Today we look at the career of former Auburn quarterback Dameyune Craig. In my lifetime, I’d have to say he’s the best quarterback I’ve ever seen wear the orange and blue.
I was too young to remember Pat Sullivan. And no, I’m not suggesting he comes close to the Heisman winner. But you’d be hard pressed to pick a better one that’s played on the Plains since.
During the 1997 season, he passed for 3,277 yards – still the most in Auburn history (by a mile). He was not only a gifted passer, but one of the best running quarterbacks in the country. Today it’s common place to see a quarterback run – in 1997 it was something new.
Craig was given serious Heisman consideration until a late season loss to Miss State. He came within a point of leading Auburn to an SEC Championship, falling to Peyton Manning and Tennessee 30-29 in the conference championship game.
Auburn receiver Karsten Bailey single handily blew the game for the Tigers by dropping a series of Craig passes that halted Auburn drives deep in Tennessee territory.
Auburn and Craig would finish the season with a win over Clemson in the Peach Bowl. A year later the wheels fell off the Auburn program and Terry Bowden was run out of town.
By late Saturday afternoon, former Auburn defensive star Quentin Groves should be a very wealthy man. The hard work in the weight room and on the practice field is expected to pay off – in the millions.
The all-time Auburn sack leader is projected as a late first round or early-to-middle second round choice in the NFL draft. Where he’s headed is anyone’s guess.
The off-season has been like a freak rollercoaster ride for Groves. After having a somewhat disappointing senior campaign due to injuries, Groves rebounded at the NFL combines in February. His performance in Indianapolis caused his stock to rise faster than gas prices.
Then it all came crashing down – temporarily. While undergoing an NFL physical – which is akin to being treated like Ned Beatty in the North Georgia Mountains, doctors found a minor heart condition that ended up requiring surgery.
It now appears the condition will have little effect on his place in the draft and most importantly should have no effect on his overall health.
Quentin Groves is such a class guy. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that he will get an early call Saturday and hopefully it will be from Pittsburgh – the team he’s idolized his whole life.
While Groves is grabbing most of the attention, there are several more former Auburn players expecting a phone call over the weekend. Defensive tackle Pat Sims and safety Patrick Lee are projected to go as high as the second round by some draft experts.
Here’s an interesting stat that I read in Thursday’s USA Today. Auburn is ranked third all-time in the number of top picks taken in the NFL draft. Auburn has had four players taken number one overall, trailing only Notre Dame and USC. Not too shabby.
Say it ain’t so Joe
Former Auburn great Joe Cribbs is at it again. You may remember that earlier this year, Cribbs served as president of Team Alabama – a Birmingham semi-pro football club that was made up of mostly washed up Alabama players who were scheduled to compete in something called the All-American Football League. It folded like a house of cards before a ball could be put on the tee.
Yesterday Cribbs was named commissioner of another new league – this one called the United National Football League. It plans to field 22 teams, but currently only has two in place – both in Texas.
Cribbs hopes the organization will serve as sort of a feeder league to the NFL. Where have we heard this before?
"This league is not trying to compete with the NFL. It's trying to complement the NFL," said Cribbs. "This is a true developmental league. It's not a destination or a last-stop league. We want this to be affordable for fans who crave more football."
On September 6th, the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles visit Jordan Hare Stadium. This is a matchup that has a good chance of being on television, as the only other major SEC matchups are Miami at Florida, Ole Miss at Wake Forest, and Troy at LSU. The competition should ratchet up in difficulty, after the previous week's tune up against Louisiana Monroe. Southern Mississippi is trying to rebound from a bit of a disappointing season. They were picked to win their division in Conference USA, but instead finished 7-6, with a double-digit loss to the Cincinnati Bearcats, at Legion Field, in the Papa John's Pizza Bowl.
Southern Mississippi made a controversial move at the end of last season, firing long-time head coach Jeff Bower, after 17 seasons in Hattiesburg. Bower took USM to 10 bowls in the past 11 years, but the administration decided to go in a different direction.
Larry Fedora takes over as the Golden Eagle Head Coach. Fedora was previously the offensive coordinator at Oklahoma State, developing high-powered offenses for the Cowboys, and before that, at Middle Tennessee State. Fedora brings a new staff to Hattiesburg, including one of Tommy Tuberville's former assistants, Art Kaufman. Kaufman was Tuberville's defensive coordinator at Ole Miss. Now, he coaches the defensive line for USM.
