Transfer Rumors Swirl Around Dyer
by Jay Coulter on Jan 5, 2012 3:00 AM CST
in Football
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PrintGood Thursday to you. As this story goes to post, there are reports out saying that Auburn running back Michael Dyer has requested a transfer to Arkansas State. Auburn Undercover senior writer Phillip Marshall reported the story early last evening.
Since his report, there have been others disputing the story, most notably, Columbus Ledger-Enquirer reporter Joel Erickson. Speaking with Auburn and Arkansas State officials on Wednesday, Erickson said both school officials dismissed the story.
"Both an Auburn spokesman and an Arkansas State spokesman said Wednesday afternoon that they had not heard anything about Dyer, who was suspended indefinitely by the Tigers last month for a violation of team rules, filing transfer paperwork at Arkansas State," writes Erickson.
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reporter Matt Harris tweeted that the rumor about Dyer filing paperwork is "bunk."
I tend to believe Marshall. First off, he's the best Auburn beat writer in the business - maybe all time. If he writes it, he believes it. It also appears that Chizik has written off Dyer completely. I'm not sure it's Dyer wanting the transfer as much as Chizik saying to him, you need to go.
Regardless of what you hear, Gus Malzahn and Chizik remain close. Malzahn is not taking Auburn's star running back on the way out the door unless Chizik wants it to happen. I believe he's washed his hands of the young man.
You've got to love message boards. You love them not for the 90 percent of fans who are sane, but the 10 percent who are borderline crazy. Despite being a year removed from a national title and winning 30 games in three years, some Auburn fans are convinced the sky is falling.
Why?
A few in the Auburn community are panicked over Gene Chizik not hiring new coordinators within days of their openings. It was widely speculated that an announcement would come earlier this week.
Now that it hasn't, some are suggesting that Chizik is having trouble finding qualified, interested candidates. Seriously? I suggest they turn off Paul Finebaum.
Let's remind these naysayers that the Penn State job has been vacant for more than a month. Bad example? How about the Florida offensive coordinator position? I don't see Florida fans waving the white flag because Will Muschamp hasn't found a successor for Charlie Weis. What about up the road in Tuscaloosa? Let me guess, Nick Saban is just too damn busy?
Give Chizik credit. That man can keep a secret better than most anyone in the game. I've been shaking the bushes all week and I've spoken to no one who has definitive knowledge of where either search is headed. I'm guessing both positions will be filled by next Monday.
For many of you, recruiting season is every bit as entertaining as the regular season. Your time is upon us again. We'll get more into recruiting in the days ahead, but first let me give you a status report.
247 Sports.com ranks Auburn as the 16th best class. Rivals.com has the Tigers sitting at 12th nationally. Auburn currently has 16 commitments. Among them are 10 four-star recruits and 6 three-star athletes. Auburn has no five-star commitments at this time - according to Rivals.
The top five classes looks like this ( per Rivals.com): 1. Texas 2. Alabama 3. Michigan 4. LSU 5. Florida.
The SEC rankings look this (national ranking in parenthesis):
1. Alabama (2)
2. LSU (4)
3. Florida (5)
4. Texas A&M (9)
5. Auburn (12)
6. Tennessee (14)
7. South Carolina (19)
8. Georgia (20)
9. Vanderbilt (22)
10. Arkansas (28)
11. Miss State (31)
12. Missouri (38)
13. Ole Miss (42)
14. Kentucky (NR)
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That whole Arky St thing didn't feel right
For all appearances Gus is leaving on good terms. For him to “poach” a marquee player just feels wrong therefore in my opinion unlikely. And, no idea what Dyers problem is, but if it’s what it is rumored to be, would you want that to be in your lockerrom as a first time head coach?
Agree
Gus is an intelligent coach who understands attitude over aptitude so I can’t see him taking Dyer – too risky on various levels. As far as recruiting goes, all of these kids are studs. It’s all about which program can do more with the kids it signs, rather than trying to find a kid who is ready out of the box. Again attitude plays a big key in the locker room. Go get boys who want to become Auburn men.
I hadn't thought
about Chizik wanting Dyer gone…that’s a interesting point of view.
As far as coordinators goes, I’m excited to see who they are; I’m not worried that we don’t know anything yet…..Chiz has it under control.
"We see the door; we're here to knock it down"-Cam Newton
by Tiger on the mountain on Jan 5, 2012 8:46 AM CST reply actions
I suggest they turn off Paul Finebaum.
TRUTH. It’s what’s for dinner.
by Jumpn_JackFlash on Jan 5, 2012 8:49 AM CST reply actions 3 recs
Again... I tend to believe what Phillip Marshall says... more often than not
I have a lot of respect for him.
