Auburn Football: At Spring Practice, the Defense Returns with Confidence

This is shaping up to be a defining spring practice for the Auburn defense. As was mentioned in earlier articles, coach Gene Chizik confirmed that Auburn could use more 3-4 defensive sets in 2010. He also confirmed that Daren Bates will be playing some linebacker and nickel in 2010.

Coach Ted Roof said that the 6'1", 209-pound true freshmen linebacker Jessell Curry and 6'4" 240-pound defensive end Craig Sanders did fine in their first practice. He seemed to be pleased with the practice and content with the condition the team returned in.

Coach Tracy Rocker had some of the best news for the first day of spring training. The defensive tackles have obviously been working hard in the offseason. Nick Fairley checked in at 6’5” 314 lbs., Mike Blanc at 6’4” 289 lbs., Zach Clayton at 6’3” 293 lbs., Derrick Lykes at 6’2” 281 lbs., and Jamar Travis 6’0” 292 lbs. That is a big group of defensive tackles with more due to enroll in the fall.

The defensive ends also worked hard during the offseason. Antoine Carter reported to camp at 6’4" 260 lbs., Nosa Eguae at 6’2” 249 lbs., Dee Ford at 6’4” 233 lbs., Michael Goggans at 6’3” 261 lbs., and Robert Hill 6’1” 239 lbs., True freshman Craig Sanders also makes up this group. Auburn fans can expect the defensive line to be stronger in 2010.

Coaches Phillip Lolley Tommy Thigpen have an experienced group of defensive backs. The return of Aaron Savage and Mike McNeil gives this unit some great leadership and experience. Demond Washington looked particularly sharp in this first practice. He put in a very good effort on coverage and made some plays that had other team members talking. Look for this unit to be a defensive strength in 2010.

Anthony Gully is now Anthony Gully Morgan. He was raised in an adoptive home and chose to change his last name to honor his adoptive family. He is also a defensive player full time and will be playing defensive back.

Coach Roof was razor thin with linebackers in 2009. While still not stacked, the position will be manageable in 2010. Daren Bates was moved to linebacker and will likely back up ElToro Freeman. There is talk of moving Freeman to strong side linebacker. At 5’11" and 223 lbs. he certainly has the size for it.

There seems to be a new, fresh confidence and swagger in the defensive players. This is a big change from the beginning of the 2009 season. It is obvious at this point that the Auburn defense will be multiple this year. Auburn does have a defensive tackle with the size and dominance to run a 3-4 with confidence against strong rushing teams. It would seem fans can expect to see some 3-4 and hybrid 3-4 along with multiple 4-3 sets in 2010.

A full spring roster with positions and numbers can be found here.