Any time a new coach comes in, there's a learning curve. Fedora's offense is complicated, and players have thus far struggled with the complex hand signals used to send in plays. Southern Mississippi has plenty of talent returning, but how well the talent adapts will be key.
Todd Bradford takes over as defensive coordinator, after previously serving as linebackers coach at Oklahoma State. Bradford has a tough job ahead, trying to maintain the ferocious defensive reputation of the Golden Eagles.
Spearheading the revamped offense will be returning running back, junior Damion Fletcher. Fletcher rushed for an eye-popping 1586 yards, last season, and 15 touchdowns; averaging 5.4 yards per carry. Behind Fletcher is another junior, a lightning-quick scat-back named Tory Harrison.
Quarterback has been a battle this spring, and at this time, it would seem that redshirt freshman Austin Davis has won the starting job. Davis hit 17 out of 23 passes for 207 yards in the USM spring game, and rushed 7 times for 52 yards. 5th year senior Jeremy Young has both experience and athleticism, should Austin falter. As a part-time starter last season, Young hit 120 of 224, for 1464 yards with 11 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions. More impressively, Young rushed for 349 yards, as well. Sophomore Torris Magee is the most dangerous of the returning receivers. Magee caught 44 balls last fall, for a 14.4 yard average.
On defense, the Eagles are anchored by junior Gerald McRath, at middle linebacker. McRath is the reigning Conference USA defensive player of the year. He's a 212 pound speedster that loves to hit, and reminds me a lot of Tray Blackmon. Junior Eddie Hicks is a dangerous, veteran safety for USM. 311-pound behemoth Anthony Gray, a sophomore, anchors the middle.
Matchups
Auburn defensive line vs. USM offensive line: USM returns a veteran unit that paved the way for a rushing attack that produced over 200 yards per game. With a new scheme, and Fedora's tendency to use wider splits, the USM front may have trouble with Auburn's speed up front. Advantage: Auburn, and they need to dominate, for Auburn to keep USM under wraps, offensively.
Auburn linebackers vs. USM backs: USM has a great starter, and Auburn is deep in talented linebackers. Advantage: Even.
Auburn corners vs. USM receivers: USM has experience returning, from a run-first attack. They put up respectable numbers in the spring game, but Auburn has the speed to match up well. Advantage: Auburn.
Auburn safeties vs. USM secondary receivers and quarterback: Auburn is green at safety, but very talented. They'll be going against unproven receivers, and possibly a freshman quarterback. Advantage: Even.
Punting: Auburn returns a solid trio of punters, and had good coverage. Senior Britt Barefoot (I did not make this name up!)returns for the Eagles, averaging 42.5 yards per punt, with 14 kicks downed inside the 20 vs. only 4 touchbacks. USM's coverage averaged 7.1 yards a return, to Auburn's 6.5. Advantage: Even.
Kickoffs: Auburn averaged only 57 yards per kickoff (caught at an average of the 13-yard line), and had poor coverage at times, allowing 21.2 yards per return overall. USM held opponents to 19.9. Advantage: USM.
Kick Returns: With Tristan Davis our numbers here should go up, although USM has traditionally covered kicks well. Last season, Auburn averaged a paltry 19.2 yards per return; USM averaged 21.8. Tory Harrison returns on one side for USM, but Antwain Easterling was recently dismissed from the team. Advantage: Even.
Place Kicking: Wes Byrum was 17 of 23 on field goals, including 9-10 from 30-39 yards, and was money in the bank, on clutch kicks, for Auburn. USM's Justin Estes was 15-22, and only 6-10 in that key 30-39 yard range. Advantage: Auburn
Auburn offensive line vs. USM defensive line: USM loses quite a bit of beef, aside from Anthony Gray, in the middle. Auburn has a deep, talented line. Big advantage: Auburn.
Auburn backs vs. USM linebackers: Auburn has several good choices at running back, but they'll be running at a very good linebacker corps. Given that Auburn's scheme now does not include a lot of lead blockers, the backs should struggle, unless the Tiger attack is diversified. This won't be a defense we can pound inside. Advantage: USM.