As to the disposition of Mike Dyer… either way the young man goes… I hope he sees that no matter how big your ego… you can be cut down to the quick in an instant. It’s better to see what you have than to desire the unattainable. Be thankful for the small things. Someone – don’t know who – is talking to this young man. Whoever it is, they are doing Dyer a big disfavor by giving him bad advice and pumping his head up so big he can’t get it through the door.
Still, I am left laughing at the folks who think everything at Auburn is rosy even when it’s obvious that it isn’t. Is the sky falling? No. But are we on the verge of winning another NC? No. So where does that leave us?
In providing my opinion here I happened to think something was wrong when Chizik lost both coordinators before the bowl game. It was more of a “did he ask them to leave” or “they left him” scenario. I think that is a major indication in the strength and appeal of the head coach.
I am not sure how anyone could defend the way AU handled the PR campaign of the coordinator departure? It was handled horribly. Chizik did lose credibility – you can’t spin it any other way. However, the last minute save of having no love lost between him and Malzahn did wonders. The fact that Malzahn helped him during the bowl game managed to salvage and restore some of Chizik’s lost reputation.
The other major stabilizing effect was how well the defense performed during the game. It wasn’t lights out. No, not by any stretch of the imagination. But it was markedly better than it had been during the bama game. It was obvious the kids responded to Chizik. And that is refreshing.
How much of that is because we were playing a mediocre Virginia (ACC team) that was either on or off their game? How much of that is because we showed definite improvement? That is the million dollar question that you would expect the football elite prognosticators to inform us as to the outcome. To date – that hasn’t happened in any substantial way on any of the paid sports sites, free ones, or in the papers.
Add to that we have no idea which direction Chizik is going to go in hiring a coordinator. I would also point out these same ‘prognosticators’ have stopped telling us their vast insights to the situation.
While I applaud the Coach’s ability to hold a secret… with a high visibility hire like this they tend to blow up in the coach’s face when the selection is viewed as underwhelming as opposed to getting a quality hire. And let’s face the most important fact here… this is probably the most critical time to the program: right before national recruiting day.
Regardless of the outcome, the present obstacle for the Auburn football program has demonstrated a rift within the Auburn family… there is definitely a 10% alright. A self-righteous 10% who will disparage any negative comments to the program no matter the intention and regardless of the cost to the program or the family.
Seriously… it might be hard to read someone’s comments that are critical of the program but it is equally difficult to overlook the delusional that refuse to see the same thing when it’s obviously there. So who is doing the most damage?
Why not talk about it?
In my opinion, a football forum should be a place where people can go and air their ideas, concerns, or beliefs and talk about it with other Auburn fans who may know more or less on the subject. The goodness is that during the discussion a dialogue takes place. I can’t speak for anyone else here… but I normally have a broader perspective when I am finished as opposed to when I started.
Snobs are something we can do without. And there are several here. Perhaps those that are so vocal to criticize others as to their views should take a step back and drink some coffee? It’s just a thought… because the next logical step to this kind of individual is to comment on another fans mettle and how much they support their school. And that is where as a ‘family’ you never want to go. It’s a very slippery slope.
War Eagle
Whom are you calling self-righteous? I’m a little confused……..
"We see the door; we're here to knock it down"-Cam Newton
by Tiger on the mountain on Jan 5, 2012 9:06 AM CST up reply actions
Snobby, delusional, self righteous guy here.
I can’t help but disagree with a lot of what you’ve said.
In providing my opinion here I happened to think something was wrong when Chizik lost both coordinators before the bowl game. It was more of a "did he ask them to leave" or "they left him" scenario. I think that is a major indication in the strength and appeal of the head coach.
Everyone knew Mahlzan would leave eventually and that Roof was a dead man walking. The fact that they left before the bowl game is irrelevant because, historically, that is when most of the coaching turnover happens as programs try to set themselves up for national signing day. Add to this the fact that Gus stayed on to coach in the bowl game. In my opinion, that speaks volumes as to Chiz’s likability and appeal. I just don’t understand how or why you feel the coach of the defending national champion loses credibility due to this when it happens every season at half the schools in the country.
I am not sure how anyone could defend the way AU handled the PR campaign of the coordinator departure?
How could they have handled it any differently?
While I applaud the Coach’s ability to hold a secret… with a high visibility hire like this they tend to blow up in the coach’s face when the selection is viewed as underwhelming as opposed to getting a quality hire.
