TIME NEAR FOR AUBURN FOOTBALL, GUS MALZAHN-STYLE
July 28, 2013
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By Phillip Marshall
AuburnTigers.com
AUBURN, Ala. - Gus Malzahn, Auburn's fourth head football coach in 21 seasons, has spent almost eight months coaching, teaching, hiring. speaking and doing all the things head coaches do when they take new jobs.
Like those who came before him, he has done it his way.
In January of 1981, Auburn football players went to meet their new head football coach for the first time. Pat Dye waited with a message.
Auburn was going to win, he told the assembled players. Some of them, he said, would be around to enjoy it and some wouldn't be willing to pay the price of success. Randy Campbell, a sophomore quarterback, listened intently.
"He threw two guys out of the meeting because they weren't paying attention," Campbell says. "He basically proceeded to tell us that he'd won a championship at every level. He said he knew how to win and that we were going to win. He said, most of all, we weren't going to fear Alabama. That got my attention."
Once they were on the field, players who were there say it was the most difficult challenge of their lives. Players left almost every day.
"We had a lot of good guys that left, good football players," Dye says. "There can't be but one way to do it, and that was our way. The ones who stayed bought into our philosophy."
The Tigers went 5-6 in Dye's first season, but two years later, they went 11-1 and won the Southeastern Conference championship.
Similarly, Tommy Tuberville took over a team in 1999 that had won just three games the previous season. His first team, plagued by injuries, went 5-6. A year later, the Tigers were 9-2 in the regular season and played in SEC Championship Game. In Tuberville's fifth season, they were 13-0.
In 2009, Gene Chizik took over for Tuberville, who had won 85 games in 10 seasons. He won a national championship in his second season.
Last December, Malzahn stood in front of another Auburn team. Most of them knew him, because he'd been offensive coordinator just a year earlier. But he, too, had a message.
Malzahn, like Dye, told his players Auburn was going to win. And he told them there would be no patience with the off-field issues that had plagued the program for more than a year. He told them the demands would great and the rewards greater. Senior defensive end Dee Ford wanted to stand up and cheer.
"Malzahn is a no-nonsense guy," Ford says. "He came in and told us what to expect. It was the nicest way I've heard anybody say `Your first screwup you are gone.' You had to believe him, and respect it. He's not joking."
Both Dye and Malzahn took over teams coming off terribly disappointing seasons. In 1993, Terry Bowden replaced Dye, who had made Auburn football a national power again but had been through two non-winning seasons.
At every level of college football, first-year head coaches inherit unique situations.
Any new head coach faces a balancing act. He wants to create excitement among fans without raising expectations to unrealistic levels. He wants to earn the trust of his players while making it clear he won't bend with the prevailing wind.
Significant decisions have to be made. Will a coach insist on a certain offense or defense or will he hire coaches and tailor schemes to fit the players available? Will he keep coaches from the previous staff? Who will he hire, not just to coach but for other jobs crucial to building a winning program? How will he relate to the athletics director who hired him?
When Bowden took over, with NCAA sanctions looming, he didn't sense a lot of optimism.
"I meet with the players, and you don't see a lot of confidence in their eyes," says Bowden, now the head coach at Akron. "I'm thinking to myself `If I can get six wins, that will be a step up.' You don't see a lot that suggests you can get more than six wins. You try to motivate kids to do that, to go out and be better than they were before."
Bowden became the first head coach in college football to go 11-0 in his first season in Division I.
Malzahn arrived from Arkansas State with the advantage of knowing most of Auburn's players and having been involved in recruiting a significant number of them. Most of the offensive players were already familiar with his offensive scheme. He and athletics director Jay Jacobs already had a warm relationship.
But he also took over a dispirited team coming off a 3-9 season, the worst in 60 years of Auburn football. Restoring confidence was a priority. He and his coaches went about getting that done. Players say they have put the unhappiness of 2012 far behind them.
"Everybody is buying into the system and doing what the coaches say," says junior Justin Garrett, who blossomed at the hybrid Star position in defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson's scheme. "I feel like there's a big change not just in football but off the field and workouts and FCA and everything. We do it as unit."
Says Ford: "I am going into every game believing we can win it."
Friday will be another significant day for Malzahn as he begins the stretch run toward his first game as Auburn's head coach.
The offseason and summer programs were demanding. Spring practice was tough and physical. Preseason camp will be tough and physical, too.
And on Aug. 31 at Jordan-Hare Stadium, the Malzahn era of Auburn football will begin.
I think Gus is exactly what Auburn Football needs to compete vs. Saban. Today! (This job changes people/coaches. See Gene Chizik for reference)
I think Malzahn has all the positive traits that make Saban a great coach, and none of the personality traits that make Saban the asshole he is. I think Malzahn is a good coach (can't call him great yet). He knows football, and football players. He's no-nonsense. He's a good man too.
I'm ready for this new era.
That said, Malzahn will be under fire by mid season. We're not going to be good. I believe we'll be better in terms of attitude, and conditioning, but the talent gap is just too great overall, and the lack of a QB will be a glaring weakness. Malzahn will be blamed for not "coaching one up". The Defense will suck, and blame will go to the "HUNH" not being conducive to defense, and Malzahn will be blamed for "not changing what he does to suit what he has".
All fine, it comes with the job.
I think as ugly as it will be this year, and I think it will be very ugly...that Gus arrived at just the right time. He'll get 3-4 years he needs, and I think that during that time the power will begin to shift away from Bammer and LSU. It simply has to. Gus and Auburn will be poised to, and will take back the SECW.
Unless he doesn't.
Over under on how many fat asses in the stands will be complaining about play calling by game 3?
First 3 games: Washington St., Ark. St. and MSU. I suspect what will happen will be a false sense of security in games one and 2, followed by an ugly performance vs MSU, and a complete asswhipping by LSU the following week. Play calling will certainly be the top of the list of complaints by by the halftime vs LSU.Clear decline in talent from last year. They lost errrbody.
