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Auburn Football Owen Pappoe: Auburn has the best linebackers in the country Updated: Aug. 26, 2021, 2:06 p.m. | Published: Aug. 26, 2021, 2:06 p.m. COLUMBIA, SC - OCTOBER 17: Owen Pappoe #0 of the Auburn Tigers celebrates with Zakoby McClain #9 after an interception against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the fourth quarter of the game at Williams-Brice Stadium on October 17, 2020 in Columbia, South Carolina. The Gamecocks won 30-22. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)Getty Images 633 shares By Tom Green | tgreen@al.com The reputation of Auburn’s linebacker room has experienced a rebirth in recent years. The Tigers went 14 years without a first-team All-SEC player at the position, but that changed in 2018 with Deshaun Davis’ selection. That was part of a renaissance at linebacker for Auburn that included the likes of Davis, Tre’ Williams and K.J. Britt, as well as the team’s two leading tacklers a year ago, Zakoby McClain and Owen Pappoe. With McClain and Pappoe back again this fall, and with the return of veteran Chandler Wooten, Auburn is feeling confident about how its linebacker corps stacks up to the competition. “I’m going to take us over anybody,” Pappoe said. “I think we have the best linebacker room in the country.” That’s quite a proclamation from Pappoe, a junior who has been a Day 1 starter since arriving as a five-star freshman in 2019, but it also exudes the type of confidence that can invigorate players when it comes from a team captain. Pappoe this week was elected by teammates as one of Auburn’s two permanent captains for the upcoming season, with Wooten chosen as the other. Bryan Harsin has "deep appreciation" for new Auburn captain Chandler Wooten after initial doubts Bryan Harsin admits that, prior to their first meeting, he had questions about Chandler Wooten's commitment after the Auburn linebacker opted out of the 2020 season. Wooten is now a team captain for the Tigers this fall. Their voices have carried weight in Auburn’s program throughout the offseason, and Pappoe’s assertion that the Tigers’ linebackers could be the best in college football this season shouldn’t be taken lightly. After all, Auburn returns McClain, who — along with having been described as willing to “fight a chainsaw” — led the nation with 113 tackles last season, as well as Pappoe, who had 93 total stops in 2020 and tied for the team lead with four sacks. McClain was snubbed of any postseason recognition last year, despite leading the country in tackles and becoming the first Auburn linebacker in 19 years to average double-digit tackles for a season, which has left him with a chip on his shoulder this offseason and motivated to “dominate” this fall. Pappoe has been as consistent as they come for Auburn, both in his on-field production and his leadership within the team. “Zakoby is a passionate guy,” Wooten said. “You know, he plays with a lot of emotion, a lot of passion. Quick-twitch guy, you know. Obviously makes a lot of big hits. And then Owen, he’s just such a smart guy. So humble, hard-working. I could go on and on, but you know, obviously, he’s a physical freak. There’s not a lot those guys really can’t do.” Meanwhile, Wooten — despite not playing in a game since Jan. 1, 2020 — reportedly hasn’t skipped a beat since returning from last year’s opt-out. There’s also a supporting cast featuring former four-star prospects Wesley Steiner, Desmond Tisdol and Cam Riley. On paper, at least, it’s a formidable group to head the linebacker room. Yet Pappoe has more reason behind his steadfast belief in Auburn’s linebacker corps. Here, allow him to explain: “Just how versatile we are,” Pappoe said. “We’re not one-dimensional. All of us have really good pass-rush ability, really good coverage ability, and we can run sideline to sideline. We probably have the fastest linebacker crew in the country as well. We can do it all.” When you combine all that with the fact that players have said new defensive coordinator Derek Mason’s system is incredibly linebacker-friendly — often funneling things toward the linebackers, allowing them to make plays in space and in the box — and there’s reason to believe Auburn’s linebackers should be an obvious strength of the defense and likely in store for big things this season. Just be sure to check back in January to see whether Pappoe’s proclamation that Auburn’s linebacker corps is the best in the country holds up. To claim it is one thing, but the Tigers know they’ll have to back it up with their performance on the field when it actually counts, beginning Sept. 4 against Akron. “That’s to be seen, I suppose, once you go out there and play,” Wooten said. “I mean, everybody looks good on paper, you know, in the preseason. But, you know, it’s about going out there and actually proving it. That’s not necessarily proving it to everybody else. We want to prove it to ourselves, you know? There’s a lot of guys in the room who can play some really good ball, but at the end of the day it doesn’t really mean much if you go out there and lay an egg. “We’ve just got to lock in, stay focused on the main thing, and right now that’s Akron. So, it’s just about going 1-0 every day like coach (Bryan) Harsin preaches. It’s just about us getting better every day and going out there and proving to ourselves what we can really do.” Tom Green is an Auburn beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Tomas_Verde.

