Is the honeymoon over???

[Godfather]

I really don't know what else to say....I do think we are gonna have the team chemistry totally ripped apart if something isn't done soon,

Tony Franklin speaks...
Posted by Evan Woodbery, Press-Register September 28, 2008 7:18 PM
Categories: Football

Offensive coordinator Tony Franklin had some pretty forceful and surprising comments today. Below is a sneak peak of my story that will appear in tomorrow's Press-Register.
 

Chris Todd was perfect on 27 of 28 plays in the first half Saturday against Tennessee, his ratio marred only by a mishandled snap under center, according to offensive coordinator Tony Franklin.

So why did Auburn start the second half with Kodi Burns at quarterback?

"Because that was what the head coach wanted to do," Franklin said.

Head coach Tommy Tuberville's version: "It was a mutual (decision)."

The coaches were on the same page on at least one issue: Both Tuberville and Franklin deflected criticism from Todd and promised that the embattled junior college transfer would get another chance to start Saturday at undefeated Vanderbilt.

Always known for his blunt talk and aversion to coach-speak, Franklin was even more candid than usual Sunday. He took responsibility for an offense that has produced only three offensive touchdowns in three SEC games, but also passionately defended Todd, saying it was an easy choice to name him the starter this week.

Franklin's comments also raised questions about what identity the offense would take in the final seven games, regardless of who plays quarterback. Auburn has slimmed down the playbook, added two-back sets and put the quarterback under center at times. The pass-to-run ratio has plummeted. Franklin admitted that much of his vaunted system had been scrapped.

"This is definitely not that," Franklin said. "It's not the Tony Franklin offense; it's the Auburn Offense. It's these players' offense. And it's my job to find out what they can do."

Despite being directed by Tuberville to play Burns in the second half, Franklin said he still believes he has autonomy to run the offense without interference.

"All the screw ups are mine, trust me," he said. "Coach Tuberville is just trying to win football games. He's a great football coach and he knows what to do. He felt we needed a change and so he made it. He makes big money and I'm going to do what he asks me to do. The crowd got into it and everybody was fired up and we made some plays, but we got no points out of it. We've just got to do a better job out of getting points out of it."

Franklin still believes Todd is the man to do that. Todd executed a flawless touchdown drive in the first quarter, but struggled to move the ball in the second half when Auburn was burdened with terrible field position. Franklin said catcalls from the crowd didn't help.

"It's hard on a young man to come into boos and people screaming the other guy's name and all that stuff," Franklin said. "That's hard on any human being. It's just human nature. So I talked with him about it, tried to coach him up on: 'You know, it's never personal. Those people don't know you. They don't know who you are. They don't hate you. They hate me, but they don't hate you.' He didn't handle it as well as he could have, and he'll handle it better."

Franklin said he doesn't blame fans for being angry, but said the boos should be directed exclusively at him.

"(Heck), if I was them, I'd boo," Franklin said. "I'd boo me. I'd be angry. Everybody's expectations were high. My expectations were high. (Heck), if I was a paying fan I'd be (angry). This product has not been good, and it was my product. I don't blame them for being upset. I don't take it personal. When they said how wonderful I was, I didn't take that personal because I knew it wasn't true. I said all along that I wasn't very smart and y'all thought I was joking. Now you know. It's pretty true."

[Kaos]

I really don't know what else to say....I do think we are gonna have the team chemistry totally ripped apart if something isn't done soon,

I said what to do after the first week.  Anybody on my bandwagon?  Come on.  Tickets are free.

[Godfather]

I said what to do after the first week.  Anybody on my bandwagon?  Come on.  Tickets are free.

My honeymoon has been over with him since week 2, I am quietly sitting on the back of your bandwagon somewhere after we scored 3 points against MSU and GT hung 38 on them.  I had one leg off after the LSU game, and now I am back in my spot.

Incidentally the title of the thread was aimed between Tubs and Franklin.

[Kaos]

Incidentally the title of the thread was aimed between Tubs and Franklin.

I understand. I personally think it is.  The look on Tuberville's face during and after the game spoke volumes.  So did his demand to play somebody else. 

Tuberville is the kind of guy I'd love to work for. He's demanding and pushes you to perform above expectations. He doesn't hang his people out to dry in public. He will be supportive of Franklin until he quietly disappears.  Or disappears, actually, I don't think the blowhard understands the meaning of the word "quiet."

But I think the "honeymoon" was over before the season started, really.  Franklin shot off his mouth too much.  Tuberville demands loyalty to him and to team.  People who go out and get noticed outside the structure are frowned on. Borges for instance.  I don't care what anybody says the attention Borges got in 2004 rankled Tuberville because he felt that was HIS team, he'd built it over the years and affable old Borges scooped up a lot of the credit. 

[Kaos]

After further consideration, I'd have to say the honeymoon is NOT over.  Because we're all still getting screwed on a regular basis.

[JohnDeere]

we scored 3 points against MSU and GT hung 38 on them. 

Paul Johnson at Auburn?

[Buzz Killington]

Paul Johnson at Auburn?

That would probably be am unprecedented move...from the WCO to the Spread to the Wing-T in three years.

[wesfau2]

Perfect on 27 of 28 plays?

Franklin's definition of perfection leaves much to be desired.  There wasn't any mention of the interception...or the wounded duck to the sideline that should have been picked...or the complete whiff on the swing pass to Fannin at the end of the game that would have given us a first down and kept the clock moving.

Fuck Franklin and his babying of a sub-par QB.

[ssgaufan]

Perfect on 27 of 28 plays?

Franklin's definition of perfection leaves much to be desired.  There wasn't any mention of the interception...or the wounded duck to the sideline that should have been picked...or the complete whiff on the swing pass to Fannin at the end of the game that would have given us a first down and kept the clock moving.

