Jump Jump for your Love....

[Godfather]

Auburn's Ellis Johnson flip-flops Cassanova McKinzy, Kris Frost's positions to get better fit at linebacker

Ellis Johnson has not been afraid to shake things up across his defense this spring.

In addition to experimenting with Gabe Wright and Montravius Adams at defensive end, Johnson evaluated the play of his top two returning linebackers, Cassanova McKinzy and Kris Frost, and made an important decision.

McKinzy and Frost will flip positions in Johnson's 4-2-5 defense this season, meaning McKinzy will move from the weak-side into the middle, and Frost will make the opposite transition.

"I have traits of an outside linebacker, and Cass has traits of a middle linebacker," Frost said. "We’re adjusting well to it. Cass is doing a really good job with all the calls and making sure the defense is where we need it to be and everything."

The presence of Jake Holland dictated where both McKinzy and Frost played last season. A third-year starter, Holland's advantage in experience made him a natural fit at the "Mike," or middle linebacker position, the spot responsible for making all the calls in Johnson's scheme.

Having Holland in the middle meant that McKinzy, a productive player and Auburn's most physical linebacker, had to play on the weak side, and Frost's natural communication skills made him a fit in a two-man rotation in the middle.

Freed from the added challenge of trying to identify formations and make calls  -- a problem during his freshman year -- McKinzy finished as Auburn's leading tackler with 75 stops, added eight tackles-for-loss, two sacks and an interception in a breakout sophomore season.

Now that McKinzy's had a year to learn the scheme, Johnson has moved him to the middle to see if the junior can make the transition and better take advantage of his physicality at the line of scrimmage.

"Mike is a lot more to learn as far as knowing the plays and knowing the checks and calls and everything," Frost said.

In turn, that moves Frost, a rangy player with a lot of speed at 240 pounds, to the weak side, although the moves may not be permanent. Behind those two, little-used backup Kenny Flowers is working at Mike, and redshirt freshman Cameron Toney is on the weak side with Anthony Swain out of practice.

Being able to come back in the same scheme for the second year in a row allows Johnson to experiment a little during spring practice.

"There will be some movement and some rotation at a lot of defensive positions," head coach Gus Malzahn said.

McKinzy and Frost are doing a little bit of movement and rotation even within their new positions.

Frost's natural ability in space -- a former high school receiver, Frost is a faster, more fluid player than McKinzy -- means the junior is moving back inside to the Mike in Auburn's dime packages, when there is only one linebacker on the field.

Asked where he would play if Auburn had to play a game this week, Frost reminded reporters that it depends on the situation.

"I could be playing at Will, but if we go to Dime, I could be playing at Mike," Frost said. "It can all change."

So I'm thinking that Frost doesn't have what you'd call the mental skills to make the play calls.

[Saniflush]

So I'm thinking that Frost doesn't have what you'd call the mental skills to make the play calls.

My Frost is a sweet boy, but he ain't exactly what chu call college material.

[Buzz Killington]

The presence of Jake Holland dictated where both McKinzy and Frost played last season.

 

[Tiger Wench]

So I'm thinking that Frost doesn't have what you'd call the mental skills to make the play calls.

Then what the hell does this mean?

Having Holland in the middle meant that McKinzy, a productive player and Auburn's most physical linebacker, had to play on the weak side, and Frost's natural communication skills made him a fit in a two-man rotation in the middle.

[Godfather]

Then what the hell does this mean?

Means he knows how to call plays, doesn't mean he is calling the right one.

[Buzz Killington]

Then what the hell does this mean?

He can flash them signs

[dallaswareagle]

Means he knows how to call plays, doesn't mean he is calling the right one.

And Jake would call the right play, doesn't mean he is tackling anybody.

[Snaggletiger]

Bless his heart

[Godfather]

Bless his heart

WHO ARE YOU TALKING TO?

[Snaggletiger]

WHO ARE YOU TALKING TO?

Jake, from State Farm.

[Godfather]

Don't yell at me.

Well you blew that layup...the correct answer was Jake from State Farm.   

You play as well as Duke Basketball.

[Snaggletiger]

Well you blew that layup...the correct answer was Jake from State Farm.   

You play as well as Duke Basketball.

Corrected.  Now, carry on.

[Godfather]

Corrected.  Now, carry on.

Well you sound hideous!

[Snaggletiger]

Well you sound hideous!

That's cause' you're a guy

[Buzz Killington]

What are you wearing?

[Saniflush]

That's cause' you're a guy

I'm not really sure.

[dallaswareagle]

What are you wearing?