What I Can't Wait For This College Football Season (Late Kick Cut) After Saturday's open practice in Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn will officially enter its first game week of the Bryan Harsin era. The head coach will return to the facility Monday after isolating at home due to a positive COVID-19 result last Thursday. In all, 20 different players have spoken to reporters this spring about the new schemes on offense and defense, incoming transfers, the quarterback battle, offensive-line shuffling and more. In position order, here's one standout quote from each Auburn player the media has had the chance to chat with this preseason. On quarterback competition: "Having a room full of talented guys, it's always important because you're just trying to make yourself better, and you're trying to improve each and every day. And no matter what day it is, all of us are trying our hardest to have the best day and to try to go out there and get as many reps as we can and to grow within those reps as we become better. I feel like as a group, we've all done a good job of challenging each other. Like you said, competition brings out the best. In me specifically, I feel like I've always been at my best when I'm competing." On preseason recognition: "To be honest with you, I really don’t pay attention to it and all that social media stuff and all that talk and stuff like that. I never really paid attention to it growing up, even when it was all that ranking stuff and all that stuff — uncalled for if you ask me. It’s good to be on lists and stuff and it’s a blessing, but I feel like you hype yourself up when you get on the field. And if you love doing it, you’re gonna do what you’re gonna do." On his bond with Bigsby: "Our relationship, it's just grown real close. This is how Ronnie (Brown) and Coach (Cadillac Williams) was — they told us how they did things. We kind of went through the same. Even the other guys, make them come along as well. I could say that me and Tank, we're not really focusing on trying to beat out Coach 'Lac and Ronnie. We're just trying to move through this fall camp and then when the season hits, just rock." On pressure from coaching staff to execute in receivers room: "I think we’ve taken that challenge. People have made plays, but it’s not only on the field; it’s off the field too in the film room. We get together, we watch film because we understand we have to learn defenses and see the same thing that Bo (Nix) is seeing. That helps out the whole offense and makes it run more smoothly.” On the new offense: "Change is always good, if you take it that way. I think the new coaching staff has brought a new energy to the team than we've had in the past. But at the end of the day, football is football. You've got to complete your Xs and Os. That's what it comes down to. The tight ends have grown really close with Coach Bedell. We love what he's doing with us and the offense. We're really excited for the future." On the various skill sets Auburn has at tight end: "Like Coach Bedell has said before, he doesn’t like designating certain roles for certain people. There are definitely different attributes that each one of these guys, including myself, brings to the table. It’s real interesting to see all of the different personnel that we can come out and be able to try to dominate the defense with. I love it. I think we’ve got so much unique talent across the board, unique skill set. I’m really enjoying what this room is doing.” On return from injury: "I plan to dominate and finish the season healthy. That would be the biggest thing for me is finishing the season healthy, but also don’t have that injury in the back of my mind when I’m playing this year and don’t worry about my knee. Just focus on the game.” On cross-training positions on the offensive line: "Just learning what the guy next to me has to do helps me understand my game better. In the long run, I might have to play guard, tackle. Just knowing both roles will help me and the team a lot." On offensive line criticisms: "We know what we’ve done and how much work we’ve put in in the springtime and summertime. I think a lot of people don’t realize that. We work hard all year long for these kinds of opportunities to play football in the fall. We try to block out the noise. We don’t really listen to people because at the end of the day we’re the ones on the field and we’re the ones blocking people. We’ll just do that to the best of our ability and get the job done anyway we can. That’s our mindset. We’re going to be tough guys and lead this football team.” On UAB defensive tackle transfer Tony Fair: "I love playing alongside a guy like him because he's guaranteed to take up two (blockers). He moves better than what he looks like, which was a surprise to me. He doesn't ask for much. He's going to give you his all." On progression at defensive tackle: "Once I got to Auburn, I knew that I could do both (tight end and defensive tackle) and really just prepared myself for both knowing if I got overweight or not a tight end standard or whatever. I'm loving the D-line right now. I feel like I have a future in it. I've got a great coach, Coach Eason, who is just buying into me. One day, hopefully, I can make it to the next level." On new edge rusher position: "I love it. I love the scheme, I love the new position. I think it's been very beneficial for me and some of the other edge guys that haven't had a chance to put as much other stuff on film yet, people haven't seen yet. So just being able to do that and have the opportunities is tremendous." On Auburn's touted linebacker trio of him, Zakoby McClain and Chandler Wooten: “I’m going to take us over anybody. I think we have the best linebacker room in the country.” On personal goals for the season: "How many tackles did I have last year? I'm making more than that. I didn't even start the first two games, so I'm going to dominate. My goal is to make more plays, get my team hyped up to make more plays, win my awards and just be a better leader and win more games and get better every day, 100%." On his 9-month-old son, Chance: "He'll be at all the home games. He comes to practice all the time. Just want to be around as much as I can, just so he can experience this last ride with me. He might not remember it but I'll remember for sure. ... He's watching, and he knows exactly who's out there. He knows 31, that's dad." On Auburn's 0ff-man defense: "With the off-man, it's all about with the eyes and feet and all of that stuff and recognizing, like, what's going on with the offense like FBI — football IQ and all of that stuff. So, it gives us more time to think playing off when you see everything from the offense." On the 2021 secondary: "It's so much talent on the back end. Coach Mason has been doing the best job he can at putting the best people in the best spots." On sophomore nickel Ladarius Tennison: "I feel like his game improved a lot from last year to this year because he's been more in the playbook. Just getting an understanding of the scheme, because in high school he played manly linebacker. So being able to play a lot of nickel is helping him learn more." On how he's grown as a person at Auburn: "Man, I changed a lot. There are a lot of things that I did as a freshman that I can't do now because I know there are a lot of eyes on me now. A lot of guys are watching me. I've just got to make sure that I'm doing everything right, as much as I can. Everybody's not perfect, but I'm trying to be perfect." 6COMMENTS On what he's worked on this preseason: "Yeah, I’ve been improving every day. That’s my goal to get 1% better each and every day and sometimes it’s hard to measure when you’re just stacking days on days. But so far I’ve had a great camp." ">247Sports

