Thoughts - A-Day

[Townhallsavoy]

Oh, Auburn.  How I had missed you. 

The Experience
- My wife surprised me Saturday morning with the wonderful question - "Why don't we drive down to Auburn and go the game and then hang around for a while?" 
- The weather yesterday couldn't have been closer to perfect.  Well, maybe the wind was a bit chilly in the shade, but it was warm enough that I left with some much needed sun on my face. 
- I miss walking.  It's one thing to throw the leash on the dog and go for a walk around the block.  But in Auburn, you can walk with a purpose.  We walked to the stadium.  We walked all over campus.  We walked to Amsterdam Cafe.  We walked back to the car.  I miss that kind of walking. 
- If you haven't eaten at Amsterdam Cafe, make that on your list of things to do next time you're in Auburn.  They've upgraded their menu since I had last been there.  Their fried green tomatoes with crab were excellent.  And their crabcake and avocado sandwich was excellent. 

A-Day
- It's spring practice.  We can't forget that. 
- But we also can't forget that we should have 60 guys out there on scholarship with walk-ons filling in.  We had maybe 60 guys out there total and many of them were not on scholarship.
- Logan Paul got a lot of reps.  Why?  The guy in front of me said it was to keep Trotter and Moseley from getting injured.  But it's not like they were getting hit.  So why Paul?
- It's hard to question our head coach.  He won a national championship.  It feels strange to question his decisions after last season.  But again, you're giving the bulk of the reps to a kid that will never do more than hold a hand towel on the sidelines. 
- Our d-line is stout.  If these guys can stay healthy, we should see a significant improvement on defense.  Dee Ford was an absolute terror, and it wasn't the offensive line's inexperience that made him look that way.  When he rushed the QB, it was like a DB coming off the edge. 
- Kenneth Carter is a big man.  He seems to be like Fairley of 2009.  He made some big pushes in the interior and clogged holes nicely, but it seemed like he took a few plays off.
- Jake Holland can't be our starting linebacker next year.  He looks lost half of the time, and he also looks a bit undersized. 
- Rose has some serious skills, and I can't wait to see him after a full summer workout with Yox. 
- Thorpe looks better at safety.  He needs to beef up.  He still doesn't hit very hard, but I think a few steroid shots will get him ready.
- Our offense was clicking at first, but it definitely spuddered as Paul got more reps.
- Dyer looks awesome for the 2 plays he was in.
- McCalleb seemed a lot more physical than he did last year. 
- Ladarious Phillips is overrated.  He's a fat guy who can catch.  I hope he can slim down to 270 and be a run blocker.  I was impressed with that pass he caught, but I'm not sure that will be effective or consistent in a real game.
- Our receivers had a lot of drops.  Trovon Reed looked good.  Emory Blake looked decent, but he didn't get a lot of action.  Benton and Carr both had a few drops.  Lutz looked good.  If Reed, Blake, and Lutz stay healthy, we'll have a good set of receivers. 
- The offensive line looks bigger as a whole, but they are definitely inexperienced.
- Our quarterback situation is in dire need of an upgrade.  I'm very worried about our offense next year if our quarterback situation doesn't improve. 
- If Frazier is any bit athletic, then I think he needs to get serious consideration for the starting job.  We're going to have to run a lot this year because our quarterbacks made some bad throws and bad decisions. 
- But again, this is all based on spring practice.
- And as I always remind myself after A-Day, I left the 2004 A-Day game 100% sure we would suck that year.
 
Final Thought
- Auburn is wonderful.  And the trees are dying. 
- Seeing the brown, dead branches hanging from Toomer's brought a tear to my eye. 
- But the Auburn spirit does live on. 

[djsimp]

I wasn't at the A-Day game but I was able to listen through the internet. Some of what I gathered was a little bit different.

On the offense, it seems that we have several playmakers that will get plenty of chances to shine; Reed, Lutz, Dyer, OMac. If Benton, Blake and Morgan can get in the mix there will be a lot of ball distribution and a lot of different things Malzahn can/will do with the O. Also, it sounded like Phillips did some good things as well. He may not be the allstar athlete but he can def provide breathers for the starters and great blocking; also some power for 3 and 1 situations. The incoming frosh like Mason and Frost will probably see significant playing time as well. The OL sounded like they did a pretty decent job as well. This is the area I am most concerned about. If they find their nitch, I think they will do fine but its gonna be a minute before they get up to par. Depth will be an issue big time if the injury bug hits. I don't think we can read too much into the QB race from A-Day. I do think Trotter will be the guy. He has quicker release from what Q was saying. He seems to think Trotter also makes better reads, and of course can pull it down and run it if need be. With as many WR's dropping balls, it makes it even more difficult to measure b/w Trotter and Moseley. I sure hope the WR's get that out of them before fall. When Frazier comes in during the fall, he will have only 3 weeks to make that push. I don't see it happening but anythings possible especially if he is as special of a player as being said.