Auburn receivers vs. USM corners: USM is fairly green here, and Auburn has a number of talented wide receivers. Assuming that we can throw accurately downfield, USM will have a lot of trouble staying with Auburn's guys. Advantage: Auburn.
Auburn secondary receivers and quarterback vs. USM safeties: USM has a good one in Eddie Hicks, but unless the USM line can get pressure without blitzing, Kodi Burns and Chris Todd will have too many options, with players like Robert Dunn, Tommy Trott, and Terrell Zachary. Advantage: Auburn.
Auburn has more positives than USM, especially on the lines of scrimmage. It's likely that USM will hang tough on defense, and keep the game closer than we would like, but Auburn should prevail at home, particularly if USM brings a freshman quarterback into Jordan Hare for his first road start. The real key for Auburn is to shut down Dameon Fletcher, and keep the USM offense from getting any consistency.
Prediction: Auburn pulls away in the second half: 23-10.
Seems like a trend that we can all relish in: SEC team finishes season on a roll, only loses a pair of conference games, and although fails to make it to Atlanta in December, wins their bowl game big, thus setting the table to be run to the title game for the following season .
We saw it with LSU after the 2006 season, in which they demolished Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl and were the hand-picked successors to Florida by the media as the upcoming champion in 2007. And now you're seeing it with Georgia, whose losses to South Carolina and Tennessee last year precluded them from playing in the title game, but propelled them into the Sugar to thoroughly trash an over-matched Hawaii team. Starting to see the emerging trend now?
Heck, you can even draw parallels with the 2005 Florida team, whose 9-3 record in Urban Meyer's inaugural year wasn't bad, but didn't involve a Sugar Bowl appearance. Nor did it involve a pre-season MNC nod for 2006--the Gators were ranked pre-season that year around an average of 6th. But they went on to win it all anyway, giving the SEC it's second of three Mythical National Championships (MNC) in the new century.
But we're not even done with spring drills, you say. True enough, but the sports media these days never sleeps, and certainly does not like a void. Just because college football isn't being played on the field, don't think for a minute that it isn't being played in the minds of coaches, fans, and the media alike.
Just like a Fortune 500 company these days doesn't have a CEO exiting stage left without a successor already being named, college football is rapidly coming to the point where they're not going to shut off the lights on the old season before they determine who the favorite for the next one will be. Hell, they're even starting to do it with head coaches--this 'coach-in-waiting' crap. Don't be surprised if they even start conducting exit polls outside the various bowl game venues so they can determine who the on-deck champion is going to be...
But a lot of giggling coming out of Athens here lately lets you know that the Dawgs are ready to have their day. Good for them. I think they're entitled to feel a little giddy. We Tigers probably shouldn't have much that we can say against them, being that we were in the same position going into the 2003 season, and we all know how that turned out. There's no team that benefits more from flying UNDER the radar than Auburn. That's how we like it--unexpected and under-appreciated. We never seem to live up to our lofty expectations anyway, so perhaps we can serve as a cautionary warning to the 2008 Dawgs.
But maybe we also serve as a little inspiration. You gotta ask yourself, "Why is the SEC getting so much love lately?" Everyone already knows that we're the toughest conference, right? Why has it taken them so long to recognize it?
I think a lot of the reason is that the media and the CFB powers-that-be feel guilty over Auburn having been left out of the MNC hunt in 2004 and are now bending over backwards to give deserving SEC teams every break and benefit of the doubt that they deserve. Of course, you have to factor in the superb competition in the conference, too, but at long last the SEC is being given its props. It sucks that it took a shafting of Auburn for everyone to recognize it, but at least it's time has come.
Florida at the end of the 2006 season is the first beneficiary. For sure, they don't get into the title game without a USC face plant to UCLA, and maybe an 11-1 SEC team is the natural choice anyway, but don't forget how strong the sentiments were to get a Michigan-Ohio State rematch for all the marbles. In my opinion, there's no way that a nascent Gator squad gets the call over Big Go Blue without a little extra caution and consideration from the media being exercised.
Then look at LSU last year--predicted to win it all. They shoot themselves in the foot twice, and almost shoot it four other times. Yet they win the SEC, and none of their losses are OOC. Couple that with the fact that virtually every other team lost near the end; and LSU gets the nod.