auburnwire.usatoday.com Five storylines to watch heading into Auburn's open practice Lance Dawe 3-4 minutes Auburn fans have been in a place of uneasiness throughout fall camp. The offense, based on reports, has struggled. The quarterback play has been subpar, at the least it’s been inconsistent. The offensive line hasn’t jelled. The receivers are young, inexperienced, and dropping passes. The defense has had its way seemingly throughout the two scrimmages the team has had. Auburn’s defense should be good, but not good enough to shut down an offense like Auburn’s entirely. On the flip side, the offense has been put in high-stress situations during both scrimmages. In the red zone, in timed situations, in positions where the quarterbacks are being forced to throw the ball and the defense can adjust, pin it’s ears back, and get after the quarterback. What can fans expect to see during Auburn’s open practice on Saturday? Here are five storylines to be watching as the practice unfolds. Todd Van Emst/AU Athletics Nix has been struggling throughout fall camp. He’s not been accurate, and he’s made poor decisions. Chalk it up to the offensive line play, but even with average to subpar o-line play Nix shouldn’t be forcing the issue and making bad decisions. Could we see TJ Finley or Dematrius Davis get some more work during the practice? Todd Van Emst/AU Athletics Auburn has rotated guys in and out of the starting five rotation trying to get an idea as to who their best five are. Will Tashawn Manning be out there at left guard? Where does Brandon Council fit in? Look for these five guys to be together: LT- Austin Troxell LG- Brandon Council C- Nick Brahms RG- Keiondre Jones RT- Brodarius Hamm Keith Warren Neshoba Central Lake Cormorant We did not see the true freshmen during either of Auburn’s scrimmages, even though the coaching staff has had nothing but praise for Hunter. Keep an eye out to see if he’s out there practicing. Expect to see him early this season in blowouts against Akron and Alabama State. Jay Janner-USA TODAY NETWORK Miller was one of Auburn’s biggest gets in the transfer portal this offseason. However, he has not been working with Auburn’s first-team defense often throughout fall camp. Look to see if he gets some time with Auburn’s top guys. Dec 5, 2020; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks defensive end Marcus Harris (50) reacts after recovering a fumble against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the first half at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports The Kansas transfer has been a star throughout fall camp according to the coaching staff. He’s gotten a ton of first-team reps over the past couple of weeks. Harris could be vying for a starting spot. Watch who he’s lined up with and how he plays with Auburn’s first-team.

tell fanatics to get their crap together. hell i am thinking it is the red elephant club. my gawd at the horror..............

is goodman in the clothing business now? i am gonna boo and hiss like folks do me when the only news is on al.com.............grins

well it is friday now so get yo freak on!

i still do not care for the man but he just ate crow talking about how wonderful auburn fans are. we already know everyone hates him.

as long as trump is in the nes and makin trump is a crook. crooks need to be in jail. lock him up by gawd!

i hope bo gets out there and kicks a ton of ass. there are a lot of folks doubting him and while that is normal these days i would love to see him rise up and destroy some teams. the same way with coach bobo. there sure are a lot of haters laughing at us picking him. this year without playing the first game has been the hardest for me since maybe the 9 and 0 run bama ran on us. my heart is hungry for a respectable season and reminding folks who we are on the field.

he will still find a way to make fun of it.

Saw a pretty amazing thing tonight at the gym. This firefighter was on the stair climber in full equipment, including his mask and oxygen tank. After about a half hour, I saw him finishing and taking his gear off so I went over to tell him how much I respected what he was doing. I figured he was training for a firefighter exam, but when I commented on it, he exclaimed, "110 floors! Took me 30 minutes, 10 seconds." 110 floors... OMG. It's September 11 and he had just climbed the equivalent of 110 floors like the firefighters did in the World Trade Center. Apparently, this is a tradition that many firefighters do to honor the 343 firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty that day. It's a helluva tribute! #110floors #september11 #neverforget

hey lets argue about what day it is.

