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2014 Position Group Outlook Offense
Posted on 1/8/14 at 11:14 pm
Posted on 1/8/14 at 11:14 pm
So here is the way too early look at position groups (assuming Tre leaves)
Offense
QB- Grade: B
Key Additions: None
Key Losses: None
Nick Marshall returns and should signal improvement for Auburn at the Quarterback position. While he showed glimpses at promise in the NC game, he is not a reliable passing threat and until then receives a grade B primarily on the merit of his running ability. Darkhorse contender Jeremy Johnson also shows promise but until otherwise notified, JJ is a backup
RB- Grade: B-
Key Additions: Racean Thomas
Key Losses: Tre Mason
You do not lose the single season record holder for Auburn and improve at a position. Tre Mason should be remembered as an all time great at the position and losing him will be devastating for the offense. Luckily, Auburn has some serious talent at the position in returning rotational players Cameron Artis-Payne and Corey Grant as well as Peyton Barber coming off a redshirt year. Add in 5* RB Racean THomas and you have the making of a promising group. Unfortunately, none of these players have experience being a workhorse back in the SEC and the unit is unproven in terms of gamebreaking ability
WR Grade: B+
Key Additions: Dhaquille Williams
Key Losses: None
This should be the most improved position group on the team heading into next year and ost definitely will be on offense. Returning is a developing star in Sammie Coates who was automatic in the national championship game when called upon. In addition, true freshman Marcus Davis came from relative obscurity to have some moments of brilliance. The potential of WRs like Tony Stevens also should leave Auburn fans extremely excited. The real question marks come from players such as RiCardo Louis who is the epitome of inconsistency despite having one of the highest talent ceilings. Finally, what could truly push this group over the edge and into the A range is the addition of JUCO All American and future superstar Dhaquille Williams. If Dhaquille Williams lives up to even half the hype heaped upon him, he arguably could produce one of the best seasons for an Auburn WR ever (which isn't saying much however)
FB/TE Grade: B+
Key Additions: Ricky Parks
Key Losses: Jay Prosch
The loss of Jay Prosch in the blocking game for our offense should appear to be devastating. Losing a man with freak strength who has been named an All American at points in his career is not easy. Add in his leadership role and it could be a huge blow. Luckily for Auburn though, Ricky Parks if finishing his rise through the ashes and should provide an acceptable replacement. Parks also will provide a dangerous pass catching threat from the HBack position which gives our offense either a solid outlet or a true receiving threat that has to be accounted for
For TEs, we return CJ Uzomah who while quiet became more consistent in the later half of the season. He is poised to provide at a higher level next year. Brandon Fulse was utilized primarily in the blocking scheme and could help Ricky Parks in the HBack position. While we missed him for a period during the season, Fulse could be an unsung hero in the blocking game
OLine Grade- A
Key Additions: None
Key Losses: Greg Robinson
When arguably the best OLineman since Marcus McNeil declares two years early to the draft, it is hard to imagine that an offensive line will be able to keep the production level constant. Auburn however is in one of the greatest positions in the country in terms of OLine thanks in part to both luck and Gene Chizik's roster mismanagement at the time. When you have the best HS OTackle from the 2010 class coming back from cancer and you sign an additional 2 top 250 OTs plus a few others who can play the position, that just seems stupid. Right now though, through the early departure of Greg Robinson, it is playing out perfectly. The likely candidates for OT will come from Avery Young, Patrick Miller and Shon Coleman. Two of them have starting experience in the SEC and Shon Coleman finally seems to be getting up to pace after cancer. While there will likely be some level of dropoff, all three are considered only Sophomores this year and will likely come to dominate at the position due to their ability.