Is MSU supposted to be any good?
First 3 games: Washington St., Ark. St. and MSU. I suspect what will happen will be a false sense of security in games one and 2, followed by an ugly performance vs MSU, and a complete asswhipping by LSU the following week. Play calling will certainly be the top of the list of complaints by by the halftime vs LSU.
Is MSU supposted to be any good?
Clear decline in talent from last year. They lost errrbody.I was referring to LSU, not MSU, by the way.
And it was a damn close game last year. I like our chances more than I probably reasonably should.
First 3 games: Washington St., Ark. St. and MSU. I suspect what will happen will be a false sense of security in games one and 2, followed by an ugly performance vs MSU, and a complete asswhipping by LSU the following week. Play calling will certainly be the top of the list of complaints by by the halftime vs LSU.
Is MSU supposted to be any good?
I was referring to LSU, not MSU, by the way.
MSU is supposed to be MSU. They will finish 5th or lower in the west.
I say game 3 because the last couple of years MSU has had a decent D. I'm just guessing our flaws will show up more noticeably against an sec defense.12-10 last year. Our worst team of all time. One of their best teams of all time. Everybody's gone.
And if MSU lays a dud? Then at the least I think we will def see glaring issues against LSU. And it'll be that "damned stupid play callin!".
12-10 last year. Our worst team of all time. One of their best teams of all time. Everybody's gone.
Granted, it's in Death Valley, and last time we played there it wasn't pretty. Will tell us a lot, that's for sure.
2012?
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12-10 last year. Our worst team of all time. One of their best teams of all time. Everybody's gone.
Granted, it's in Death Valley, and last time we played there it wasn't pretty. Will tell us a lot, that's for sure.
I feel that the defense Ellis Johnson brings is a complement to Coach Malzahn's offense...it's not a "bend but don't break" type of defense that we've had for as long as I can remember. It's a risk taking type of defense that doesn't play 15 yards off the ball and doesn't allow offenses to dink and dunk their way down the field while holding the ball for most of the first half.Neither McKinzy, Frost or *Garrett have played much so it's ridiculous to expect 60 tackles from each. We have to pare down the run yards up front by 75 or so yards or start picking passes so the offense can have its possessions.(-12 turnover margin won't cut it) The best teams run more plays statistically so we really need to be aggressive to turn it around. Maybe the JUCOs can make the difference.
Neither McKinzy, Frost or *Garrett have played much so it's ridiculous to expect 60 tackles from each. We have to pare down the run yards up front by 75 or so yards or start picking passes so the offense can have its possessions.(-12 turnover margin won't cut it) The best teams run more plays statistically so we really need to be aggressive to turn it around. Maybe the JUCOs can make the difference.Who's expecting 60 tackles each? And why bring up last season's stats? We have a new style of defense, along with brand new coaches at every position. The defensive coaches have a very, very strong resume in producing the top-tier players and I don't see that changing just because of the past few years under Coach Chizik style of defense that doesn't complement a HUNH fast pace offense.
With that said, I'm excited to see what the defense will look like and I have a feeling that the new emphasis on conditioning, strength training, attitude, teaching how to properly tackle, etc., etc. will show immediately. It will show across the line of scrimmage...the areas where we've gotten shoved around for the past couple years.
I think we will win 10 games.
Unless we don't.
In all seriousness, I think this season will depend full on how quick Malzahn and starting QB get into sync. The starting QB does not ave ot be a world-beater, but the CGM needs to figure out quickly how to coach around his weaknesses. If that happens quickly, we can be a very competitive team. If CGM is till trying to figure that out by game 6, we are in deep doo-doo.
My opinion...we're going to be much improved in terms of fundamentals, attitude, conditioning, and all the things you can coach. I think we win 4 non-conf. games. Swing games will be MSU, Ole Miss, Ark., and UT. If any of those are much improved or better than expected, then we lose. If we find any QB play, we might win all 4 and have an 8 win season. Fact is, we're at the MSU or Ole Miss level talent-wise right now. If we win those 8, then Malzahn has accomplished all that can be expected of this group. In doing so, though, I hope to see the improvement in the areas I mentioned above. If that is happening, then the future is bright, just not the immediate future.
Gotta disagree with the bold part. I don't remember seeing either of those teams in the final top 5 or 10 of the past few recruiting classes.
http://youtu.be/9oiUoZHCLlcGoing off of that practice video I see the starting OL as....
My opinion...we're going to be much improved in terms of fundamentals, attitude, conditioning, and all the things you can coach. I think we win 4 non-conf. games. Swing games will be MSU, Ole Miss, Ark., and UT. If any of those are much improved or better than expected, then we lose. If we find any QB play, we might win all 4 and have an 8 win season. Fact is, we're at the MSU or Ole Miss level talent-wise right now. If we win those 8, then Malzahn has accomplished all that can be expected of this group. In doing so, though, I hope to see the improvement in the areas I mentioned above. If that is happening, then the future is bright, just not the immediate future.
Senior Chris Davis says he's working hard to be a team leader
AUBURN, Ala. – Almost from the time he arrived last December, Auburn football coach Gus Malzahn has called for team leaders to step forward.
And he said Sunday, after the third practice of preseason camp, that he’s seeing some of them do it under difficult circumstances.
“We are straining them,†Malzahn said. “It’s hard to be real vocal when we are practicing at the pace we are. (Center) Reese Dismukes and (H-back) Jay Prosch on offense are still vocal. Of course, Justin Garrett. I think those guys in the back end, like Chris Davis. There are some really good leaders there, too.â€
Davis, a senior cornerback, said he has made a strong effort to be a leader for his teammates in the way he saw T’Sharvan Bell do it last season.