Explosion Outside Kabul Airport Resulted in ‘A Number of U.S. and Civilian Casualties,’ According to Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby described the blast as a “complex attack” Smoke rises from explosion outside the airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Thursday, August 26th, 2021. Wali Sabawoon/AP An explosion took place outside the Kabul airport on Thursday, resulting in “a number of U.S. & civilian casualties,” according to Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby, who added that at least one other explosion took place nearby. We can confirm that the explosion at the Abbey Gate was the result of a complex attack that resulted in a number of US & civilian casualties. We can also confirm at least one other explosion at or near the Baron Hotel, a short distance from Abbey Gate. We will continue to update. — John Kirby (@PentagonPresSec) August 26, 2021 The explosions came a day after the U.S. embassy warned Americans to stay away from the Hamid Karzai Airport, citing an unspecific threat. “U.S. citizens who are at the Abbey Gate, East Gate, or North Gate now should leave immediately,” the advisory read. Kirby noted that the explosion on Thursday, which he described as a “complex attack” took place outside the Abbey Gate, a main entry point to the airport. The second explosion took place at the nearby Baron Hotel. Multiple outlets have reported that the blast was the work of a suicide bomber. It’s unclear how many were killed or injured in the attacks. Reporters noted that at least 30 people had been brought to a nearby emergency room, according to The New York Times. The Times also noted that a witness told Afghanistan’s TOLO News that “dead bodies and wounded people were scattered everywhere after the explosion happened.” The Hamid Karzai Airport has been swarmed with people desperate to leave Afghanistan as the U.S. continues to evacuate Americans and vulnerable Afghans following the Taliban’s takeover of the nation less than two weeks ago. This story is developing. i say say rain missile and drone hell on any taliban we can find. what does it prove to kill americans when they have agreed to pull out?

i will never regret voting for him unless he does something really bad. trump is a big ol goober acting idiot and i would never stoop low enough to vote for him. just so we are clear.

most of the dems i know are not as big on biden as they were. i am glad we are out of larryland but we could have done it better. i am tired of the same ol crap on the border. we still got kids in cages.personally i like joe and i am grateful for the stimulus just like i was grateful when trump did it. i also know joe took over things at a pretty tough time. i plan on supporting him until i cannot but i posted this to see how some of you guys feel about it. why did biden falter on the filibuster thing the repubs use to screw us with? oh i ignored the 25th ammendant thing because that would be almost impossible to do. it is my understanding most of the dems would have to agree. but i certainly have not changed sides and there are very very few repubs i would vote for. and also there is some talk going around they are going to mess with medicare which i had to pay for since around reagans days and could not use it until almost two years ago. and it still eats half my social security check already. love it or hate it i am going to be honest on here.

buy some birds with a birdcage and you will feel better.

war eagle and welcome to the board!

i will let you know as soon as i get hired on the staff bro. grins sorry nothing personal but i doubt it unless bo struggles and he wants to send a message maybe?