The only way this can be perceived as blowing up in his face is if he hires a relatively unknown coach. I personally don’t care if it is a big name hire or not, as long as that coach can take care of business and produce positive results. I’ll take that over an under performing, big name hire ready to jump ship to an NFL or head coaching position every time.
Seriously… it might be hard to read someone’s comments that are critical of the program but it is equally difficult to overlook the delusional that refuse to see the same thing when it’s obviously there. So who is doing the most damage?
To me, the person doing the most damage are the ones screaming the sky is falling every chance they get. In my opinion, it makes us appear as an irrational bunch of fans ready to throw our coaches and players under the bus at the first sign of adversity. It damages our ability to recruit. It damages our ability to attract top level assistant coaches. It damages the reputation of the university as a whole and makes us all look bad.
In my opinion, a football forum should be a place where people can go and air their ideas, concerns, or beliefs and talk about it with other Auburn fans who may know more or less on the subject. The goodness is that during the discussion a dialogue takes place. I can’t speak for anyone else here… but I normally have a broader perspective when I am finished as opposed to when I started.
I totally agree with this, and although I don’t think our opinion has any affect on what Chiz will do in regards to running the team, I do feel like we can help him out by portraying a positive and united image rather than hindering his ability to do his job by portraying ourselves as the irrational bunch that I mentioned above.
by Jumpn_JackFlash on Jan 5, 2012 9:41 AM CST up reply actions 2 recs
That's too bad...
that you consider yourself in this group. I didn’t.
And about the PR debacle… you might have a point. Mine was that when Roof left (which as you point out) it wasn’t totally unexpected but we really didn’t know what Chizik was going to do. Right???
I think Chizik indicated he was going to do a total review of the program. The facts as they transpired revealed themselves with departures and no official explanation until after it was already done. Question: did he do the review and this was the result??? Or did Roof just say “to hell with it” and leave? Same can be said about Malzahn. It makes a difference and it does play to Chizik’s capabilities as a head coach. Time will tell if it was done the right way or not. But I don’t particularly care for this method of change. Obviously, it could have been much worse… but I think it could have been done better too. Whatever history records, I can only hope the best is done for AU.
Roof might not have been a barn burner to some as a defensive coordinator (pardon the expression) but he was an AU coach. I think his staff did more to improve than Malzahn’s. I just know the way it was handled wasn’t particularly palatable for me. And I could say the same about Malzahn now that I have mentioned him. He basically scrambled to find a job, any job that departed Auburn. How else can it be said…? I have seen some here that stated he got a house and car and other amenities that would make up the difference of his salary at AU… I haven’t seen that written yet. But even if it were true… damage was done to the program by his departure. Who told us he was leaving Was it Chizik? Or was it Malzahn? Or was it Arkansas State??? I would argue that if it wasn’t the head coach or Auburn… damage was done.
And you right JJ… staff changes happens all the time. Right? So why the big deal??? Because even with a marginal season… the staff still appeared to be intact. Some of us suspected rifts… but they were never really evident – well until after the bama game at least. But nothing was ever officially acknowledged by Chizik. To my knowledge… everything was hunky dory except we had a bunch of freshman and sophomores playing with no senior leadership.
Again… I just think this could have been handled differently. That is all.
As to your comment about “damage” – that is being done every day whether you like it or not. Some of it you hear about… some of it we don’t. But it happens. It is inevitable. Normally though with the damage the program grows. Hopefully… it grows in the right way.
My concerns and I have stated them before… is that we are a program on the verge of moving to the next level. Chizik to this point has done well for AU. The program as a whole is in good shape. But with this change… do we move forward? Or do we move back? I can’t say definitely. And unless you want to put your ‘faith’ or ‘lack of faith’ on the line… I don’t think anyone else can either.
Seriously… mistakes are made by the powers that be at Auburn (President, AD, Head coach and coaching staff), with players and in some cases even with fans. And that goes for EVERY PROGRAM in the country. It happens. To think that a mistake made by a coach or a player would equal to that made by a fan on a message board makes anyone saying it sound just as much like a drama queen as the one who is criticizing saying the sky is falling in my opinion. Exactly what do you think your part to the program is exactly??
Is there a propaganda minister position? LOL.
You are a fan. Be a fan and enjoy and discuss. When it doesn’t go the way you want… complain! The process of a fan goes both ways… to say you can only do one or the other sounds a bit communist to me. LOL.
I am sure you do your part for Auburn. Of that I have no doubt. But to think that your comments here or anywhere else would disparage or increase Auburn’s collective future is something I cannot sign up to. And if that is a member responsibility with this sight…that we all sound the same…. then I am in the wrong place.
I am not a lemming. I am an Auburn Graduate. I was taught to question. And I do so regularly.
