Day 6 of fall practice tested Auburn's defense with some of the highest temperatures in recent weeks.
Defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson said the heat was a good test of mental strength for his players, and in spite of it all, the Tigers had a "really good day."
"We kind of rotate inside and outside with offense and defense," Johnson said. "Defensively, we were outside today and it was probably one of the hotter days we've had."
Johnson said the practice focused heavily on special situations, such as in the red zone and when offenses go hurry up to prevent defensive substitutions.
"We got a lot of work done in what I call the 'score zone,' which is inside the twelve," Johnson said. "Overall it was a really good practice and tomorrow is a day off for them and I think we could use it mentally."
Defensive back Derrick Moncrief, who transferred in from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, has been making great progress despite a sickness that set him back.
"We don't know if he had a little bug mixed in with some dehydration," Johnson said. "He missed a full practice and another half where he couldn't go full speed."
The loss of Dee Ford to the NFL and Carl Lawson to an ACL injury has put pressure on Johnson to innovate the defense and create pressure.
An expanded dime formation, which the Tigers tinkered with in 2013, is one way Johnson hopes to add pressure and speed to the defense.
"We had it last year but our personnel didn't fit it well so we sort of moved on," Johnson said. "Working five defensive backs with a Star safety back there, three down linemen and two linebackers."
On the injury front, sophomore defensive back Khari Harding was a little banged up according to Johnson and senior defensive back Trovon Reed has been dealing with a nagging hamstring injury.
Star safety Justin Garrett went down for 10-15 minutes with an injury, but continued practice later on.
Freshmen defensive backs Markell Boston and Stephen Roberts have turned some heads with their play in camp, but Johnson said neither are quite ready to play at the highest level.
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