Auburn Football Prominent voice explains why he likes Auburn’s Bryan Harsin Updated: Aug. 25, 2021, 9:46 a.m. | Published: Aug. 25, 2021, 7:36 a.m. Auburn head football coach Bryan Harsin is entering his first season with the Tigers but is currently away from the team after testing positive for COVID-19. (AP Photo/Julie Bennett)AP 761 shares By Joseph Goodman | jgoodman@al.com Bryan Harsin is going to do really well at Auburn, a familiar voice said to me on Tuesday. In a recent column critical of Harsin, my doubts about Auburn’s new coach were loud and angry. Just wait, I was told. More than anything — except for maybe that he is very pro-vaccine — that’s what Lanett High School football coach Clifford Story wanted me to know. Fall camp might have taken an unfortunate turn with Auburn’s coach and defensive coordinator out with COVID-19, but, according to Story, “once they get everything in the direction they want it going, and [Harsin] gets his guys in there, they’re going to have a lot of success at Auburn.” We’ll see, but Story’s opinion of Harsin isn’t some take from an Auburn homer with a blog. His is the hope of an invested stakeholder who wants Harsin to succeed at Auburn, yes, but Story’s perspective comes from a place that’s built on sturdier stuff than blind trust. He doesn’t have a choice in the matter. It is his business to be a little more discerning when it comes to the character of coaches in college football, and their abilities to build winners. Story’s son, Caden, is committed to Auburn. Story wants what’s best for Auburn, and that includes a team that understands the importance of vaccination against COVID-19, but Harsin’s noted refusal to promote vaccination aside, Story likes what he sees. One of the most respected high school football coaches in the state, his words carry great weight, too, so his perspective should come as a relief for Auburn fans who have questioned the new coach in recent weeks. Still, make no mistake, this outbreak of COVID-19 at Auburn during fall camp threatens the success of the season. For parents of young people at Auburn, Story has a different message. “Caden isn’t going to be at Auburn for another year, but as a parent I’m going to make sure that, a year from now, he has the booster or whatever the medical recommendation is at that time to protect him,” Story said. “We’re going to do what we’re supposed to do as parents, and that’s make sure that Caden is vaccinated.” RELATED: LSU requiring proof of vaccination, negative test for football games GOODMAN: Failure of Bryan Harsin goes far beyond football field An elite prospect at defensive end, Caden could go pretty much anywhere next summer to play football. He loved former Auburn coach Gus Malzahn, and viewed Malzahn as a “father figure,” according to Cliff Story. When Malzahn was fired, Caden’s recruitment was reopened and other programs swooped in. Harsin locked up Caden’s commitment, dad says, with a no nonsense attitude, and his detailed plan for the future of Auburn football. Well, what’s the plan? “It would take me way too long to go through it all,” Story said. “But [Harsin] broke it all down with a long powerpoint presentation. All coaches talk about their plan, but he broke it all down step by step so we could see it.” Harsin’s plan for Auburn is based on trust, building relationships and creating a family atmosphere, and he shows recruits and their families how those ideas are formed into practical, daily plans with detailed blueprints. And Auburn’s resources for helping Harsin make all that happen, Story notes, are second to none in the country. Dad Story knows all the tricks in the recruiting game, and emphasized that Harsin “says what he means, and means what he says. He is very straight-forward, and he can command a room.” “Everything he said he would do, he has done,” Story said. “He said he would make Auburn feel like a family, and he is doing it. The players really respond to him, and I like that he gets out on the field with them and practices. He has put together a great staff, guys who have bought into his vision. “He has proven himself to my family.” Families never agree on everything, and the Auburn family knows that better than anyone. It is fair to criticize the current mismanagement of Auburn’s fall camp, but Story believes that the whole picture of Harsin is one that Auburn fans should embrace. This past week, with Harsin refusing to promote vaccines and then testing positive himself, cast a shadow on the start of Auburn’s season. There is no getting around that. Does Story wish Auburn’s coach promoted vaccines? Yes, of course, and Story is “praying” for everyone at Auburn to get vaccinated for the health of themselves, their teammates and their families. GOODMAN: Super Teams vs. Super Seniors frames new season of college football GOODMAN: Suni Lee propels Auburn onto national stage But when it comes to football, Story says that Harsin and defensive coordinator Derek Mason set Auburn apart from other programs during recruiting. “[Mason] is a player’s coach, and full of energy,” Story said. “What I like about him, in addition to that, was when he was breaking down Caden’s film, [Mason] was telling him what he needed to work on and how he fits into what Auburn wants. “Caden is so athletic to be as big as he is (6-4, 250 pounds),” Story said. “He is one of those kids where he always trained to be a quarterback, and outgrew the position, but kept the ability.” For measured context on Harsin’s plan for Auburn through the lens of a parent of a future player, know that one of Story’s other sons, Kristian Story, is a sophomore defensive back for the Alabama Crimson Tide. For appreciation on Cliff Story’s understanding of what it takes to succeed as a coach, realize that he is one of the best high school football coaches in the country. Is that a biased opinion? Yeah, probably so, but there is no one — literally no one — who can do more with less than Cliff Story at Lanett High School in Chambers County, Alabama. Name another coach anywhere whose football workout facility is currently a charred heap of wreckage from a catastrophic fire, but, despite that major setback, started this high school football season on Friday with a 47-point victory. “We kinda got out on them early,” Story said. His burned down football facility, Story is hoping, will be rebuilt by next year. They still could use some help to build it back better than before, he says. Story is pretty good at building things. When it comes to respect, no one commands more of it than the guy who has built Lanett High School football and its athletics department into an example of what small-town schools can accomplish with love and dedication. That’s the kind of spirit, built by unflappable people, that makes Auburn great. Guy he almost apologized lol. he did brown nose the fans to get us off his butt...........grins

