar/shrine is up, is it in Sabans contract that he gets to take it with him when he leaves?
Jeff Grimes has all but stated...
Twice in interviews toward the end of the season, Coach Grimes said probably next year at Left Tackle will be Greg Robinson, and Westerman will be the Left Guard. With Dismukes at Center, that leaves two positions open to battle, and then the rotation.
Come and join me at http://trackemtigers.com
Ladarius Phillips...
I would like to see him get a chance to run the ball, his HS highlights were awesome running at tailback no less, agil, fast and a bruiser. We might need some size to run inside and I hear he has great hands, can you see a corner trying to stop that head of Steem in open space?
Like others on the team
He hasn’t done ANYTHING yet that would warrant any playing time or being handed the ball. If I recall, he can barely block. I say that after I watched a 240 lb linebacker put him on his keister.
WDE
Exactly. Dude was an unheralded 2 star for a reason.
by Jumpn_JackFlash on Jan 10, 2012 2:08 PM CST up reply actions
Yes I saw that play it was a hoot but I did see him play off the tackle several times
In Lutzis place and he blocked well the few times he played it. Maybe a new OC can light a fire under his butt.
I rode on this notion all this season...
and when I saw that hit ALL the air went out of that tire.
I would consider if we need another scholly kicker unless this guy starts eating red meat and proves me wrong.
WDE
RECRUITING UPDATE.... AU DROPS IN RANKING to #17 on Rivals
Due to Will Latu decommitting from AU.
Reason: Grades.
I think we pick this up with another talented person on from the OL Position. There are others out there. But it’s too bad AU wasted such effort on the guy when he underachieved in school.
We need an OC right now.
WDE
Here is a link to his bio...
http://rivals.yahoo.com/auburn/football/recruiting/player-Will-Latu-124961
He was a 4star JUCO
Notice that he indicates that he is reconsidering his committment to AU but the word I am hearing is GRADES and being academically eligible.
WDE
None that I have heard...
I think someone is right… they will wait several days and announce. I think probably we will hear something on Friday.
WDE
Yep let DCget some play
Then announce another big winner to grat maximum mileage for ’crudités.
Additions to the Defensive staff?
I’ve been reading in several places that there may be an addition to the defensive side. Willie Martinez and a DB coach from the Dolphins? Any info on this?
Any new leads on the OC?
Smart money is on Joe Danna...
Miami Dolphins DB coach.
Come and join me at http://trackemtigers.com
Hopefully...
We will NOT go after Willie Martinez. I want absolutely NO part of Willie Martinez!
It's Auburn against the world. Good luck world.
Lolley back to administrative role?
I wonder if he Chiz was running out of cap room for coaching salaries and had lolley come back on the cheap(ish). Drop Gus’ salary and we have room to maneuver.
"I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass...and I'm all out of bubblegum."
by tigertracker on Jan 10, 2012 3:22 PM CST up reply actions
I think Jacobs will pay whatever it takes to win it all again...
I think he has proven that.
It's Auburn against the world. Good luck world.
Keep him in the recruiting loop though..
Lolley knows virtually every high school coach in the state by first name basis.
Come and join me at http://trackemtigers.com
I can dig that...
Lolly is a good ole boy from way back. I just don’t know if he is keeping up with the game.
WDE
First timer here. I like most of your list and it could be a very formidable lineup – especially on defense with Van Gorder here. I know that Latu may not come and if he does, it will be in the fall but I thought they were working Westerman at guard instead of tackle. From what I hear, he probably has the skill to play both and I am not very high on Slade but I just wonder if coach Grimes won’t put Slade out at tackle and Westerman at a guard spot.
I also hold out hope for Frazier starting. He did the wildcat thing in the bowl again and didn’t complete a pass but, he didn’t look lost on his one attempt. I don’t think that he will be the one dimensional player that we saw this past season. He was also a little frustrated at not having more attempts in the bowl game. Great read though. Thanks!
From what I have seen of Westerman
He has the talent to play either position. The only reason I put him at tackle was because there was an underclassman on the 2011 depth chart as starter at both guards. I think Westerman is a horse so I made a spot for him.
Now that the statue/altar/shrine is up, is it in Sabans contract that he gets to take it with him when he leaves?
By the way, welcome to TET
Now that the statue/altar/shrine is up, is it in Sabans contract that he gets to take it with him when he leaves?
As a Dawg fan, I'm none too thrilled about BVG being on opponent's sideline...
… but y’all can have Martinez. We don’t call it third-and-Willie for nothin’. Remember that 2005 UGA/Auburn game where Auburn converted that ridiculous 4th down pass to win it? That’s the Martinez special.
by first and thom on Jan 10, 2012 4:29 PM CST up reply actions
I am getting this from another site:
Sources familiar with the search continue to say that Dirk Koetter is Gene Chizik’s top choice to replace Gus Malzahn as Auburn’s offensive coordinator, and Chizik will wait on Koetter as long as it takes (that’s how much Chizik wants him).
Chizik has back-up plans in place, but I have not heard any names to this point. Right now, Chizik is focused on Koetter
Take it for what it’s worth but if he can be believed…. this guy is our new OC.
WDE
Lazy me..
….probably should write a post on this, but the gist is O-Mac’s back!
……It’s another coup in a week of good Auburn football news!
......Drowning in cool elixir.
If this is Auburn's lineup on offense...
… they will struggle. An offense with an unproven QB and a green o-line (one upper-classman) won’t cut it in the SEC west. Having Pike step in and start is wishful thinking. I think the new OC will develop the offense around Frazier and redshirt Pike. I’m hoping the new OC is a QB coach and works to develop Frazier’s passing abilities.
