The 2009 season is over; 2010 is just starting. But I've learned it's never too early to look ahead to the next football season (certainly not at a football-crazy school like Auburn). So let's take stock (after you follow the blog on Twitter, of course).Like last spring, I'm going to take a look at the Tigers position-by-position. We'll do a new one each day to stretch this out. I realize things are still fluid in the final month of recruiting, but more often than not that will have little impact on the actual starting lineup for next year. There are exceptions (Daren Bates comes to mind), but usually incoming freshmen don't make a major impact their first season.
So without further adieu, let's get to the quarterbacks.
WHO'S GONE?
- Starter: Chris Todd
- Reserves: None
- Seniors: Neil Caudle, Kodi Burns
- Juniors: Cameron Newton
- Sophomores: Barrett Trotter
- Redshirt Freshmen: Tyrik Rollison, Clint Moseley
- Incoming freshmen: None
Looking back, I don't think anyone expected Todd to have the kind of senior season he did. He flourished in Gus Malzahn's offense, throwing for 2,612 yards and 22 touchdowns, completing 60.4 percent of his passes. For as much of a punching bag as Todd was for most of his college career (even when Auburn was 5-3 this year, there were plenty of calls for his benching), it seems like in hindsight fans will start to appreciate the kind of quarterback he was for the program. Spectacular? No. A steady game manager? At times. But, like Brandon Cox, he'll probably be appreciated much more in his post-Auburn career than his active one.
His absence leaves a giant void. If Rollison clears up the issues that led to his team-imposed suspension in December, the Tigers will have six quarterbacks on the roster next year. Of that group, only one has started a college game, and Auburn moved him to receiver last season. At a position where experience is paramount, that's definitely a concern.
So just who's the frontrunner for the job? Good question. Before Auburn won the Newton sweepstakes, it figured to be Caudle, the most seasoned of the quarterbacks and a good program man who had put in his time for years, eager to finally get his shot. But now, I can't envision a scenario where Newton, the 6-foot-6, 245-pound dual threat who was once Tim Tebow's backup, isn't at or near the top of the list. The coaches brought him in for a reason, and it's no different than two years ago when Tommy Tuberville's staff, with Todd and Burns as its choices, quietly recruited junior college quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, who would end up at Oregon: they clearly weren't enamored with their choices.
And you can't fault them for that. Caudle has had several chances to wow two different coaching staffs and win the job. It's never gotten him on the field other than in garbage time. Burns, if his 0-for-2, two-interception performance in the Outback Bowl was any indication, will not be a serious candidate for the job. Trotter was an Al Borges recruit who is coming off a major knee injury. Rollison appears to have some personal issues to resolve before he can consider being in a position to lead a football team. And Moseley, despite drawing a considerable amount of praise from coaches and teammates for his work ethic and physical skills, was still just a scout team player last year.
Hardly a Murderer's Row of choices.
Which is why Newton is so enticing. Say what you will about the laptop incident he had at Florida (and I'm sure the jokes will be non-stop), he had proven success at the junior college level last year, throwing for 2,833 yards and 22 touchdowns and running for another 655 yards and 16 scores. Think Malzahn could do some interesting things with a player of that particular skill set? And that's the thing. There's clearly not that immediate upside with any of the other quarterbacks.
Of course there are questions. You never know what you're going to get with junior college players. Some adapt better than others, although the fact that Newton has already spent two years with a major program (Florida), practicing and working with FBS-level coaching helps his cause immensely.
How will it shake out? Last year I predicted after the spring that Todd, despite missing all of spring drills, would win the starting job. In the absence of an overwhelming talent, experience usually wins out. There isn't that level of experience this year. And there has the potential to be an overwhelming talent. If the scouting reports are true (and quite honestly, they're usually filled with hyperbole), Newton can be a game-changer. That's more than enough to offset Caudle's advantage as a returning senior who has waited for his turn. The wild card, of course, is how Newton adjusts to Malzahn's offense. Caudle has a huge head start. To lesser degrees, so do the other returning quarterbacks. But by enrolling in January, Newton will be able to go through a full complement of spring drills and summer workouts, enough to get comfortable with the system by the time the season rolls around.
My early, early guess is that Newton wins the job, with Caudle once again relegated to backup. Burns will still be used as a slash-type player and Trotter, Rollison and Moseley will continue to wait their turn.
