Is Depth a Real Excuse?

Snaggletiger · « **on:** October 12, 2009, 12:58:27 PM »

This morning, our local sports talk guy read a quote from Antonio Coleman after the game Saturday. Don't know where it was from and it may have already been posted here. Coleman said he wanted a meeting with Chizik to discuss what's going on with the defense. He wasn't happy.

Last week, I said over and over that if Roof chose to continually rush 4, Arky would hang 50 on Auburn. He did, they almost did. This past Saturday, every single time we lined up on defense, I just prayed that someone would step up and make a great individual effort because strategy-wise, the game was over before it started. Could it be that Corch Bobby Petrino looked at the film of the first 5 games and said, "Hmmm...

1st and 10....4-3

3rd and 2....4-3

2nd and 15...4-3

3rd and goal from the 2....4-3

Let's see...they blitzed a safety once against MSU early in the 1st quarter and faked a blitz one time against UT. Okay....unless I'm missing something, and I don't think I am....I believe I can call a game to pretty much drive a stake through their hearts by..oohhh saayyyy..middle of the second quarter."

I've heard the depth excuse until I want to puke on my shoes. I watched UF/LSU on a wide screen in the Tallahassee Hooters Saturday night and never once did I say, "Damn, that's like the 5th nose gaurd they've played" (I did say "Wow, nice tits") Yep, it's great to be 3 deep at every position but seriously, is the 3rd string offensive guard really going to play unless it's a blowout? If we were 3 deep at corner, would Walter McFadden really say, "Thank God, I need a blow"?

I understand how truly thin Auburn is at LB. But what the hell does that have to do with stacking the box or changing up your defense to you know...maybe fit the situation...maybe...possibly give the opponent a different look....maybe...oh I don't know...give yourself a chance to stop an offense and get off the field. Is Josh Bynes going to get any more or less tired by running on a straight line towards the QB or chasing Michael Smith down the sidelines? Just curious.

Antonio Coleman and Antoine Carter and Michael Goggans and Mike Blanc and Jake Ricks and Walter McFadden and Craig Stevens...have all been a part of defensive units that were actually feared and respected in this league. They did not suddenly forget how to play football. They did not suddenly forget how to tackle. What is the damn difference? Depth? Bullshit!!!

This team is 5-1 and doing better than I and most people really expected. But I think everyone recognizes the one persistent deficiency in this team compared to even last year's debacle. Everyone also recognizes that Auburn is heading into the real meat of their schedule with LSU, Ole Miss, Georgia and Bama just ahead. How long will those teams have to study film to figure out how to attack this defense. One game's worth ought to do it, don'tcha think? The quote from Antonio Coleman didn't sound like he wanted to bend Chizzy's ear about developing some depth. Sounded more like he has a few choice words about how he and his team mates are getting the shaft.

jmar · « **Reply #1 on:** October 12, 2009, 01:09:05 PM »

Depth is the overall problem. Roof calling off for the day is something totally different.

Come Honor Face · « **Reply #2 on:** October 12, 2009, 01:10:26 PM »

Pell City Tiger · « **Reply #3 on:** October 12, 2009, 01:16:00 PM »

Dear A. C.,
Practice delivering your complaint before the meeting.

Signed,
Eltoro Freeman

Kaos · « **Reply #4 on:** October 12, 2009, 01:18:33 PM »

Everyone is such a big word, Harv.

Our defense will be fine. We were just playing vanilla so we didn't put players in a position to get injured. You must live in a world of shit. Your glass is half empty. No need to jump off a cliff. I knew you would say this. Predictable. You can't use one game to make determinations. It's too early to know. We will just have to wait and see. It's just common fucking sense.

Snaggletiger · « **Reply #5 on:** October 12, 2009, 01:26:07 PM »

Vanilla? Hmm..novel idea. Now that I have had time to mull this whole thing over, I feel certain that Corch Roof will now turn the dawgs loose. Look out UK. You're just an appetizer.

A.C. is definitely one to speak his mind, good or bad. (Like I know the guy, whatever) I do know from a family member that was at pratice that the rumors of him getting into it with Rocker and walking off the field were 100% spot on. I hope he closes the doors and lights em' up.

Look, we're half way through the season and probably at the bottom of just about every statistical category...even at 5-1. It damn sure can't hurt anything to change things up.