Kettering...
Has a history of developing QBs according to web bios. He looks good on paper and could be another home run. Hope we can wait as he seems to be interviewing with pro teams.
Coach scoop just said
Do not be surprised if coach Satan talks to Koetter. Could be an interesting battle between Chizik and Satan, or is Koetter a smoke screen like I never saw DC coming nor did anyone else.
Really? Because it looks like the talk of Pease to Florida is true…..
"We see the door; we're here to knock it down"-Cam Newton
"I got moves like BADGER!"- LSU Jonno
by Tiger on the mountain on Jan 11, 2012 8:54 AM CST up reply actions
I DO NOT WANT KOETTER!!!
We do NOT need to return to a pro style, west coast, 3 yards and a pile of dust days! You can do the exact same plays from the spread so we can still pound the ball, yet by spreading the field we can play to the undersized, speedy receiving corps. I want to see someone like Kingsbury (if we could pull him from Sumlin) or Phillips. They were co-OCs for Houston this year. Its obvious they can create a QB, but they also had 3 different RBs with an avg of 5+ YPC and as a team broke the 2000 yard mark with 33 scores on the ground. Lets get 3-5 receivers out there, get a lot of pre-play motions to confuse defensive reads and FORCE teams to play extremely disciplined football. Then when we play these really good D’s we out scheme and out execute.
I have also followed Dana Holgorsen (pre-70 point orange bowl) For all the arguing we have about offensive philosophy, the pistol may be a great option for Auburn. Its being used by Nevada as a pro-style single back, counter trap, TE dump pass offense, and has been shown to be able to successfully be a spread offense complete with read options, air raid, and hurry up no huddle philosophy.
I like the sound of that.
I do not want to go back to 3 yards and cloud of dust. I like the no huddle speed. During bowl season I found myself getting board waiting for teams to huddle up and then come to the line, it really surprised me.
Auburn undercover saysnKoetter not a candidate for AU OC
Says Blake looking to stay too.
This is directly being contradicted by AUSports.
They say Koetter is the only candidate.
See note below about who we are competing with…
WDE
CGC says there’s a handful of candidates, but he’s better than the CIA at keeping a secret!
"We see the door; we're here to knock it down"-Cam Newton
"I got moves like BADGER!"- LSU Jonno
by Tiger on the mountain on Jan 11, 2012 4:09 PM CST up reply actions
OC News update....
Flordia hires Pease
So that ship has sailed….
AU undercover might have gotten Dyer right… but the facts are there isn’t many folks left. I hope Gene doesn’t let every ship sail before he makes a decision. Recruiting is in the balance and don’t look now… but the top 6 class (Dec 19th) is now a top 20 class and falling fast.
I don’t think it is time to panick…. but how much time can you look and deliberate or more importantly…. wait.
It’s time to pull the trigger.
WDE
I'd much rather have Koetter than Anderson.
I watched Southern Miss’s bowl game… color me unimpressed.
WDE
For those that are interested...
http://xandolabs.com/2011/07/dirk-koetter-exclusive-interview/
I dunno. I think that would excite any kid to want to play for Auburn.
Question is when do we hire him? Can we hire him? Rumor is that AU is his third choice right now. He aspires to be an NFL coach. He is playing the field… just hope Chizik doesn’t wait too long.
Still. Don’t be surprised if Chizik hires someone that is totally unexpected. Like BVG.
WDE
I hope Acid looks at that...
It’s Greek to me, and uh, I never took a class in Greek.
Come and join me at http://trackemtigers.com
by KoolBell777 on Jan 10, 2012 10:34 PM CST up reply actions
It's an NFL game plan.
…..I’d hate to try to get all that installed in 20 hours a week, and not have the kids’ heads spinning.
......Drowning in cool elixir.
I mentioned that he is looking at some other NFL gigs...
but what I failed to mention… is apparently we aren’t the only College program looking at him.
Wanna guess who else is??
Yep. Nick Saban and bama.
WDE
Never look at bowl games when attempting to assess an offensive coordinator or system
As a general rule, Defense proforms better durring bowl games given the amount of time DCs have to prepair.
by tab0017 on Jan 11, 2012 9:49 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
Ok...
I guess that’s one way of looking at it.
Another is “show me your latest body of work that was on a National Stage”, How did you do?
I follow you about the “total body of work” but you better believe the latest effort will be highly scrutenized. And I hear what you say about the bowl game… but we are talking about a 7-5 Nevada team that lost to Oregon, Texas Tech, Boise State, La Tech, and Utah State.
USM had a 11-2 season. Congrats. But I point out that they are in conference USA. I see only two quality wins against Virginia in Va… and at Houston in their conference championship. They lost to Marshall and UAB.
I still say the guy ain’t all that hot.
WDE
I'm not sure if he is THE guy
But IMO Auburn needs to contenue with the spread hurry up philosophy. I was also just making a generalization, statisticly, teams underachieve and under perform their season averages
by tab0017 on Jan 11, 2012 12:04 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
OC
ive heard the guy at temple’s name come up a couple times.
that would be incredible, we could get back 2 running downhill inbetween the tackles.
but eather way its comforting to know ill prolly never see a backup tight end throwing a pass off a reverse. or musical chairs at QB every drive.
as far as the depth chart- i doubt the pike thing highly but I watched the same games as everybody else, not like there’s a case 2 be made for the other 3 guys.
On D-owens will play and hopefully johnathon rose will emerge.
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