On the defense, it seems the DB's are where all the talk is. Folks we may actually have us a pretty damn good Secondary, at least with out starters. They can blanket the WR's pretty well and make plays even while turning their heads back to find the ball. Imagine that. I am excited about these guys and see what they can do. Q was also giving high praises to Holland, saying he is a very smart player and will do a fine job at the Mike LB. Gaston, wow, thats all I have to say. This guy will see lots of playing time. I still have my reservations about the LB'ers, especially with depth. We have talent, lets just hope they are ready for the grind. I ahve no worries about our DL at all. Our DE's are crazy good and run very deep. I'm a little concerned about the depth on the interior though. The starters are good but who will come in for the back up roles?

Overall, I feel better about what our team will look like. Still depth may very well play an issue as we get deep into the season. A lot of young guys will get playing time, I mean a lot. Talent is not the issue, its maturity. Who will be the leaders? Will the OL find their nitch? How long will they wait to name a starter at QB? Those are my questions.

[JR4AU]

THS,

Thanks for the good stuff about Auburn.  Always love hearing that.

The team?  There's 25 guys that will come in for fall, and many will have to contribute immediately.  Yes, we're thin.  Lad Phillips isn't thin, and I'm glad you had the guts to note that he's just a fat guy with a little more speed than average, and hands.  He won't contribute unless they make him take off 25 or so pounds.  And we need an H Back to replace E. Smith and free up Lutz to play more of a true TE/Slot WR. 

I have to be honest, I don't pour over practice reports and rosters...yesterday was the first I'd hear Logan Paul's name.  No shit!  My honest opinion is that the QB situation isn't good.  Worst than we expected.  Trotter, by all accounts wasn't really supposed to be challenged, and he hasn't separated himself from the others.  Frazier may factor in more than expected early on. 

We have talent on the OL, but no experience playing as a unit, and more talent coming in.

DEs are loaded and deep, but the DTs are thin in number. 

LBs should be ok, but not great. 

The DBs may be greatly improved by moving Thorpe to S, and with Bell playing full time.   

It's hard to question our head coach.  He won a national championship.  It feels strange to question his decisions after last season.  But again, you're giving the bulk of the reps to a kid that will never do more than hold a hand towel on the sidelines. 

Many still refuse to give him credit for what he did.  It's all Malzahn they say.  If this team is 6-6 next year, both he and Malzahn will return to being the shitty 5-19 coach, and the gimmicky HS coach they used to be.  It's how things are in football today.  Coaches are only as good as the last play they called.  Fans are incredibly short sighted with even shorter memories.

[jmar]

I asked the question on the recruiting page. I know some of you hate my questioning.

Phillips is a specialist. He isn't going far. Slows the pace element of the O so he will be a predictable element. That's unless Grimes turns the younguns into the '64 Packer OL.

Would have been comfy with Trotter at this juncture last season. See above. And I think Cam threw in the off-season with Adams and Blake.

I think the DEs are the strongsuit but can they provide depth at DT? ... 'cause they might have to.

I sure hope Reed can hold up. We need him to be like that Kentucky all-purpose guy. WHN? No not Dicky Lyons but yeah I'd take him too in a heartbeat.

The defensive backfield should be fine but will the LBs make enough tackles to keep 'em healthy?

It was just fancy practice. It never shows us much anyway. I think it shows more of what we aren't, which is obviously a deep team. That's all I gather. Fire away!
 

[chinook]

no mention of the deep snappers...must be good to go at that position. 

[Snaggletiger]

no mention of the deep snappers...must be good to go at that position.

We roll 5 deep at deep snapper.

Personally, I'm hoping Frazier comes in and jumps in the mix right away.  Probably won't but a guy can hope, can't he.  I saw him in 2 games this last year and he certainly looks the part.  Big, fast, rifle arm and a ton of confidence.  He knows he's the man. 

