Auburn Football Spring Practice: 10 Questions the Tigers Must Answer
The spring 2011 campaign has began for the Tigers and some big questions loom in the for ground that must be answered. Who will take over the quarterback position? How will the lines shape up? With few players on scholarship heading into the spring, just keeping bodies healthy may be one of the biggest goals that needs to be archeived.
Auburn seems to be at levels not seen since the arrival of Chizik and Co. Not much that can be done about that now however. Some prophecies become self fulfilling like the move of Neiko Thorpe to safety. But how other holes are filled remain to be seen.
With so many holes look for walk ons to turn into scholarship players sooner rather than later. Some early enrol-lees are sure to make a splash as well. All these things can make the difference in 2011 between being 5-7 or 9-3.
The Quarterback Race
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One of the most glaring holes for the Auburn Tigers to replace is the quarterback. Cam Newton shot onto the scene as an instant game changer. He was a guy that could make plays when everything seemed to be broken down. There never was a concern when pressure came because Newton always seemed to find his way out of trouble.
What seemed more pivotal to the team development last year was not what Newton accomplished in the spotlight but also what he accomplished off the camera. Newton was a vocal leader on the team and the next quarterback has to assume that role.
As it stands today, Barrett Trotter gets the obvious nod for the starting position. He was the second string QB last season and has received rave reviews from coach Malzahn because of his knowledge of the system and his ability to thread the needle with passes.
Trotter is a better pure passer than Newton was, the difference is can he get guys out of bed on Saturday to come to the practice fields to throw? Will he be a vocal leader for the team? Taking that leadership role is a big part of leading the team on Saturdays.
Clint Moseley is a very talented player as well. Winning Alabama’s Mr. Football in 2008 there is a recognized talent that he possesses but in his first few seasons on the plains Moseley has found himself deeply buried on the depth chart.
This season is his chance to make a statement. Moseley appears to have the physical tools it has been the mental side of the game that has to develop further for him to make a run. With Kiehl Frazier coming to campus in the fall, Moseley has to solidify himself early and often in the next few weeks to avoid pulling the disappearing act on the depth chart.
Linebacker
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This position development has not received a lot of play this spring as a hole for the Tigers because there seems to be so many. The quarterback development seems to get the most play but this may be the biggest hole for the defense.
Yes losing Nick Fairley to the NFL hurts. But losing both of your leading tacklers for two seasons in a row hurts more than most realize. There are guys that have seen a ton of playing time in reserve roles these past few seasons but production will inevitably drop.
Eltoro Freeman is a name to watch. Freeman recorded 8 or more tackles in three games that he played in last season. The other games he seemed to have missed the bus to the stadium. Freeman is a talent that is rare but still seems raw. Freeman’s development will determine a lot for this unit in 2011.
Jake Holland is another name that showed up last season in reserve rolls but also earned time in the Championship game. Holland is poised to make a breakout this season and a defensive middle third with Freeman, Holland and Daren Bates should lead the way and can be very dangerous if they make it to the same page through spring.
Auburn has recruited well in the past few years at ‘backer and look to have some depth as well at the position. Look for Harris Gaston, Owens, and Jonathan Evans to make an impact as well.
Offensive Line
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What initially appears to be a glaring hole may not be such a terrible situation for the Tigers after all. Auburn does return some experience on the line just not the same as four year starters. Brandon Moseley transitioned last season from a JUCO Tight End to starting right tackle. A.J. Greene had the best fall camp of his career and started four games before being lost to injury.
Auburn has the opportunity to start three seniors on the line this season with Greene, Moseley and Jared Cooper. That is only one less than 2010, but again the glaring difference is going to be the experience. Developing a line chemistry will also be the other chore.
The good news for Auburn is that Jeff Grimes stayed after being courted by Texas in late January. His ability to mold a line together has been proven as he took over a broken group in 2009. Grimes will no doubt have to rebuild but with the talent that returns for the Tigers and the experience at the tackle position in Greene and Moseley, Auburn may not have as tough a time developing up front as most would think but it will matter.
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How does Mike Pelton Adjust
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Mike Pelton has a huge role to fill this spring and fall. He is taking over the D-line this season for recently departed Tracy Rocker. Like Rocker, Pelton earned his playing time at Auburn. Coming back to his alma mater is an honor I am sure but all that just makes a good story.
Will Pelton fit in with this staff? The good news is that he most likely is a great fit. Pelton knows Auburn and mre importantly he knows Chizik. One of the defining factors in whether or not teams are successful is determined by how the coaching staffs develop together.
Pelton will know what is expected of him by having the advantage of already working with Chizik and he will also have the extra task of making his alma mater successful. Sure Pelton has big shoes to fill but with his recruiting prowess and technical savvy he should fit right in with this staff.
This will be a tough year for Pelton with the lack of experience and depth across the defensive front but the talent is there. Look for the line to play with the same nasty streak it had under Rocker.
What Early Enrollee Makes an Impact
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There are five guys that checked in early for the Tigers and decided to take in spring training. Two of them should look to make an impact early for the team.
