Sid 0 Posted March 28, 2013 Share Posted March 28, 2013 Is it possible we all were wrong about the attack Auburn used from 2009-11? It was billed as Gus Malzahn's offense, and he indeed was the man calling the plays, yet something always seemed amiss. He was the author of a book that espoused the virtues of maximizing the number of plays to an extreme.While Auburn exhibited pace at times during the 2009 and 2010 season, things rarely moved at break-neck speed for more than short bursts. Now we may know why. Wideout Trovon Reed said Wednesday that former head coach Gene Chizik had a tendency to throttle down Malzahn's plans -- both in practice and during autumn Saturdays. "Sometimes Coach Chizik slowed us down to get the defense (a rest)," Reed said. "Now, pfft, it's fast. Like, for the first day, that was fast. I can only imagine that as we get better as a team, they'll keep pushing up and it could get extremely fast." There always were doubts about the real reason behind the Tigers' modest offensive pace during Malzahn's tenure as offensive coordinator. He always was diplomatic when asked about it, but the truth appears to be out at this point. Regardless, Reed feels like the Tigers are headed in the right direction now. "You can always keep a team off-balance," Reed said. "We do so much stuff - sometimes I'll be confused. I know if I'm confused, and I study it ever day, a defense is going to be confused. We've got an edge. We've just got to take advantage of it." SETTLING IN: Jermaine Whitehead has spent time at cornerback, nickel and safety during his two seasons on the Plains. He struggled during his first trial at safety last fall, but said Wednesday that he's finally gaining next-level awareness in the back. "I think the game is starting to make a whole lot more sense," Whitehead said. "I've got a year under my belt. I'm feeling better, feeling more comfortable every day. It's a new day and things are starting to turn around for me." Whitehead is working at free safety. NEW LOOK FOR 'MEAT': Demetruce McNeal finished second with 90 tackles last season as a box safety. He expects that number to drop this fall. McNeal said Wednesday that he's been deployed as a boundary safety, which entails more high-profile coverage assignments. Those will test the rising junior's abilities, though he's excited about the challenge. "They throw it to the boundary more than they do to the field in this league," McNeal said. "So that's basically why they want me over there. It's not much more responsibility, but it's more of me being more rangy -- more than just coming down in the box so much (like) I did on the field side last year. Last year, I was in the box so much. That's why I had 90 tackles. But this time, they just want me to show my range and just try to get some more interceptions." MOONLIGHTING: Robenson Therezie opened spring ball as a boundary cornerback, but his job may expand in April. The rising junior said he's one of a handful of players being considered for the speed-back role handled by Onterio McCalebb since 2009. Therezie was nicknamed "Cadillac" in high school by his coach, who saw a resemblance to former Auburn tailback Carnell "Cadillac" Williams while carrying the ball. "It will be a possibility," Therezie said. "I spoke with Coach Malzahn and it seems like a plan. I won't mind at all playing (McCalebb's) position." Still, he's a defensive back by trade. And he's OK with that. "I believe I'm going to be a cornerback, boundary cornerback, because I'm the type of guy to stop the run first," Therezie said. "Last spring, I've improved my cover skills. Boundary corner is my position and it fits what type of player I am. I feel like physical is my middle name." Jay G. Tate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBlueVue 177 Posted March 28, 2013 Share Posted March 28, 2013 it is somewhat obvious now in hindsight that Chiz coddled the defense..when was the last time Auburn got a 3rd down stop on a quality team's 1st team offense? 2010? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plaric 4 Posted March 28, 2013 Share Posted March 28, 2013 it is somewhat obvious now in hindsight that Chiz coddled the defense..when was the last time Auburn got a 3rd down stop on a quality team's 1st team offense? 2010? Coddled the defense and it was still our weakest performing unit :-( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBlueVue 177 Posted March 28, 2013 Share Posted March 28, 2013 it is somewhat obvious now in hindsight that Chiz coddled the defense..when was the last time Auburn got a 3rd down stop on a quality team's 1st team offense? 2010? Coddled the defense and it was still our weakest performing unit :-( Actually my point was.....at least apparently, that it was the weakest unit because he did coddle it. IMo the poor defensive performances since he got there fall on him...not the 2 sacrificial DCs who were following his orders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
berrytgr 0 Posted March 28, 2013 Share Posted March 28, 2013 I'm in the same boat with these comments. The guys just seem so...idk. I remember back when I was at AU and all the linemen looked like huge, violent, grown brute men. Anyway, here's an interesting article on UTk's o-line and their transition from pro-style to Butch Jones fast paced attack. Mentions the weight that had to be lost. And check out the pics of their Oline...monsters. http://www.govolsxtr...offensive-line/ Not sure when you were in college but there was a lot of steroids in college football back in the 80's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SphyNxXx 98 Posted March 28, 2013 Share Posted March 28, 2013 And Chizik can't blame Gus's offense for the poor defensive performance. Our D sucked last year when running an offense at a snail's pace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RunInRed 18,623 Posted March 28, 2013 Author Share Posted March 28, 2013 Via WarEagleExtra Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aucanucktiger 1,910 Posted March 28, 2013 Share Posted March 28, 2013 And Chizik can't blame Gus's offense for the poor defensive performance. Our D sucked last year when running an offense at a snail's pace. Your posting name says it all. I'm sure Gene Chizik's sitting around "blaming" Gus Malzahn for the 2009 -2011 defenses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plaric 4 Posted March 28, 2013 Share Posted March 28, 2013 it is somewhat obvious now in hindsight that Chiz coddled the defense..when was the last time Auburn got a 3rd down stop on a quality team's 1st team offense? 2010? Coddled the defense and it was still our weakest performing unit :-( Actually my point was.....at least apparently, that it was the weakest unit because he did coddle it. IMo the poor defensive performances since he got there fall on him...not the 2 sacrificial DCs who were following his orders. No doubt, Ted Roof and Van Gorder both performed better at other locations then they did at Auburn. The only common denominator was Chizik. He may just be a better defensive coordinator (actually that is pretty guaranteed at this point haha) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DThriftWarEagle 3 Posted March 29, 2013 Share Posted March 29, 2013 http://www.auburntigers.com/allaccess/?media=383192 Great video of the first practice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RunInRed 18,623 Posted March 29, 2013 Author Share Posted March 29, 2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sid 0 Posted March 29, 2013 Share Posted March 29, 2013 Interview with Jeff Whitaker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bottomfeeder 244 Posted March 29, 2013 Share Posted March 29, 2013 http://auburn.rivals.com/photofeature.asp?SID=884&fid=43056 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
autig90 67 Posted March 29, 2013 Share Posted March 29, 2013 Nice video - thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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