Take a minute to think about the QB situation at Auburn, which is currently in flux due to changes with the starters and coaching staff. Good-bye pro-style offense, hello spread.
Can it be? Auburn won't be lining up in a one-back or I-formation and playing power football? Get used to it, as the Tigers shifted to the spread and have entrusted the reigns of the offense to sophomore Kodi Burns.
Burns carried the ball 54 times for 203 yards last season, which was good for a 3.8 average. Considering college football counts sacks against teams' and players' rushing averages, Burns probably did better than his rushing average indicated.
In essence, the Auburn faithful need not worry about Burns toting the pigskin. The bigger issues lie with Burns's ability to quickly master the spread offense and become a leader, along with the obvious: making accurate throws. That will not be an easy task for a sophomore in the rugged SEC West.
Auburn welcomes back Ben Tate and Brad Lester, giving the Tigers, and more importantly, Burns, two excellent options to handoff, pitch, or throw to from the running back or slot position (watch for Lester to lineup in the slot to provide more speed).
Additionally, Mario Fannin moved to wide receiver from tailback, and he possesses excellent footwork and the ability to make defenders miss in space, a big plus for the spread offense. Still, Burns has a big role to fill.
Forget any commentary that Auburn's coaches spew to the SEC or national media this summer or during fall camp. All they are going to state is that they have the utmost confidence in Burns. What else are they going to say? "Hey, we know Burns is going to struggle this year…" Yeah, right.
The biggest help for Burns, however, begins with senior wide receiver Rod Smith, who caught 52 passes for 706 yards last season, for an average of 13.4 yards per reception. Smith will be counted on even more so now, with a new offense and new quarterback.
The big-play, and literally biggest, wide receiver for the Tigers will be Tim Hawthorne, a high-profile recruit from Homewood, Ala. entering his sophomore season. At a listed 6'3", 208 pounds, Hawthorne provides an inviting target for Burns, especially during third downs and jump balls close to the end zone.
Hawthorne secured just four passes last season, but is projected as a starter this fall. It will be important for him to play up to his hype, and size, for the Tigers' spread offense to gain momentum during the 2008 season.
The other wide receiver that is listed as a starter headed into fall camp is James Swinton, a senior who only caught one pass last season. Also, watch out for Montez Billings, currently listed behind Smith on the depth chart, but a player that corralled 28 receptions for 321 yards, for an average of 11.5 per reception during the 2008 campaign. Billings' 28 receptions being second to Smith for the 2007 season.
During the 2007 season, a young, Tigers offensive line proved to be inconsistent at times, but that inexperience has a year of growth behind it heading into the upcoming season. Sophomore Lee Ziemba started to provide flashes of his high-recruiting profile by the end of the SEC portion of the 2007 schedule, and will anchor the line from his offensive-tackle position.
All of the aforementioned players give Burns a chance to be one of the key components to the 2008 Auburn offense, and not the sole component of the 2008 Auburn offense.
Burns must still learn the nuances of the Tigers' new system and adapt to the players being lined up around him in unfamiliar territory, but he will not take on the burden of jump-starting the Auburn offense alone, at least not in theory.
Now, if the Tigers lay an egg during an early SEC game, of course the media will jump all over Burns, because he is the quarterback. Welcome to the SEC West, young Mr. Burns. Your time has come, ready or not.
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9 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Nic Gulas about 1 year ago
You want to say that Kodi Burns has the reigns to the offense, yet the coaches havent even said that. There is not one mention of Chris Todd in this article, the transfer who was committed to Troy and then changed to Auburn when Franklin left. He has a good of a chance to lead this offense as Burns does, especially since Todd was bred in the Spread offense. This fight is far from over, and it will be taken deep into fall practice.
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Liger about 1 year ago
Chris Todd and Kodi will both play. Franklin said that he likes the idea that defenses would have to prepare for two different styles of play. Based on what I've seen Kodi has more potential, but if Todd gets his arm in gear, he'll be very good...Todd showed glimpses of greatness in the Spring game. I love his poise in the pocket and the way he can elude pressure while keeping his head up and looking down field...they aren't many QBs who've mastered that...that was probably the best thing about Brandon Cox, but he didn't have the arm strength.
Also, I've never understood why people keep questioning Kodi's ability to pass. Sometimes I wonder if black QBs have to prove more in that area to get respect. It's almost as if people think that being about to run precludes the ability to pass. Maybe folks didn't see the Spring game where Kodi did quite well throwing the ball, and even threw the longest TD pass of the day. He also threw Auburn's only TD pass in the CFA Bowl last year. Oh well...can't wait for the season. I like it when our players feel like they've got something to prove...