His absence leaves a giant void. If Rollison clears up the issues that led to his team-imposed suspension in December, the Tigers will have six quarterbacks on the roster next year. Of that group, only one has started a college game, and Auburn moved him to receiver last season. At a position where experience is paramount, that's definitely a concern.
So just who's the frontrunner for the job? Good question. Before Auburn won the Newton sweepstakes, it figured to be Caudle, the most seasoned of the quarterbacks and a good program man who had put in his time for years, eager to finally get his shot. But now, I can't envision a scenario where Newton, the 6-foot-6, 245-pound dual threat who was once Tim Tebow's backup, isn't at or near the top of the list. The coaches brought him in for a reason, and it's no different than two years ago when Tommy Tuberville's staff, with Todd and Burns as its choices, quietly recruited junior college quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, who would end up at Oregon: they clearly weren't enamored with their choices.
And you can't fault them for that. Caudle has had several chances to wow two different coaching staffs and win the job. It's never gotten him on the field other than in garbage time. Burns, if his 0-for-2, two-interception performance in the Outback Bowl was any indication, will not be a serious candidate for the job. Trotter was an Al Borges recruit who is coming off a major knee injury. Rollison appears to have some personal issues to resolve before he can consider being in a position to lead a football team. And Moseley, despite drawing a considerable amount of praise from coaches and teammates for his work ethic and physical skills, was still just a scout team player last year.
Hardly a Murderer's Row of choices.
Which is why Newton is so enticing. Say what you will about the laptop incident he had at Florida (and I'm sure the jokes will be non-stop), he had proven success at the junior college level last year, throwing for 2,833 yards and 22 touchdowns and running for another 655 yards and 16 scores. Think Malzahn could do some interesting things with a player of that particular skill set? And that's the thing. There's clearly not that immediate upside with any of the other quarterbacks.
Of course there are questions. You never know what you're going to get with junior college players. Some adapt better than others, although the fact that Newton has already spent two years with a major program (Florida), practicing and working with FBS-level coaching helps his cause immensely.
How will it shake out? Last year I predicted after the spring that Todd, despite missing all of spring drills, would win the starting job. In the absence of an overwhelming talent, experience usually wins out. There isn't that level of experience this year. And there has the potential to be an overwhelming talent. If the scouting reports are true (and quite honestly, they're usually filled with hyperbole), Newton can be a game-changer. That's more than enough to offset Caudle's advantage as a returning senior who has waited for his turn. The wild card, of course, is how Newton adjusts to Malzahn's offense. Caudle has a huge head start. To lesser degrees, so do the other returning quarterbacks. But by enrolling in January, Newton will be able to go through a full complement of spring drills and summer workouts, enough to get comfortable with the system by the time the season rolls around.
My early, early guess is that Newton wins the job, with Caudle once again relegated to backup. Burns will still be used as a slash-type player and Trotter, Rollison and Moseley will continue to wait their turn.
21 comments:
Newton seems to be the consensus opinion, although I don't believe Caudle will be the backup. Moseley or Rollison will likely fill that roll.
Great blog, Andy. As always you bring the best info. As for QB thoughts... Its hard to see the staff imagining anyone but Cam getting the job next year or they wouldn't have put the press on to get him. I hate to think our staff would promise anyone the job who hasn't yet earned it, but Cam has been clear about his intentions to go to the League and I doubt he would have signed anywhere he didn't feel very confident he could/would be the starter.
Newton will probably start. And I think you'll find that Rollison will be the wildcat QB, Burns will be strictly a wideout, with a throwing option, and Caudle will assume the backup roll (unless Newton gets hurt, in which case, Rollison will likely end up stepping up to the plate). Rollison is head and shoulders faster than Burns and appears to be a more polished passer as well.
And don't forget that with a QB like Newton or Rollison there is FAR less need for the wildcat
Newton is as good a runner as Rollison and probably better if Youtube has anything to say. And rumor is Caudle is transferring (all over the message boards). Not a surprise really and he might have transferred even without the recruitment of Cam. I wish Neil well and am sorry he never got his career on track at Auburn. Seems like a good guy.
It would not surprise me at all if they went away from an actual quarterback for the Wildcat quarterback position. Finding a passing threat isn't the point of that role; it's having a decisive runner and a schematic advantage of an additional blocker that makes the formation.