However, remember last spring game when they really kept everything Cam did very vanilla and we all wondered if he was in fact, going to beat out Trotter and/or Caudle.  Trotter may blow us away when the season starts.  Other than QB, my 2 biggest worries are the two groups of big nasties.  I think with Greene and Mosely, the tackles should be fine but finding 3 others to step up is key.  Do Westerman and Robinson pull a Ziemba and Pugh?  They're certainly big and nasty enough.

As many have said, the DE's are stacked but basically, we have Carter and Whitaker with any experience on the inside.  I truly believe Gabe Wright is going to be a monster from day one.  If not, we may be an injury or two away from epic fail in the middle.  Hey Jumbo and Prowler....you still got any eligibility left?

[AUChizad]

Am I the only one worried about replacing Byrum with Cody Parkey?

He had some ugly ass short range field goals that just kind of plopped through the goal post.

[Snaggletiger]

Am I the only one worried about replacing Byrum with Cody Parkey?

He had some ugly ass short range field goals that just kind of plopped through the goal post.

I thought Parkey didn't play.

[ssgaufan]

I thought Parkey didn't play.

I read where some other guy was kicking during the A day game.  I thought it was odd that Parkey wasn't.  I've heard some good things about him during the practices leading up to A day.

[JR4AU]

Parkey wasn't playing.  It was some scrub kicker.  Parkey's was on the sideline with his leg wrapped up. 

[AuburnChopper 3.0]

I think there is something to be said about the fact that Frazier basically grew up in Malzahn's system.  It's all he's ever known.  It's how he plays QB.  It'll be interesting to see how quickly he's pushed along in the spring.  Notice I didn't say how quickly he just comes along, but how long he's pushed along.  With that said, I DO believe it'll be Trotter's gig to lose.

I think they are hoping that his ability to move the pocket will balance out some of the deficiencies on the OL. 

The DB's look good, and I have a lot more confidence, even with his lack of experience, in Mincy than watching balls bounce off the back of Neiko's helmet.

McCalleb looks like he's beefed up considerably.  Dyer is going to be a beast. 

I laughed, while in awe when watching L. Phillips almost hurdle a dude on that wheel route.  Someone that chunky isn't supposed to move like that.  He was doing a good job in pass coverage as well.  His run blocking seemed to be good, but watching Hooper not follow him and bumble ahead for few yards, and watching two hand touch on the QB's left something to be desired when evalutating that fully.

To be honest, watching it on CSS, I didn't get much from it.  I think the incoming freshman are going to have their hands full. 

[AUChizad]

Parkey wasn't playing.  It was some scrub kicker.  Parkey's was on the sideline with his leg wrapped up.

Interesting. I remember the other kid kicked one that wasn't too bad and was thinking he looked way better than Parkey, who for some reason, I thought kicked those first couple of field goals/extra points.

Guess it was the same kid the whole time.

[jmar]

Interesting. I remember the other kid kicked one that wasn't too bad and was thinking he looked way better than Parkey, who for some reason, I thought kicked those first couple of field goals/extra points.

Guess it was the same kid the whole time.

Morgan Hull- strong leg with some umpth...just not "pretty."    Parkey was injured.

[AWK]

Mark it down, Trovon Reed will be the starting QB by game 3.

[Townhallsavoy]

Mark it down, Trovon Reed will be the starting QB by game 3.

I don't think this is as far-fetched as it sounds.

Then again, Malzahn worked wonders with Chris Todd.  With a better running game and hopefully a more polished defense, Trotter or Moseley should be able to game manage. 

But yeah, I could see us going Pat White/WVU on everyone this year if needed.

[djsimp]

I def think we'll see heavy doses of Reed this coming season.

[No Huddle]

Alabama's A-Day showed that we have no kicking game, no WRs and still no one true standout at QB. But we are going to win the NC..................... riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight. 

[AUChizad]

Alabama's A-Day showed that we have no kicking game, no WRs and still no one true standout at QB. But we are going to win the NC..................... riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight. 

Rational bammers are no fun. Get RWS in here with his thoughts.

[Jumbo]

Alabama's A-Day showed that we have no kicking game, no WRs and still no one true standout at QB. But we are going to win the NC..................... riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight. 

One of my Bammer friends was gloating that he saw number 14 on teh field Saturday.

[No Huddle]

One of my Bammer friends was gloating that he saw number 14 on teh field Saturday.

He was on the field but he did not WOW me. To me he was better but not great.