🏈 2009 SEC West Pre-Season Capsules: An In-Depth Look at the Auburn Tigers

[CRIMSONTUSKS.COM BLOG]

2009 Team Capsule: Auburn Tigers
By Phil Posey
Head Coach: Gene Chizik (0-0 Auburn, 5-19 Iowa State)
Returning Starters:Offense – 6Defense – 8
Offensive Outlook
Quarterbacks:The Auburn Tigers, coming off a season that showcased an offense that ranked 111th nationally in scoring and 104th in total offense, are looking to make some changes in 2009. ...

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[TerryP]

Nice job Phil!!!

You bring up a point, albeit briefly, that I think bears a little discussion.

In discussing Antonio Coleman you make mention of the point Michael Goggans needs to have a big year.

Don't get too caught up in my using '92 as an analogy. Our defense last year wasn't close to '92, and I'm not sure this one can be.

But, here's the point...

Between Copeland and Curry we had a total of 21 sacks and almost 20 tackles for a loss of yards.

If we had just one of those guys, the other wouldn't have put the numbers up that he did. If there is one position where one guy relies heavily on the other it's at the defensive end spot.

Coleman—going back to Auburn—is a heck of a defensive end. But, unless Goggans can assert himself this year you won't see him put up the numbers that reflect what the coaches thought of him in their pre-season All-SEC team selections.

On another note...

It's quite interesting to me I see the same comments, same forecasts, etc., for Auburn this year as I did last year.

I don't expect to see much improvement.

I think the storyline running right now about them playing to a strong running game—well, let's just say I don't buy it, at all.

Just as one example to reinforce that thought. Todd Graham, the HC from which Malzahn just left coaching under said he thought "Gus would pass the ball every down if he could."

That doesn't bode well for 2009.

 

[psychojoe]

It could be a really tough year for them unless they have good injury luck. Lack of depth on both O-line and D-line as well as linebacker, a suspect receiver group and a muddled QB situation do not bode well for the barn.

 

[TerryP]

bump

 

[BamaDelta]

It could be a really tough year for them unless they have good injury luck. Lack of depth on both O-line and D-line as well as linebacker, a suspect receiver group and a muddled QB situation do not bode well for the barn.

May they have another miserable year. :smile:

 

[psychojoe]

Their QB situation looks as bad as UT and USCe. Unless a miracle happens with one of the returnees, I expect Rollison to get a long look.

 

[BamaCore]

Awesome write up but I caught one thing wrong. Jake Ricks is from Muscle Shoals, but he went to Colbert County High School. I remember because he gave Muscle Shoals fits...though that's not really hard to do these days. lol Also a good buddy of mine who happens to be an CCHS alum and Auburn fan loves to talk about him.

 

[Bamaman37]

^Good catch. I knew he was from Muscle Shoals and played for Colbert Heights, and I ran the two together.

Yeah, I am from the Shoals area, and I have to hear from his family about how good he is all the time.:lol: