How are the receivers and running backs at Auburn doing? Glad I asked. There's Gold Mine video today, now that a few glitches have been overcome, that addresses the subject with two people who should know.We'll hear from wide receivers coach Trooper Taylor on his players in Year Two; and running backs coach Curtis Luper, on Mario Fannin and Onterio McCalebb.Auburn is taking Tuesday off, but there are still notes, or notes from Monday's practice that appear in a Birmingham News near you today. That's what we've got until the Tigers practice again Wednesday...**Auburn coach Gene Chizik's review of Saturday's scrimmage and Monday's practice centered on the running game -- or at least the Tigers' problems in stopping it."We've just got a long way to go defensively in so many areas,'' Chizik said. "We've got to address the running game and the stoppage of the run, which is a high, high priority for us right now. We let some runs get out Saturday that we need to corral back in.''**Tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen didn't dress out for the Monday workout.Chizik's medical report: "a little dinged up. Nothing major."**Running back Dontae Aycock was also sidelined with an illness."That'll set him back some,'' said running backs coach Curtis Luper. ``As a young guy who just had scout team last year, he needs the reps more than anyone.''**Luper said he doesn't have a No. 1 running back right now, which means veteran Mario Fannin is fighting for the spot just like everybody else."But he's responded well to the competition. He wants to be a No. 1 guy,'' Luper said. "When we go out, he goes out first and Onterio goes out second. He's comfortable there. He's getting more comfortable there every day. In this offense, it's just a matter of getting comfortable with the tempo and everything. "The whole thought process it expedited because we go so fast. Once he gets comfortable, then we'll be able to see the talents.''**Receivers coach Trooper Taylor said his players have jumped ahead in their second spring with the new coaching staff."Now they're understanding the intricacies of the offense,'' Taylor said. ``When they understand what the big picture of the play is, it's easier for them to execute.''But Taylor said one of his big spring goals is to develop depth, especially after a season when Darvin Adams and Terrell Zachery played most of the snaps and easily caught most of the passes."So far this spring, they have been four or five guys that have all played different positions already. That's been good.''**Taylor praised walk-on Ralph Spry Jr., who is the son of Auburn track coach Ralph Spry. Spry sat out last season after transferring from Minnesota."Spry had college experience when he transferred here. There's no substitute for that,'' Taylor said.Taylor said Spry has added weight, and that's helped.
I've heard a lot about this Spry kid.How come I've never heard of him til this week?Apparently he was a starting WR as a true freshman at Minnesota.
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