WDE
I don’t consider myself in the snobby, self righteous or delusional group (although some here might). I was playing around.
As far as this goes:
To think that a mistake made by a coach or a player would equal to that made by a fan on a message board makes anyone saying it sound just as much like a drama queen as the one who is criticizing saying the sky is falling in my opinion. Exactly what do you think your part to the program is exactly??
I don’t think a mistake we make on a message board is equal to a mistake made by the coach, but I do think we as a group can make his job more difficult just because of perception.
As far as what I think my “job” or role is as a fan, I think it is to support university anyway I can and to help portray Auburn in the best light possible. I love Auburn.
You are a fan. Be a fan and enjoy and discuss. When it doesn’t go the way you want… complain! The process of a fan goes both ways… to say you can only do one or the other sounds a bit communist to me. LOL.
I am sure you do your part for Auburn. Of that I have no doubt. But to think that your comments here or anywhere else would disparage or increase Auburn’s collective future is something I cannot sign up to. And if that is a member responsibility with this sight…that we all sound the same…. then I am in the wrong place.
I have no problem with you or anyone else speaking their minds or complaining about things they don’t like. I do it all the time when I don’t like something and I’m doing it right now.
My problem is with how I feel you are creating a problem that didn’t exist. I don’t think Chizik lost any credibility with the coordinators leaving because this is something, as I stated above, that happens all the time and was expected. I feel comments like that have the potential to make Chizik’s job more difficult and therefore, negatively affects Auburn. I respect your right to say that or feel that way, but I feel my role (since you asked me) should be to change your mind and end this now before it snowballs into something more. Message board gossip and rumors can spiral out of control quickly. There are numerous examples of how harmful they can be. I can’t stop you if you continue in this line of thinking, but I don’t have to like it.
by Jumpn_JackFlash on Jan 5, 2012 11:26 AM CST up reply actions
Amen Brother
I need a cold shower and a copy of the Auburn Creed
The thing about Philip Marshal
first off it’s going to be obvious I’m not the biggest fan in the world haha
but he’s a good beat writer and much better than relying on a rivals writer
The Alabama rivals writer and the Auburn rivals writer have one type of source – in the program and pumping out “pro-team” info. It doesn’t mean the info is bunk, it just means it’s coming from a source that has a vested interest in emphasizing the “good.” Alabama writers have been burnt on recruiting predictions and coaching hire predictions when they invest fully in the sources that come from the program. Rich Rod to Bama anyone? All you have to do is ask Jeffrey Lee of Auburn how his past year of predictions and reporting have gone and you’ll know that the man only listens to positive sources
Philip Marshal is a bit of a rare breed. He admits to being an Auburn homer and writes like one, but does not have the air of unreliability of a rivals writer. He’s got a bit of Dandy Don in him but that’s better than having some Capstone Report in you. The only time Marshal has gotten under my skin was when he went with the Saban quote on winning your conference to get into the BCS when that was widely reported as a fabricated quote from Okie State – and really that’s just whiny Bama fan reaction to an honest mistake.
I don’t like him, but respect his info and defer to his opinion.
That being said, I’ll believe Dyer is out of Auburn when I see it. Sitting out a year and losing TV exposure that translates to NFL dollars? He was going to be neck and neck with Lattimore for top SEC back next year. How do you turn your back on all that?
People who live in glass houses should not hang out with Charles Barkley.
by Wallacewade04 on Jan 5, 2012 9:47 AM CST reply actions 1 recs
Much of what you said here is dead on...
I can’t believe I am agreeing with you, but this…
The Alabama rivals writer and the Auburn rivals writer have one type of source – in the program and pumping out "pro-team" info. It doesn’t mean the info is bunk, it just means it’s coming from a source that has a vested interest in emphasizing the "good." Alabama writers have been burnt on recruiting predictions and coaching hire predictions when they invest fully in the sources that come from the program. Rich Rod to Bama anyone? All you have to do is ask Jeffrey Lee of Auburn how his past year of predictions and reporting have gone and you’ll know that the man only listens to positive sources
This right here is dead on accurate.
Come and join me at http://trackemtigers.com
Jeff Lee is still waiting for La'El Collins to show up at Auburn for class.
Alabama fans, ask yourself this question: Is this who you want representing your University and your fanbase?
