Auburn Tigers Football Burning Questions: The Secondary

Here we go again. 

Last time, we found ourselves gazing into the crystal ball trying to figure out who Auburn's starting running back would be in 2010.  Judging by the poll results, it's still a little foggy in the glorified snow globe, but it seems incoming blue-chipper Michael Dyer is the man to beat.

So let's try something a little more consistent.  Tarot cards?  Astrology? 

No, this time around we will get more specific.  That's right, when in doubt, take a wild guess.

Burning Question # 3: Will Auburn's Defense Return to Traditional Form in 2010?

Yes, the phrase "traditional form" is relative, so for the purpose of this question, Auburn's overall total defense since the 2000 season (present 2009 season excluded) will be used as the benchmark. 

2000 is certainly not digging very deeply, but this brief timeline is somewhat telling as the emergence of the spread offense, which appears to be around for years to come, became prevalent, forcing defenses to adjust their schemes and the type of player they field to stop it.

While some will argue and ask why I only went back to 2000, it seems most would agree that Auburn has been known for its stingy defense for years.  Also, you would be hard-pressed to find anyone that would not agree that the 2009 unit just did not look the same as it has for many years, giving up more ill-timed big plays than anyone can remember.

Since 2000, the Tigers have given up an average of 307.8 yards per game. Auburn led the SEC in yards allowed per game in two of those years. 

In the 2009 regular season the Tigers D gave up 353.5 yards per game, finishing dead last in the SEC.  That is 45.7 more yards per game than average during the 9 previous years.

As in recent prognostications, there are certainly several unknowns.  Injuries, attrition, and of course, the question of what current commits will actually sign in February, and of those, which will actually be on campus in the fall always seem to sneak in the conversation.

So let's break it down by position, or levels, in the defense. Today, we'll focus on the secondary. 

This area of the defense actually began with the most experience, even with pre-season ending injuries to starters Mike McNeil at safety and cornerback Aairon Savage .

Just over the mid-way point in the year, three-year starting safety Zach Etheridge suffered a season ending neck injury, leaving the secondary with true freshman Daren Bates  and first year JUCO transfer Demond Washington  as the starting safeties.  Before Etheridge went down, Washington had seen playing time sparingly, playing in nickel and dime situations.

At cornerback, experience stayed on the field throughout the year, seeing senior Walt McFadden and sophomore Neiko Thorpe , a member of the 2008 SEC All-Freshman team, as the starters.  These two accounted for eight interceptions, with McFadden grabbing six (two in the Outback Bowl) and Thorpe nabbing two. 

Washington, Bates, and Thorpe will all return next season.  Etheridge, who still wears a large neck brace, is doubtful at best.  He is still recovering and is walking, but as always with a serious neck injury, his everyday well-being is still the number one priority today.

Returning three of the four final starters should bode well for the Tigers' secondary.  With hopes of McNeil, Savage, and possibly Etheridge returning, it looks as though there will be more than enough experience to see the secondary as the strong point of the defense.

Other players returning that saw playing time in 2009 are T'Sharvan Bell , who had two interceptions in Tampa; D'Antoine Hood , who at least held his own against Northwestern; Mike Slade ; and Drew Cole , who was previously injured and saw very limited time in the Outback Bowl. 

Now, for the possible incoming freshmen that will be on the Plains next fall.

Jonathon Mincy (ESPN , Scout.com , Rivals.com  3-STAR ) 

Mincy may be the best pure cornerback the Tigers will sign.  With decent size at the corner (5'11"), he should easily add weight and could become a shutdown DB in years to come.  Mincy has the tools and the football IQ, so it should be interesting watching his career unfold.

Demetruce McNeal (ESPN, Scout.com, Rivals.com 3-STAR )

McNeal is known for his hard hitting and his ability to find a way to make plays.  Not the best coverage DB, McNeal will need a year or so before he is ready to play safety in the SEC.

D.J. Howard   (ESPN, Scout.com, Rivals.com 3-STAR )

Howard, who was a standout running back in high school, is seen by the Auburn staff as a very good safety prospect.  He is extremely athletic and would be a well needed extra body to throw into the mix right away. 

Chris Davis   (ESPN, Scout.com, Rivals.com 3-STAR )

Late on the recruiting scene, Davis wowed at Woodlawn High in Birmingham as an ever-elusive return man.  Auburn sees him making an immediate impact on a suspect return team, while possibly contributing in the secondary.  Look to hear his name early on special teams, but it may take a season before he sees much time in the secondary.

Ryan White (ESPN, Scout.com, Rivals.com 3-STAR )

White looks to fit in the same category as Davis.  While a standout quarterback at Lincoln High in Tallahassee, Auburn seems to think his talents are best suited on the other side of the ball.  Running a 4.4 forty will almost assuredly get White some early looks on special teams and possibly on offense, but, because he has knowledge as to what a QB may be thinking, he would be a welcomed asset to have in the defensive backfield.

The secondary allowed 191.8 passing yards per game in 2009, which is 25th nationally, but 8th in the SEC.  Ranking 8th in any defensive category in the SEC is not something Auburn fans are used to seeing.  Some are still stewing over the gaudy numbers Joe Kafka and Co. put up in the Outback Bowl, and those numbers were nothing to laugh at.

I would argue that the ball was thrown enough times for two games, and Auburn was as thin as it gets in the secondary, using several players that had barely seen the field.   If nothing else, the Northwestern game showed these young DBs that they can hold their own.

There was alot of collective breath being held when opposing quarterbacks dropped back to pass in against Auburn in 2009.  Looking to next season, it could be okay to exhale.

With experienced, talented defensive backs returning and some sorely needed incoming help, the secondary should, if nothing else, give defensive coaches ample options to find a recipe for success.