“It’s been a good transition after watching T-Bell lead the team last year,†Davis said. “I sat back and learned from him. He’s a very vocal leader and leads by example. I think it’s been a good thing for me. It’s just leading by example, getting the team riled up, just the energy in the room.â€
-- Phillip MarshallAt 244 pounds, Frost stands strong at MLB
Kris Frost toyed with the idea of playing receiver in college, but Auburn always saw him as a linebacker. He's grown into the role, now at a solid 238 pounds after reporting in 2011 at 215 for what was a redshirt season. He's gained five pounds since last season.
Frost left spring practice as the No. 1 middle linebacker.
-- Charles Goldberg
Moving around on the offensive line
Malzahn said offensive line coach J.B. Grimes continues to look at different combinations.
“Coach Grimes is trying to rotate some guys in and give them a chance, too,†Malzahn said. “We’ll have a chance to have some depth, which is always good. We are just trying to figure out who they are and how they stack up.â€
Sophomore Pat Miller, the returning starter, has been sharing reps at right tackle with sophomore Avery Young and redshirt freshman Shon Coleman.
“Pat left spring in that spot and is doing a solid job,†Malzahn said. “Avery is a very good player. Shon Coleman we’ve been mixing and matching at left and right tackle. I know the first day or so it looked like they were all at right.â€
-- Phillip Marshall
Davis wants to return kicks
Davis has worked as a kick returner during the first three days of practice and hopes to get a chance to do it at gametime.
“I hope so,†Davis said. “That’s my plan. I think I’m doing well, real well. I’m just going to keep going out there trying to do what I can do to win the job.â€
-- Phillip Marshall
Smith wins over the cornerbacks
Auburn’s cornerbacks didn’t know Melvin Smith when he arrived last December, but Davis says Smith has won them over in a big way.
“He’s a very exciting, bright man,†Davis said. “He keeps us laughing in the meeting room. He’s very funny. We love to play for a guy like him.â€
-- Phillip Marshall
Bits and pieces …
True freshman Mackenro Alexander has made a big impression with his work ethic and determination. He is playing the Star position behind Garrett and Robenson Therezie. … Tuesday, the Tigers will wear full gear for the first time. Wednesday, they’ll go to Jordan-Hare Stadium for a scrimmage … Davis says Auburn cornerbacks have had their hands on a lot of passes during the camp … Safety Demetruce McNeal sat out Sunday’s practice due to a health issue. He has not yet practiced.
-- Phillip Marshall
I think it will be very similar to dye and tubs first years. They'll play their hearts out and be much improved but the fact is they are behind the 8 ball as compared to the top 5 sec teams right now. It will be a good foundation building year which is what most of these players need. They need to learn how to play football and again and a get few quality wins.
All of the folks talking about new/better attitude, wanting to win, in better shape, better coached...all true in my opinion. You will see a positive difference there. Those things won't help us beat clearly superior teams on our schedule. We have 8 games that we CAN win IMHO. I mean 8 where we play teams that are not clearly physically superior teams going in to the season. However, even of we are improved, and play to the best of our ability, one glaring weakness remains which can help an equal, or slightly less than equal team overcome us, and that is the QB position. It's that key. People can distort their defense to stop the one or two things you can do if you're not a threat to hurt them in other areas. IE, if we can't throw the ball AT ALL...we won't be able to run it nearly as effectively, even if we have blocking and a good RB. We've all seen that.I just think there are going to be a lot of disappointed folks on this forum come November.
If the young QB shows some ability to make defenses respect his arm...then things may change. That said, at this time, there's no team on our schedule that I think is a "good" team, but one we could beat on a good day. Bammer, UGA aTm, and LSU are superior teams. (LSU lost a lot, and may be overrated, yet still very talented) Of the other 8, 4 are SEC teams, 2 with new coaches, and there's lots of unknowns there. By the time we get to UT and Ark. things may have changed drastically for us or them.
Auburn though, like you said, it's shaping up to be like when Dye and Tubs took over. Lots of holes to fill, and it will take a year or 2, but we should see great improvement in the play, though the talent may prevent us from winning as many as it will take to make some folks happy.
I just think there are going to be a lot of disappointed folks on this forum come November.
I see 2 sure wins in Western Carolina and FAU. Everything else is a crapshoot.
I just think there are going to be a lot of disappointed folks on this forum come November.
I see 2 sure wins in Western Carolina and FAU. Everything else is a crapshoot.
Get thee behind me Satan.Sorry my lord, I have lost the faith.
(http://imgick.al.com/home/bama-media/width620/img/alphotos/photo/2013/08/13189327-mmmain.jpg)I sure do hope he doesn't turn into a Sandusky on us. I think he's straring at his ass.
Gus appears to be excited...or its a bit nipply. Did I say nipple.
I sure do hope he doesn't turn into a Sandusky on us. I think he's straring at his ass.The boys are all over 18...it's all good.
I sure do hope he doesn't turn into a Sandusky on us. I think he's straring at his ass.
I sure do hope he doesn't turn into a Sandusky on us. I think he's straring at his ass.
That gives a whole new meaning to HUNH.I believe that is the HUNG offense
I believe that is the HUNG offense
Yep.
You said nipple, but did you call the nipple?
Gus appears to be excited...or its a bit nipply. Did I say nipple.
(http://imgick.al.com/home/bama-media/width620/img/alphotos/photo/2013/08/13189327-mmmain.jpg)
Gus appears to be excited...or its a bit nipply. Did I say nipple.
At around 3:45, he says Jake's working with the ones.
He says Jake's working with the ones.
Jake's working with the ones.
Jake's with the ones.
Jake's the ones.
Jake's ones.
Jake Holland.
At around 3:45, he says Jake's working with the ones.(http://cdn3.sbnation.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/3846739/20121124_jdm_sx1_033.0_standard_352.0.jpg)
He says Jake's working with the ones.