"Been saying it for six f**king years now...That g**damn hurricane just wasn’t big enough." - Outsidethesidelines, Manager, RollBamaRoll.com
http://www.rollbamaroll.com/2011/12/3/2607240/sec-championship-game-open-thread#
outsidethesidelines@gmail.com
to emphasize my point haha
The Alabama rivals writer has the 5 targets for Alabama at UA All-American game
the 4 uncommitted are HOT in favor of choosing Alabama and the only concession is someone already committed to Florida State
it’s not that he’s pumping out lies – he’s pumping out what the coaches feel, what the coaches WANT to feel, or what a 19 year old kid has told a coach which could just be an out and out LIE
just bad sources
People who live in glass houses should not hang out with Charles Barkley.
by Wallacewade04 on Jan 5, 2012 11:33 AM CST up reply actions
And when we worry about sources...
…we overlook some of the things that we really ought to be giving at least some thought to.
Such as: Kentucky is not only outranked by five spots within the SEC in terms of recruiting, but is the only SEC team whose large-scale prospects merited an “NR”.
(Really, I just feel bad for them.)
Weep for Kentucky….and uh, maybe keep an eye on Vandy, those crafty Commodores.
"The ball will be spotted at the six-inch-yardline."
posting fail, too
should have read: “outranked by five spots by Vandy”
"The ball will be spotted at the six-inch-yardline."
All right...
Can somebody please give me some good news in regards to Auburn and Auburn’s future? I realize we won the bowl game, but after that what is some good news for Auburn? Damn, I think I’ve had enough of bad news for Auburn lately. It has been terrible news every single time it feels like anyway. I’m sick of it! Would somebody give me some good news about Auburn’s future? A surprise recruit coming to Auburn maybe? Guys, I’m trying hard not to be negative but Mike Dyer transferring after two 1 thousand yard seasons is not good news.
It's Auburn against the world. Good luck world.
In all seriousness though
What happened to rolling with the punches? Taking the good (bowl win) with the bad (Dyer transfer).
Shit happens. And I’m not trying to dump all over your being bummed — ‘cuz I am too — but for now….them’s the breaks.
Waxing…waning…just keep your eye on the bigger picture, which is that even if things are bad right now (who’s going to QB? will our running game really be the same? will our receivers develop fully-grown human fingers in place ofthe tiny, inflexible stubs they have currently?)…there are still a fair number of programs whose fans wish they were worrying about the things we are.
Just ask a UCLA fan — you have to go back to the book of Exodus to find a group with an equally proud tradition of long-suffering (judging by the day-to-day kvetching on their site).
Or, to keep it rooted in the blue and orange: I really picked up on reading this site around the time that Tuberville got fired. Going back and reading some of the stuff from around then is really good for perspective.
"The ball will be spotted at the six-inch-yardline."
Well.... it appears that PM was right... imagine that.
AU has granted a release for Mike Dyer.
I wish Coach Chizik would let us know what has happened here. The likelihood of this happening is less than favorable. Speaking for myself… I support Coach Chizik’s decision 100%… but now I would like to know what caused this terminal, irreconcilable fued when everything is supposedly hunky dory at Auburn.
WDE
Well, clearly everything wasn’t hunky dory with Dyer, but that doesn’t meant that all parts of the program are mired in drama…
What I’m currently wondering is if Dyer’s transgressions were so bad that Chiz had no choice but to pull the scholly-meaning that Dyer would have to go elsewhere to become eligible for the NFL (college education aside, of course, but this kid is NFL bound, no doubt)……Regardless it stinks..for everyone….
"We see the door; we're here to knock it down"-Cam Newton
by Tiger on the mountain on Jan 6, 2012 8:55 AM CST up reply actions
Holy crap did we actually agree on something??
Even but for an instant??
And while you are probably right about Dyer’s NFL aspirations… I wonder.
Brandon Jacobs he ain’t.
He has obviously made a dent in making the next step to the NFL… the question is will it be enough. And will this issue haunt him in the future for NFL prospect teams risking an investment in him??
That I do not know. But if they questioned Cam…. can you imagine Mike? To me – that is why this is wasteful and why picking your school is so important.
WDE
He has obviously made a dent in making the next step to the NFL… the question is will it be enough. And will this issue haunt him in the future for NFL prospect teams risking an investment in him??
No doubt. It will hurt his draft stock.
Remember Legarrette Blount from Oregon? He was a projected first or second round pick. He ended up as an undrafted free agent because of the fight following the 2008 or 2009 Boise State game. I don’t know if this will hurt Dyer’s draft status as severely as that incident hurt Blount, but it will affect him.
by Jumpn_JackFlash on Jan 6, 2012 12:39 PM CST up reply actions
QUIT ACTING LIKE LOSERS! WE ARE NOT LOSERS!
WE ARE WINNERS!
WARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR EAGLE!
by Triumphant Tiger on Jan 6, 2012 12:32 AM CST reply actions
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