Auburn's Defense Looks at Changes for 2010

There are changes brewing in the defense. First, the practices are closed at this point so all information follows a difficult path of scuttlebutt and interviews of players.

First, there was the switch of ElToro Freeman to strong-side linebacker. Then there was news from beat reporters like Andy Bitter, Evan Woodbery, Charles Goldberg, and Bryan Matthews that Eltoro Freeman was marked off the interview list every day.

Craig Stevens has been the interview representative for the linebackers on most occasions. In an interview released by Andy Bitter on April 9 it was reported that ElToro Freeman spent the day on the sidelines with Coach Yoxall. It was also reported that Philip Lutzenkirchen returned to practice on April 9 after sustaining a minor head injury from a hit by ElToro Freeman and another player.

Freeman has a history of hitting so hard it causes injury to himself. This is a problem that was a priority listed by Coach Chizik in the beginning of spring practice. Jonathan Evans has been working at weak-side linebacker some and Craig Stevens back at strong-side.

It has also been reported that ElToro Freeman has been playing middle linebacker some. This is a move not predicted by many. 

First, some of this is normal in spring practice. Second, some of this might be injury related. Third, both Coach Chizik and Coach Roof have mentioned getting more speed on the field in certain situations.

Daren Bates and ElToro Freeman are two of the heavier hitters on the Auburn defense. With Bates out of spring practice contact recovering from surgery, ElToro Freeman is the other player that lays on bone-crunching hits. It could be the coaches are avoiding leaving spring practice with such a long list of injuries.

It is a situation to watch going into A-Day. I suspect all of this information has several causes. One of them being the multiple defense Auburn will be running this year. It does seem the linebacker position as a whole is being closely evaluated and tweaked to get the right results.

The defensive line has improved enough to draw praise from both Gene Chizik and Ted Roof. Offensive players have commented on how difficult it is to run on this Auburn defense. This is a welcome change from 2009.

The scuttlebutt swirling around is that the Auburn secondary is getting challenged like never before by the strength and accuracy of the Auburn quarterbacks. The Auburn receivers were already difficult to cover; now word is they have to be covered 20 to 30 more yards down the field.

This has resulted in the need for rotation at the cornerback position. It is a very difficult task for the corners to cover the area required. This should help in games like Arkansas where the defensive secondary will be pushed to their limits.

Coach Roof has commented on the contact speed of the defense in a positive way. The swarming nature of the defense has been getting more intense.  

One thing is certain from interviews and scuttlebutt, the defense is improving very quickly. The Auburn offense is having a more difficult time moving the ball with each scrimmage.