They're the first two-loss team EVER to get that chance. Think a two-loss team from almost any other conference gets the same opportunity? Not a chance. The CFB powers were weighting those SEC losses a little differently than the rest...
Seem a little pre-ordained that LSU ended up where they were? Yea, maybe--I hate it when the media seemingly gets their way. There definitely was a lot of luck involved, but I think that LSU received supreme consideration, being the SEC champs.
And the growing trend seems to be that in a world without a playoff, perhaps the champion of the SEC deserves to automatically get a bid in the MNC title game. Call me crazy, but I think that's the way it's going. Give it a few more seasons and I'll know for sure.
So you Dawgs have a tough schedule out in front of you this season, perhaps the toughest of anyone. But relax. Maybe you don't quite have to run the table. Facing the opponents you do in the conference you're in, even if you slip a little, maybe they'll cut you a little slack!
The 1984 Florida State game in Tallahassee is without question the best game that was never seen by most Auburn fans. It’s my all time favorite. Despite pairing two top twenty teams, no networks picked up the game – what a shame.
No, it didn’t have the importance of an Alabama or Georgia match-up, but for sheer excitement, it’s the best I’ve ever witnessed.
It was a seesaw battle that went back and fourth for four quarters. Auburn came into the game ranked 16th after starting the season number one in both polls. FSU was ranked ninth. The Tigers were a sizable underdog. Brent Fullwood scored the winning touchdown with seconds to go. Enjoy...
What would we do without Alabama? Just when we think the cast of That 70’s Show couldn’t possibly look more stupid, they go and top themselves.
As you may or probably don’t know (or care), Alabama honors its captains each year by putting their names and hand prints in cement at Denny Chimes in Tuscaloosa.
Now I know what you are thinking. Being named captain of a team that lost to Louisiana-Monroe is akin to being asked to be Ron Paul’s running mate – nobody cares and it’s kind of embarrassing.
But it gets better.
Center Antoine Caldwell was elected a 2007 captain and was honored during a ceremony on Wednesday. There was just one problem with the glorious day that Bear created for all – they spelled Antoine’s name wrong. A-T-N-O-I-N-E was how it was written in concrete for all eternity.
The hits just keep on coming for this band of clowns. It reminds me of that old Snickers ad where the guy paints the end-zone in Kansas City with the word "Chefs" instead of "Chiefs."
Sometimes reality is better than television.
I’ve said it here before: Bear Bryant’s run in the 1960’s and 70’s was worth it in every way. Because for the last 25 years, we’ve had the pleasure of watching "his boys" run this program into the ground – over and over again. They continue to invent ways to make the school a laughing stock.
And Auburn fans just keep smiling and laughing.
I was eating at a Shula’s Steak House in Chicago last week and was admiring all the pictures on the wall. There were a few of Mike Shula hanging around the bar area. I just smiled to myself. They brought back such pleasant memories.
I do believe it was the best steak I’ve ever tasted in my life.
Most of us were taken by surprise last week, when it was revealed that former Auburn defensive star Quentin Groves had off-season heart surgery.
The March procedure was done to correct a condition called Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. In a nutshell, it’s a condition that causes rapid heart rates in people.
Groves’s doctors assure everyone, including the NFL that the condition is manageable and should have no effect on his playing ability.
First off, anytime they touch your ticker it’s serious. I reacted with shock when first hearing about it. I’m sure your reaction was similar.
I pray that Groves is getting the best medical attention available, which I’m quite certain he is. It appears that for now anyway, his stock remains high among NFL teams. There still seems to be plenty interested.
Groves has spent the past month visiting with teams all over the league in hopes of improving his standing. He is still expected to go somewhere in the first round.
He has made it known that he covets an opportunity to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Growing up, he says he idolized the Steeler defense.
Groves was making the autograph circuit a few weeks back and my kids visited him at Dick’s Sporting Goods. He’s all they’ve talked about since. My wife said he was the friendliest, most outgoing player she’s ever met.
He spent extra time with all the kids and they now follow his every move in the papers and on the internet. It’s good to hear things like that about Auburn players.
Let’s hope that he remains in good health and can put this scare behind him.
With the cool weather rolling back in this weekend, it felt a lot like a fall football Saturday. If you turned on the television you might have thought it was October. ESPN carried Florida’s Spring Game live with Chris Fowler, Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit calling the action.
