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2025
Posted on 1/2/25 at 1:53 am
Posted on 1/2/25 at 1:53 am
I want to preface this before getting started this will be long. Also, I am not attacking any players or coaches. Just stating what I personally feel is needed.
And with that I will get started.
QB - Appears that Jackson Arnold is the clear front runner for QB1. Deuce will get tons of reps in the spring and will be great for his development. We need good to very good QB play this 2025 season. You want the big bucks that goes for Jackson and Deuce time to earn it and they are definitely getting big money. They both have 9 months to learn the playbook and find timing with the WRs. My advice would be get to work now.
RBs - I suspect that we will have a 3 man running back rotation. I think all 3 are ok backs but none have proven they can be any type of game changer or bell cow. My guess would be each of the top 3 Damari, Cobb, Durrell get around 10ish carries each game. Maybe a couple passes each game. Which one will fall forward, fight for that extra yard at contact, learn to pick up a linebacker blitzing and not get absolutely destroyed into the QBs lap. Thats gonna be my guy. You wanna play big boy football then act like a big boy.
WRs - blocking downfield. For each other and on run plays. We run so much RPO it can be difficult to block at times. But show effort. Get to the next level and hit someone. Again it’s a big boy game. Promising room but lots of growth for each of them. None have arrived especially in an Auburn uniform.
OL - Finally we have 3-4 OTs they we can maybe compete with. Definitely at the show me point tho. Percy Lewis hurt bad. Did a great job in the portal to address the OT spot. We can be very solid on the inside. Just have to clean up a lot on A gap blitzing and stemming defensive fronts. Better communication will help.
TE - Lord help us. Weakest position group on the team and that is with great news that Frazier is returning. We have gotten worse each year under Ben A. I don’t care if we have a single reception from the TEs but dammit if you’re 6’5” 265-270 and you can’t set the edge against an OLB I don’t know what to say, if you’re a flex TE and you can’t chip a linebacker or block a safety in space I don’t know what to say either. Group must improve in many aspects and must improve quickly.
DL - we have some serious young talent here. Hard for me to know what might happen here in 2025 with so many very young guys and probably not finished in the portal. Can tell you a couple things, I’m sick of seeing 3rd and 3 or 4th and 2 and the other teams offense just hands it off and picks up 3-4 yards. That’s when games are won and lost. Coaching doesn’t seem to be an issue here just lack of overall talent. I’ll get to another issue in another section of this post.
LB - Again lots of young talent but no alpha. This room desperately needs an Alpha. If we go to the portal for a Mike backer we need a difference maker in the room. A true QB of the defense. Last really good Mike we had was Ricochet Rabbit calling out plays before they were even run. That’s putting in the work in the film room. I trust Durkin to put a decent unit on the field.
DBs - Goodness the athleticism. Everything you could want except experience. We will still be young but all can improve and should. Losing Charles Kelly is a big loss but like I said I trust Durkin to find the right guy for system. I guess he’s already in place.
Individual players
Perry Thompson - come on my guy. Lean down bro. You’re what in reality 6’2” 230. Yes I know the roster has you at 6’3” 215 or whatever but you look sluggish and slow. Don’t look explosive. People are wanting you at TE. You got what 8 snaps a game and jersey untucked. You be you but you gotta want to get better.
Connor Lew - Time to live up to that freshman hype. You looked great. Get that arse in the film room. Get better and identifying hiding blitz packages. Yes I know in the Freeze offense sets protection. But get better at helping the guards. Plus put the team on your back and win your individual matchups. If we need a yard tell them to run behind you!!
Defensive line - get better rushing the passer regardless if you are an interior or edge rusher. Keldric is a good anchor at the strong side but we need to collapse the pocket as a group. I expect this to be item 1 on Coach VKW’s agenda this offseason. This can be pointed at every player even Keldric. Keldric is very good slipping a block inside and getting tackles for loss but not great in obvious passing downs. He needs to improve his hand fighting.
Robert Woodyard - it’s time brother. You’ve come a long way. Changed your body. Got faster. To be the man you have to believe you are the man. Show us. Be that thumper in the middle.
DBs - Individually the entire room has to get better. They aren’t bad just inexperienced but super talented. Get better at tackling. Especially at safety. Harris absolutely shined because he just put people on the ground when he got to them.
