The Landscape of Auburn Footballin 2011

Snaggletiger · « **on:** December 06, 2010, 02:35:52 PM »

Talking with a fellow AU alum at lunch and we both are of the same mindset as I believe most "older" AU fans are. This hasn't happened in my lifetime and not to be pessimistic, there's a good chance it won't again given what all has to go into a championship team/season. A lot of talent, a lot of great coaching, a lot of breaks in your own games and for the most part, other teams doing their part....along with no key injuries and on and on and on...

Bottom line, we're going to Zona and ride this thing as far as it will go. But looking at what we lose this year is absolutely scary. I did see a lot of great young talent on the field Saturday, both when the game was in doubt and when it was out of hand. I like the way this program is headed and there are definitely some studs ready to step in. No way you can expect anything like what has happened this year, but you can expect to compete for the West again at the very least. I know I'm missing some guys but it appears we lose:

Ryan Pugh
Mike Berry
Byron Isom
Lee Ziemba
Bart Eddins
Terrell Zachary
Cam Newton (Big Assumption on my part)
Mike Blanc
Mike Goggans
Antoine Carter
Nick Fairley (Another big assumption)
Zack Clayton
Josh Bynes
Craig Stevens
Demond Washington
Zac Etheridge
Wes Byrum

Again, I know I left some names off but you get the idea of how differently this program will look next year. Probably a new QB....Trotter? Frazier? New line with Mosely being the only returning starter. A.J. Greene should be back in full force. New center, guards etc. The backs and pass catchers are in good shape as long as Darvin doesn't do something stupid.

Fortunately, the defensive line had a ot of guys in the rotation but on the interior, we lose a ton. The linebackers will be re-tooled with Bates and Freeman coming back but I expect a lot of new faces there. DB's have been an issue for a good bit of the season. We desperately need not only cover guys but equally important...safeties who can freakin' learn where to go. I see Thorpe and Davis as the initial starters at corner and hope that we sign a big time stud to step in with McNeil.

Names, recruits, thoughts?

AUTailgatingRules · « **Reply #1 on:** December 06, 2010, 02:38:51 PM »

T-Bell is starting to look pretty good in the secondary.

Snaggletiger · « **Reply #2 on:** December 06, 2010, 02:41:47 PM »

Quote from: AUTailgatingRules on December 06, 2010, 02:38:51 PM

T-Bell is starting to look pretty good in the secondary.

Aaahh...little big head. You are correct sir.

Snaggletiger · « **Reply #3 on:** December 06, 2010, 02:43:00 PM »

Also, are we going to see some turnover in all these 6'4" receivers EVERY single team we play seems to have? Sheezus Cripes.

AUTailgatingRules · « **Reply #4 on:** December 06, 2010, 02:44:08 PM »

Whittaker is going to be a stud on the inside as well. I am really pulling for Holland to be a good linebacker as well.

Snaggletiger · « **Reply #5 on:** December 06, 2010, 02:48:57 PM »

Quote from: AUTailgatingRules on December 06, 2010, 02:44:08 PM

Whittaker is going to be a stud on the inside as well. I am really pulling for Holland to be a good linebacker as well.

I said going in that I think Holland may rewrite the record books before his career is over. He's just the type of player who is in on EVERYTHING. He's listed at 230 now and with 5-10 more pounds of muskels, he's going to be a freak.

Did I mention he has a fro?

Snaggletiger · « **Reply #6 on:** December 06, 2010, 02:51:28 PM »

Speaking of beefing up and being a bad azz, Lemonier is still listed under 230 at DE and he looks 245. This kid looks ausome in uniform (Made me moist Saturday). If he's 227 as he's listed, can you imagine this guy at 255? Antoine Carter came to AU at about 225. What is he now, 265?

AUTiger1 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 06, 2010, 03:01:01 PM »

I am not so much worried about the O. If we can put up the numbers we did with Todd at QB, I have confidence that Trotter/Fraizer can put up decent enough numbers that we can still put points on the board. Don't get me wrong, it won't be like this year, but I think we can hang.

D is what scares me the most. DE, not so much. DT, LB and DB makes me want to cry. Hopefully we will have some guys step up and get some recruits that can contribute right away. Would love to see Holland and Owens ball out this year. Maybe see guys like Travis, Gaston, Evans, McNeal, and Carter step it up.

What is the word on RaRa? Is he going to be able to play next year?

Snaggletiger · « **Reply #8 on:** December 06, 2010, 03:04:13 PM »

Quote from: AUTiger1 on December 06, 2010, 03:01:01 PM

I am not so much worried about the O. If we can put up the numbers we did with Todd at QB, I have confidence that Trotter/Fraizer can put up decent enough numbers that we can still put points on the board. Don't get me wrong, it won't be like this year, but I think we can hang.

D is what scares me the most. DE, not so much. DT, LB and DB makes me want to cry. Hopefully we will have some guys step up and get some recruits that can contribute right away. Would love to see Holland and Owens ball out this year. Maybe see guys like Travis, Gaston, Evans, McNeal, and Carter step it up.

What is the word on RaRa? Is he going to be able to play next year?

Good question. Haven't heard a word on him. I'm with ya' on the D. It's going to be a little like starting over...just when this D appears to be gellin' like a felon.

ssgaufan · « **Reply #9 on:** December 06, 2010, 03:06:12 PM »

I'm really starting to like me some Emory Blake. Kid may be something special before he leaves.

AUTailgatingRules · « **Reply #10 on:** December 06, 2010, 03:08:33 PM »

Quote from: ssgaufan on December 06, 2010, 03:06:12 PM

I'm really starting to like me some Emory Blake. Kid may be something special before he leaves.

Don't forget Nosa. Dude is having a pretty good year so far.

Snaggletiger · « **Reply #11 on:** December 06, 2010, 03:17:16 PM »

I have faith that whether it be Trotter or Frazier or whoever..the offense will be potent. Now, that all depends on one thing. Malzahn's return. If we have to go out and find a new OC, all bets are off. Who knows what it will be like.

AUTiger1 · « **Reply #12 on:** December 06, 2010, 03:19:09 PM »

Quote from: AUTailgatingRules on December 06, 2010, 03:08:33 PM

Don't forget Nosa. Dude is having a pretty good year so far.

Was reading a scout recruiting magazine right after NSD and he was listed as "The Reach". They seemed to be down on the kid a bit, which of course made me like him that much more. Glad to see that he is coming into his own.

Quote from: Snaggletiger on December 06, 2010, 03:04:13 PM

Good question. Haven't heard a word on him. I'm with ya' on the D. It's going to be a little like starting over...just when this D appears to be gellin' like a felon.

I haven't heard anything on him much. I think he had some test ran not to long ago or something like that. Can we get some skreets on this ASAP?

AUTailgatingRules · « **Reply #13 on:** December 06, 2010, 03:45:28 PM »

An offensive player that could really break out next year......Trovon Reed

AUTiger1 · « **Reply #14 on:** December 06, 2010, 03:51:37 PM »

Is there a list of who all got a RS this year? I can't keep track with all of them. AUTR, good point about Reed. He could be a straight up baller.

Snaggletiger · « **Reply #15 on:** December 06, 2010, 03:59:37 PM »

Quote from: AUTiger1 on December 06, 2010, 03:51:37 PM

Is there a list of who all got a RS this year? I can't keep track with all of them. AUTR, good point about Reed. He could be a straight up baller.

Honestly, it didn't appear that they redshirted much at all out of this class. I believe Ladarious Owens and Ra Ra. L. Phiilips, Mincy, Dakota Mosely, Justin Delaine, Eric Mack (I think..did he play?) Same with Chad Slade. Can't think of a lot more off the top of my head. I think we wasted a bunch of guys taking the shirt off when they had no plans to play them much, like Shaun Kitchens, Antonio Goodwin etc. However, they may have felt these guys needed to get in and get their feet wet at least a little given what we lose this year.

ssgaufan · « **Reply #16 on:** December 06, 2010, 04:12:14 PM »

I have a feeling that T. Reed is going to end up being one of those players that we wonder what happened to. Why he was so highly sought after coming out of HS, and then not working out on the college level.

AUTailgatingRules · « **Reply #17 on:** December 06, 2010, 04:19:49 PM »

I have to claim ignorance...who is Ra Ra?

Snaggletiger · « **Reply #18 on:** December 06, 2010, 04:29:35 PM »

Quote from: AUTailgatingRules on December 06, 2010, 04:19:49 PM

I have to claim ignorance...who is Ra Ra?

Jawara White. LB from Troy

Jumbo · « **Reply #19 on:** December 06, 2010, 05:28:18 PM »

We will win 8 games next year. Trotter for Heisman.