Auburn Update - Emory Blake Still Undecided Concerning NFL

[Townhallsavoy]

AUBURN, Alabama -- Auburn worked strictly on special teams at Thursday's practice, and one of the reasons for it was that a lot of the assistant coaches were on the road recruiting.


Special teams coach Jay Boulware took advantage of their absence by putting his players through their paces.


"Basically, we had an NFL special teams practice today," Boulware said. "It allowed us to hone in on some of the stuff, game-plan wise, and we were also able to go back and refine some of the other things that we haven't touched on in a while and things that we touch on once a week -- hands team, on-side kick team and stuff like that."


**Wide receiver Emory Blake says he's still not completely recovered from the high ankle sprain he suffered against South Carolina on Oct. 1. He missed three games after that. He's still Auburn's leading receiver with 30 catches for 505 yards and five touchdowns.


He has 11 catches and TD reception in the seven games since the injury.


**Blake, a junior, said he hasn't decided if he'll submit papers to see where he might be drafted should he decide to turn pro.


"I haven't yet. Not really. It could be something I might be interested in. We'll have to see,"


His father, Jeff Blake, was an NFL quarterback for 14 years.


**Blake says he's happy for Gus Malzahn, who was named Arkansas State's head coach Wednesday, and pleased that he's sticking around Auburn for the Chick-fil-A Bowl.


"First of all, I don't know who would call the offense if he left. Second, just having one more game with him is going to be nice to have before he leaves," Blake said.


**Blake said he doesn't care who the next offensive coordinator will be "as long as someone comes in and throws the ball a good bit, I'm good with it."


**Blake said Auburn's young receivers are coming along. That group includes Quan Bray, C.J. Uzomah, Jaylon Denson and Sammie Coates.


"They've grown up a lot," Blake said.


**Defensive end Nosa Eguae says he likes head coach Gene Chizik bouncing around the practice field as interim defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.


"He's just football-savvy and brings so much energy," Eguae said. "It's nice to seeing him more and more. Your head coach, you know, he's everywhere, but we're seeing him a lot more because he's in our meetings and stuff like that. It's just nice seeing him out there." 

http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2011/12/auburn_notebook_video_a_specia.html

[Snaggletiger]

PLease, please, pleeeeeease don't go.

On another note, the quotes from Eeegway give a little indication that Chizik lets his corches corch as opposed to intefering and trying to change a corch's philosophy.   

[Shug Dye]

If he goes, I really will fucking cry.

[Saniflush]

If he goes, I really will fucking cry.

I'll use your tears as lube.

[JR4AU]

PLease, please, pleeeeeease don't go.

On another note, the quotes from Eeegway give a little indication that Chizik lets his corches corch as opposed to intefering and trying to change a corch's philosophy.   

I'd say about a player like Blake, that he's done nothing of note to rate NFL draft status, but the NFL is like anything else, and connections matter.

I've heard other quotes from the LBs that made me think the same thing.  Thinking we might see a greatly improved defense for the Chicken Bowl.  Not that they'll be turned in to something like the LSU defense in a month's time, but hopefully more aggressive and better tackling.

[Buzz Killington]

Sounds like it's going to depend on the new OC.  I think he will most likely stay, but if he and Lutzie both leave, I will be the one crying.

[AUTiger1]

PLease, please, pleeeeeease don't go.

On another note, the quotes from Eeegway give a little indication that Chizik lets his corches corch as opposed to intefering and trying to change a corch's philosophy.   

"It has been a lot more intense and a lot more focused on little details and footwork and where your alignment and assignment is supposed to be," Garrett said. "It has been a lot more physical.

"It's a little bit different because I'm more active around him. Before he was the head coach and we weren't around him as much, but having him coaching me up on the little details on what I'm supposed to do and where I'm supposed to be helps me out a lot more."

Chizik met with the linebackers before practice started and evaluated each one of them, pointing out strengths and weaknesses. Sophomore Jake Holland appreciated the feedback and the honesty.

"I really respected him when he said that," said Holland. "It really lets us know where we stand. It gives us an opportunity to get better."

Christ on a crutch!  What in the hell has Roof been doing this whole time then?

If he goes, I really will fucking cry.

Funny, you never say that about me.  

[djsimp]

Christ on a crutch!  What in the hell has Roof been doing this whole time then?

For REALZ!

[Shug Dye]

I'll use your tears as lube.

You say that to all the little girls....and since when have you cared about lube?

Funny, you never say that about me.

You'd have to leave.

[Saniflush]

You say that to all the little girls....and since when have you cared about lube?

I didn't say what it would be lube for.

[Buzz Killington]

Christ on a crutch!  What in the hell has Roof been doing this whole time then?

Teaching them jazz moves.

[Saniflush]

Teaching them jazz moves.

More like the dirty sanchez.

[AUTiger1]

You'd have to leave.

Tis true.   

[RWS]

I've heard other quotes from the LBs that made me think the same thing.  Thinking we might see a greatly improved defense for the Chicken Bowl.  Not that they'll be turned in to something like the LSU defense in a month's time, but hopefully more aggressive and better tackling.

According to you, kids can't be coached up to give a halfway decent effort in just one year. Or does that only apply when you're defending Malzahn?

[jmar]

According to you, kids can't be coached up to give a halfway decent effort in just one year. Or does that only apply when you're defending Malzahn?

Malzahn is a oddball. He could have stayed at Auburn as I thought he might but most everyone thought it only natural for him to aspire to be a bigtime HC. Whatever his motives are, he and his spouse are back in the safe friendly confines of the state of Arkansas until he thinks it safe to venture out again. He chose a team in Arkansas State with a good returning core and I'm sure this past season will be his only blemish due to the young and inexperienced group of kids that Auburn returmed from the NC team of 2010.