Ok now. Done with the players in general. This is for the coaching staff and support staff.
I demand as a fan starting this year that my beloved Auburn Tigers not be a soft arse team. I’m 2024 we were physically soft and I’m not sure if that is cos ch ing doesn’t have an “edge” to them, they aren’t being worked hard enough in the weight room, or not held accountable to be physical, or not coached to be physical. But I’m sick of this just pushing up against the opponent. Put them on their fricking asses.
I haven’t heard one player say 1 word about dreading to go to a coach Dom workout. In fall camp I saw post of players going bowling at 11pm the night of practice and the night prior to another practice. ( yes I know you can’t do 2 or 3 a days). But in spring and fall camp you damn well know I’m gonna exhaust that arse. Pushed beyond what you think you can do.
In spring and the first 2-3 weeks of fall practice you have to go 1v1 at all positions. 2v2 at all. Full out tackling. It took 5 games into the season to get up to fricking game speed. I’m not saying QBs go live. But everyone else get after it. Iron sharpens iron. My biggest complaint is not being physical. When you can kick the guys arse across from you it’s a lot easier to win your rep in practice or a play in a game.
Play calling - Like I’ve said I trust Durkin but when a team gets a couple first downs and we get them in a 3rd probable passing situation please bring more then 3 on some occasions. I’m not saying risk a big play from the opposing 20 but when they are in plus territory do it some.
Offense I assume we will lean RPO which is determined in a lot of ways by the defensive alignment. I can accept that. However all but a couple games this season after a game I had no idea what the offense was trying to establish or do in the game. That’s why the offense seemed so sporadic in my opinion. Coaches must have an identity on offense and stick to it. Know your play makers. Get them the ball. Either running or passing.
Easy 2025 schedule. Other then UGa bammer and ATm, we will have an equal (Okie) or better roster then our opponents. The way the schedule lays out we could be anywhere from 10-2 to 6-6. My expectation is 8-4 and would be disappointed with anything less. 9-3 would exceed my expectations but is attainable. 10-2 would be a great rebound season. It can be done but isn’t likely.
It’s time to win some damn football games. I may rant some more in this thread.
And with that I will get started.
QB - Appears that Jackson Arnold is the clear front runner for QB1. Deuce will get tons of reps in the spring and will be great for his development. We need good to very good QB play this 2025 season. You want the big bucks that goes for Jackson and Deuce time to earn it and they are definitely getting big money. They both have 9 months to learn the playbook and find timing with the WRs. My advice would be get to work now.
RBs - I suspect that we will have a 3 man running back rotation. I think all 3 are ok backs but none have proven they can be any type of game changer or bell cow. My guess would be each of the top 3 Damari, Cobb, Durrell get around 10ish carries each game. Maybe a couple passes each game. Which one will fall forward, fight for that extra yard at contact, learn to pick up a linebacker blitzing and not get absolutely destroyed into the QBs lap. Thats gonna be my guy. You wanna play big boy football then act like a big boy.
WRs - blocking downfield. For each other and on run plays. We run so much RPO it can be difficult to block at times. But show effort. Get to the next level and hit someone. Again it’s a big boy game. Promising room but lots of growth for each of them. None have arrived especially in an Auburn uniform.
OL - Finally we have 3-4 OTs they we can maybe compete with. Definitely at the show me point tho. Percy Lewis hurt bad. Did a great job in the portal to address the OT spot. We can be very solid on the inside. Just have to clean up a lot on A gap blitzing and stemming defensive fronts. Better communication will help.
TE - Lord help us. Weakest position group on the team and that is with great news that Frazier is returning. We have gotten worse each year under Ben A. I don’t care if we have a single reception from the TEs but dammit if you’re 6’5” 265-270 and you can’t set the edge against an OLB I don’t know what to say, if you’re a flex TE and you can’t chip a linebacker or block a safety in space I don’t know what to say either. Group must improve in many aspects and must improve quickly.
DL - we have some serious young talent here. Hard for me to know what might happen here in 2025 with so many very young guys and probably not finished in the portal. Can tell you a couple things, I’m sick of seeing 3rd and 3 or 4th and 2 and the other teams offense just hands it off and picks up 3-4 yards. That’s when games are won and lost. Coaching doesn’t seem to be an issue here just lack of overall talent. I’ll get to another issue in another section of this post.
