Luper: Dyer Will Play This Year

[AUChizad]

http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2010/07/luper_auburn_freshman_running.html

Luper: Auburn freshman running back Michael Dyer will play
Published: Wednesday, July 28, 2010, 5:16 AM     Updated: Wednesday, July 28, 2010, 6:52 AM
Charles Goldberg -- The Birmingham News Charles Goldberg -- The Birmingham News

AUBURN -- The countdown to Auburn's football season is on and this much is clear: The Tigers didn't sign hot-shot running back Michael Dyer to look pretty on the bench his freshman season.
 
Running backs coach Curtis Luper said he's going to throw his rookie from Arkansas into the mix when fall practice begins next week, and that he expects last year's No. 1 high school back -- per ESPN -- to handle it.
 
"He's playing," Luper said.
 
MichaelDyerUndercover.JPGMichael Dyer: Changing uniforms to Auburn (AP photo)
Luper said Dyer will run with Mario Fannin and Onterio McCalebb at tailback as Auburn adjusts to life without Ben Tate, who led the Tigers in rushing each of the last three seasons.

Fannin, a senior, is the most experienced returning back and is the heir apparent to the starting job, though he had more yards receiving than rushing last year. McCalebb, a sophomore, nursed a sore ankle for nine games last season and his endurance will be tested again.
 
Dyer rushed for 2,502 yards and 31 touchdowns last season at Little Rock Christian and will face the hype at Auburn that comes with being a top high school recruit. Luper said he's not worried.
 
"We'll talk about it, but usually guys who have been as successful as he's been are used to that. He's had the hype all of his life," Luper said. "It'll be different here, but those kinds of guys can handle it. They expect it. They kind of thrive on it. They like it and enjoy it. That's just the ham in them."
 
Luper said he's received favorable reports about Dyer from summer workouts.
 
"My guys are trying to teach my young guy, not only the offense, but the expectations we have, so when we start, he'll have an idea," Luper said.
 
Luper said a freshman such as Dyer can play because "the running back position is one of the easiest to play from a mental standpoint. Physically, it's a tough position because you get hit an average of four times a play, including a hit on the ground. If you carry it 20 times, that's 80 hits you've taken, minimum.
 
"It's not easy as a freshman, but the natural talent can take over, and that's why you see a lot of freshman running backs come in and do well.
 
"I suspect he'll be no different."
 
Luper.JPGCurtis Luper
Luper said he'd be happy to have two running backs each get 20 carries a game, and said everybody could co-exist, even if a rookie is involved. He conjured up visions of happy running back combinations, such as the one he saw as a college player at Oklahoma State, and another combo from Auburn.
 
"The running back position is a unique position because there's competition, but I've always found great relationships," Luper said. "Barry Sanders and Thurman Thomas had a great relationship, Carnell Williams and Ronnie Brown had -- and have -- a great relationship, Darren McFadden and Felix Jones (at Arkansas) had a great relationship. Ben and Mario had a phenomenal relationship. I think there's a healthy respect that you earn, and, at the end of the day, they're team guys who want to win."
 
Luper has a different assignment in his second year at Auburn following Tate's departure.
 
"Ben was seasoned. He understood the SEC. He understood how to take care of his body off the field," Luper said. "He was easy to coach."
 
How easy?
 
Luper told Tate after he left: '"Ben, I've got to coach for real this year.'"

[boartitz]

Today's trivia question.
Who's older, Dyer or McCalebb?

[Aubie16]

McCalebb is older.

[GH2001]

McCalebb is older.

By about a year.

[JR4AU]

http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2010/07/luper_auburn_freshman_running.html

I have no doubt he'll play.  However, Fannin could have a lot of say in that.  If Fannin turns out to be all the athlete we think, and is able to be an every down TB, then Dyer could redshirt regardless of what they're saying.  I don't expect it, but it could happen.  If Fannin can give the type performance Tate did, with McCaleb and Smith doing their thing...there just won't be much room for Dyer, and it wouldn't make sense to burn a year for him to do spot duty.  Again, I don't expect that, but we've been surprised before.

[boartitz]

I have no doubt he'll play.  However, Fannin could have a lot of say in that.  If Fannin turns out to be all the athlete we think, and is able to be an every down TB, then Dyer could redshirt regardless of what they're saying.  I don't expect it, but it could happen.  If Fannin can give the type performance Tate did, with McCaleb and Smith doing their thing...there just won't be much room for Dyer, and it wouldn't make sense to burn a year for him to do spot duty.  Again, I don't expect that, but we've been surprised before.

If a dog is gonna bite, he'll do it as a puppy. Darrell Royal

[GH2001]

I have no doubt he'll play.  However, Fannin could have a lot of say in that.  If Fannin turns out to be all the athlete we think, and is able to be an every down TB, then Dyer could redshirt regardless of what they're saying.  I don't expect it, but it could happen.  If Fannin can give the type performance Tate did, with McCaleb and Smith doing their thing...there just won't be much room for Dyer, and it wouldn't make sense to burn a year for him to do spot duty.  Again, I don't expect that, but we've been surprised before.

I just dont see Fannin as an every down back. He has never fully taken the TB position by horns and made it all his. Outside of Tristan Davis, he has to be one of the more frustrating players to watch for a fan, in the regard that you know he has all the tools but just never really had that 100% shot due to circumstance, injury, slippery hands, whatever. It was painful to watch Davis spend 4 years at Auburn with very little to show as compared to what he probably could have done.