Two members of Congress fly to Kabul amid evacuation, stunning military officials Lolita C. Baldor Wed, August 25, 2021, 10:25 AM WASHINGTON — Two members of Congress flew unannounced into Kabul airport in the middle of the ongoing chaotic evacuation Tuesday, stunning State Department and U.S. military personnel who had to divert resources to provide security and information to the lawmakers, U.S. officials said. Officials said Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., and Rep. Peter Meijer, R-Mich., flew in on a charter aircraft and were on the ground at the Kabul airport for several hours. That led officials to complain that they could be taking seats that would have otherwise gone to other Americans or Afghans fleeing the country, but the congressmen said in a joint statement that they made sure to leave on a flight with empty seats. Live updates: Latest on Afghanistan: Pelosi tells House not to visit after 2 lawmakers make secret trip “As Members of Congress, we have a duty to provide oversight on the executive branch,’” the two said in their statement. “We conducted this visit in secret, speaking about it only after our departure, to minimize the risk and disruption to the people on the ground, and because we were there to gather information, not to grandstand.” Meijer, an Army veteran, served in Iraq and later did humanitarian aid-related work with a nongovernmental organization in Afghanistan, helping to deliver emergency assistance to aid workers after kidnappings and targeted killings. Moulton served in the Marine Corps in Iraq. Two officials familiar with the flight said that State Department, Defense Department and White House officials were furious about the incident because it was done without coordination with diplomats or military commanders directing the evacuation. Harrowing video: Gunfire, families with crying children at Kabul airport More: Chaos at Kabul airport raises questions about U.S. evacuation effort The U.S. military found out about the visit as the legislators’ aircraft was inbound to Kabul, according to the officials. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss ongoing military operations. One senior U.S. official said the administration saw the lawmakers’ visit as manifestly unhelpful and other officials said the visit was viewed as a distraction for troops and commanders at the airport who are waging a race against time to evacuate thousands of Americans, at-risk Afghans and others as quickly as possible. Pelosi asks lawmakers to not go to Afghanistan House Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued a statement Tuesday evening taking note of the desire of some legislators to visit Afghanistan and saying she was writing to “reiterate that the Departments of Defense and State have requested that Members not travel to Afghanistan and the region during this time of danger. Ensuring the safe and timely evacuation of individuals at risk requires the full focus and attention of the U.S. military and diplomatic teams on the ground in Afghanistan.” The Pentagon has repeatedly expressed concerns about security threats in Kabul, including by the Islamic State group. When members of Congress have routinely gone to war zones over the past two decades, their visits are typically long planned and coordinated with officials on the ground in order to ensure their safety. President Joe Biden on Tuesday said he is sticking to his Aug. 31 deadline for completing the risky airlift as people flee Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. He said a key reason for the deadline is the ongoing IS threat targeting the airport. The Islamic State group’s Afghanistan affiliate is known for staging suicide attacks on civilians. The two congressmen said they went into their visit wanting “to push the president to extend the August 31st deadline. After talking with commanders on the ground and seeing the situation here, it is obvious that because we started the evacuation so late, that no matter what we do, we won’t get everyone out on time, even by September 11.” This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Two Congress members fly to Kabul amid evacuation: Moulton and Meijer Our goal is to create a safe and engaging place for users to connect over interests and passions. In order to improve our co

Joe Biden's two-term dream is over as even Democrats realise he's not up to the job Nick Allen 5-7 minutes Joe Biden is clinging to power for now but the prospect of a second term looks remote - REUTERS Joe Biden is flailing. Following his parade of stumbles - verbal and physical - the fall of Kabul has proved not so much the straw, but the sledgehammer, that broke the camel’s back. Having caused a humanitarian crisis with his incompetence the president is now trying to pretend it's not happening. Initially, he hid for days at Camp David. In a 12-minute speech on Monday he didn't even mention Afghanistan. He seems to wish it would all just go away. His aides, it seems, are afraid to tell the emperor he has no clothes. Mr Biden will stagger on following this utter disaster but the prospect of a second term, which he very much wants, now seems remote. Many want his presidency over sooner, wary of other unforeseen catastrophes awaiting America, and the world, over the next three years. The Republican drumbeat to use the 25th Amendment has begun. Rick Scott, a Republican senator from Florida, said what many were thinking. “We must confront a serious question,” he said. “Is Joe Biden capable of discharging the duties of his office or has time come to exercise the provisions of the 25th Amendment?” That would require Kamala Harris, a majority of the Cabinet, and two thirds of Congress, to turn on Mr Biden, which is highly improbable (although Ms Harris has put the boot into Mr Biden before). But the fact the subject is entering mainstream discussion shows the level to which Mr Biden has sunk in such a very short time. Media are making excuses for Biden The latest poll showed a majority of Americans - 51 per cent - don't want him to stand again in 2024. Only 34 per cent do. A lot of Democrats are feeling buyers' remorse. That is despite a daily US media output that continues to largely stick to the, now patently false, narrative that Mr Biden is a steady hand steering America away from the chaos of the Trump era. In the post-Trump years a form of omerta still exists in the US media about the Biden administration. There was an example this week when the White House press secretary denied any Americans were “stranded” in Kabul, which is just plainly wrong. “People have been working long hours…” said a news anchor, excusing it. “Semantics,” said another. There have been comparisons of the US media's treatment of Mr Biden to Franklin D Roosevelt, his hero. Back then, news photographers cooperated by not showing the president in a wheelchair. Another corollary is the way the French media steered clear of Francois Mitterrand's private life. But there is clearly a double standard going on. Compare the fevered coverage and speculation about Donald Trump’s health when he used two hands to lift a glass of water, or walked awkwardly on a ramp. Similarly, discussion of the advanced age of Ronald Reagan, a Republican, was not off limits. Spitting Image used to joke that the “president’s brain is missing.” President looks crabby as his reputation unravels When I spoke with Joe Biden on the campaign trail last year he seemed sprightly enough. But, eighteen months on, and now 78, the cares of the job are clearly already taking their toll. It's a job that turned the much younger Barack Obama's hair grey, and Bill Clinton's white. Mr Biden's temper, which he has always had, appears to be getting worse. He snaps at journalists, even the ones hand chosen to ask questions. And the carefully constructed image his campaign cultivated, of a master operator on the global stage, has completely unraveled. Allies, including officials in the UK, believed in that illusion too. They seemed surprised that Mr Biden would leave desperate Afghans behind to the mercy of the Taliban. US soldiers help evacuees aboard a plane at Kabul airport - REUTERS Perhaps they were unaware of these words spoken by a 32-year-old US senator from Delaware at the end of the Vietnam War. The senator didn't want to evacuate a single South Vietnamese refugee. “I may be the most immoral son of a gun in this room,” said the young Senator Biden. “I’m getting sick and tired of hearing about morality, our moral obligation.” Half a century later it seems Mr Biden is still sick of that moral obligation to friends. As in 1975, it appears he believes that Americans don't care about what happens in a country far away after their military leaves. Catastrophic error could open door for Harris But Mr Biden has long had a wonky political antenna, and it has malfunctioned again this time. Middle America does care. Their sons and daughters fought and died in Afghanistan, and seeing the Taliban run amok is deeply disturbing. As Robert O'Neill, the US Navy Seal who shot Osama bin Laden, put it: “Are you kidding me? This president surrendered to the Taliban. Does it get any more embarrassing?” Is Kamala Harris now the president-in-waiting? - REUTERS Mr O'Neill said he and fellow veterans “feel gross” and Mr Biden should be impeached. It's a damning indictment from which Mr Biden will not recover. Meanwhile, the White House has sought to insulate Ms Harris from the fallout. The Vice President is on a trip to Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, and has been all but invisible to Americans during the crisis that has engulfed her boss. Few of her fingerprints are on the sequence of awful decisions that led to the current situation. Someone has made sure that the Afghanistan disaster belongs to Mr Biden alone.

