in here that made me get tingly in the crotchorial region. copypasta al.com
AUBURN, Alabama – Auburn
receiver Sammie Coates says the Tigers need more leadership after a 1-4 start, and called on his quarterbacks, the team's veterans and the young players to show it. "We don't have leadership. The leadership has to come from somebody.
"Everybody talks about wanting to win, but nobody is showing how they want to win," Coates said Tuesday. "Everybody isn't buying into it"
Linebacker Jake Holland said he doesn't agree with that.
"I think the leadership is there," he said. "It's just taking the leadership we have and moving to the things we want to do.
"I don't see finger-pointing."
Coach Gene Chizik said Coates is simply frustrated after the slow start. Coates also said, "They put a lot on the older guys, but they're not showing much. Coach always talking about leadership, but nobody is trying to be a leader. They talk about it all the time, but you don't see it."
Coates attributed part of the problems to a "lack of focus. The focus isn't there. We want to be good, but we're not showing it." The Tigers have struggled, especially on offense, are headed to Ole Miss on Saturday as a 5-point underdog to a team that has lost 16 straight SEC games.
"We haven't played our game yet," Coates said. "We just keep falling in a hole. Everybody is like we're not good. I know we're good. We've just got to step up and take care of business."
Coates said coaches have asked the older players to lead the way, "but I don't see it."
"Sometimes we go out there, and we're like dead."
Coates said of the quarterbacks: "They talk. But they don't talk enough. They have to be leaders."
And, "We've got to look past the four losses and look to the other games."
Defensive back T'Sharvan Bell sounded similar concerns Sunday night.
Chizik said he understands the frustration. "I have a good feeling most of the team is right on point," Chizik said.
"That's one guy's opinion. It's good that you have guys and leaders on the team that believe that. It sends a message to the guys on the team that are frustrated… I understand the frustration.
"There has been frustration, which goes along with guys who have been used to winning."