Junior transfer Chris Todd: will battle sophomore Kodi Burns for the starting quarterback role.
Kodi Burns: saw playing time as a freshman in 2007 playing behind former quarterback Brandon Cox. ARCHIVED
Auburn’s 2008 offense features a new coordinator, new quarterbacks and most importantly, a new system.
“Everything’s coming together,” said head coach Tommy Tuberville on Sunday after a two and a half hour, full-contact practice. “We’re in pretty good shape.”
New offensive coordinator Tony Franklin’s spread offense has the potential to be explosive this season and has had fans talking since the Tigers put up 420 yards of total offense on Clemson, Dec. 31.
Franklin said the adjustment to his spread has not been as difficult as most fans think.
“I feel good about the offense,” Franklin said. “Every year, it’s impossible to tell how good you are against your own people until you play other teams. But we’re talented enough, and I’d be very disappointed if we’re not good on offense.”
The spread is a fast, no-huddle tactic to running an offense. Plays are called at the line of scrimmage, and the quarterback is usually in the shotgun position. Three, four or even five receivers are often spread down the line, and passes are frequently quick and short.
QUARTERBACKS
As of Sunday afternoon, a starting quarterback still had not been named, so the position is still up for grabs between sophomore scrambler Kodi Burns, who played in nine games last season, and junior college transfer Chris Todd, a pocket passer who worked with Franklin in high school.
Franklin confirmed again, Sunday, that both Burns and Todd will see time at quarterback this season.
“It’s a unique situation, I’ve never had anything like it,” said Franklin of the two quarterbacks. “They are both good leaders and players, and they’ve both gotten better. We’ll have someone go out there first on Saturday, but it could just be situational. It might be more important who ends the game than who starts.”
RUNNING BACKS
Brad Lester returns for his senior season. Lester was suspended for the first five games of 2007 for academic reason, but managed to gain 530 yards and three touchdowns in seven games.
He will be competing for time with junior Ben Tate, who had eight touchdowns and finished about 100 yards shy of the 1,000 yard mark last season.
“I’m going to do whatever I have to do to win a national championship,” Tate said. “With the spread offense, I’ll have more opportunities to catch balls out of the backfield, The offense is fun for everybody. We just have to take it one game at a time.”
WIDE RECEIVERS
Sophomore Mario Fanin, who also played running back last year, has moved to slot wide receiver in the new offense, but Franklin said he will be showcased at a number of different positions on the field.
“I’m still trying to learn what’s new in practice going full speed, but it’s a lot like running back,” Fanin said. “There’s just more open space. I’m playing a little bit of everything right now. It feels great to get the ball wherever I can.”
Senior Rod Smith, the feature receiver, will be expected to follow up last year’s 52 receptions for five touchdowns and will have help from fellow seniors James Swinton and Robert Dunn. Sophomore Tim Hawthorne should also see more playing time this season.
OFFENSIVE LINE
The offensive line, which started slowly last year, is led by sophomore tackles Lee Ziemba and Ryan Pugh, senior guard Tyrone Green, junior guard Byron Isom (taking over Chaz Ramsey’s spot because of a spring surgery) and senior Jason Bosley returns at center.
Auburn, ranked 10th in the Associated Press poll and 11th in the USA Today Coaches poll, will open its season at home Saturday at 6:30 p.m. against Louisiana Monroe.
August 28, 2008 - 2:44pm
Thats what she said
Thats what she said