Over/Under: Predicting Auburn's offensive numbers in 2021 Lance Dawe 3 minutes Let’s just say that the Chad Morris offense didn’t work out for Auburn in 2020. It was not the most efficient unit Auburn has ever had. Auburn struggled to scheme receivers open, as well as constantly protect Bo Nix. It led to turnovers and an inconsistent running game. This season, veteran coordinator Mike Bobo steps onto the scene with some optimistic things to say about what this offense could do in 2021. Let’s take a look at last years statistics and predict if Auburn goes over or goes under those numbers in 2021. Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports In order for this team to have success this season, they’ll have to score more than 25 a game. Add in non-conference play with games like Akron, Alabama State, Georgia State, and Auburn’s numbers should have a boost. But within conference play this offense is going to need to be more efficient with their drives. Auburn was second in the SEC in plays per drive, but they were seventh in the SEC in points per drive. Auburn was also seventh in the SEC in three and out percentage. Auburn running back Shaun Shivers (8) runs the ball as Texas A&M defensive back Keldrick Carper (14) goes all in for a tackle at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020. Auburn’s offense was eight in the SEC in yards per play in 2020, and I think they get over that mark this season. With a more efficient scheme, Auburn will get back in the top half of the SEC in this category. Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports Tank Bigsby will run for over a thousand yards this season barring injury. Shaun Shivers will be more explosive between the tackles. Jarquez Hunter may see some time as well. Auburn’s backfield is more than capable of averaging more than 160 rushing yards per game, especially if the passing game falters. Todd Van Emst/AU Athletics Auburn receiver room may be young, but they are extremely talented. Throw in former five-star Demetris Robertson and Auburn should make major strides in the passing game. It may not happen immediately, but there is too much talent for Mike Bobo’s more complex offense to not work better than Morris’ did last season.