I think that means a running back or wide receiver gets that role. Someone more decisive with his running (Burns was kind of a stop and go guy). Perhaps somebody like Travante Stallworth, who appeared like mike get a look before he got injured at the end of the year.
That should say "might" get a look, not mike.
I'm curious what to think of these Caudle rumors. It's my understanding that the NCAA closed the loophole for players with one year of eligibility left from transferring to an FCS school and playing their final season.
I believe (but am still checking on this) that Caudle, who is a redshirt junior, would have to transfer to a D-II or D-III school to play immediately. Or perhaps there are exceptions somewhere that I'm missing.
Andy, I believe you're correct about the transfer rule. But that still makes sense for Caudle. I'd much rather change schools to have a shot as the lead dog, even if it is for only one year in Div. II, than for my entire career to be one in the back up role and never to know how I would have performed as the starter. You can't blame the kid at all if he's considering it.
True, but the particular rumor that is out there is that Caudle is going to Appalachian State, an FCS school. Under the current rules, I don't think that is possible, since he has one year of eligibility remaining and would not be able to immediately compete at the FCS (formerly I-AA) level.
And, per Rivals, Caudle isn't going anywhere.
I do think the QB position can be the difference between Auburn winning 7 or 8 games next year and Auburn winning 10+ games.
Newton appears to be the guy with the greatest potential to be a BIG improvement.
Anyway, I don't really have a favorite, I just hope one of them steps up and has a great 2010 season.
Sometimes things seem simple--because they ARE. Cam didn't come to AU to sit the bench. The job is his. If he even suspected that it wasn't he'd have gone to Miss St.
He may not have been at AU long, but like Todd in 2008 (bum shoulder notwithstanding), Cam is our most experienced QB. Playing at a lower division is better than sitting the bench at a BCS level. And Neil didn't play in a game outside the LSU blowout...
Plus with more versatile players, next year's offense won't look a whole lot like what we did this year anyway. We will be running a LOT more option for one thing...
At any rate, I'm looking forward to it. Should be an interesting Spring...
Andy...hope the previous post didn't come off weird...I was just writing random thoughts as they popped in my head...a dangerous thing I know. :)
Not weird at all. I encourage any and all comments. It's my new year's resolution.
As for Cam, I can see the coaches outlining all the positives of being at Auburn: they system, the opportunity, Malzahn's tutelage. But I can't see them outright promising him the job.
I'm sure Cam has a good sense that he can win it, probably more so than if he had gone to Mississippi State, where Chris Relf and Tyler Russell both figure to be around for a while. Auburn was a much better situation to step into and start immediately.
I’m not sure Auburn will need a “wildcat” QB next year. Newton is bigger than any of the running backs and can easily handle designed QB runs and QB draws. (He has great scrambling ability too.) Cody Burns looks to be the other big loser here (along with Caudle.) He is no longer needed as a “wildcat” and he only caught 5 passes as a WR. And PLEASE don’t let him throw the ball anymore!
I don't think the coaches necessarily want to put their starting quarterback in harm's way as a Wildcat option, though.
The point of that formation is to gain a schematic advantage by gaining another blocker. The person who takes the snap is going to get hit, just like a running back would. I don't know how much you put your starting quarterback out there for that.
Srambling around and sliding for a gain is one thing. Taking a designed run into the teeth of a defense (unless you are Tim Tebow) is something you do with someone more suited to taking contact.
Imagine the possibilities of inserting Rollison as a Wildcat QB, and splitting Newton wide (or vice versa). Thinking of all the double passes and trick plays make me giddy, like the first qtr. of the Bama game.
What the heck is wrong with putting the "wildcat" in the backfield *beside* the quarterback and making the defense guess who will get the snap?
By the way, please, please don't let Kodi pass the ball anymore. If you need for the other team to get the ball, just hand it to them and don't take a chance on one of our valuable OL getting hurt.
I think it will be Newton and Rollison will be our new "change of pace" QB. Kodi will work primarily at WR. He did make a lot of progress at the position. That was a great catch he made in the Outback Bowl.
It will be great to watch Auburn Tigers,i have bought tickets from http://ticketfront.com/event/Auburn_Tigers-tickets looking forward to it.
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