Kaos · « **Reply #6 on:** October 12, 2009, 01:35:31 PM »

Ted Roof is the Tony Franklin of defense.

Others can make excuses all they want -- and have.

I said after the WVU game I was impressed with his effort to rein the guys in and get them to keep everything in front. In retrospect I may have read too much into it. Was not aware then it was his ONLY answer.

If Tennessee receivers can catch a ball in their hands or if Crompton isn't bouncing balls off receivers heads that game could easily have gone the way Saturday did.

I've also heard the old "hurry up makes the defense tired because it moves so fast."

Also bullshit.

Shouldn't be tired on the first series.

Argo · « **Reply #7 on:** October 12, 2009, 01:40:51 PM »

I was under the impression that Chizik ran the defense. With him being a defensive guy, I figured Roof was more of an assistant than a coordinator. I remember Chizik's defense at Auburn being a very good one.

Saniflush · « **Reply #8 on:** October 12, 2009, 01:49:18 PM »

Quote from: Argo on October 12, 2009, 01:40:51 PM

I was under the impression that Chizik ran the defense. With him being a defensive guy, I figured Roof was more of an assistant than a coordinator. I remember Chizik's defense at Auburn being a very good one.

I'm not sure he has anything to do with the defense.

AUChizad · « **Reply #9 on:** October 12, 2009, 01:51:37 PM »

Quote from: Argo on October 12, 2009, 01:40:51 PM

I was under the impression that Chizik ran the defense. With him being a defensive guy, I figured Roof was more of an assistant than a coordinator. I remember Chizik's defense at Auburn being a very good one.

I wish he did. We wouldn't be seeing this clusterfuck if he were.

Catphish Tilly · « **Reply #10 on:** October 12, 2009, 01:52:56 PM »

Quote from: Harvey Birdman on October 12, 2009, 12:58:27 PM

This morning, our local sports talk guy read a quote from Antonio Coleman after the game Saturday. Don't know where it was from and it may have already been posted here. Coleman said he wanted a meeting with Chizik to discuss what's going on with the defense. He wasn't happy.

http://blog.al.com/auburnbeat/2009/10/auburns_antonio_coleman_frustr.html

Auburn's Antonio Coleman frustrated about defense
By Evan Woodbery
October 11, 2009, 8:29PM
Todd Van Emst, AuburnAntonio Coleman returns an interception in Week 2 against Mississippi State.We just wrapped up an interesting interview with Auburn defensive end Antonio Coleman.

The fifth-year senior hates to lose, and he doesn't back away from forceful statements.

Read on...
"I don't like it and I don't think anyone on this team likes losing," Coleman said.

Later, Coleman volunteered that he planned to seek a meeting with head coach Gene Chizik about the direction of the defense.

"I'm a fifth-year senior and I came back to have fun and help this team win," he said. "I just have to go sit down with coach Chizik about how I feel about what's going on."

Asked to elaborate, Coleman said the discussion would center on "how I feel about how this defense is playing and just a couple of things that I may see we need to work on."

Coleman is playing with an injured right wrist that requires a cast during games. A large bag of ice was placed on his forearm during interviews Sunday. Chizik has said the injury may be limiting Coleman's effectiveness. The Mobile native didn't register a single tackle Saturday at Arkansas, but he bristled when presented with that stat on Sunday.

"I don't look at the stat sheets," he said. "Coach (Tracy) Rocker, he doesn't look at the stat sheet. If you want to look at grades, go over to Haley Center (a campus academic building) and get your grades....It's about ballin'. You have to get out there and make plays and fly around and have fun. If you want to get all these grades and stuff, go to school to get your grades."

Some more thoughts from A.C....

(On the game)
Last night, obviously, was a tough loss for all of us as a team. Defensively, we didn't do what we were supposed to do to go out and help this team win the ballgame.

Right now, I think we're at a point that our eyes are open. We're not so much in shock but we see what can happen if we go out and don't prepare well and get our minds ready to play a football game.

(On his injury)
There's a lot of things going through my head. When it boils down to it, I still have to go out there and make plays whatever the predicament is.

(On his position)
It doesn't matter to me. Just tell me where to play on the football field and I'll play. I'll play a little linebacker. Like I told coach Malzahn, put me at offensive guard and I'll pull around and knock somebody out for you.