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LUVAU about 1 year ago
From all I read, after Franklin watched Kodi's HS film and saw how good/and accurate he was in HS, Franklin was surprised. He started working with him, and Kodi is back to the more accurate and confident QB he was in HS. Each Coach has his own style of what he wants a QB to do.. his influence on footwork/how he holds the ball etc. Franklin's toutalege seems to be more effective with him than Borges was. Kodi has also commented about being familiar with the spread from HS so it's not foreign to him either.
The team seems more pumped than any since the 2004 season. They are excited and all seem to really like Franklin's version of the spread. One things for sure... with the pace Franklin sets with no huddles etc, the team should be in the best shape and endurance they've ever been.
I expect there will be a learning curve and development as the season progresses, but I like the talent, attitude and work ethic of this group. It's good to know we have Todd and Burns to have options depending on how each is doing on a given day against a given team. Both have experience which is very important in the SEC. Even Burns limited playing time last yr was great preparation for a lot more playing time this yr. He knows what it's like to be in big games, the huge electric atmospheres and he's used to college/especially SEC speed of the game.
I expect a fun and exciting season. We'll be there and be cheering them on regardless!!!
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m Jett about 1 year ago
The writer obviously did not do good research and preparation for writing this article. Both QBs will play and who ever has the hot hand will be the guy for that Saturday. Plus, remember, the QB runs some in this offense, so both will compliment each other in giving reset time on the sideline to catch ones breath or to just regroup.
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Radio Man about 1 year ago
I was well aware that there was another QB that could start, but I firmly believe Kodi will get the Lions share of the snaps. It's his job to lose.
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Tony Shores about 1 year ago
Much has been written about Auburn's "quarterback controversy".
Make no mistake, both Burns and Todd will play and both will be effective.
The issue isn't who will start, but who will finish.
The spread offense is notorious for chewing up quarterbacks.
Late in the season, I expect injuries will dictate the starter as much as talent.
Burns vs. Todd may provide some preseason drama but won't dictate Auburn's fortunes.
In the end our season may come down to how well Neil Caudle can run Franklin's system.
AUsome.
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Liger about 1 year ago
Tony, I agree that both will play, but I'm not sure it's fair to say that the Spread eats up QBs faster than any other offensive system. Look at UF for example, they've run the Spread for three years and have only had two QBs (Leak and Tebow) to have any significant playing time.
Tebow was a little dinged up in 2007 but so was Brandon Cox in 2006. The reality is that any QB could get hurt in any game no matter what offense you're running. Teams like Oregon and WVU can go through some QBs, but it's not because they run the Spread, but because they run the Spread-Option where the QB runs quite a bit more than in our system. So, while I can't predict the future any better than you can, I'd be pretty surprised to see both Kodi and Todd injured at the same time. Especially since Todd won't be running a lot. He's probably slower than BC...if that's possible! :)
Both Troy and UK under Franklin were the same...how many times did injuries dictate their starting QB? I'm pretty sure the answer is very close to 0.
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cindy koklas about 1 year ago
Oh contrare, Nic. Burns also has experience in the spread (high school) and apparently is pretty comfortable in his execution of it. Haven't you wondered why the coaches didn’t make comparisons between Burns and Todd when interviewed in the media in regard to their knowledge and execution of the spread. The only criticism Franklin initially made of Burns ability in the spread was his footwork which he himself said Burns mastered quickly. The real issue, though I doubt it is actually as big an issue as Franklin makes it out to be (but merely a means to get his prodigy Todd on the field), is Todd's ability to throw the long ball. Even in this regard I fail to see the comparison. Check out Burn's recruiting videos on youtube.com and you will see why. In watching you can see that without a doubt he has the ability to throw the accurate long ball. Unfortunately you can't look at Auburn game film to determine this because he hasn’t been given many opportunities to show us his arm strength while on the field at Auburn. Trust me, I go to all the games and that seemingly effortless 54 yard over the shoulder pass he threw to Rod Smith in the New Mexico State game last year brought back memories of the Jason Campbell era. Had he been given more opportunities last season to use his passing ability, there would be no question who is the more talented QB. As far as leadership ability...maybe Todd can prove himself a leader once he gets out there but Burns has already proven he has what it takes to lead the Tigers by coming in on more than one occassion last season and leading them to victory.
If Todd is elected to start at QB (and even as much control over the offense as Franklin purports to have I don't think TT is going to allow that one) it will be because Franklin has made a few promises to get his boy to Auburn and quiet possibly because his ego is such that he is compelled to show the Auburn faithful and the national media that a QB he has personally trained in the spread is better than one who is not. Of this possibility TT should be cautious because it is said..."pride cometh before the fall."
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John Luxury about 1 year ago
I`m the world`s biggest Auburn fan and I live in Los Angeles.I`m excited by the team Auburn is going to have this year.This should really be facinating.Auburn needed to ditch that offense and they had enough guts to do it.War Eagle!John Luxury
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