Jake's working with the ones.
Jake's with the ones.
Jake's the ones.
Jake's ones.
Jake Holland.
Then that means:
We're still shitty
Then that means:
We're still shitty
But maybe it is. Who knows. Coach Johnson did say he expects things to change as practice gets more physical.
Johnson singled out sophomore linebacker Kris Frost as having a good fall camp so far. He also said he’s seen improvement from Cassanova McKinzy and Anthony Swain. Senior Jake Holland is the only one getting work on the first-team at both Mike and Will. Swain has moved to Mike while LaDarius Owens has moved to Will.
“I feel like there’s a few guys that have an edge on other guys but it’s certainly too early to say that a player has not played his way into contention or doesn’t have a chance. We haven’t done enough at this point for me to tell you if a guy can play linebacker or not,†Johnson said.
I don't know if that means Holland will be starting or they are trying him at both positions to see what he can do. Do you not see one's and two's swap in and out at other positions to get some reps? Sounds like to me that Johnson hasn't made his mind up yet on who is going to start. I don't read too much into a day 4 practice report on who will be starting. Now, if he is with the one's several days in a row, I will worry, but a guy taking reps with the ones for the first time after four days doesn't bother me much.Yeah, and we likely don't realize how much Jake has improved since last year either. I mean, it's possible. Isn't it? Shouldn't we at least give him the benefit of the doubt that he's started using massive quantities of steroids?
I don't know if that means Holland will be starting or they are trying him at both positions to see what he can do. Do you not see one's and two's swap in and out at other positions to get some reps? Sounds like to me that Johnson hasn't made his mind up yet on who is going to start. I don't read too much into a day 4 practice report on who will be starting. Now, if he is with the one's several days in a row, I will worry, but a guy taking reps with the ones for the first time after four days doesn't bother me much.(http://www.tigersx.com/images/aubie_birdmeme.png)
I don't know if that means Holland will be starting or they are trying him at both positions to see what he can do. Do you not see one's and two's swap in and out at other positions to get some reps? Sounds like to me that Johnson hasn't made his mind up yet on who is going to start. I don't read too much into a day 4 practice report on who will be starting. Now, if he is with the one's several days in a row, I will worry, but a guy taking reps with the ones for the first time after four days doesn't bother me much.
True. We have no idea what the coaches are thinking. Maybe they're trying to keep the fire lit under Frost's ass to make sure he doesn't think, "Well Jake sucks so bad that the position is easily mine."
True. We have no idea what the coaches are thinking. Maybe they're trying to keep the fire lit under Frost's ass to make sure he doesn't think, "Well Jake sucks so bad that the position is easily mine."
Two junior college transfers, linebacker Kenny Flowers and safety Brandon King, have impressed Johnson but are still learning the defense.
“(Flowers) is doing pretty well. His issue right now is that he doesn't know our defense,†Johnson said. “Physically, he's in the right company. He belongs right where he is in the SEC. I think he's going to give us some good plays this year.
“...I'm very impressed with (King). He's a couple of weeks away. He hasn't learned the scheme because he wasn't here in the spring. I think that really put him behind. I think if he'd been here in the spring, he'd be pushing some guys, especially with our depth situation.â€
I don't know if that means Holland will be starting or they are trying him at both positions to see what he can do. Do you not see one's and two's swap in and out at other positions to get some reps? Sounds like to me that Johnson hasn't made his mind up yet on who is going to start. I don't read too much into a day 4 practice report on who will be starting. Now, if he is with the one's several days in a row, I will worry, but a guy taking reps with the ones for the first time after four days doesn't bother me much.
What this guy said.Also, while not likely, it's POSSIBLE that he got unfucked by this current staff. Possible.
I'll worry when I see him listed as first string, and on the field doing the same shit as last year. We have no clue what the coaches are doing here.
Also, while not likely, it's POSSIBLE that he got unfucked by this current staff. Possible.
He was a 4* recruit coming out of high school.
Also, while not likely, it's POSSIBLE that he got unfucked by this current staff. Possible.
Also, while not likely, it's POSSIBLE that he got unfucked by this current staff. Possible.
That's what I hope for. I know we rag the guy a lot but he was a highly recruited LB out of hs. He didn't all of a sudden lose the talent that made him great in high school. I think the last staff was THAT bad its last two years. Lot of these kids are fucked up in the head and mentally weak. He seems like a good kid and I'm def not going to root for him to fail. If he's had minimal improvement from last year and is still named a starter, then that should tell us we got bigger issues defense wise than just him. I lean to the side that jake and kiehl may be screwed up beyond repair. And by no fault of their own.
At around 3:45, he says Jake's working with the ones that won't be playing much this season.Fixt your transcription............
He says Jake's working with the ones.
Jake's working with the ones.
Jake's with the ones.
Jake's the ones.
Jake's ones.
Jake Holland.
I will say this in Jakes defense, with the non push our DL got last year a lot of the O-Line was halfway down field and it is hard for any 250 lb linebacker to fight off a 325lb OL.
That doesn't defend Jake at all. Sure, our DL got their shit kicked in, but there were plenty of plays where Jake had a free shot at a white pasty quarterback and feather clubbed him with his forearms. Plenty of plays where Jake had a guy in his grasp and let go. Plenty of plays where Jake ran the opposite direction of the play. Plenty of plays where Jake is being mauled by someone fat and not linebacker baller strong.That worthless stump of carbon might be the starting QB for the start of the season...and I believe we'll see a slightly different Frazier than what we saw last year. I've said it before and I'll say it again Coach Rhett Lashlee, eventhough he was the GA, was a very important part of our Offense in the 2009 & 2010 season.
