2007 Statistics

written by Drew Champlin

This isn't the Auburn offense of old. The Tigers were successful with its smashmouth, grind-it-out style that wore on defenses, but head coach Tommy Tuberville decided a change was need. It wasn't surprising to see Al Borges go, but it was surprising to see Tuberville go just down the road to hire Tony Franklin, the mastermind of Troy University's offensive success over the past two years (No.16 total offense at Troy in '07) and one of the leading innovators of the no-huddle, spread offense. In the recent years before his time in Troy, he ran a consultation business where he taught high schools all over the country his version of the spread offense. He likes to run and pass it equally, spreading the rock to anyone and everyone who has the ability to produce yards. The offense has the potential to put plenty of points on the board especially if a quarterback can develop and perform at an SEC level.

QUARTERBACK
Franklin didn't just bring a new style of play with him; he also brings a quarterback in junior college transfer Chris Todd. The big gunslinger's start has been rough, as Todd has battled shoulder problems. He is getting better and if he's healthy, his arm strength and knowledge of this (kind of) offense (his high school in Elizabethtown, Ky., was a client of Franklin and ran this offense; he has known Franklin since those days) gives him a leg up on the competition. However, after two years at Texas Tech, he transferred to Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College where he put up less-than-stellar numbers in a non-spread offense on a 2-8 team and suffered a dislocated shoulder. An MRI revealed no structural damage and Todd is back throwing it well again. When healthy, he's got a better arm than sophomore Kodi Burns, but Burns will be a change-of-pace guy who can hurt defenses with his feet. However, Burns has gotten by so far on his athleticism and has yet to master the throwing aspect of the college game. If Todd can't fully recover, Burns has the best chance to become the starter as he has held off returning junior Neil Caudle and true freshman DeRon Furr, who enrolled in January.

RUNNING BACK
Auburn is set at running back with junior Ben Tate and senior Brad Lester, who caught Franklin's eye early. Both will rotate in the one-back set and while the carries may go down, the chance to catch the ball out of the backfield and make plays won't. There is no true fullback in this system. The injury bug has hit the tailback unit this spring, but none has been too serious. Senior Tristan Davis is a speed demon who can help anywhere, but missed nearly all of last season with a toe injury.

RECEIVER / TIGHT END
Sophomore Mario Fannin has stepped into a playmaker's role as a slot receiver and should see most of his time there instead of at running back, where he struggled with fumbles last year. This aspect will work well in the new system. Several options are there at receiver, but it's going to take all of them (and then some) to run the offense successfully, as players sub in and out on nearly every play. Leading receiver Rod Smith returns as does emerging junior Montez Billings. The biggest surprise should be Tommy Trott, who has dropped 20 pounds and is thriving as a tight end in the new offense. Trott and Gabe McKenzie were considered some of the best young talents in the SEC last year, but the tight end position (14 catches) was rarely utilized – one of the reasons Borges is no longer Auburn's offensive coordinator. Both will have chances to catch and block as Y-receivers (inside receivers) and other crazy H-Back roles. Terrell Zachery and Robert Dunn will also have to be consistent or move aside for those who grasp the new look. Chris Slaughter, James Swinton and Tim Hawthorne will get their chances as well.

OFFENSIVE LINE
The offensive line was moved around a lot last year and eventually started three true freshmen in Lee Ziemba, Chaz Ramsey and Ryan Pugh, but the most attention it got was for two separate "chop block" incidents, one when Ziemba was engaged with LSU star defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey and Ramsey rolled into him and another incident with Pugh in the Peach Bowl against Clemson. The perceived dirtiness didn't help matters when Ziemba and teammate Antonio Coleman got into a skirmish this spring, an on-field scare that stopped a scrimmage and sent Coleman to the hospital where he was treated for a cervical sprain. Dirty or not, fans have reason to be optimistic because the three sophomore have nowhere to go but up in talent. The line did have to make a new adjustment and get in better shape with the pace of the offense. No longer are the 330-pounders required, but ones who can run and protect the passer. With the new offense, the offensive line shifts from being mostly bullish to being more finesse. Iambi and Pugh will be the tackles and Jason Bosley the center. Ramsey is trying to hold off Byron Isom at guard and Tyronne Green is the other returning starter at guard.

written by Drew Champlin

Not long after Franklin was hired at Auburn, Will Muschamp, one of the top defensive minds in the country, left for a similar position at Texas. Who can blame him? With Auburn's offense spending less time on the field, the defensive statistics will be tough to maintain. New coordinator Paul Rhoads comes over after spending eight years at Pittsburgh. Rhoads' defenses at Pitt were always tough, but inconsistent — from 87th in 2006 to fifth overall last season, though his defense did end West Virginia's title hopes in a 13-9 Panther win in the regular season finale. With the A-list recruits here, Rhoads' approach will excel. Plenty of great players return on this defense, but more depth will have to be established as the Tiger defenders will likely be on the field longer if the offense is as quick as advertised.

DEFENSIVE LINE
A pair of juniors — Sen’Derrick Marks and Antonio Coleman — is amongst the SEC's best up front. Marks has moved back inside to offset the losses there, clearing the way for either Antoine Carter or Michael Goggans to have a breakout season at defensive end. Carter has been a pleasant surprise in the spring after Coleman's injury. Jake Ricks should man the other tackle spot beside Marks. Otherwise, the depth is unproven. Top JUCO product Raven Gray has the speed and experience to have an immediate impact. The backups are young but broken in, eliminating injuries as a possible derailing factor for the stopping efforts.

LINEBACKER
All three starting linebackers return, with junior Tray Blackmon, provided he stays out of the doghouse and remains healthy, as one of the nation's best. Craig Stevens has a world of potential and three more years to show it. Senior Chris Evans emerged last year as a starter and he's battling fellow senior Merrill Johnson for a starting spot this year. This corps plays light and fast, ready for branching out and matching up on extra receivers instead of needing to be rotated for with extra DBs so often.

DEFENSIVE BACK
Sophomore strong safety Zac Etheridge had a banner first season and corners Jerraud Powers and Aairon Savage are two physical cover guys Rhoads will love. Rhoads prides in his cornerbacks being good in man-to-man coverage; he has produced quite a few that are now in the NFL. Savage moved over from safety and he's battling with Walter McFadden for a spot alongside Powers. Savage missed six games last season with a knee injury and the move from safety to cornerback should help the 190-pounder take less of a pounding, though his man cover skills will be on display. Before Powers was bitten by a police dog late in the Iron Bowl, his interception in the end zone ended a first-half scoring drive in Auburn's sixth straight win over Alabama. Sophomore Mike McNeil, one of the highest-rated recruits in the 2007 class, will likely man the free safety spot.