Nice exposure if you can get it.
CSS carried Alabama’s spring finale and I’m sure by Wednesday, the writers in Birmingham will have crowd estimates up around 100,000. I’m convinced after reading the Sunday paper that Alabama is the front runner for the national championship.
Those at the spring game say this team is entirely different from the one that lost to Louisiana-Monroe five months ago. I’m telling you, this Saban guy is a miracle worker.
P.T. Barnum has nothing on those clowns in Tuscaloosa.
ESPN U. carried a special edition, College Football Live show where Mark May and the others drooled all over Georgia and Florida. Who is their dark horse in the SEC this year? You got it – the Crimson Tide. Where do they come up with this crap? This is a team that will start the year 0-1 out of the gate.
What did the ESPN guys say about Auburn? Absolutely nothing. Not a mention. I don’t know about you, but I’m ok with it. Before losing Will Muschamp, I really felt like this team could contend for a conference championship and maybe more.
Paul Rhoades showed me in the spring that he can coach defense. If Kodi Burns steps up at quarterback, I still believe Auburn has a better than average chance of playing in Atlanta in December.
After reading J.D. Hogan’s and Jay Gibson’s articles on Auburn baseball last week, I decided to head to Plainsman Park Saturday and watch Tom Slater’s team take on South Carolina. Despite being swept, this is a solid Auburn team that’s much improved from earlier in the year.
Slater will probably be under fire if he doesn’t earn a trip to Birmingham and the SEC Tournament. And maybe he should be. But this group is extremely young and talented. If the coaching staff and team stay intact another year, there’s no reason why the Tigers can’t compete for the SEC title in 2009.
Kudos to athletic director Jay Jacobs who handed my wife four tickets behind the plate for Saturday’s game. He catches hell here from time-to-time, but it was a class act.
Alabama will never forget last year's ULM game - Neither will we.
By Acid Reign paraswarm@aol.com
This is the first installment, in a series of previews of Auburn opponents in 2008. Today we look at Louisiana-Monroe...
The fun begins at last, on August 30th, against Louisiana Monroe, at Jordan Hare Stadium. As any Alabama fan could tell us, this is a team that definitely should not be overlooked.
When we last played Monroe, coach Charlie Weatherbie had just taken over the moribund squad, and we hung 73 points on them in a homecoming laugher. Louisiana Monroe would give up 467 points that year, an average of almost 39 points per game. That 1-11 squad is no more. The Warhawks have improved quite a bit under Coach Weatherbie.
.....Charlie Weatherbie is now in his 6th season with Louisiana Monroe, and the Warhawks have risen to the upper echelon of the Sun Belt Conference. Weatherbie is a veteran, hard-nosed coach, with previous head coaching stints at Utah State, and Navy.
Coach Weatherbie has emphasized defense, and the running game. The Warhawks finished second in points allowed, 332 for the season, in the Sun Belt Conference, last year. That trailed only Troy. ULM had a penchant for creating turnovers, as witnessed against Alabama last season.
On offense, ULM ran the ball 46 times per game, and threw it 28 per game. They had the leading rushing attack in the Sun Belt, averaging 209 yards per game, and 4.5 yards per carry. Overall, the Warhawks averaged 384 yards per game.
.....Charlie Weatherbie faces personnel challenges this year, having had to replace 4 departed assistant coaches, as well as a number of key players. Steve Farmer will take over coordinating the offense, moving up from the offensive line.
The line that paved the way for the best rushing attack in the Sun Belt, loses three starters, as well as the team's top rusher, to graduation. Sophomore Frank Goodin should be a capable replacement in the backfield. He rushed for 596 yards as a freshman, averaging 5.1 yards per carry.
The starting defensive front seven will be solid, if unspectacular. There is almost no depth behind them.
.....All of ULM's starting receivers return, and they'll be bolstered by the return of speedster J. J. McCoy, who was out last season with an achilles injury. ULM also has a veteran senior quarterback, Kinsmon Lancaster.
Lancaster will be going into his third season as a starter. Last season, he completed 59% of his passes, for a respectable 6.3 yards per attempt. He threw 13 touchdown passes, against 10 interceptions. Lancaster was only sacked 14 times all season.
Match Ups...
