Auburn Tigers Football 2011: The 5 Best and 5 Worst Offseason Developments
Auburn’s football program has seen its fair share of ups and downs this offseason.
There have been numerous headlines that have been made; some have been good, while others have been breathtakingly bad. No matter the change in circumstance, however, the Tigers always find a way to stay level and constant.
The Tigers enter the 2011 summer workout period looking for success and are as talented as any team in the country. The biggest question will be experience in 2011, but the hope is that the talent will grow up quickly.
The Tigers have had bad headlines cross the news ticker, like the arrest of four players for armed robbery, but they have also had great exposure with two first-round draft picks and the No. 1 pick overall. Television specials have focused on accusations of impropriety but recruiting momentum has continued to grow, and the staff has been maintained for one more year.
2011 holds numerous headlines for the Tigers, but to this point there are plenty to discuss. These are the five best and five worst offseason developments for the Tigers.
The Not-So Fantastic Four – Worst
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When HBO released the plan to interview four former Auburn players about corruption inside the program, numerous fans seemed to roll their eyes and say “here we go again.” After all that had happened with the Cameron Newton situation, fans seemed tired of another accusation.
Chaz Ramsay and Stanley McClover made the most damning accusations, saying that they received cash handouts and pay-for-play schemes. None of the players that spoke on the documentary have named any boosters or rouge personnel from the Auburn program, but the NCAA is sure to be looking into the allegations, nonetheless.
If nothing else, these accusations added salt to the already open wound that is Auburn and supposed cheating scandals. How these accusations develop in the next year will be watched closely by fans across the country.
TINSTAAFL, It Matters – Worst
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Essentially, if you own it, you have paid for it one way or another. It's basic economics; there is no such thing as a free lunch. Despite the hopes of the masked bandits that used to be Auburn football players, they will pay for the goods that they received one frightful night off of Wire Road.
Four former Auburn players entered a home of fellow students and committed armed robbery. As it stands today, the future looks very dark for these four, and they have only themselves to blame. Coach Chizik immediately removed the players from the team.
This incident, coupled with another player’s domestic violence arrest and subsequent dismissal, have Auburn leading for the unwanted and highly renowned Fulmer Cup.
Toomer’s Tree Poisoning - Worst
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Sports fans are known to be fanatical at times and make horrible decisions. Harvey Updyke may have made one of the worst decisions in sports history when he decided to poison the oaks at Toomer’s corner in Auburn.
Updyke not only poisoned the trees, but he also had the audacity to call into a nationally syndicated radio talk show based in Birmingham, Alabama, known as the Paul Finebaum Show, to confess. The trees do have a chance for survival as the poison was hoped to have been contained in time to avoid total destruction.
The rolling of the trees is one of the oldest and greatest traditions in college football, but the ability of the Tigers fans to roll the trees may be in jeopardy. How the agricultural staff is able to maintain the trees this summer will go a long way in determining the ability for fans not only to roll the trees this season, but to hopefully conserve the tradition for generations in the future.
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Ed Dyas Passing- Worst
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Ed Dyas was an All-American fullback and linebacker for the Tigers in the 1950’s. On top of his traditional position roles, he also was one of the more prolific kickers in Auburn history.
Dyas was inducted into the college football Hall of Fame in 2009 and will always be remembered by the Auburn family as a model Auburn Man.
Dyas passed away in January of this year. He was an orthopedic surgeon in Mobile, Alabama, and was beloved by his friends, family and the communities of Mobile and Auburn alike.
Lack of Quarterback Clarity – Worst
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This question needs to be the most important offseason focus for the Tigers. After not coming out of spring with a clear-cut leader, Auburn has to find an answer as soon as possible.
Barrett Trotter and Clint Moseley are the front-runners in the competition, but Keihl Frazier is looking to be a factor as well. With the recent courting of Russell Wilson, the Tigers coaching staff has not found a leader between the veterans yet.
Whatever happens for the Tigers in the next three months must include them finding a leader at the quarterback position.
Raises for the Staff – Best
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Solidifying its commitment to success, the Auburn athletic department offered up contract extensions and raises for its coaching staff. Gene Chizik received a huge boost in salary, earning an additional $1.3 million a year and an extension through 2015.
A buyout clause is also included in his contract, and that starts at $10 million if he were to be terminated without cause. Gus Malzahn is likely the highest paid assistant coach in college football now that Will Muschamp has moved to the head coaching ranks as he pulls $1.3 million a year.
Ensuring that the staff is paid as good, if not better, than their counterparts at other Universities ensures that Auburn will have continuity in its staff, which helps breed success. This staff proved its worth in 2010, bringing a preseason No. 21 to the championship.
Two First Round Picks – Best
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When Cameron Newton went first in the draft to the Panthers, some showed surprise and others disgust. No matter what Newton does, he is likely to either be loved or hated drastically by anyone that comes across him. For Auburn fans, he is loved.
Nick Fairley is another player that draws criticism for his play. Again, Auburn fans love him. For this coaching staff to have the No. 1 pick in the draft after only two years is extremely impressive. Having two first-round picks is even better.
Not only does the selection help the national perception of the Tigers' program, but it also helps recruiting tremendously. Anytime that a coaching staff has success on the field, players listen. When a few of those players have success beyond college, players really start to listen.
Recruiting Momentum – Best
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Gene Chizik and Co. have pulled their fair share of top level talent the past few years, pulling in two top-five recruiting classes. Entering their third full year of recruiting, Auburn is well on their way, not only to a top-five class, but possibly the best class in the country for 2012.
Big Cat weekend was hosted the last weekend in May. Since the major recruiting weekend, Auburn has landed commitments from four big-time recruits. According to rivals.com, Auburn currently has nine commitments, of which seven are 4-star recruits.
Auburn landed another big time in-state running back commitment when T.J. Yeldon committed to the Tigers on Tuesday. JaQuay Williams, another rivals.com 4-star, is expected to commit to the Tigers on Wednesday the 15th, making the list now 10 commits and eight 4-stars.
With the recent transfers of Mike Blakely from Florida and Corey Grant from Alabama, the Tigers continue to surprise and impress on the recruiting front.
New Indoor Facility and Practice Fields – Best
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Auburn was in dire need of a large indoor practice facility. In years past, when the weather forced the Tigers indoors the playing field was shared or swapped off between offense and defense. With the new indoor facility set to be completed in the fall, the Tigers will now have a state-of-the-art practice facility.
Coupled with the new indoor facility, the Tigers replaced their outdoor fields as well. New playing surfaces were a big need for the Tigers and will alleviate a large stressor from practice planning.
Board of Trustees Change – Best
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Bobby Lowder did some great things for Auburn University in his long tenure on the board of trustees. He gave numerous monies not only to develop athletics, but also to develop the business schools and the campus. Be that as it may, his departure from the board is a positive for the Tigers.
With so much controversy that follows Lowder and his reach into the University, his departure will help to calm the storm. Auburn was in need of fresh faces on the board, so this will serve the University and its athletic interests well as they move forward into the future.
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