No skreets....

[jadennis]

...but I read where the coaches mentioned that Fannin may get some more looks from the tail back position (or maybe wildcat?).

Good idea?  Bad idea?  Of no consequence?

I like the idea myself.  The stats show he carried it 6 times for 56 yards, but I only found 5 carries in the play-by-play.  They were runs of 4, 16, 2, 15, and 7 yards.  That's almost 9 yards per carry in a game that Auburn averaged 2.7 yards (of course sacks make that worse than it seems, but Tate averaged 3.8)

Up to this point, Fannin has gotten the ball most often on screens.  They try to throw it to him out in the flat and let him make some moves in space.  It isn't working so well these days.  Often it's read by the defense and secondly I don't think out receivers are the best at sealing off the DB to give Fannin the space to begin with.  How many times have we seen him hit within 1 second of catching the ball? (the answer is too many)

To me, the best pass plays to a back are the ones to Eric Smith that are beyond the line of scrimmage, not a screen to Fannin.

I also think Fannin does better from the backfield than he does in space.  Seems strange, but in space he takes too much time trying to make someone miss and figure out the best route to take.  From the backfield he just goes, hits holes and gets himself into space (different than catching the ball already in space).

Anyway, I hope he does see more time back there.  Maybe he gets McCalebb's carries?

[Buzz Killington]

That's where the disconnect is for me. 
You've got Tate, who will just flat out run you over if he gets any room whatsoever.
You have Eric Smith who could basically do the same if he got the carries.  However, he has been great on the wheel route and the middle post route and made many huge catches in his first three games (most for 1st downs on 3rd down plays).
Then, you have Onterrio McCalebb, who; before his ankle injury, could just beat you to the corner and pick up huge chunks of yards on the jet sweep.
Oh...and if that's not enough, you have Mario Fannin who is kind of a combination of Tate and McCalebb.  He has the speed of Onterrio, and the size/strength of Ben.  His only issue was that he obviously lathers up with a stick of butter before each game.

All of these quality backs combined with a pretty innovative OC, should be spelling 200+ yards rushing most weeks...even against most of the SEC competition.  To run for almost 200 against a very solid D like Tennessee's and then get little or nothing against Kentucky is downright puzzling.

So, is it the OL?  Are they just finally getting worn out?
Or, is it the fact that Todd couldn't hit on a drunk fat girl at a keg party?
Or, is it the play calling?

Anyone?  Anyone?  Bueller?  Bueller?

[Pell City Tiger]

Or, is it the fact that Todd couldn't hit on a drunk fat girl at a keg party?

Has my vote.

His head-up-his-assness is the reason why we couldn't score in an Olongapo City whore house.

[AuburnChopper 3.0]

So, is it the OL?  Are they just finally getting worn out?
Or, is it the fact that Todd couldn't hit on a drunk fat girl at a keg party?
Or, is it the play calling?

Anyone?  Anyone?  Bueller?  Bueller?

1. Yes.

2. Yes.

3. Yes, because of #1 and #2, it isn't where it should be.


This equals a clusterfuck on offense right now.  

[AUTiger1]

That's where the disconnect is for me. 
You've got Tate, who will just flat out run you over if he gets any room whatsoever.
You have Eric Smith who could basically do the same if he got the carries.  However, he has been great on the wheel route and the middle post route and made many huge catches in his first three games (most for 1st downs on 3rd down plays).
Then, you have Onterrio McCalebb, who; before his ankle injury, could just beat you to the corner and pick up huge chunks of yards on the jet sweep.
Oh...and if that's not enough, you have Mario Fannin who is kind of a combination of Tate and McCalebb.  He has the speed of Onterrio, and the size/strength of Ben.  His only issue was that he obviously lathers up with a stick of butter before each game.

All of these quality backs combined with a pretty innovative OC, should be spelling 200+ yards rushing most weeks...even against most of the SEC competition.  To run for almost 200 against a very solid D like Tennessee's and then get little or nothing against Kentucky is downright puzzling.

So, is it the OL?  Are they just finally getting worn out?
Or, is it the fact that Todd couldn't hit on a drunk fat girl at a keg party?
Or, is it the play calling?

Anyone?  Anyone?  Bueller?  Bueller?

I think a lot has to do with the fact that McCalebb is hurt.  I also think that Todd is mentally fucked to be the other half.  We seemed to have a lot more going for us when McCalebb was healthy.

[Snaggletiger]

I saw a quote from Malzahn a couple of days ago that pretty much pointed the finger at Todd.  He wasn't calling him out but was saying you have to at least be a LITTLE bit effective on the passing game to take the pressure off the running game.  If Todd can't hit that fat girl above...why worry?  Stack the box.

[The Prowler]

If Mario Fannin plays any at all at the runningback position or the Wildcat....epic failure on the coaching staff...BOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!   It's a lose/lose situation....Why wasn't he playing there the whole year?  It reeks of desperation.....

[War Eagle!!!]

If Mario Fannin plays any at all at the runningback position or the Wildcat....epic failure on the coaching staff...BOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!   It's a lose/lose situation....Why wasn't he playing there the whole year?  It reeks of desperation.....

haha...I see where you are going...and I like it...

[The Prowler]

haha...I see where you are going...and I like it...

I just hope he remembers that he has the damn ball in his hands, as he jukes and jives 'round the defenders.

[Kaos]

If Mario Fannin plays any at all at the runningback position or the Wildcat....epic failure on the coaching staff...BOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!   It's a lose/lose situation....Why wasn't he playing there the whole year?  It reeks of desperation.....

You're nuts. 

There is an epic failure on the part of the coaching staff, but this isn't it. 

[Jumbo]

I've been screaming give the ball to Super Mario Speed Wagon.

[No Huddle]

I like Mario in the wildcat. If Todd can't complete a pass take him out and run the crap out of the ball.

[Saniflush]

His head-up-his-assness is the reason why we couldn't score in an Olongapo City whore house.

I have this skill set.
Can I get my resume in?

[jadennis]

I think it's Todd too.  Ever since game two of the year every team has set out to stop our run, knowing it's the basis of our success.  They dared Todd to beat them and he was able to do that early.  Why he can't do it now I have no idea.  But the fact that he can't has handcuffed Malzahn and the rest of the offense.

I don't think a tired offensive line has anything to do with it.  Not even a little bit.  It's not like we're breaking down late in the game.  We don't dominate for three quarters and then run out of gas.  It's not like we're getting to play number 9 of a long drive and then can't keep up the pace.  We're barely getting past 3 and out, so I don't see how the offensive line could be tired.

I also don't see how using Fannin as a back is desperate.  If McCalebb is hurt (which he obviously is...or he caught a bad case of vaginitis), then why not replace him with someone else?  I think that's a pretty routine, normal thing any coaching staff would do.  Not desperate.