I think Gene Chizik let him coach as he said he would upon assembling this staff. And Malzahn was given the talent to make his system work, even to the detriment of the defensive side of the ball. (jmar cites LBs here as an example) IMO, Tony Franklin could walk in here and make this offense click if we could block. Malzahn was a champ at calling plays when we had a veteran line. But in my way of thinking the 1.3M OC should ultimately be responsible for the key elements on the field including the unit under Jeff Grimes. After all, are you a coordinator? Or are you just an extraordinary play caller when you have weapons and a veteran line? (jmar isn't even mentioning Cam) They zone blocked at Troy (Franklin) just like they will at good ol' Arkansas State.

I didn't read the genius' book but I think we established that there are successful run plays that were taken from other systems with the counter trey, power, jet sweeps and zone reads with bubble screens as a choice to mix and match with stack and bunch formations... blah,blah blah. We have to BLOCK! (In basketball one has to rebound on both ends) Good positioning (fundamental) is encouraged but Charles will tell you WANT TO is key. And I think that is why more often than not we see two very different halves in a football game moreso than what the talking heads like to spew about coaching adjustments. (and no, not always) But if a guy like Fairley is blowing up your offense you have to issue some challenges AND make some necessary changes.

I don't pretend to know what offense is preferred to mesh with a 4-3 defense. And I think it's comical to think that an established DC would beg off double his salary because the offensive philosophy is not in keeping with his system. BULLSHIT! Are you a coaching professional or are you concerned with your resume'? When you have them wanting you and you reach a comfort level in the interview process you can afford to throw out a few pseudo-concerns but that's not gonna get in your way if you know going in that you will be afforded the time and resources to do what you do. And I don't even think it matters about the current regimes' foundation and what happens if it ends while you are part of it. The bottom line is results. CAN YOU STOP THE OPPOSITION?

Auburn, under the present leadership of Gene Chizik will find two coordinators that will instill an attitude and rally the troops come 2012. You recruit the talent. You develop the talent. The talent performs. Okay it also helps to have a "serviceable" QB like Cam.   

[Kaos]

According to you, kids can't be coached up to give a halfway decent effort in just one year. Or does that only apply when you're defending Malzahn?

[JR4AU]

According to you, kids can't be coached up to give a halfway decent effort in just one year. Or does that only apply when you're defending Malzahn?

Nope, never said anything like that.  You're a moron.

[GH2001]

Malzahn is a oddball. He could have stayed at Auburn as I thought he might but most everyone thought it only natural for him to aspire to be a bigtime HC. Whatever his motives are, he and his spouse are back in the safe friendly confines of the state of Arkansas until he thinks it safe to venture out again. He chose a team in Arkansas State with a good returning core and I'm sure this past season will be his only blemish due to the young and inexperienced group of kids that Auburn returmed from the NC team of 2010.

I think Gene Chizik let him coach as he said he would upon assembling this staff. And Malzahn was given the talent to make his system work, even to the detriment of the defensive side of the ball. (jmar cites LBs here as an example) IMO, Tony Franklin could walk in here and make this offense click if we could block. Malzahn was a champ at calling plays when we had a veteran line. But in my way of thinking the 1.3M OC should ultimately be responsible for the key elements on the field including the unit under Jeff Grimes. After all, are you a coordinator? Or are you just an extraordinary play caller when you have weapons and a veteran line? (jmar isn't even mentioning Cam) They zone blocked at Troy (Franklin) just like they will at good ol' Arkansas State.

I didn't read the genius' book but I think we established that there are successful run plays that were taken from other systems with the counter trey, power, jet sweeps and zone reads with bubble screens as a choice to mix and match with stack and bunch formations... blah,blah blah. We have to BLOCK! (In basketball one has to rebound on both ends) Good positioning (fundamental) is encouraged but Charles will tell you WANT TO is key. And I think that is why more often than not we see two very different halves in a football game moreso than what the talking heads like to spew about coaching adjustments. (and no, not always) But if a guy like Fairley is blowing up your offense you have to issue some challenges AND make some necessary changes.

I don't pretend to know what offense is preferred to mesh with a 4-3 defense. And I think it's comical to think that an established DC would beg off double his salary because the offensive philosophy is not in keeping with his system. BULLSHIT! Are you a coaching professional or are you concerned with your resume'? When you have them wanting you and you reach a comfort level in the interview process you can afford to throw out a few pseudo-concerns but that's not gonna get in your way if you know going in that you will be afforded the time and resources to do what you do. And I don't even think it matters about the current regimes' foundation and what happens if it ends while you are part of it. The bottom line is results. CAN YOU STOP THE OPPOSITION?

Auburn, under the present leadership of Gene Chizik will find two coordinators that will instill an attitude and rally the troops come 2012. You recruit the talent. You develop the talent. The talent performs. Okay it also helps to have a "serviceable" QB like Cam.

I found myself going "WTF??" so many times during the UGA and Bama games. The Offense I saw in those 2 games was some mickey mouse bullshit. I felt like Coach Kilmer did in Varsity Blues....

Oop-dee-oop left, on one. Shift !

What the hell kind of offense is that? Kilmer's gonna eat his ass.

Jesus, Moxon, what are you doing ?

It's a secret.

Your dummies can't run a simple draw, and you got secret formations? This ain't no fucking sandlot.

It's called an Oop-dee-oop. Overload the defense on one side, burn them one-on-one on the other.

You got a bad attitude and you don't listen ! We do things around here my way ! You think you're in some fancy school ? I wonder if you know the difference between a sneeze and a wet fart ! Oop-dee-oop, give me a break !