LB - Again lots of young talent but no alpha. This room desperately needs an Alpha. If we go to the portal for a Mike backer we need a difference maker in the room. A true QB of the defense. Last really good Mike we had was Ricochet Rabbit calling out plays before they were even run. That’s putting in the work in the film room. I trust Durkin to put a decent unit on the field.
DBs - Goodness the athleticism. Everything you could want except experience. We will still be young but all can improve and should. Losing Charles Kelly is a big loss but like I said I trust Durkin to find the right guy for system. I guess he’s already in place.
Individual players
Perry Thompson - come on my guy. Lean down bro. You’re what in reality 6’2” 230. Yes I know the roster has you at 6’3” 215 or whatever but you look sluggish and slow. Don’t look explosive. People are wanting you at TE. You got what 8 snaps a game and jersey untucked. You be you but you gotta want to get better.
Connor Lew - Time to live up to that freshman hype. You looked great. Get that arse in the film room. Get better and identifying hiding blitz packages. Yes I know in the Freeze offense sets protection. But get better at helping the guards. Plus put the team on your back and win your individual matchups. If we need a yard tell them to run behind you!!
Defensive line - get better rushing the passer regardless if you are an interior or edge rusher. Keldric is a good anchor at the strong side but we need to collapse the pocket as a group. I expect this to be item 1 on Coach VKW’s agenda this offseason. This can be pointed at every player even Keldric. Keldric is very good slipping a block inside and getting tackles for loss but not great in obvious passing downs. He needs to improve his hand fighting.
Robert Woodyard - it’s time brother. You’ve come a long way. Changed your body. Got faster. To be the man you have to believe you are the man. Show us. Be that thumper in the middle.
DBs - Individually the entire room has to get better. They aren’t bad just inexperienced but super talented. Get better at tackling. Especially at safety. Harris absolutely shined because he just put people on the ground when he got to them.
Ok now. Done with the players in general. This is for the coaching staff and support staff.
I demand as a fan starting this year that my beloved Auburn Tigers not be a soft arse team. I’m 2024 we were physically soft and I’m not sure if that is cos ch ing doesn’t have an “edge” to them, they aren’t being worked hard enough in the weight room, or not held accountable to be physical, or not coached to be physical. But I’m sick of this just pushing up against the opponent. Put them on their fricking asses.
I haven’t heard one player say 1 word about dreading to go to a coach Dom workout. In fall camp I saw post of players going bowling at 11pm the night of practice and the night prior to another practice. ( yes I know you can’t do 2 or 3 a days). But in spring and fall camp you damn well know I’m gonna exhaust that arse. Pushed beyond what you think you can do.
In spring and the first 2-3 weeks of fall practice you have to go 1v1 at all positions. 2v2 at all. Full out tackling. It took 5 games into the season to get up to fricking game speed. I’m not saying QBs go live. But everyone else get after it. Iron sharpens iron. My biggest complaint is not being physical. When you can kick the guys arse across from you it’s a lot easier to win your rep in practice or a play in a game.
Play calling - Like I’ve said I trust Durkin but when a team gets a couple first downs and we get them in a 3rd probable passing situation please bring more then 3 on some occasions. I’m not saying risk a big play from the opposing 20 but when they are in plus territory do it some.
Offense I assume we will lean RPO which is determined in a lot of ways by the defensive alignment. I can accept that. However all but a couple games this season after a game I had no idea what the offense was trying to establish or do in the game. That’s why the offense seemed so sporadic in my opinion. Coaches must have an identity on offense and stick to it. Know your play makers. Get them the ball. Either running or passing.
Easy 2025 schedule. Other then UGa bammer and ATm, we will have an equal (Okie) or better roster then our opponents. The way the schedule lays out we could be anywhere from 10-2 to 6-6. My expectation is 8-4 and would be disappointed with anything less. 9-3 would exceed my expectations but is attainable. 10-2 would be a great rebound season. It can be done but isn’t likely.
It’s time to win some damn football games. I may rant some more in this thread.
9
Posted on 1/2/25 at 2:43 am to CorchJay
Nice post Corch. nice post.
Perry Thompson is a riddle right now isnt he?
I dont think its gaining weight and slowing down. He showed his speed a few times this past season. He has an effortless gait, and while it may look like everyone is churning around him he just seems to glide past.