Jake sucked last year and he sucked the year before. I sincerely hope this new staff has magic pixie dust that can turn the curly haired boy into a scary Takeo Spikes linebacker, but I have my doubts. I'm much more concerned with the idea that our backups - our highly touted recruits - cannot easily put this guy on the bench.
Auburn heart or not, I have never - even when watching Vanderbilt at their worst - seen an SEC linebacker make the Christmas Party Blooper Tape as much as Jake Holland. He's as bad at linebacker as Chyelhlhe Frazier is at quarterback. It's just easier to zone in on Frazier being a worthless stump of carbon than Holland each play.
That doesn't defend Jake at all. Sure, our DL got their shit kicked in, but there were plenty of plays where Jake had a free shot at a white pasty quarterback and feather clubbed him with his forearms. Plenty of plays where Jake had a guy in his grasp and let go. Plenty of plays where Jake ran the opposite direction of the play. Plenty of plays where Jake is being mauled by someone fat and not linebacker baller strong.
Jake sucked last year and he sucked the year before. I sincerely hope this new staff has magic pixie dust that can turn the curly haired boy into a scary Takeo Spikes linebacker, but I have my doubts. I'm much more concerned with the idea that our backups - our highly touted recruits - cannot easily put this guy on the bench.
Auburn heart or not, I have never - even when watching Vanderbilt at their worst - seen an SEC linebacker make the Christmas Party Blooper Tape as much as Jake Holland. He's as bad at linebacker as Chyelhlhe Frazier is at quarterback. It's just easier to zone in on Frazier being a worthless stump of carbon than Holland each play.
He has to practice very well, far better than all the others but just comes up missing when the whistle blows. I get it that coaches want to reward effort and attitude, I really do.
I've seen Jake drop into coverage and hold his own for the most part and I think that is his strongsuit but he has been a liability otherwise. Just have to believe Johnson will have his best on the field.
That doesn't defend Jake at all. Sure, our DL got their shit kicked in, but there were plenty of plays where Jake had a free shot at a white pasty quarterback and feather clubbed him with his forearms. Plenty of plays where Jake had a guy in his grasp and let go. Plenty of plays where Jake ran the opposite direction of the play. Plenty of plays where Jake is being mauled by someone fat and not linebacker baller strong.
Jake sucked last year and he sucked the year before. I sincerely hope this new staff has magic pixie dust that can turn the curly haired boy into a scary Takeo Spikes linebacker, but I have my doubts. I'm much more concerned with the idea that our backups - our highly touted recruits - cannot easily put this guy on the bench.
Auburn heart or not, I have never - even when watching Vanderbilt at their worst - seen an SEC linebacker make the Christmas Party Blooper Tape as much as Jake Holland. He's as bad at linebacker as Chyelhlhe Frazier is at quarterback. It's just easier to zone in on Frazier being a worthless stump of carbon than Holland each play.
That worthless stump of carbon might be the starting QB for the start of the season...and I believe we'll see a slightly different Frazier than what we saw last year. I've said it before and I'll say it again Coach Rhett Lashlee, eventhough he was the GA, was a very important part of our Offense in the 2009 & 2010 season.
Also, I wouldn't judge Frazier or Wallace based on their performance from last year.
Slightly different Frazier might not start for a middle school team. And we can do nothing but judge them based on last year. And Frazier from two years ago.So you are on the Godfather bus then?
They suck. Plain and simple. You could see Wallace at least trying to improvise last year. He showed a lot of heart. He'll lose with grass in his helmet, blood on his lip, and his fingernails pulled back.
But he'll lose. We're not wanting to be that kind of program. We want to be where LSU and Alabama is. That's why we wanted Tuberville gone. We want every year to have a quarterback or a middle linebacker or a defensive tackle or a running back or someone to always be there as a potential superstar.
A lot of these guys are not that. We have a lot of work to do if Marshall can't win the job, if Frost's athleticism can't get him the starting position, if our freshman studs can't produce. It will be another long season and we'll have to pray to God that recruits continue to believe in Malzahn's future.
That's our plate if we end up playing the exact same 3-9, 49-0 scrubs from last year.
Slightly different Frazier might not start for a middle school team. And we can do nothing but judge them based on last year. And Frazier from two years ago.
They suck. Plain and simple. You could see Wallace at least trying to improvise last year. He showed a lot of heart. He'll lose with grass in his helmet, blood on his lip, and his fingernails pulled back.
But he'll lose. We're not wanting to be that kind of program. We want to be where LSU and Alabama is. That's why we wanted Tuberville gone. We want every year to have a quarterback or a middle linebacker or a defensive tackle or a running back or someone to always be there as a potential superstar.
A lot of these guys are not that. We have a lot of work to do if Marshall can't win the job, if Frost's athleticism can't get him the starting position, if our freshman studs can't produce. It will be another long season and we'll have to pray to God that recruits continue to believe in Malzahn's future.
That's our plate if we end up playing the exact same 3-9, 49-0 scrubs from last year.
I would have never thought about hiding it in there.
Slightly different Frazier might not start for a middle school team. And we can do nothing but judge them based on last year. And Frazier from two years ago.We shouldn't be better than 5-7, even with a new staff and all that they bring. The fan in me just expects more to a fault. In truth I still think both Mississippi teams have the upper hand but only hoping our gimicky offense and funky D can mask our defiencies with a couple of freshmen shining and several JUCO additions in the rotation. This does not appear to be a talent laden team overall next to our rivals and really seven wins would impress me after what we had become post 2010.
They suck. Plain and simple. You could see Wallace at least trying to improvise last year. He showed a lot of heart. He'll lose with grass in his helmet, blood on his lip, and his fingernails pulled back.
But he'll lose. We're not wanting to be that kind of program. We want to be where LSU and Alabama is. That's why we wanted Tuberville gone. We want every year to have a quarterback or a middle linebacker or a defensive tackle or a running back or someone to always be there as a potential superstar.