Fuck Franklin and his babying of a sub-par QB.

Did you see the look on Todd's face after that play?  He looked pissed, like it was Fannin's fault that he threw a shitty pass out there.  Chris Todd needs to fucking transfer to ULdirectional after this season.  Hell, could we pull off a mid season transfer?

[JohnDeere]

Did you see the look on Todd's face after that play?  He looked pissed, like it was Fannin's fault that he threw a shitty pass out there.  Chris Todd needs to fucking transfer to ULdirectional after this season.  Hell, could we pull off a mid season transfer?

I am never for running a kid off once he has made the team and all that shit (depth is needed in the SEC) but I really think the QB situation is screwing with the team chemistry. Team chemistry is like one of those things that can't be explained, either you have it or you don't....right now Auburn ain't got it. I'm not going to pretend I can evaluate Todd's level of talent/arm strength; I have never seen the kid throw a ball in practice or tested him on calls at the line/audibles. I hate to admit it but it crossed my mind Saturday, that Burns probably just has that team chemistry thing going and you can't explain it just put Burns in there and let'em fucking play.

What I really have no clue about and is a simple answer, 'how the hell did Todd end up at Auburn?'. Like was he invited to walk-on? who invited him to transfer to Auburn? Did he earn a scholarship after Spring practice? I have no idea how that stuff works, somebody enlighten me.

[War Eagle!!!]

I am never for running a kid off once he has made the team and all that shit (depth is needed in the SEC) but I really think the QB situation is screwing with the team chemistry. Team chemistry is like one of those things that can't be explained, either you have it or you don't....right now Auburn ain't got it. I'm not going to pretend I can evaluate Todd's level of talent/arm strength; I have never seen the kid throw a ball in practice or tested him on calls at the line/audibles. I hate to admit it but it crossed my mind Saturday, that Burns probably just has that team chemistry thing going and you can't explain it just put Burns in there and let'em fucking play.

What I really have no clue about and is a simple answer, 'how the hell did Todd end up at Auburn?'. Like was he invited to walk-on? who invited him to transfer to Auburn? Did he earn a scholarship after Spring practice? I have no idea how that stuff works, somebody enlighten me.

Franklin offered the kid a scholarship to Troy and he accepted. When Franklin got hired on at Auburn, he again, offered him a scholarship...this time to Auburn...and he accepted. And as they say...it's been down hill from there...

[AUTiger1]

Paul Johnson at Auburn?

When the rumors were out last year about Texas A&M and the Arkansas openings, I would have taken him if Tubbs would have taken one of those other jobs. 

I don't know if the honeymoon is over just yet or not, but I do have a few lawyers numbers handy just in case.     My patience is wearing thin though.  Is it just me or can everyone else literally feel their blood pressure going through the roof when watching our offense and soon developing a headache?

[AU_Tiger_2000]

When the rumors were out last year about Texas A&M and the Arkansas openings, I would have taken him if Tubbs would have taken one of those other jobs. 

I don't know if the honeymoon is over just yet or not, but I do have a few lawyers numbers handy just in case.     My patience is wearing thin though.  Is it just me or can everyone else literally feel their blood pressure going through the roof when watching our offense and soon developing a headache?

I'm with you.  I was on the other message board (you know the one) and some guy posted how "true Auburn fans" would never boo the team.  I responded that at one point I was booing at the TV.

[Snaggletiger]

I'm with you.  I was on the other message board (you know the one) and some guy posted how "true Auburn fans" would never boo the team.  I responded that at one point I was booing at the TV.

Go read your Auburn Creed young man.  Learn it, live it, wallpaper your bathroom with it.  You are obviously not a true Auburn man but there is still hope for you. I believe 

[AU_Tiger_2000]

Go read your Auburn Creed young man.  Learn it, live it, wallpaper your bathroom with it.  You are obviously not a true Auburn man but there is still hope for you. I believe 

Do you think the esteemed Dr. George Petrie  ever sent a telegram to all the students asking them not to boo?

[AWK]

When the rumors were out last year about Texas A&M and the Arkansas openings, I would have taken him if Tubbs would have taken one of those other jobs. 

I don't know if the honeymoon is over just yet or not, but I do have a few lawyers numbers handy just in case.     My patience is wearing thin though.  Is it just me or can everyone else literally feel their blood pressure going through the roof when watching our offense and soon developing a headache?

No, I do however come one step closer to having an alcohol problem.  I've come to the realization that this season has now just become humorous.  I told an Auburn buddy of mine earlier today that if you do not laugh at the offense and take each game seriously, you will have a mental breakdown. 

[Kaos]

No, I do however come one step closer to having an alcohol problem.  I've come to the realization that this season has now just become humorous.  I told an Auburn buddy of mine earlier today that if you do not laugh at the offense and take each game seriously, you will have a mental breakdown. 

I am that breakdown.

[AUTiger1]

No, I do however come one step closer to having an alcohol problem.  I've come to the realization that this season has now just become humorous.  I told an Auburn buddy of mine earlier today that if you do not laugh at the offense and take each game seriously, you will have a mental breakdown. 

True.  I have laughed, trust me, and I have drank, especially after the LSU game.  It's that laugh I get when I feel like my head is going to explode in frustration that worries my wife. 

[wesfau2]

I am that breakdown.

You are Jack's raging bile duct.

[Jumbo]

No, I do however come one step closer to having an alcohol problem.  I've come to the realization that this season has now just become humorous.  I told an Auburn buddy of mine earlier today that if you do not laugh at the offense and take each game seriously, you will have a mental breakdown. 

I have been living inside a bottle of Maker's Mark for the last 2 weeks.