He missed the spring....so did Malcolm Simmons.
He may not understand the full playbook....see aforementioned.
He was playing behind KLS. What did the coaches say about Malcolm....just find a way to get him on the field and get him the ball. If Perry had performed Im sure the coaches would do the same for him.
If he wants playing time the room sure just got a lot more crowded with two studs in the portal and Derrick Smith (who is Malcolm Simmons on steroids) arriving next year. And I wouldnt sleep on Sam Turner who certainly started to blossom the latter half of the season.
Maybe he is a flex tight end, its a weak spot for us, and he has no problem bumping heads, he played defense in high school, and he did some blocking on offense this past fall. At this point its not what he wants. If he transfers what have we lost? He needs to understand he is a very expensive paperweight right now and he needs to start earning some of what he is being paid and if its tight end so be it.
Perry Thompson is a riddle right now isnt he?
I dont think its gaining weight and slowing down. He showed his speed a few times this past season. He has an effortless gait, and while it may look like everyone is churning around him he just seems to glide past.
He missed the spring....so did Malcolm Simmons.
He may not understand the full playbook....see aforementioned.
He was playing behind KLS. What did the coaches say about Malcolm....just find a way to get him on the field and get him the ball. If Perry had performed Im sure the coaches would do the same for him.
If he wants playing time the room sure just got a lot more crowded with two studs in the portal and Derrick Smith (who is Malcolm Simmons on steroids) arriving next year. And I wouldnt sleep on Sam Turner who certainly started to blossom the latter half of the season.
Maybe he is a flex tight end, its a weak spot for us, and he has no problem bumping heads, he played defense in high school, and he did some blocking on offense this past fall. At this point its not what he wants. If he transfers what have we lost? He needs to understand he is a very expensive paperweight right now and he needs to start earning some of what he is being paid and if its tight end so be it.
Posted on 1/2/25 at 4:09 am to CorchJay
quote:
all but a couple games this season after a game I had no idea what the offense was trying to establish or do in the game. That’s why the offense seemed so sporadic in my opinion. Coaches must have an identity on offense and stick to it.
This is why hiring Nix made little sense. We need a play caller and this three headed monster we allegedly had this year created chaos. Thorne took the lion’s share of the blame, but I don’t think it was all deserved.
Good post. I think the excuses will have to run out this season. We’re still far from a 10 win squad, but we have 8 win
talent with the schedule we play.
Posted on 1/2/25 at 6:20 am to CorchJay
quote:
We run so much RPO
Why do we have to be married to the RPO?
To me, IF you can’t execute it, don’t run it.
We are not a rolling ball of butcher knives and RPO so far under CHF has created some turnovers that had we just tried to play to the strengths of the team we might have beat Oklahoma and Mizzou.
Running RPO with a Heisman QB and a functional offensive line is different than running RPO with what we had on the field last year. Doing what the cool kids do does not work if you do not have the talent and execution to run it.
Posted on 1/2/25 at 6:52 am to CorchJay
quote:
Easy 2025 schedule.
When you have four losing seasons in a row, I don’t think you are in any position to say you have an easy schedule.
Posted on 1/2/25 at 6:58 am to wareaglepete
You know what he is saying.
We dont have Florida's schedule from last year. Ever since the conference was reconfigured our schedule has lightened up compared to the previous eras.
We dont have Florida's schedule from last year. Ever since the conference was reconfigured our schedule has lightened up compared to the previous eras.
Posted on 1/2/25 at 7:02 am to jangalang
I do, I just can’t say, hey we got an easy schedule next year.
We may very well be part of other teams perceived easy schedule.
We may very well be part of other teams perceived easy schedule.
Posted on 1/2/25 at 8:00 am to makersmark1
quote:
Doing what the cool kids do does not work if you do not have the talent and execution to run it.
I had to chuckle. I remember one play where we tried to pull a guard from the right to block the left edge, Thorne barely got the ball and was smashed in the face.
He comes off the field and Freeze is yelling at him to get rid of the ball, Thorne just looks at him like he is ignorant, which he was, cause Thorne didnt even have time to raise his arm, much less "get rid of it".
Arnold can run the RPO
Posted on 1/2/25 at 8:14 am to wareaglepete
Jourdin Crawford is now 320 lbs and looks like he has molded it a little better. I think he will be playing early and often, which should help on the interior line where we need help.