A lot of these guys are not that. We have a lot of work to do if Marshall can't win the job, if Frost's athleticism can't get him the starting position, if our freshman studs can't produce. It will be another long season and we'll have to pray to God that recruits continue to believe in Malzahn's future.
That's our plate if we end up playing the exact same 3-9, 49-0 scrubs from last year.
Slightly different Frazier might not start for a middle school team. And we can do nothing but judge them based on last year. And Frazier from two years ago.So, judge Frazier based on his Freshman season when he attempted around 5 passes for the season and then when he had to learn a system that he'd never played in, unless you count PeeWee Ball (btw, I'm not sure what type of system parkball teams ran in Arkansas)? Okay.
They suck. Plain and simple. You could see Wallace at least trying to improvise last year. He showed a lot of heart. He'll lose with grass in his helmet, blood on his lip, and his fingernails pulled back.
But he'll lose. We're not wanting to be that kind of program. We want to be where LSU and Alabama is. That's why we wanted Tuberville gone. We want every year to have a quarterback or a middle linebacker or a defensive tackle or a running back or someone to always be there as a potential superstar.
A lot of these guys are not that. We have a lot of work to do if Marshall can't win the job, if Frost's athleticism can't get him the starting position, if our freshman studs can't produce. It will be another long season and we'll have to pray to God that recruits continue to believe in Malzahn's future.
That's our plate if we end up playing the exact same 3-9, 49-0 scrubs from last year.
So, judge Frazier based on his Freshman season when he attempted around 5 passes for the season and then when he had to learn a system that he'd never played in, unless you count PeeWee Ball (btw, I'm not sure what type of system parkball teams ran in Arkansas)? Okay.
IMO, he became "shell shocked" around mid season, which is around the time he lost all faith in the horrible play from the OL. I'm not saying that he's going to be Chris Todd 2009, but once a QB losses faith in the OL...they begin looking for the blitz, which is exactly what we saw last season in Kheil Frazier.
I love this time of year because the season is a few weeks away from kicking off and I also hate this time of year because just about every single year someone will say, "If so & so starts, at whatever position, then we're going to suck ass and blow dicks...we'll be lucky to win 2-3 games"....eventhough they haven't seen how that certain player or players have progressed, they're going off of what they did last season...eventhough we have a brand new staff, including the strength and conditioning staff, we have a brand new determination, plus the offense that's here has all the pieces that it needs to be successful (because that same offense was here two years ago, the players are still here that fit that offense).
IMO, with Frazier starting 6-7 wins, with Marshall starting 7-8 wins (not counting the bowl game).
So, judge Frazier based on his Freshman season when he attempted around 5 passes for the season and then when he had to learn a system that he'd never played in, unless you count PeeWee Ball (btw, I'm not sure what type of system parkball teams ran in Arkansas)? Okay.Are you insane? Even with that same crappy offensive line Wallace was still trying to make plays, while Frazier was folding like a cheap suit.
IMO, he became "shell shocked" around mid season, which is around the time he lost all faith in the horrible play from the OL. I'm not saying that he's going to be Chris Todd 2009, but once a QB losses faith in the OL...they begin looking for the blitz, which is exactly what we saw last season in Kheil Frazier.
I love this time of year because the season is a few weeks away from kicking off and I also hate this time of year because just about every single year someone will say, "If so & so starts, at whatever position, then we're going to suck ass and blow dicks...we'll be lucky to win 2-3 games"....eventhough they haven't seen how that certain player or players have progressed, they're going off of what they did last season...eventhough we have a brand new staff, including the strength and conditioning staff, we have a brand new determination, plus the offense that's here has all the pieces that it needs to be successful (because that same offense was here two years ago, the players are still here that fit that offense).
IMO, with Frazier starting 6-7 wins, with Marshall starting 7-8 wins (not counting the bowl game).
Are you insane? Even with that same crappy offensive line Wallace was still trying to make plays, while Frazier was folding like a cheap suit.Did you miss the part where I stated that Frazier was "shell shocked"? He had given up all hope and trust for the Offensive Line and I don't blame him one bit. Now, regarding Wallace, he showed me that he had the desire to win the game regardless of how bad the OL was getting gang raped...while Frazier was a shell of himself, he'd lost all confidence in himself, most of that is on him but part of that blame goes to one of the worst OL in Auburn history and Coach Loeffler.
Did you miss the part where I stated that Frazier was "shell shocked"? He had given up all hope and trust for the Offensive Line and I don't blame him one bit. Now, regarding Wallace, he showed me that he had the desire to win the game regardless of how bad the OL was getting gang raped...while Frazier was a shell of himself, he'd lost all confidence in himself, most of that is on him but part of that blame goes to one of the worst OL in Auburn history and Coach Loeffler.The undoing of Frazier's confidence started with Chizik not allowing him to function freely within the HUNH in 2010. I wrongly blamed Gus but it became more apparent in 2011 that Chizik's meddling approach was at fault. Even Trotter's brief mop-up duty was better prep for the coming season over the handcuffing the true freshman endured with rumblings that he couldn't throw.
As far as talent goes, oh we have the talent...at every single position the just need to be molded & coached correctly like mandatory strength & conditioning, strict discipline & hard as a mutha fucka coaching.
Also, it ALL starts up front on both sides of the ball...it ALL starts up front. If you have a weak OL that can't get a push against Samford's DL, you're going to have a weak offense. If you have a weak DL that can't get a push against anyone, you're going to have a weak defense. If someone would've told me that Coach Chizik never made strength & conditioning mandatory, I would've said bullshit.
Btw, that still fuckin pisses me off, how the fuck do you expect your team to be able to go up against the Powerhouses in the SEC?!?!?!?