Auburn defensive line vs. ULM offensive line: This should be a clear win for the Tigers. I don't envy the rookie ULM linemen getting their first action against SenDerrick Marks, Antonio Coleman, and Antoine Carter!
Auburn linebackers vs. ULM backs: Again, this will be advantage, Auburn. We are quite deep, and fast. This linebacker corps is very experienced in shutting down good backs. See Dmac, Tebow, Green-Ellis, etc., from last season.
If the D-line is causing havoc, as I think they will, the linebacker should feast on backs in the backfield.
Auburn corners vs. ULM receivers: Jerraud Powers should be able to take one guy away from the ULM arsenal, but the other matchups concern me. Aaron Savage and Walt McFadden have very little experience against major college receivers, and they'll be facing a fairly deep, veteran group. Advantage: ULM.
Auburn safeties vs. ULM quarterback and secondary receivers: We are starting two second-year players here, and they face a veteran QB and receiving corps. I liked the cover-two deep work our guys did during A-Day, but I was not impressed with their ability to stay with speedy receivers man-to-man. Our zone was very vulnerable underneath. Advantage: ULM.
Punting: Auburn's Ryan Shoemaker enjoyed an excellent rookie season, and punt coverage was generally very good. ULM returns a consistent punter, Scott Love, who averaged 42 yards per punt, and most impressively, had 23 punts downed inside the 20, against only 6 touchbacks.
ULM opponents averaged only 6.1 yards per return, and don't forget that they were the team that sent Javier Arenas to the shop... Slight advantage: ULM
Kickoffs: Auburn was abysmal early last year, with short kicks and poor coverage. This improved dramatically towards the end of the season.
ULM averaged kicking the ball to the 8, and gave up 23 yards per return. That's pretty good for ULM, but they have to find a new kicker this year. Advantage: Auburn, on experience.
Kick Returns: Frank Goodin averaged 22 yards per game last year as ULM's primary kick returner. Auburn wasn't terribly special here, last year, either. But, with the return of Tristan Davis, as well as Mario Fannin and Brad Lester, Auburn has a chance to be really good, if we can block! Advantage: Auburn.
Place Kicking: Wes Byrum proved that he can make the clutch kicks, last season, and he has a great leg. ULM has only one kicker (with no experience) on their website roster, redshirt freshman Radi Jabour. Huge advantage, Auburn.
Auburn offensive line vs. ULM defensive line: Auburn has a veteran, nasty bunch, as well as great depth. ULM's starting guys are capable, but not noted for speed.
They posted 20 sacks last season. There is no depth for ULM. The no-huddle offense should take a serious toll, in the August heat. Big advantage: Auburn.
Auburn backs against ULM linebackers: ULM gave up 153 yards per game on the ground, last year, and they have depth issues. Auburn sports a plethora of talented backs that bring different styles to the table. Auburn should romp.
Auburn receivers vs. ULM corners: Auburn's receivers improved dramatically this spring. ULM replaces both starting corners. Big Advantage, Auburn.
Auburn Quarterback/secondary receivers vs. ULM Safeties: Auburn still has a bit of a quarterback controversy, it seems. ULM returns a speedy, veteran safety, Greg James.
James had 5 picks last season, and a lot of passes defended. We won't be able to abuse him like we did against our own safeties during A-Day. Jerred Berry is solid, at the other safety, as well. Advantage: ULM.
.....On paper, the Tigers should win big. ULM will hang tough for a while, and they'll have some success on offense, if they manage to throw it around early. ULM may look better than expected, on defense, too.
I doubt Tony Franklin will show too much of the new offense. We'll likely just pound the ball, and try to wear the thin ULM front seven out. The only way this game will be close is if ULM totally stones our running game, creates turnovers, and gets a quick-passing game going on.
Likely, Auburn will be way too much, even with most of our best schemes kept under wraps. Under Coach Weatherbie, ULM has usually been a slow-starting team, not playing its best football till November.
.....Prediction: Auburn prevails, in a ho-hum, 38-13 victory.
I always love reading about former Auburn players and what they are doing with their lives. Graduating in mass communication, I’ve closely followed the career of former Tiger defensive end Ace Atkins.
Atkins is best known for playing on the 1993 undefeated team and being featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated standing over Florida quarterback Danny Wuerffel after a sack.