Posted on 1/2/25 at 8:23 am to trinidadtiger
quote:
we tried to pull a guard from the right to block the left edge,
That is planning to fail at its best.
A journeyman transfer guard called on to block an SEC edge rusher from the other side of the formation?
Why do coaches think that is the ideal way to pass pro?
Posted on 1/2/25 at 8:44 am to makersmark1
I remember we tried to do that against Garrett from A&M.
RIP to our QB that day...
RIP to our QB that day...
Posted on 1/2/25 at 10:31 am to makersmark1
quote:
Why do coaches think that is the ideal way to pass pro?
It has become pretty common on PA passes to do it. It is great at fooling LB's/Safeties as it trips every run indicator they have, though a lot have gotten used to it now so I think it is less impactful.
But yea, sometime you just need to know who your players are and who they are up against. There was no world a pulling guard was going to be able to get to Myles Garret on a pass play. They struggle enough on a run play when he isn't rushing upfield.
Posted on 1/2/25 at 10:44 am to makersmark1
quote:
Why do we have to be married to the RPO?
The RPO isn’t hard. Wasn’t hard for Thorne. Won’t be hard for Arnold. It’s is a dynamic offensive model. Sark and Kiffin both run an RPO based offense.
We had the 5th offense in the conference by yards. 13th by points.
The reason for that is because when it was nut cutting time we couldn’t run the football in the red zone.
Posted on 1/2/25 at 10:48 am to jangalang
Better memory than I Jang, thats who it was.
I think Freeze is learning, like a lot of coaches now, its a whole new ballgame.
Added responsibilities:
Year round portal scouting and recruiting
Negotiations of current roster personnel and NIL
Overall NIL budget and allocations
Interaction with Redmond and his staff
MUCH more attention to boosters and events
If you want to coach you need to be a coordinator, there simply is not enough time to do all that is required and do the gameplan as well. And doing it part time is how you end up with that cluster this past year.
I think Freeze is learning, like a lot of coaches now, its a whole new ballgame.
Added responsibilities:
Year round portal scouting and recruiting
Negotiations of current roster personnel and NIL
Overall NIL budget and allocations
Interaction with Redmond and his staff
MUCH more attention to boosters and events
If you want to coach you need to be a coordinator, there simply is not enough time to do all that is required and do the gameplan as well. And doing it part time is how you end up with that cluster this past year.
Posted on 1/2/25 at 10:54 am to CorchJay
Posted on 1/2/25 at 11:01 am to trinidadtiger
Nice breakdown corch
There were many occasions that Thorne did not get rid of the ball when he should have and had the time. It was one of the things I payed attention to this year. He caused a lot of his own issues at times. Yes, there are plenty of times he was under pressure quick but Thorne either struggled to make his reads or waited too long to throw. He has had this problem the last two years.
quote:
Thorne didnt even have time to raise his arm, much less "get rid of it".
There were many occasions that Thorne did not get rid of the ball when he should have and had the time. It was one of the things I payed attention to this year. He caused a lot of his own issues at times. Yes, there are plenty of times he was under pressure quick but Thorne either struggled to make his reads or waited too long to throw. He has had this problem the last two years.
This post was edited on 1/2/25 at 11:02 am
Posted on 1/2/25 at 11:13 am to RockyMtnTigerWDE
There were several times Thorne should've gotten rid of the ball, but every team has that. Arnold took seven more sacks than Thorne.
Thorne was better this year than last year by far. A stark contrast from last year against A&M. He panicked then and froze. He wiggled out of a lot more sacks this year.
Posted on 1/2/25 at 11:21 am to jangalang
I only commented on the post I quoted. Of course every team has that. He wasn’t always running for his life and did not get rid of the ball when he should have at times. I have no idea if he did better this year from last since we only won 5 games.
It really doesn’t matter now and looking forward to next year, and hoping Arnold shows up and out.
It really doesn’t matter now and looking forward to next year, and hoping Arnold shows up and out.
Posted on 1/2/25 at 12:02 pm to GoCrazyAuburn
It's the very first play of the game to boot.
Watxh this strategy unravel
Posted on 1/2/25 at 12:50 pm to jangalang
What's Auburn's record this year with Snowboard Cam at QB1?
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