Anyway, we do have the talent...they just need to be molded/coached correctly. Yesterday's full scrimmage, making the QB live with all blitzes legal is a huge step in the right direction. Btw, tackling was done by taking players to the ground, minus Cameron Artis-Payne...he ran everyone over.
Raise your hand if you are hoping Gus can have a QB for more than one season. I'm sure he would enjoy not having to do this every year. Or maybe he's a sadist? Who knows?
Whoever suggested the ND Box offense, I'm with you. Talk about different. Is there even film of that?
'TACKLE FOOTBALL': AUBURN QBS LIVE IN SCRIMMAGE
Aug. 7, 2013
Jonathan Wallace is subject to being tackled in Auburn's scrimmage (Todd Van Emst photo)
By Charles Goldberg
AuburnTigers.com
AUBURN, Ala. — Linebacker Jake Holland knew Auburn's first fall scrimmage was a big deal when Gus Malzahn took the non-contact orange jerseys off his quarterbacks and told them to wear their regular blues.
Kiehl Frazier, Jonathan Wallace, Nick Marshall and Jeremy Johnson were fair game for the defense Wednesday.
"It brings a new aspect to the scrimmage because I've never been in a scrimmage where they've been live before," Holland said. "It gives it a game-like feel, and that's what they want."
Or, as Malzahn said, "Tackle football. Real football, like you're going to see in the very first game."
Malzahn took the unusual step of the live practice because he's trying to narrow the field so he can have a smaller rotation in practice so the two primary quarterbacks will get the primary work.
Of course, he needs to name a starter, too.
"They want to see who can get out of tough situations. I think our guys handled it that way," Holland said.
Malzahn needs to evaluate, and quickly.
"When it's not live, you're blowing the whistle, and you don't know if they can break a tackle, you don't know if they can escape pressure. It gives you a chance to evaluate them," he said.
"I thought it was very important, especially when you're trying to evaluate four guys, to give them a chance to make plays, just like a regular football game."
Malzahn said Frazier, Wallace, Marshall and Johnson "had fairly equal reps." Certainly, all four got a chance with the first and second-team offenses.
"The big thing is when you're evaluating guys, and you've got four of them, you have to narrow things down," he said. "T way to do that is to go live. I've done that before, and I felt like it was important that we did that now."
Overall, he said, "I saw some good things."
Auburn didn't release any stats from the closed scrimmage, though players afterwards recounted at least three touchdowns and a few interceptions.
Malzahn didn't say who did the best.
"There were so many plays, so many guys rotating in and out, there was nothing that really stands out. But there were some plays. The good thing is there were plays on offense and plays on defense," he said. "There were things we need to correct, but at the same time, both groups made plays."
Auburn will hold its first two-a-day practice session Thursday. But that was coming only a late-night film session of the scrimmage.
"Hopefully, we can learn some information where we can at least start narrowing it down," Malzahn said. "I'm not saying we're going to for sure, but that was the goal of this scrimmage."
http://www.auburntigers.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/080813aad.html
I'm confused, was anybody allowed to tackle the QB or just Holland? Because if it was just Holland then they were still safe.
though players afterwards recounted at least three touchdowns and a few interceptions.
JMHO, YMMV....allowing full speed tackling of the QBs tells me Gus is at a point he can't find a QB that he thinks can take the job the traditional way (or can't play at this level), and is to the point he believes it's worth the risk of any of them getting hurt (because he doesn't think it will be a tremendous loss) to find one that shows something when the bullets are actually flying that they don't/have not shown in practice. IOW, we don't have a QB.
Agreed.
But one thing it does tell me is that he's willing to adapt. Maybe they all suck so hard at throwing that he's going to focus more on wildcat plays and the option.
though players afterwards recounted at least three touchdowns and a few interceptions.
Can we do that play where we let the RB hide right behind the line? That was funny. Can we do that 50 times a game?
I read 3 INT's, including one by the Holland Monster himself.
It's good to hear the future starter at Mike is getting his hands on the ball.
Holland ran the INT back 70 yards before being tackled...I take back everything I ever stated, because we're either too slow to catch the Holland Monster (white guy) or the Holland Monster (white guy) is very fast and we've yet to see his true potential.
He's been holding back all this time for Washington State.
Holland ran the INT back 70 yards before being tackled...I take back everything I ever stated, because we're either too slow to catch the Holland Monster (white guy) or the Holland Monster (white guy) is very fast and we've yet to see his true potential.
You know I am no Holland fan but I will reserve judgement on our speed until I actually see footage of said interception. Give me a ten yard head start and the right angle and my slow white ass can beat everyone to the endzone.
He didn't make it to the endzone. Got caught prior to.
Yea but I think what everyone was harping on was that he made it 70 yards without being caught and the point I was attempting to make was that 70 yards is not that inconceivable given bad angles and head starts.
We were doing a little blitz in red zone,†Holland said. “I was a hole player, I was spying the quarterback. I got lucky because he threw it right to me.â€
Holland's quote on the INT gives me pause and not because of him:
Which of the four ponyboys did it I wonder?
Wallace.
Heights and weights update from the Heights and Weights Guy:
The updated roster for the Fall has a couple of interesting listings. I've read several good comments about freshman WR, Tony Stevens, saying he's tall and long and can go up over people and bring down the foosballz. Sounds like troof since he's now listed at 6'4" 190. Can't recall having a 6'4" WR since who....? Lawyer Tillman, maybe?
Freshman safety, Khari Harding, is shown at 6'0 223. He's put on a lot of muscle over the summer and they say if he keeps bulking up, he will probably go to LB. Speaking of LB, in looking at some preseason mags, Bama is shown to be running a 3-4 defense. Their LB's are shown in Athlon as CJ Moseley, the preseason All-American being 6'3" and 232. He's the pup since the remaining 3 go 245, 252 & 265. Kwist on a Kwacka.
