Went to the TU deal I go to every year and watched the practice/scrimmage at the stadium. Wanted to lend some of my in depth analysis of this years version of the Auburn Tigers. First off, it was hot as balls. That ends my expert analysis. Now, some general observations from Joe Schmoe.
The first hour was practice as usual. Worked on field goal unit the first part of practice, starting with extra points and moving back 5 yards each time. Honestly could not tell who was kicking, only that he never missed all the way back to a 50 yarder and the 50 yard kick would have been good from 60+. Impressive.
Goal line package they practiced had Ladarious Phillips lined up sort of in the slot, right off the tight end with John Sullen playing fullback. Dyer in the wildcat running behind those two. I believe they might can pick up a yard or two there. And yes, Dyer is there and his arms caused a hint of man-love on my part.
Practice is a well oiled machine. Everyone doing something every single minute. The deep snapper and holder (FSU gave Dax a scholarship BTW....frick!) ran a drill about 2 dozen times on the sidelines where they would sprint to the ball and snap it as quickly as possible. Details, details, details...
Erique Florence was dressed out but didn't practice. Instead, he and Trent Fisher ran stadium stairs with Yoxall waiting for them at the top each time. The rest of practice, they were on the stationary bikes and doing push ups and sit ups. Have no clue.
No one....no one...no one does more individual coaching than Trooper Taylor. Dude is always going over what a receiver did right or wrong on a play. He's no Greg Knox, but....
If you're a D-lineman, I'm thinking it's a bad idea to jump offsides. Mike Pelton doesn't seem to care for that little move too much. He seemed grumpy.
I'm thinking no opposing coaches give a rats ass about my take so I think it's safe to reveal, Malzahn is putting in another trick play....and it involves true freshman, CJ Uzomah. It's bad ass. They ran it about 7-8 times.
As for the "Scrimmage", it was only for the 2's and 3's. No starters played and it only lasted about 8 series. Frazier took every snap and the backs that rotated were Blakely, Grant and Captain Morgan. Found it interesting that Blake Burgess and Tunde Fromundacheese worked at center. Is Dismukes the starter? General observations:
There is a reason Kiehl Frazier is #3. Dude looks great in a uniform, moves well, strong arm. He can't hit the broad side of a damn barn. Mincy pick 6'd his ass on the first series. May have been a bad day but he just wasn't accurate at all.
Quan Bray is a freakin' bad ass in every sense of the word. He was playing receiver and he's truly one that needs the ball in his hands....a lot. He will do things at Auburn.
I also understand why Mike Blakely was at the top of their board of running back recruits. Kid hits the hole quick and once he gets out in the open, he's tough to catch and bring down.
Sammy Coates may be out for the year. I believe it's a foot injury requiring surgery. However, Jaylon Denson is a full grown man. It appears he'll get in the rotation early as they had him running with the 1's a lot during the practice session. Big, physical guy who looks like a senior.
After practice, I was on the field going all Al-Betar, professing my man crush for several of the players, trying to get some pics. Frazier is Cam-light as far as his personality goes. Big smile and loves talking to everyone. Gabe Wright and Angelo Blackson are fucking huge. True freshmen...holy crap. Clint Mosely was literally standing beside me, watching Trotter sign autographs. A guy came up to him (He knew the guy) and asked how it was going. He just said "Awful" and walked off. Paging Southern Miss.
Trovon Reed stayed after practice with Trooper and fielded a bunch of punts. I assume he's the guy.
Overall, good time. However, Toomer's trees are just sad. Fuck an Updyke.
In da' mouf.