If you’re a reader of fiction, you know that Atkins has gone on to become an accomplished writer with several acclaimed best sellers. He was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in 2000 while covering the crime beat for the Tampa Tribune.
That launched his career as a full-time novelist. He’s written six books to-date including Wicked City that is being released today.
The book is of particular interest to me because it looks at 1950’s Phenix City, Alabama, where I grew up and call home.
For those of you not familiar with the story of Phenix City, let me give you a quick history lesson.
Phenix City was a crime riddled community in the 1950’s. It was home to illegal casinos and numerous brothels. It was run by a close knit crime syndicate that preyed primarily on soldiers across the river at Fort Benning, Georgia.
Growing up, I heard all the stories. My favorite was the time Colonial George Patton took his tank across the river to Phenix City and pointed it at the jail and demanded that his soldiers be released. Needless to say, local officials complied.
The clean up of the city resulted in the Alabama attorney general-elect being assassinated and his son, John Patterson going on to fill his father’s seat and eventually being elected governor of Alabama.
Atkins takes a fresh look at the story and puts his own spin on it.
A few years back, I read his book, White Shadows and found it hard to put down. Atkins can flat out write. I look forward to picking up my copy today and encourage you to do the same.
Editor's Note: Today we welcome another new writer to Track'em Tigers. Jay Gibson, better known to many of you as Big Country, joins the staff and takes a look at this year's Auburn baseball squad. After a slow start, things are turning around for Tom Slater's group.
By Jay Gibson jlg0007@auburn.edu
Despite popular belief, Auburn does play another sport besides football. Coach Tom Slater’s Tigers are currently 20-12 (6-6 SEC), which is good enough for second place in the SEC West behind Ole Miss heading into last night’s non-conference home game with Georgia State.
The Tigers are an extremely young squad. There are no seniors on the roster. The starting nine consists of five freshmen, one sophomore, and one junior. The starting rotation is anchored by a redshirt freshman and two true freshmen.
They are a fun team to watch.
If small ball is your game, this is the team for you. Slater loves to bunt and run. In 32 games they have 53 stolen bases. Although they like to run, they aren’t void of power. The team has combined for 24 home runs.
The pitching staff currently boasts a team ERA of 3.93. In case you’re not familiar with NCAA Baseball and aluminum bats, that is excellent.
Here is a glance at the Tigers by position:
Starting Pitchers: The ever changing starting rotation is anchored by red-shirt freshman Grant Dayton. He is followed up by freshmen Cory Luckie and Bradley Hendrix. The three have combined for an 8-4 record with 89 strikeouts in 121 1/3 Innings pitched.
Bullpen: The bullpen has been outstanding this season. The pen has a combined record of 7-3 on the year with a 2.92 ERA and is 10/10 in the saves department.
The pen is anchored by junior closer Bryan Woodall and junior Evan Crawford. Crawford is 3-0 on the year with a 1.16 ERA. Woodall is 0-1 on the year, but is 8/8 in save chances and has a 3.00 ERA in 21 innings.
The pitching staff received a boost over the weekend when Preseason All-SEC selection Paul Burnside returned from an injury he suffered before the season began. Look for him to gain more innings in the pen before returning to the starting rotation.
Infield: The infield stacks up as follows, junior Bryan Jenkins at catcher, freshman Hunter Morris at first, freshman Justin Hargett at second, junior Matt Hall at shortstop, and sophomore Joseph Sanders at third.
Morris was a HUGE pickup for the Tigers. Last June he was selected by the Boston Red Sox in the 2nd Round of the MLB Draft out of Grissom High School in Huntsville. He is currently the team leader in batting average at .365, tied for the team lead in home runs (5), and leads the team with 28 RBI's.
Outfield: The starting outfielders are freshman LF Brian Fletcher, freshman CF Trent Mummey, and junior RF Mike Bianucci.
Bianucci was a Preseason All-SEC selection. He is currently third on the team in batting average at .339 (behind Morris and Fletcher who are hitting .351), tied with Morris with 5 home runs, and second with 23 RBI's.
For those of you that like 40 times in football, Bianucci (who is listed at 6’1" 215, but I believe he is closer to 225) runs a 6.5 60 yard dash. Converted to a 40 time, that would be pproximately a 4.4 40 time.