However, I was encouraged to see that AU is quickly transforming that position to have much bigger and physical (Jake excluded) guys. The roster shows:
Holland: 240
Frost: 238
McKinzy: 246
Owens: 250
Flowers: 240
Toney: 236
I know the new strength corch (Can't recall his name right now) has guys training at a fast pace, station to station to go along with Malzahn's overall philosophy. But apparently, it's packing some size on a lot of guys, especially the incoming freshmen. I'm seeing anywhere from 10-20 pounds added to the size that these guys were listed at when they signed. That make me moist.
Can't recall having a 6'4" WR since who....? Lawyer Tillman, maybe?Anthony Mix was 6'5"
Seems like an appropriate place...
http://www.al.com/auburnfootball/index.ssf/2013/08/auburns_jake_holland_takes_lea.html
Motivating Frost, perhaps? Please?"... has been the most impressive linebacker in the Tigers' first two scrimmages."
Seems like an appropriate place...
http://www.al.com/auburnfootball/index.ssf/2013/08/auburns_jake_holland_takes_lea.html
Nope. I didn't read that. Today is a good day. It's Breaking Bad day! It is not Jake Holland day.It's the season of the Jake. Best get jolly!
"... has been the most impressive linebacker in the Tigers' first two scrimmages."
Seems Jake just outworks the others. :huh:
"You're looking for steady improvement. Jake's better than he was in the spring. He's making plays. He's the most consistent linebacker I've got(ugh), but he's also making tackles(this can't be) and he's done a lot of good things."
Translation: We are still shitty on defense. Better hope Gus can get the offense going.
Y'all forget that Neiko Torched played his senior year too.
And dude is still (!!) with the Chiefs. Saw him get, well, torched on a few plays the other night against the Saints. God bless his heart but he is AWFUL. How desperate must the Chiefs be??
Thought they changed their name to the Chefs?
Thought they changed their name to the Chefs?
Great googily moogily
First 3 games: Washington St., Ark. St. and MSU. I suspect what will happen will be a false sense of security in games one and 2, followed by an ugly performance vs MSU.
Play calling will certainly be the top of the list of complaints by by the halftime vs LSU.
You were saying JR?
Your gotdanged Nostradamus so far.
I didn't think curious playcalling was in the top ten.
FWIW, Gus has made curious play calls as long as he's been around. There are times he inexplicably goes away from what's working just to do it. Times he sticks with something that's not working just to stick with it. Times he kills momentum by making head-scratching personnel substitutions. Times he leaves people on the sidelines for no reason we understand. He even did it with Ben Tate at times. Have the guy sitting there scratching his butt for a quarter and then hey, wait... don't we have a running back better than Mark Ingram around here somewhere? Oh yeah. What quarter is it? Can we put him in now?
I think there may be occasions that he outthinks himself and gets so concerned with speed that continuity escapes him.
Thought they changed their name to the Chefs?They tried, they just pissed off someone else.
I didn't think curious playcalling was in the top ten.
FWIW, Gus has made curious play calls as long as he's been around. There are times he inexplicably goes away from what's working just to do it. Times he sticks with something that's not working just to stick with it. Times he kills momentum by making head-scratching personnel substitutions. Times he leaves people on the sidelines for no reason we understand. He even did it with Ben Tate at times. Have the guy sitting there scratching his butt for a quarter and then hey, wait... don't we have a running back better than Mark Ingram around here somewhere? Oh yeah. What quarter is it? Can we put him in now?
I think there may be occasions that he outthinks himself and gets so concerned with speed that continuity escapes him.
That offense is high risk high reward in general. So is EJ style of D.No one else other than the MLB can call the damn plays?
Looking up a few replies I also see where JR predicted holland would be the starter because we were THAT bad at LB. Jake has to be damn good at calling the plays and setting the players. Because he is shitastic at execution. I think Frost is just the opposite. Awesome physically. But probably doesn't have the playbook downloaded completely. It's a matter of pick your poison. Yes we are that bad at LB folks.
No one else other than the MLB can call the damn plays?
Good question. Typically no. Would be nice though wouldn't it?
One thing is apparent now - we were much less talented and much more ill equipped at several positions than we realized. I think for the most part our coaches are doing what they can with what they have been given. We are not as talented as some of our fans think. LB being the main culprit.
That offense is high risk high reward in general. So is EJ style of D.
Looking up a few replies I also see where JR predicted holland would be the starter because we were THAT bad at LB. Jake has to be damn good at calling the plays and setting the players. Because he is shootastic at execution. I think Frost is just the opposite. Awesome physically. But probably doesn't have the playbook downloaded completely. It's a matter of pick your poison. Yes we are that bad at LB folks.
Good question. Typically no. Would be nice though wouldn't it?
One thing is apparent now - we were much less talented and much more ill equipped at several positions than we realized. I think for the most part our coaches are doing what they can with what they have been given. We are not as talented as some of our fans think. LB being the main culprit.
Wasn't just the fans, hoss. Some of the best recruiting classes in AU history. Tuberville's were never that consistently high.
"Folks..." Do you have a drill press?
I think Jake may practice well but gets lost in games. I can't count the number of times the ball is snapped and he's still looking to the sidelines like a panicked rabbit or looking at his feet trying to figure out where they're supposed to be. And then he hesitates trying to figure it out. All it takes is two or three stutter steps and he's neutered himself on the play.
As I said. He knows the play book. But he fails in execution on the field. But I think we agree this can't go on. Frost has GOT to take this position by force. In such a way that leaves no doubt at all. No LB has really done that so far. In the first game the others looked about as lost as Jake.
"As I said..."
Do you have a silver sheriff's badge and a warn meter?
You're just being a douche for arguments sake now. No reason or explanation is going to suffice at this point. Good luck with your witch hunt.
No one else other than the MLB can call the damn plays?How many more white guys do you think we got on this team?
How many more white guys do you think we got on this team?