re: IM looking forward to the A-Day game - Will we win?

I wouldn’t expect anything more from Byrum than was expected going into year 2 for Nick Marshall. Very good runner poor passer but a playmaker. So protecting the football is essential.

With our WRs and Byrum slow release I don’t expect a 3000 yard passer. Hope I’m wrong. He will get close because the sheer number of plays we will run per game but this team needs to be about 60-40 run/pass ratio.

Yea as I said earlier, offense definitely looked like it was still installing itself and really didn’t do very much other than a lot of base stuff. Byrum’s very first drive he missed one throw down the seam, was a difficult throw/window and he missed safely. Then overthrew Nimrod on a deep sideline route that he abused the CB. Looked like he may have checked up at first. First drive was cooking until then. He had some really dumb throws but had some good placement on others. If he was allowed to run, he would have had some very big plays too. He can just flat out move.

Ti’a didn’t take a lot of deep shots, but he was decisive and efficient with the ball. Showed good mobility as well. He looks like a solid backup and could develop into a decent QB.

RB’s o really don’t have any complaints with. All had some good play and not many TFL’s. Saw some good blitz pickup form a number of guys, even when the OL got whipped or massively outnumbered. One of Brown’s longer passes to Singleton only happens because I think Mabson just lit up a rusher.

WR’s I think were my biggest pleasant surprise, mostly with how physical they were blocking and how much they attacked the ball. Saw a good variety of routes get catches, even some slants and crossing routes on third down with a blitz in the qb’s face. Guys caught the balls with their hands and were looking to get yards.

OL - not sure how to judge yet with guys out. I thought run blocking was okay, guys had holes and blockers onto the second level decent. Pass plays had some breakdowns but had some good play as well. They were dealing with a lot of pressure from Durkin, stunts, backside LB and DB blitzes, and hard rushing the ends because the QB wasn’t running. They definitely need to improve, no question, but having watched most of Florida and Bama’s spring games, theirs didn’t look comparatively much more impressive either.

Defense - we definitely have some talent. I thought our Ends played well, Jared Smith will be a problem. His Interception was a fantastic play, even if it was a very bad throw from Brown. LB’s I thought played well and attacked. Deas is going to be real good as he keeps developing.

DB’s seemed to play the ball pretty well when they were in position. Had two tip interceptions (though one called off because of penalty elsewhere) I can’t remember the last time we had one of those. The one the holding penalty erased where Fegans tipped the ball up and Woodby picked it was just impressive.

Overall, it very much looked like a practice. Definitely have a ways to go but there was for sure a lot of glimpses of what the good can be and look like.

quote:

---

wouldn’t expect anything more from Byrum than was expected going into year 2 for Nick Marshall. Very good runner poor passer but a playmaker. So protecting the football is essential.

---

He didn’t play nearly as well, but in reality it wasn’t terribly different than Cam’s spring game. Cam didn’t play that much, but was like 3-8 passing. Not saying Byrum is or will be that but both guy’s running ability is so important to their play, it gets everything into a rhythm. So until we really get under the lights, going to be hard to know what we truly got. He made some really bad plays today though. Nothing was unfixable though. Just shouldn’t have been making them in the first place.

Ti’a is a very good backup for us. The freshmen Spencer is going to be a good one in the future.

Don’t expect a sudden miracle. It took Shug and my Grandfather five years to turn an 0-10 Auburn team into a National Champion. When in all honesty, the competition was not as deep as it is today. Auburn and Rome wasn’t built in a day. The culture and work ethic were both wrecked by Freeze and Harsin. I’m not expecting to turn on a dime. But I am willing to understand that a new beginning is encouraging. No more gun shy Quarterbacks or an ackward coaching staff incapable of developing talent. At least on the surface.

Time will tell. However, the foundation has been laid and it’s time to get over the fairy tales of immediate success. Auburn competes with established championship talent. Anyone that has coached or played knows this is an attempt to breakout and get away from misery. This was a spring exhibition, nothing more. Defenses always lead the way in development. Especially when that coaching staff stayed intact.

We are on the same page. It was encouraging to hear and recognize that the change in coaching and the approach is showing signs of getting off the floor and rising to what became Auburn Football. We’ll see what emerges from the summer.

I’m looking forward to seeing what role Gus will offer. The doors of past success have been opened. As I said, a new beginning and it seems the recognition of what is needed is the past evidence of SEC success at all levels.

Like I said, Don’t expect sudden greatness. However, the approach seems to be on track. This was simply a glorified scrimmage that displayed the sudden work ethic that was demanded and inclusion of former Auburn talent and success. I’m looking to be over 6 wins and a bowl win. Not looking for a championship. But hey, I spent time playing, coaching and officiating to develop a successful business and work habit in life. My positive approach has always been challenging. Too many folks on sidelines bitching and not working to succeed.

Auburn was not built in a day…..neither was Rome.

quote:

---

Duke Smith, get that man the ball!

---

That one play he slowed down the route right into the soft spot, great awareness. He is a player. And Spencer, what a game.

Seems we have some other receivers than the vaunted USF transfers.

I understand what you are saying Blue Dragon, but Shug did not have a 22 million dollar payroll either. I expect pay for performance and 22 million is a lot of pay

22m this next season would get you a last place SEC roster. Our roster which isn’t extremely talented will be around 30m.

Texas will fall somewhere around 44-50m