March Madness has come to an end for college basketball, but the madness of spring is just picking up for Auburn football.
A coaching staff that features three new coaches, including two new coordinators, has spent the majority of practice time this spring implementing new systems on both sides of the ball.
"We've put in quite a bit of information with them and they've done a great job," said new offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler. "They're learning every single day."
After running primarily out of the shotgun formation for the past three years under former offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn, Loeffler has implemented multiple looks and formations this spring, said junior wide receiver Travante Stallworth.
"I love it," Stallworth said. "It's so much different stuff. It's not just shotgun; it's pro, shotgun, pistol. We do a whole bunch of stuff, so coach Loeffler has a great thing going."
Sophomore quarterback Kiehl Frazier, who is competing with incumbent starter Clint Moseley and true freshman Zeke Pike for the starting job, said he's picked up Loeffler's offense quickly.
"I feel a lot more comfortable just knowing this offense," Frazier said. "I think I know this offense--even though we've only been it just two weeks--probably better than I knew Coach Malzahn's, even at the end."
On the defensive side of the ball, new defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder has been installing a 4-3 scheme that has forced the defense to pick up all new terminology and technique.
"We're involved in installs so every day we're getting something new," VanGorder said. "I would say our secondary is fighting, maybe doing the best job of fighting through that right now, and there's a lot on their plate. They are asked to do a lot on the communication end and they've been better this week."
Echoing Frazier's sentiments about grasping the simpler schemes from the new coaches, junior defensive end Dee Ford said the defensive line is doing more attacking and less reacting.
"VanGorder makes everything simple so we can play fast," Ford said. "Everything is about running. Last year, we did a lot of reading. Last year as a defensive line we had to make calls. That's now strictly in the hands of the secondary and the linebackers. I don't think anyone is overloaded."
The starting quarterback position is up for grabs for the third straight spring, but another battle to watch is the starting wide receiver position opposite senior Emory Blake.
Senior receivers Travante Stallworth and DeAngelo Benton have been given the first crack at starting across from Blake.
Stallworth said responsibility falls on the entire unit, not just one player.
"Emory is a great player," Stallworth said. "We don't want to go single one person out. Everybody just wants to go out there and make plays."
After coming back for his senior year, Blake joins senior tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen as Auburn's most proven commodities in the passing game.
Blake's 13 touchdown catches in the past two seasons are more than any returning SEC player, and wide receivers coach Trooper Taylor has started an "80 for 80" campaign this spring, meaning 80 catches in 2012 for the No. 80 Blake.
"I love it," Blake said. "You know, with guys catching balls the way they are today, if you want to be recognized on a national scale you've got to catch a good amount of balls, so 80 would be very nice."
Going up against a receiver of Blake's caliber each day in practice will help Auburn's secondary, led by new secondary coach Willie Martinez.
Sophomore Erique Florence has been impressed with Martinez in his first months on the job.
"He's an animal. He comes back and he tell us from day one, you've got to have swag," Florence said. "He kind of relates football to other stuff. He kind of touches home with us."
Florence, along with fellow sophomores Robenson Therizie and Jermaine Whitehead, were thrust into action as true freshmen, but Florence said the experience will pay off in 2012.
"I can say if I would've never got as much playing time as I did last year, I would still be relating to high school ball," Florence said. "But since I played as much as I did last year, I know what to expect--the speed of the game, the power, and I know what to bring with me every Saturday."
The Tigers have five more spring practices before the April 14 A-Day, Auburn's spring scrimmage of white versus blue.
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