Snaggletiger · « **Reply #11 on:** October 12, 2009, 02:00:46 PM »

I like this guy.

Kaos · « **Reply #12 on:** October 12, 2009, 02:22:12 PM »

Quote from: AUChizad on October 12, 2009, 01:51:37 PM

I wish he did. We wouldn't be seeing this clusterphuk if he were.

We disagree.

Signed,
Iowa State fans and players

Saniflush · « **Reply #13 on:** October 12, 2009, 02:28:35 PM »

Quote from: Kaos on October 12, 2009, 02:22:12 PM

We disagree.

Signed,
Iowa State fans and players

Did he handle the defense there?

Jumbo · « **Reply #14 on:** October 12, 2009, 02:32:30 PM »

Quote from: Saniflush on October 12, 2009, 02:28:35 PM

Did he handle the defense there?

He couldn't afford coordinators...

Snaggletiger · « **Reply #15 on:** October 12, 2009, 02:41:26 PM »

Quote from: Jumbo on October 12, 2009, 02:32:30 PM

He couldn't afford coordinators...

+1 1/3

Kaos · « **Reply #16 on:** October 12, 2009, 02:48:37 PM »

Quote from: Saniflush on October 12, 2009, 02:28:35 PM

Did he handle the defense there?

Dunno. Looked like the same poop there we're doing here.

Wasn't "Chizik is a defensive mastermind, we won't have to worry about the defense as long as he's here. Doesn't matter if he hired Ted Roof or Bob Villa, he'll handle the defense and that will be awesome" like point #2 in the "your glass is half empty, why do you hate Gene Chizik" platform espoused from about February on by a few around here?

Oh. Now he doesn't handle the defense. I get it.

Well, which is it young feller? Is he runnin' the defense or is he ain't?

Mean to say, if he is he's a doin' a turd-tastic job bout now. And iff'n he ain't then ya can't rightly use it as a reason to endorse the guy. See what I'm-a sayin?

AUChizad · « **Reply #17 on:** October 12, 2009, 02:55:03 PM »

Quote from: Kaos on October 12, 2009, 02:48:37 PM

Dunno. Looked like the same poop there we're doing here.

Wasn't "Chizik is a defensive mastermind, we won't have to worry about the defense as long as he's here. Doesn't matter if he hired Ted Roof or Bob Villa, he'll handle the defense and that will be awesome" like point #2 in the "your glass is half empty, why do you hate Gene Chizik" platform espoused from about February on by a few around here?

Oh. Now he doesn't handle the defense. I get it.

Well, which is it young feller? Is he runnin' the defense or is he ain't?

Mean to say, if he is he's a doin' a turd-tastic job bout now. And iff'n he ain't then ya can't rightly use it as a reason to endorse the guy. See what I'm-a sayin?

What has my position been from the beginning on Chizik's direct role on the field. I have stated time and time again, he doesn't have shit to do with it. He hires assistants, and handles the media. He decides to punt or go for it on 4th down. He calls official reviews, and chews officials out when they make dumb calls. He may even be on the field yelling "Come on, let's go" to fire guys up. But he is not calling plays.

Saniflush · « **Reply #18 on:** October 12, 2009, 02:56:13 PM »

Quote from: Kaos on October 12, 2009, 02:48:37 PM

Dunno. Looked like the same poop there we're doing here.

Wasn't "Chizik is a defensive mastermind, we won't have to worry about the defense as long as he's here. Doesn't matter if he hired Ted Roof or Bob Villa, he'll handle the defense and that will be awesome" like point #2 in the "your glass is half empty, why do you hate Gene Chizik" platform espoused from about February on by a few around here?

Oh. Now he doesn't handle the defense. I get it.

Well, which is it young feller? Is he runnin' the defense or is he ain't?

Mean to say, if he is he's a doin' a turd-tastic job bout now. And iff'n he ain't then ya can't rightly use it as a reason to endorse the guy. See what I'm-a sayin?

Don't know great and powerful Oz. That's why I asked the question. Trying to find out the probable answer through gathering knowledge.

War Eagle!!! · « **Reply #19 on:** October 12, 2009, 02:57:05 PM »

Quote from: Saniflush on October 12, 2009, 02:56:13 PM

Don't know great and powerful Oz. That's why I asked the question. Trying to find out the probable answer through gathering knowledge.

Just cuss everyone and claim you were right all along...