Practice Funf Notes

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Auburn practice: Time closing in on narrowing quarterback race

Here are some quick post-practice notes from Auburn this Wednesday. We'll be back soon with video of offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn and defensive coordinator Ted Roof...

Auburn offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn said Wednesday he's getting closer to narrowing his four-man quarterback race to a manageable number.

That means somebody or somebodies from the pool of Cam Newton, Neil Caudle, Clint Moseley and Barrett Trotter will start getting fewer snaps this spring.

"We can't rotate four quarterbacks equally all spring,'' Malzahn said after Auburn's fifth practice.

Malzahn said he's installed most of his spring offense, so perfecting the schemes is what's important now.

"We're a timing offense,'' he said, and a quarterback pecking order needs to be established.

But, "we haven't gotten there yet,'' Malzahn said.

The race is, in the theory, open since the departure of Chris Todd, last year's starter.

Malzahn said Moseley and Trotter have progressed. He said Caudle "knows the offense about as well as I do. He got 50 percent of the practice time" late last year. Malzahn also praised Caudle's leadership ability.

Malzahn said Newton "has a better understanding" of the offense with each practice. "He's getting more comfortable with that.''

**Reserve defensive end Dee Ford played at a light 215 pounds last year. He's says he's up to 235 and wants to play at 250 this fall.

Ford said he was a little surprised he wasn't redshirted last year, but was ready when defensive line coach Tracy Rocker called on him.

**Defensive coordinator Ted Roof said January enrollees Craig Sanders and Jessel Curry "certainly have an opportunity" to help this fall, but stopped short of saying they'd play.

http://blog.al.com/goldmine/2010/03/auburn_pracitce_time_closing_i.html

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Auburn notes and quotes: Gus Malzahn preparing to narrow down QB race, but not there yet

Notes and quotes from Auburn's fifth spring practice of the season...

* Offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn is on his way to slicing Auburn's four-man quarterback race down to a more manageable three, two or one. But Malzahn wasn't ready to share a timeline or framework for making the decision.

He offered praise Wednesday for each of the four quarterbacks who are, at least in theory, vying for the job.

* Defensive coordinator praised cornerback T'Sharvan Bell, saying even his "whole approach to life" has improved from a year ago.

Roof was more circumspect in his comments about safety Mike McNeil. That's been something we've been noticing a lot lately from coaches. We also haven't been allowed to talk to McNeil, despite multiple requests.

McNeil missed all of last season with a broken foot but was expected to be healthy for 2010.

* Sophomore defensive end Dee Ford is up to 235 pounds and hopes to be up to 250 by the time the season starts. He played last year at about 220.

Ford said he fully expected to redshirt because of his size and was somewhat surprised to get the chance to play. He said he was ultimately glad that he played as a freshman.

http://blog.al.com/auburnbeat/2010/03/auburn_notes_and_quotes_gus_ma.html