On the interior of the line, all three of the OGs and OC are returning. Alex Kozan was only a redshirt Fr and while he at times at strength issues should be ablet o fix that with S&C (I mean he is only 19 right now) and his high technical ability is incredible. Dismukes will once again be poised to make a run at national awards and will be the commander of the OL, a job he excels at. Chad Slade exceeded expectations and likely will get better coming into his senior year due to experience
Offense
QB- Grade: B
Key Additions: None
Key Losses: None
Nick Marshall returns and should signal improvement for Auburn at the Quarterback position. While he showed glimpses at promise in the NC game, he is not a reliable passing threat and until then receives a grade B primarily on the merit of his running ability. Darkhorse contender Jeremy Johnson also shows promise but until otherwise notified, JJ is a backup
RB- Grade: B-
Key Additions: Racean Thomas
Key Losses: Tre Mason
You do not lose the single season record holder for Auburn and improve at a position. Tre Mason should be remembered as an all time great at the position and losing him will be devastating for the offense. Luckily, Auburn has some serious talent at the position in returning rotational players Cameron Artis-Payne and Corey Grant as well as Peyton Barber coming off a redshirt year. Add in 5* RB Racean THomas and you have the making of a promising group. Unfortunately, none of these players have experience being a workhorse back in the SEC and the unit is unproven in terms of gamebreaking ability
WR Grade: B+
Key Additions: Dhaquille Williams
Key Losses: None
This should be the most improved position group on the team heading into next year and ost definitely will be on offense. Returning is a developing star in Sammie Coates who was automatic in the national championship game when called upon. In addition, true freshman Marcus Davis came from relative obscurity to have some moments of brilliance. The potential of WRs like Tony Stevens also should leave Auburn fans extremely excited. The real question marks come from players such as RiCardo Louis who is the epitome of inconsistency despite having one of the highest talent ceilings. Finally, what could truly push this group over the edge and into the A range is the addition of JUCO All American and future superstar Dhaquille Williams. If Dhaquille Williams lives up to even half the hype heaped upon him, he arguably could produce one of the best seasons for an Auburn WR ever (which isn't saying much however)
FB/TE Grade: B+
Key Additions: Ricky Parks
Key Losses: Jay Prosch
The loss of Jay Prosch in the blocking game for our offense should appear to be devastating. Losing a man with freak strength who has been named an All American at points in his career is not easy. Add in his leadership role and it could be a huge blow. Luckily for Auburn though, Ricky Parks if finishing his rise through the ashes and should provide an acceptable replacement. Parks also will provide a dangerous pass catching threat from the HBack position which gives our offense either a solid outlet or a true receiving threat that has to be accounted for
For TEs, we return CJ Uzomah who while quiet became more consistent in the later half of the season. He is poised to provide at a higher level next year. Brandon Fulse was utilized primarily in the blocking scheme and could help Ricky Parks in the HBack position. While we missed him for a period during the season, Fulse could be an unsung hero in the blocking game
OLine Grade- A
Key Additions: None
Key Losses: Greg Robinson
When arguably the best OLineman since Marcus McNeil declares two years early to the draft, it is hard to imagine that an offensive line will be able to keep the production level constant. Auburn however is in one of the greatest positions in the country in terms of OLine thanks in part to both luck and Gene Chizik's roster mismanagement at the time. When you have the best HS OTackle from the 2010 class coming back from cancer and you sign an additional 2 top 250 OTs plus a few others who can play the position, that just seems stupid. Right now though, through the early departure of Greg Robinson, it is playing out perfectly. The likely candidates for OT will come from Avery Young, Patrick Miller and Shon Coleman. Two of them have starting experience in the SEC and Shon Coleman finally seems to be getting up to pace after cancer. While there will likely be some level of dropoff, all three are considered only Sophomores this year and will likely come to dominate at the position due to their ability.
On the interior of the line, all three of the OGs and OC are returning. Alex Kozan was only a redshirt Fr and while he at times at strength issues should be ablet o fix that with S&C (I mean he is only 19 right now) and his high technical ability is incredible. Dismukes will once again be poised to make a run at national awards and will be the commander of the OL, a job he excels at. Chad Slade exceeded expectations and likely will get better coming into his senior year due to experience
2
Posted on 1/8/14 at 11:56 pm to GenesChin
quote:
Key Losses: Tre Mason
He hasn't declared yet
Posted on 1/9/14 at 12:49 am to WarCamEagle
First line says assuming Tre leaves
Posted on 1/9/14 at 7:09 am to GenesChin
To say losing Mason would be devastating seems a little dramatic to me. He had an amazing season and we don't know if the next man up can duplicate what he did, but we've got several more than capable backs to fill in.
Posted on 1/9/14 at 8:28 am to GenesChin
Good stuff, and I agree with your assessment. If we stay healthy, the offensive production next season could be better and more consistent (considering it took several weeks before the offense hit its stride on 2013).
Will be interesting to see how teams defend us in 2014. DCs are gonna spend all offseason game planning for us. Gus will obviously tweak some things. Daquille could really be a game changer. Craig said he's our jameis Winston.
Will be interesting to see how teams defend us in 2014. DCs are gonna spend all offseason game planning for us. Gus will obviously tweak some things. Daquille could really be a game changer. Craig said he's our jameis Winston.
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