[JR4AU]

I just dont see Fannin as an every down back. He has never fully taken the TB position by horns and made it all his. Outside of Tristan Davis, he has to be one of the more frustrating players to watch for a fan, in the regard that you know he has all the tools but just never really had that 100% shot due to circumstance, injury, slippery hands, whatever. It was painful to watch Davis spend 4 years at Auburn with very little to show as compared to what he probably could have done.

Pretty much what I meant...but every situation is different.  Maybe Fannin will thrive beng "the guy".  Again, I'm not counting on it, but it would be a nice surprise if he was good enough to make Dyer redshirt.   My hunch is Dyer will likely be "the guy", or at least getting 10+ touches at TB by game 3 or 4.

[The Prowler]

Pretty much what I meant...but every situation is different.  Maybe Fannin will thrive beng "the guy".  Again, I'm not counting on it, but it would be a nice surprise if he was good enough to make Dyer redshirt.   My hunch is Dyer will likely be "the guy", or at least getting 10+ touches at TB by game 3 or 4.

Dyer will get touches in the first game, 10+.

[No Huddle]

Dyer is a stud and should play a lot. You heard it here first SEC's All Freshman Team. Mark it down

[GH2001]

Dyer is a stud and should play a lot. You heard it here first SEC's All Freshman Team. Mark it down

Don't forget there is a portion of the media that is deeply in love with USCe and Marcus Lattimore. Not sure why, but they are.

[AUChizad]

Don't forget there is a portion of the media that is deeply in love with USCe and Marcus Lattimore. Not sure why, but they are.

And he will be far more likely to have a greater impact there than Dyer is here.

[GH2001]

And he will be far more likely to have a greater impact there than Dyer is here.

The whole big fish in a small pond thingee eh? He will find out quickly how good his OL is when they get into SEC play.

[No Huddle]

All your points are great but Dyer is better IMO. He will get his touches and allbarn will score more points than USCe.

[JR4AU]

Dyer will get touches in the first game, 10+.

Mmmmmm, maybe so.  I'm not making any solid predictions on this.  He's got 30 days to learn a new offense, though it's not terribly complicated in reality, I think it's sort of wordy.  And he's got to adjust to the new speed of play, bigger opposing players, etc.  If it weren't for having to learn pass pro, then I might be more inclined to agree with you, but it's not a point worth arguing either.   I'd say by game 3 or 4, not game one. JMO, YMMV.

[djsimp]

Mmmmmm, maybe so.  I'm not making any solid predictions on this.  He's got 30 days to learn a new offense, though it's not terribly complicated in reality, I think it's sort of wordy.  And he's got to adjust to the new speed of play, bigger opposing players, etc.  If it weren't for having to learn pass pro, then I might be more inclined to agree with you, but it's not a point worth arguing either.   I'd say by game 3 or 4, not game one. JMO, YMMV.

I don't really think 10+ plays is out of the question certainly since Malzahn will be looking to run 80+ plays. Besides, the game being Ark St, there should be ample opportunities to play a lot of people. I do agree about the speed/size of the D he will be seeing is going to be a big difference.

[JR4AU]

I don't really think 10+ plays is out of the question certainly since Malzahn will be looking to run 80+ plays. Besides, the game being Ark St, there should be ample opportunities to play a lot of people. I do agree about the speed/size of the D he will be seeing is going to be a big difference.

10 plays vs 10 touches...

Anyway...Malzahn's hope and desire is to have one base personnel set to run every thing from. (Not saying we have that now)  Subbing slows the pace...so for Dyer to get in the game, he has to be comfortable with the WHOLE offense, and more importantly, Malzahn has to be comfortable with him and the whole offense.  IE. Running plays, pass plays (routes and blitz pick up), checks, sideline signals, etc.  While learning the base offense isn't all that difficult, learning the entire package of responsibilities, is a whole different deal.  A: It's a lot to digest, and B: they are going to give Fannins the lion's share of the reps to begin with, so the learning curve is even slower when you're learning hands off.  IMO, if Dyer gets 10 touches in game one, it will be in mop up duty running basic running plays. 

It would be wonderously delightful if the kid would come right in, and oust Fannin from the starting job, get 25+ touches/100 yards + a game...it would also be very unusual. 

[djsimp]

if Dyer gets 10 touches in game one, it will be in mop up duty running basic running plays. 

This is my thinking, especially it being Arky St. I do understand your opinion, and I am actually in agreement. The only thing, though, is the more plays could possibly mean more chances and that is just the odds. I certainly don't see Dyer knocking Fannin off the lead horse, unless ofcourse Fannin continues to drop the package. Then we may see the barn doors open for Dyer because I just don't see McCaleb carrying the load. Now, with that being said, the one wild card in all this is how often will Newton be called to run.

[GH2001]

10 plays vs 10 touches...

Anyway...Malzahn's hope and desire is to have one base personnel set to run every thing from. (Not saying we have that now)  Subbing slows the pace...so for Dyer to get in the game, he has to be comfortable with the WHOLE offense, and more importantly, Malzahn has to be comfortable with him and the whole offense.  IE. Running plays, pass plays (routes and blitz pick up), checks, sideline signals, etc.  While learning the base offense isn't all that difficult, learning the entire package of responsibilities, is a whole different deal.  A: It's a lot to digest, and B: they are going to give Fannins the lion's share of the reps to begin with, so the learning curve is even slower when you're learning hands off.  IMO, if Dyer gets 10 touches in game one, it will be in mop up duty running basic running plays. 

It would be wonderously delightful if the kid would come right in, and oust Fannin from the starting job, get 25+ touches/100 yards + a game...it would also be very unusual. 

Its great that were even talking about these possibilities....something we havent been able to do very much in the last 3 years.

[Godfather]

Dyers amount of plays will be determined by his ability to understand the blocking schemes and execute blocking.