Harsin looking for fewer 'repeats' as opening night draws closer ByMark Murphy 4 minutes 2022 Auburn commitment Omari Kelly in action AUBURN, Alabama–Now in the final week of practice prior to their first game week of the Bryan Harsin Era, Auburn’s new head football coach said the focus for his Tigers is on executing assignments in all phases of the game. Harsin, who watched Wednesday’s practice via video while being quarantined until Monday due to a positive COVID-19 test, said he liked what he saw from the players during their “Workday Wednesday” session. The guys did a good job,” he said. Auburn will play its first game a week from Saturday when Akron visits Jordan-Hare Stadium for a 6 p.m. CDT kickoff. “Right now from what I have seen, and just where the players are at, we are now executing more consistently,” Harsin said during his first appearance on Tiger Talk, Auburn's weekly call-in show. “Still, that has got to be the key going into this next week.” The former Boise State head coach said the team’s attention is turning towards game planning. “You get into your scout teams, you start to get into your two-deep, and the plays you have been running through camp are going to be the same ones pared down for that particular game so you can go out and execute them at a high level,” Harsin said. “Really it has got to be this next week that we have got to be clicking,” he noted. Commenting on what he wants to see from his players prior to the first game, Harsin said, “Every rep you take in practice, getting in and out of the huddle, we are flying to the ball, we know how to communicate, we are lining up properly on special teams. We don’t need to have a lot of repeats. I think we are still in that phase where we are having a lot of repeats right now.” With fall semester classes starting on August 16th the Tigers switched out of preseason camp mode that allowed unlimited time on football activities. The current limit is 20 hours a week, which made it important that a lot of learning and contact work get done during the camp portion of preseason drills. “We start school fairly early so the 10 days we had, we had to maximize that time,” the coach said. “Guys did a good job. That phase for us is really that discipline and toughness phase. We have to do a lot of things in a short amount of time.” The coach noted that he and his staff still have guys “on the bubble” for making the two-deep depth chart for opening night, but said they have a good idea of who the likely starters and backups will be for the opener. “If you have been chosen to be a starter now, it is not time to sit back and relax,” Harsin said. “It is time to take advantage of the reps with the other 10 guys who are going to be starters with you.” *** Subscribe: Receive the latest Auburn intel and scoops*** 8COMMENTS He said that he expects to see players operating at a high level for every practice. “If that doesn’t happen another guy is going to get a shot,” Harsin said. “That is going to continue happening throughout the year. There is going to be constant competition. “Everybody wants to play,” he added. “The goal is to make sure if you are out there getting the most reps, you take advantage of it. If you are not getting the most reps make your opportunity count. I think our guys have done that.” ">247Sports

AUBURN, Alabama—With just 11 days until Auburn opens the 2021 football season against the Akron Zips at Jordan-Hare Stadium, there are still plenty of questions left unanswered for Coach Bryan Harsin’s Tigers following two scrimmages with the bulk of preseason work completed. Transitioning to prep for the season, Harsin said he and the staff have a lot of information about the team, but there is still more to learn. One of those questions is at quarterback where two-year starter Bo Nix returns, but Harsin said transfer T.J. Finley has come in and made some waves along with true freshman Dematrius Davis. Saying that Nix would be the starter if the Tigers played a game today, Harsin said it has been a fun competition to watch so far. “Right now Bo and TJ, those two guys are at the top,” Harsin said on Wednesday. “Bo is rolling with the blues right now, so he’s taking the No. 1 reps, and just like I said before, going back to that second scrimmage, I thought Bo did a great job, you know, the third downs, the decision-making. “Those have been emphasized by Coach (Mike) Bobo. I feel like TJ — TJ has really come on. TJ’s starting to — I think he’s played, but he hadn’t been in this system through the spring, and he didn’t have all that time so just through the practices that we have had things are starting to click for TJ. I like where he is at. I like his mentality. “I think TJ’s got really command of the huddle and Bo’s done a really good job with that as well. Both those guys have been pushing each other, but Bo is rolling with the blues right now. If we played a game right now, Bo would be starting.” Completing 58.7 percent of his passes in his career for 4,957 yards and 28 touchdowns while adding 14 touchdowns on the ground, Nix has the most experience of the group with Finley an early season starter at LSU. As for Davis, the early enrollee from Huston, Tex., has come on strong since the spring and has impressed Harsin as well. “As a young player, he continues to keep showing up so you’ve got three guys right now," the head coach said. "Bo, obviously, with the position he’s in. You’ve got T.J., who is coming on and developing and just working on some fundamental things but understands what we’re doing and the decision-making process and how important that is. Then Dematrius Davis. I think I’ve said this before, but he has just got some gamesmanship in him. “It’s kind of that game within the game that he can pla so he’s fun to watch, fun to coach," Harsin said of the true freshman. "There are some details that he still needs to continue to be focused on, but all three of those guys have had a really good camp so far and feel good about where they’re at, but I like Bo. I like his work ethic. I like his approach daily. He has been studying. I think those two guys, he and T.J., and Dematrius coming along, those guys have been doing a really good job.” As the Tigers begin to point the focus towards Akron it will mean more reps for the starters as they continue to try to build the chemistry needed for success on this level. Harsin said that means you find your guy at quarterback and ride with them, until they prove otherwise. “Let me say this, it’s always one guy until it’s not,” he said of the quarterback position. “That’s my opinion on it. 2COMMENTS “If you deserve to play, we’ll find a role,” he added. “It’s just the quarterback position’s hard. You don’t want to be splitting a bunch of time, but there may be opportunity for guys to get in there and have a role like some players on our team do. If those guys earn that and we do those things, that’s clearly for us to better our offense, better whatever the play that we have and the people that we have in to help us win. That’s simply why we would do it.” Subscribe to Inside the Auburn Tigers Magazine and Football