Reese Dismukes is stepping in as a highly touted Center. A position that is over looked often times but one that anchors the offensive line. The center is responsible for making protection adjustments and for reading the defensive front. Dismukes has the size and skill, but will he have the ability to learn the offense and the protections fast enough to make an immediate impact is the glaring question.
If Dismukes can make those adjustments to college life and learn the intricacies of the offense, with only a walk on listed as the starter Dismukes should have the ability to make an immediate impact.
Jonathan Rose is another early enrollee that should make an impact. Coming off a great senior season at Leeds High School, Rose was one of the premier cornerbacks in this class. He is in a position that has a limited depth and one that the Tigers have a propensity to play younger players early and often.
Chris Davis and Ryan White were guys that had to learn trial by fire last season because the bodies just were not there. With Davis and White getting experience, Jonathan Mincy and T’Sharvan Bell returning, it may be odd to think that Rose has a chance to break onto the field. Rose is very talented however and at the very least may be able to fill a return role on special teams.
The Defensive Line
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When you have to lean to a redshirt sophomore as a “veteran” depth is an obvious issue. Nosa Eguae has had his share of playing time and returns as the most experienced lineman that Auburn has. There are a few that have some experience to call this line green is an understatement.
To put salt in the obvious wound Tracy Rocker, one of Auburn’s greatest players and now great position coaches, left this past season to coach in the NFL. Mike Pelton has stepped in and assumed the role and should fit in well but a regime change on top of the lack of depth is not a recipe for immediate success.
With Jeffrey Whitaker and Kenneth Carter receiving some significant snaps last season, the interior line has two guys with experience. The d-line losses went way beyond Nick Fairley for the Tigers. Look for Jamar Travis to be a guy that rotates in the middle consistently this spring.
On the outside of the line Dee Ford and Corey Lemonier are guys that are young but have shown some promise. Lemonier was a beast at times as a freshman last year and should fill the role of Antoine Carter well this season.
The talent is not the issue for the line so much as it is experience. Games are won and lost on the front line so the development is an obvious need. This could be a larger issue than most if Pelton can’t get these guys ready.
Will Eric Smith return
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One question that has to be asked is will Smith be reinstated? It is hard to imagine a guy that was arrested for domestic violence may be able to return to a college football team, especially one that tries to pride itself with internal integrity.
One of the things that we must keep in mind is that an arrest is only due to circumstance. If I point a finger at you with a bloody nose and said you did it, well, for that moment in time you did. I am by no way claiming Smith is innocent. I am just stating the facts that no one knows what the results of the investigation are going to be.
No one can be so innocent to assume that the coaches aren’t looking at the abysmal depth chart and thinking that having another body at a key position of loss wouldn’t hurt. Especially when that body has started football games. The return of Smith would be no less shady than anything else that goes on with college football rosters across the country, heck even in the state of Alabama.
With that being said, will Smith return to the lineup anytime soon? I have no clue. But it sure does seem like a possibility, especially if the charges turn out to be unsubstantial.
Can Spring Be the Difference in 5-7 or 9-3
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The outright answer is yes. Auburn has a chance to be a good team this year. The talent is available from the last two recruiting classes. Auburn has a lot of talent and team speed at the skill positions. However, the lack of depth and experience is a mixture that could hurt the Tigers.
This is a team that could find the road to abysmal demise early and often as this coming schedule is no cupcake. Smashed into the heart of an already rigorous schedule is a brutal four game stretch of two home and two away games against some of the top talent in the SEC.
What this spring can do for Auburn, however, is make a difference in leadership and tenacity and develop another great group of players. These Tigers can be successful, but a lot will be determined in the next 15 days.
Who is the Vocal Leader
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A starting position is waiting for someone and it may be the most difficult on the team. This team needs a defined leader. Last season you had Kodi Burns, a guy that everyone looked to as an Auburn man. A leader born by grit and determination despite circumstance.
Lee Ziemba had been an anchor for four years on the talented line that paved the way to the National Championship. Day in and day out you could find Ziemba working on himself and his teammates.
Cameron Newton stepped in after the christening of other teammates and became a huge leader. He make huge strides not only on Saturdays with his teammates but it was driving by the complex and seeing their qb out before everyone and staying later than everyone in an attempt to get better.
Josh Bynes was even a guy who stepping into the role well. So who will be this year’s team leader? The quarterback would be a good start as will a defensive star. Look for Trotter to accept his proposed role early. If he can lead this offensive team to work hard like his predecessor, Auburn will win some ball games.
On the defense who knows. I might have pointed to Mike McNeil unfortunately because of his experience and resilience through injury but clearly that suggestion would have been very misguided. Someone has to take the reins and the sooner the better for this young team.
What Walk-Ons May Contribute
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Ikeem Means is the first name that fits the bill. Means is a guy that plays a key position and has always received rave reviews from the coaches. With the recent dismissal of Mike McNeil the safety position is a spot that now has a depth issue. Demetreuce McNeil did a great job last season filling in at times but still lacks experience. Even with the recent move of Neiko Thorpe to Safety, look for Means to make an impact and possibly earn a scholarship by fall.
Blake Burgess is another guy that has a shot to make an impact. Listed as the second string center last season and seeing some playing time for the Tigers, he is a guy that is the front runner for the starting center position. He also may be on scholarship by kickoff of 2011.
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