All in all, this is a solid team. To start five freshmen in the field and currently be in second place in the SEC West is no small feat. Auburn stands in good shape to make it to the SEC Tournament in Hoover for the first time since 2005.
They have taken two out of three in all three SEC series against the likes of former #2 Kentucky, a very good Tennessee squad, and Arkansas. This week’s games are all at home.
Tonight's game against Mississippi Valley State, starts at 6 p.m. CT. Wednesday is Youth Night. All children 17 and under get in free with a cap and a glove.
Friday the Tigers welcome to town #14 South Carolina for a three game set. Game times are 6 p.m. CT Friday, 3 p.m. CT Saturday, and 2 p.m. CT on Sunday.
Former Tiger Tim Hudson looks to lead Atlanta back to the post season
Editors Note: Today we welcome J.D. Hogan to the line-up at Track'em Tigers. J.D. attends Auburn and will bring us the student angle from the Plains. In his first article, he looks at former Auburn baseball players in the big leagues.
By J.D. Hogan jdhogan1605@yahoo.com
Opening Day in Major League Baseball was this past week, which of course is one step closer to summer practice and, ultimately, the 2008 football season.
I know that for most SEC football fans, the MLB season is just the purgatory we have to endure before the real games begin. I happen to be a bit of a baseball aficionado, so I thought I would take a look at former Auburn players in the majors.
Chris Bootcheck, RP, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Bootcheck broke into the big leagues in 2003 with the Angels, and saw limited duty until last season, when he pitched 77 1/3 innings and posted a 3-3 record and a 4.77 ERA. He began 2008 on the disabled list with a strained oblique muscle, but is working his way through extended spring training, and will soon be facing minor league hitters.
Gabe Gross, OF, Milwaukee Brewers Former Auburn quarterback Gross broke into the big leagues in 2004 with the Toronto Blue Jays. He joined the Brewers in 2006, and has been a 4th outfielder/spot starter for most of his career. In five seasons, he has amassed a .245 batting average with 20 homeruns in 617 major league at bats. He also sports a .344 on-base percentage and has a .408 slugging percentage. He has seen action in four games so far in 2008.
Tim Hudson, SP, Atlanta Braves One of the dominant pitchers in the majors, Hudson is beginning his tenth season in the majors and his fourth with the nearby Atlanta Braves. He has been an all-star twice, and finished second in Cy Young award voting in 2000 with Oakland.
Over his career, he has a 136-70 record with an impressive 3.51 ERA. Hudson's stats speak for themselves, but he has also proven to be a durable major league pitcher, finishing in the top ten in the league in innings pitched six times.
David Ross, C, Cincinnati Reds Ross got his shot in the show in 2002 for the Los Angeles Dodgers, and is currently the number one catcher for the Reds. He started the 2008 season on the disabled list for an injured back, and is currently on a rehab assignment in the minors.
For his career, he has a .222 batting average with 57 homers, a .300 on-base percentage and a .447 slugging percentage.
Frank Thomas, DH, Toronto Blue Jays The longest-tenured Tiger in the majors, the Big Hurt is starting his 19th season in the major leagues. A future hall-of-famer, Thomas started out playing for the Chicago White Sox from 1990 to 2005, but has played for the Oakland Athletics in 2006 and the Blue Jays since.
He also started his career seeing a good amount of time playing first base, but has recently been primarily a designated hitter. Over his career, he has a robust .303 batting average and his 514 career homeruns ranks 18th all-time.
Clete Thomas, OF, Detroit Tigers Clete Thomas has been the story of the young season so far for former Auburn baseball players. He made his major league debut last Monday, picking up a double in his first at-bat, and has a .500 batting average so far.
The Tigers added him to the 25-man roster due to an injury to their everyday starting centerfielder, Curtis Granderson, but he has taken advantage of the opportunity. What makes the story even more unbelievable is the fact that before this season, his highest level of minor league baseball was double-A one season ago.
When Granderson comes off the disabled list, Thomas will likely be sent back down, but you have to imagine that the ride he has been on for the last week in incredible.
I also would like to give a quick remembrance of former Tiger Josh Hancock, the relief pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals who died in a car accident almost a year ago. Though the time has passed, the pain still stings. When celebrating the successes of other Tigers in the majors, I'd like to also remember Hancock.
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